USOO8028323B2
`
`(12) Unlted States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`Weel
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EMPLOYINGA
`FIRST DEVICE T0 DIRECT A NETWORKED
`AUDIO DEVICE TO OBTAIN A MEDIA ITEM
`InVemori Martin W661, Modjeskaa CA (US)
`
`(75)
`
`(73) Assignee: Dryden Enterprises, LLC, Wilmington,
`DE (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(1)) by 1210 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 10/840,109
`
`(22)
`(65)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 5’ 2004
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2005/0251566 A1
`Nov. 10, 2005
`
`(51)
`
`Int Cl
`(200601)
`H0-4N I7/173
`(52) US. Cl.
`......... 725/141; 725/133; 725/118; 709/219
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 709/223,
`709/217, 219, 203, 231, 206; 705/27; 725/88,
`725/112 134 141 118 133. 707/200. 700/94.
`a
`a
`a
`a
`a
`5 348/7345
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`(commued)
`
`Primary Examiner 7 Le Luu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Flrm i WithrOW & TerranOVa,
`PLLC
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`A method for playmg mus1c 1ncludes d1splaymg a 11st of
`playlists names, selecting one of the displayed playlists
`names, sending at least one attribute of a playlist correspond-
`ing to the selected playlist name to a playlist server, receiving
`a playlist from the playlist server wherein the received play-
`list corresponds to the attribute(s), selecting at least one song
`from the received playlist, sending information representa-
`tive of the selected song to a content server, receiving the
`selected song from the content server, and playing the
`selected song(s). Requesting a playlist on the first device
`based on attributes, sending the same attributes to a second
`device having the second device request the playlist and start
`playing.
`
`18 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`PLAYLIST SERVER]
`CONTENT SERVER
`
`FIRST
`DEVICE
`
`_
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SECOND
`DEVICE
`
`Page 1 of 20
`
`LG EXHIBIT 1001
`
`Page 1 of 20
`
`LG EXHIBIT 1001
`
`

`

`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`Page 2 of 20
`
`Page 2 of 20
`
`

`

`US 8,028,323 B2
`Page 3
`
`2008/0114481 A1
`2008/0133520 A1
`2008/0288375 A1
`2009/0085724 A1
`2009/0193472 A1
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`
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`More,”
`http://messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php,
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`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 3 0f 20
`
`Page 3 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of8
`
`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`PLAYLIST SERVER/
`
`FIG. 1
`
`CONTENT SERVER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SECOND
`
`DEVICE
`
`12
`
`
`
`
`FIRST
`
`DEVICE
`
`Page 4 of 20
`
`Page 4 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of8
`
`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`FIG. 2
`
`DISPLAY
`
`KEYPAD
`
`Page 5 0f 20
`
`Page 5 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of8
`
`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`DISPLAY A LIST OF PLAYLISTS ON A FIRST DEVICE
`
`SELECT ONE OF THE DISPLAYED PLAYLISTS FROM
`
`THE FIRST DEVICE
`
`SEND AT LEAST ONE ATTRIBUTE OF THE SELECTED
`
`PLAYLIST FROM THE FIRST DEVICE TO A PLAYLIST
`
`SERVER
`
`
`
`RECEIVE A PLAYLIST THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE
`
`ATTRIBUTE(S) FROM THE PLAYLIST SERVER AT THE
