Page 1 of 20
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`LG EXHIBIT 1001
`
`

`
`US 8,214,873 B2
`Page 2
`
`.................... .. 709/204
`2003/0225834 A1: 12/2003 Lee; etal.
`352/113
`§881§88§%8i§ iii,
`3/5882 33:55:11“
`348/734
`‘EH1
`2004/0119894 A1*
`6/2004 H"
`'
`*
`‘g.g”‘Se 3*
`.. 725/86
`2004/0133914 A1*
`7/2004 Sm1theta1.
`.... ..
`20040205028 A1
`10/2004 Vemsub e”‘1~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 705/59
`2004/0255340 A1
`12/2004 Logan
`2005/0044561 A1
`2/2005 McDonald
`2005/0071881 A1*
`3/2005 Deshpande ................... .. 725/88
`2005/0113946 A9*
`5/2005 Janik ............................. .. 700/94
`2005/0240494 A1* 10/2005 Cue etal.
`...................... .. 705/27
`2005/0251566 A1
`11/2005 wee1
`,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,, 709/206
`2005/0262204 A1* 11/2005 Szeto et al,
`2006/0218180 A1
`9/2006 Bodlaenderetal.
`2006/0294212 A1* 12/2006 Kikkawa eta].
`............ .. 709/223
`2007/0088804 A1
`4/2007 Qureshey etal.
`2007/0089132 A1
`4/2007 Qureshey etal.
`ye
`.
`2007/0039135 A1
`4/2007 Qureshe
`tal
`2007/0180063 A1
`8/2007 Qureshey etal
`* cited by examiner
`
`
`
`'
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`3