`FIRST DEVICE
`
`SELECT AT LEAST ONE SONG FROM THE RECEIVED
`
`PLAYLIST ON THE FIRST DEVICE
`
`SEND INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
`
`
`
`SELECTED SONG(S) FROM THE FIRST DEVICE TO A
`CONTENT SERVER
`
`RECEIVE THE SELECTED SONG(S) FROM THE
`CONTENT SERVER AT THE FIRST DEVICE
`
`PLAY THE SELECTED SONG(S) ON THE FIRST DEVICE
`
`Page 6 0f 20
`
`31
`
`32
`
`33
`
`34
`
`35
`
`36
`
`37
`
`38
`
`Page 6 of 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of8
`
`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`DISPLAY A LIST OF PLAYLISTS ON A FIRST DEVICE
`
`FIG. 4
`
`SELECT ONE OF THE DISPLAYED PLAYLISTS FROM
`THE FIRST DEVICE
`
`SEND AT LEAST ONE ATTRIBUTE OF THE SELECTED
`PLAYLIST FROM THE FIRST DEVICE TO A PLAYLIST
`SERVER
`
`
`
`RECEIVE A PLAYLIST THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE
`
`ATTRIBUTE(S) FROM THE PLAYLIST SERVER AT THE
`FIRST DEVICE
`
`SELECT A SECOND DEVICE
`
`
`
`SELECT AT LAST ONE SONG FROM THE RECEIVED
`PLAYLIST ON THE FIRST DEVICE TO BE PLAYED ON
`
`
`THE SECOND DEVICE
`
`
`SEND INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
`SELECTED SONG(S) FROM THE FIRST DEVICE TO
`THE SECOND DEVICE
`
`A CONTENT SERVER
`
`SEND INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
`
`SELECTED SONG(S) FROM THE SECOND DEVICE TO
`
`RECEIVE THE SELECTED SONG(S) FROM THE
`CONTENT SERVER AT THE SECOND DEVICE
`
`PLAY THE SELECTED SONG(S) ON THE SECOND
`DEVICE
`
`Page 7 0f 20
`
`41
`
`42
`
`43
`
`44'
`
`45
`
`46
`
`47
`
`48
`
`49
`
`5O
`
`Page 7 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of8
`
`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`FIG. 5
`
`USER WITH NEW DEVICE ENTERS AN AREA
`
`AND SEARCHES FOR OTHER DEVICES BY
`
`BROADCASTING ON THE NETWORK
`
`OTHER DEVICES RETURN A LOCATION ID OF
`
`THE LOCATION FOR WHICH THEY ARE A
`
`PART
`
`
`
`USER SELECTS A LOCATION AND ENTERS
`
`THE PASSWORD FOR THAT LOCATION
`
`ALL OF THE DEVICES IN THE REALM
`
`(LOCATION) SHOW UP ON USER'S DEVICE
`WHETHER LOCAL OR REMOTE
`
`Page 8 0f 20
`
`:51
`
`52
`
`53
`
`54
`
`Page 8 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 6 of8
`
`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`PLAYLIST SERVER/
`
`CONTENT SERVER
`
`FIG. 6
`
`1o
`
`64
`
`WlRELESS
`
`ACCESS
`
`POINT
`
`12
`-——-------------—
`
`Page 9 0f 20
`
`DEVICE
`
`REMOTE
`
`CONTRO/
`JET—TOP
`
`BOX
`
`63
`
`RENDERING
`
`Page 9 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 7 of8
`
`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`CONTENT SERVER
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`WIRELESS
`
`ACCESS
`
`POINT
`
`SET-TOP
`
`63
`
`--------------
`
`
`
`
`REMOTE
`
`CONTROL
`
`RENDERING
`61
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`62
`
`Page 10 of 20
`
`Page 10 of 20
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of8
`
`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`FIG. 8
`
`81
`
`84
`
`«—
`
`CELL PHONE
`
`PDA
`
`STEREO
`
`——>
`
`82
`
`33
`
`WAN
`
`LAN
`
`Page 11 of 20
`
`Page 11 of 20
`
`

`

`US 8,028,323 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EMPLOYING A
`FIRST DEVICE TO DIRECT A NETWORKED
`AUDIO DEVICE TO OBTAIN A MEDIA ITEM
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This patent application is being co-filed on the same date as
`the patent applications entitled “Hybrid Set-Top Box for
`Digital Entertainment Network” (Rutan & Tucker, Ser. No.
`10/840,104), “Device Discovery for Digital Entertainment
`Networ ” (Rutan & Tucker, Ser. No. 10/840,108), and “Sys-
`tem and Method for Sharing Playlists” (Rutan & Tucker, Ser.
`No. 10/840,110).
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to a method and
`system for playing music. The present invention relates more
`particularly to a digital entertainment network wherein play-
`lists are obtained by communicating attributes ofthe playlists
`to a playlist server and wherein songs are obtained by com-
`municating information representative of the songs to a con-
`tent server.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Traditionally, music has been provided to listeners by
`either a broadcast method or a purchase method. According to
`the broadcast method, music is broadcast to listeners by such
`means as radio and cable systems. The owners of the music
`are typically compensated by the broadcaster via either the
`American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
`(ASCAP) or Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI). These
`two agencies monitor the playing of music by broadcasters,
`collect royalties from the broadcasters, and distribute the
`royalties to the copyright owners of the music.
`However, according to the broadcast method the listener
`has little or no control over which selections are played.
`Generally, a listener must tune in to a radio station or select a
`cable channel that plays the type of music that the listener
`enjoys with the expectation that songs that the listener enjoys
`will occasionally be played. Too frequently, these songs are
`not played as often as the listener would prefer.
`According to the purchase method, a listener purchases
`prerecorded music stored on media such as compact discs
`(CDs). The listener may then play the songs as many times as
`desired. Copyright owners are paid royalties out of the pur-
`chase price of the music.
`However, the purchase method requires that a substantial
`price be paid for the music, at least in part because of the
`virtually unlimited use associated therewith. Listeners appear
`to be becoming less willing to pay the purchase price for such
`prerecorded music, particularly as alternative methods for
`obtaining music become more popular.
`The purchase method suffers from the additional disadvan-
`tage of requiring that media containing the desired songs be
`utilized. Such media is somewhat bulky, particularly when a
`large number of selections are desired. In some instances, it
`may not be practical to carry all of the songs desired because
`of the volume and/or weight of the media required. Such
`media is also undesirably subject to degradation due to use
`and mishandling. For example, scratches on a CD may inhibit
`its use.
`
`A newer method of providing music to listeners is becom-
`ing increasingly popular. It is this method of providing music
`that is apparently making listeners less willing to pay the
`purchase price for music that
`is prerecorded on media.
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`According to this newer method of providing music, the
`music is downloaded from the Internet or otherwise obtained
`
`(such as by trading with friends), as a data file. One popular
`example of such a data file is an MP3 file. MP3 is short for
`Moving Picture Experts Group 1, audio layer 3.
`Although music embodied in data files can be obtained
`legitimately, such as via such services like iTunes (a trade-
`mark ofApple Computer, Inc.), the opportunity to download
`or trade music data files for free has heretofore hampered this
`legitimate method of obtaining music.
`As such, although the prior art has recognized, to a limited
`extent, the problem of distributing music, the proposed solu-
`tions have, to date, been ineffective in providing a satisfactory
`remedy. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method for
`distributing music that is convenient, does not involve the use
`of media, and which provides for the payment of royalties.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`While the apparatus and method has or will be described
`for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explana-
`tions, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless
`expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be con-
`strued as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of
`“means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full
`scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition pro-
`vided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents,
`and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated
`under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equiva-
`lents under 35 USC 112.
`
`The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates
`the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior
`art. More particularly, according to one aspect the present
`invention comprises a method for playing music, wherein the
`method comprises displaying a list ofplaylists names, select-
`ing one of the displayed playlist names, sending at least one
`attribute of a playlist corresponding to the selected playlist
`name to a playlist server, receiving a playlist from the playlist
`server wherein the received playlist corresponds to the
`attribute(s), selecting at least one song from the received
`playlist, sending information representative of the selected
`song(s) to a content server, receiving the selected song(s)
`from the content server and playing the selected song(s).
`According to one method of operation, the playlist names
`are displayed on a first device, a playlist name is selected on
`the first device, the attribute(s) are sent from the first device,
`the playlist is received by the first device, a song is selected
`from the first device, and the song is played on the first device.
`According to another method of operation, the playlist
`names are displayed on a first device, a playlist name is
`selected on the first device, the attribute(s) are sent from the
`first device, the playlist is received by the first device, a song
`is selected from the first device, and the song is played on a
`second device.
`
`The method of the present invention optionally comprises
`selecting the second device. In this instance, the playlist
`names are displayed on a first device, the playlist name is
`selected on the first device, the attribute(s) are sent from the
`first device, the playlist is received by the first device, the song
`is selected from the first device, and the song is played on the
`selected second device. Preferably,
`the second device is
`selected from the first device.
`
`Preferably, the first device comprises a handheld portable
`device. For example, the first device may comprises a palm-
`top computer, an MP3 player, or a remote control for a second
`device.
`
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`US 8,028,323 B2
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`3
`Thus, the first device may comprise a remote control for a
`second device wherein the second device comprises a music
`rendering device. In this instance, songs are typically played
`upon the second device, although songs may also be played
`upon the first device.
`Preferably, selecting one of the displayed playlist names
`and selecting a song from the playlist are performed using a
`touchscreen. If a second device is selected from the first
`
`device, the second device is also preferably selected using the
`touchscreen.
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`Preferably, communicating attributes ofa playlist to a play-
`list server comprises communicating a name of a playlist to a
`playlist server. Communicating attributes of a playlist to a
`playlist server may comprise communicating to the playlist
`server at least one attribute such as a type ofmusic listened to,
`at least one artist, at least one selection, at least one instru-
`ment, at least one record company, a region, a country, a state,
`a city, a school, and/or an ethnicity. The playlist server may
`then either locate or make a playlist that conforms to the
`attribute(s) of the requested playlist.
`Sending at least one attribute of a playlist to a playlist
`server and receiving a playlist from the playlist server pref-
`erably comprises communicating the attribute(s) and the
`playlist via a network, preferably a wide area network such as
`the Internet.
`
`Selecting at least one song from the playlist optionally
`comprises selecting a plurality of songs from the playlist and
`playing the selected song(s) then comprises playing the plu-
`rality of songs. The songs may be played in the order selected,
`in random order, or in any other desired order.
`According to one aspect of the present invention, playlist
`recommendations based upon listening habits ofa listener are
`automatically provided to the listener. Alternatively, the play-
`list recommendations may be based upon listening habits of
`another person. The playlist recommendations may comprise
`a list of currently popular songs within a single genre that is of
`interest to the listener.
`
`Preferably, at least one parameter for a song that is being
`played on a second device can be adjusted from the first
`device. The parameters may include volume, tone, and/or
`balance.
`
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`method for playing music, wherein the method comprises
`obtaining a playlist for a first device via the Internet, selecting
`a song from the playlist, and using the first device to cause a
`second device to play the selected song. The second device
`preferably obtains the song via the Internet.
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`method for playing music, wherein the method comprises
`displaying a list of playlist names on a first device, selecting
`one of the displayed playlist names from the first device,
`sending at least one attribute of a playlist corresponding to the
`selectedplaylist name from the first device to a playlist server,
`receiving a playlist at the first device from the playlist server
`wherein the received playlist corresponds to the attribute(s),
`selecting at least one song from the playlist on the first device,
`sending information representative of the selected song from
`the first device to a content server, receiving the selected song
`at the first device from the content server, and playing the
`selected song(s) on the first device.
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`method for playing music, wherein the method comprises
`displaying a list of playlist names on a first device, selecting
`one of the displayed playlist names from the first device,
`sending at least one attribute of a playlist corresponding to the
`selectedplaylist name from the first device to a playlist server,
`receiving at the first device a playlist from the playlist server
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`wherein the received playlist corresponds to the attribute(s),
`selecting a second device, selecting at least one song from the
`playlist on the first device, sending information representa-
`tive of the selected song from the first device to the second
`device, sending information representative of the selected
`song from the second device to a content server, receiving the
`selected song at the second device from the content server,
`and playing the selected song(s) on the second device.
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`device for playing music, wherein the device comprises a
`display for displaying a list ofplaylist names and song names.
`The display is also for facilitating selection of playlists and
`songs. The device further comprises a network transceiver.
`As used herein, the term network transceiver includes any
`circuit or device that facilitates communication via a network.
`
`Examples of network transceivers include Ethernet network
`interface cards (NICs) and circuits, as well as Bluetooth and
`WiFi cards and circuits.
`
`The device is configured to facilitate displaying a list of
`playlist names on the display, selecting one of the displayed
`playlist names, sending at least one attribute of a playlist
`corresponding to the selected playlist name to a playlist server
`via the network transceiver, and receiving a playlist from the
`playlist server via the network transceiver. The received play-
`list corresponds to the attribute(s) sent to the playlist server.
`The device is further configured to facilitate selecting at least
`one song from the playlist, sending information representa-
`tive of the selected song to a content server, receiving the
`selected song from the content server, and playing the
`selected song(s).
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`device for playing music, wherein the device comprises a
`network transceiver. The device is configured to facilitate
`receiving information representative of a song from another
`device, sending of the information representative of the song
`to a content server via the network transceiver, receiving of
`the song from the content server, and playing of the song.
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`playlist server comprising a memory within which a plurality
`of playlists are stored and a network transceiver. The playlist
`server is configured to facilitate receiving at least one attribute
`of a playlist via the network transceiver, identifying a playlist
`based upon the attribute(s), and sending of the playlist to a
`device via the transceiver.
`
`Preferably, the playlist server is further configured to facili-
`tate serving of content. Thus, the playlist server and the con-
`tent server are effectively the same server. However, as those
`skilled in the art will appreciate, the playlist server and the
`content server may be two entirely different servers and may
`be located in diverse locations with respect to one another.
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`method for providing music, wherein the method comprises
`receiving at least one attribute of a selected playlist at a
`playlist server and transmitting a playlist that corresponds to
`the attributes from the playlist server to a first device.
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`system for playing music, wherein the system comprises a
`first device configured to display names of playlists and
`names of songs and to facilitate selection of the playlists and
`songs, a playlist server configured to receive at least one
`attribute of a playlist from the first device and to send a
`playlist corresponding to the received attribute(s) to the first
`device, and a content server configured to receive information
`representative of at least one song from the first device and to
`send corresponding songs to the first device. The present
`invention further comprises at least one second device con-
`figured to send attributes of a playlist to the playlist server, to
`
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`US 8,028,323 B2
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`5
`send information representative of songs to the content
`server, to receive a playlist from the playlist server, and to
`receive songs from the content server.
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`method for playing music, wherein the method comprises
`providing a first device that repeatedly wirelessly broadcasts
`a unique identification thereof and a password, and moving
`the first device into an area such that it can communicate
`
`wirelessly with at least one second device that repeatedly
`wirelessly broadcasts a unique identification thereof and a
`password. The first device displays names of the second
`device(s) for which the password is an authorized password
`for the first device, such that the first device can be used to
`select songs to be played on the second device(s). Each of the
`second devices displays the name of the first device when the
`password of the first device is an authorized password for the
`that second device, such that the second device can be used to
`select songs to be played on the first device.
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`system for playing music, wherein the system comprises a
`playlist server in communication with the Internet wherein
`the playlist server has a plurality of playlists stored thereon, a
`content server in communication with the Internet wherein
`
`the content server has a plurality of songs stored thereon, a
`rendering device for playing songs, a set-top box in commu-
`nication with the rendering device for facilitating communi-
`cation of the songs from the content server to the rendering
`device via the Internet, and a remote control for controlling
`the set-top box.
`The remote control is configured to obtain a playlist from
`the playlist server, facilitate selection of a song from the
`playlist, and control the set-top box so as to cause the set-top
`box to download the song and cause the song to play on the
`rendering device.
`The remote control is preferably dockable to the set-top
`box. The remote control may be either in wired or wireless
`communication with the set-top box when docked thereto.
`The remote control is preferably in wireless communication
`with the set-top box when the remote control is not docked
`thereto. The remote control can preferably be used to control
`the set-top box whether the remote control is docked thereto
`or not.
`
`The remote control preferably comprises a display and a
`keypad for facilitating control of the set-top box and conse-
`quently for facilitating control of the rendering device. The
`set-top box optionally comprises a display and a keypad for
`facilitating control thereof and consequently for facilitating
`control of the rendering device.
`According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
`method for providing content, wherein the method comprises
`selecting content from a remote control and providing the
`selected content to a media player via a network.
`These, as well as other advantages ofthe present invention,
`will be m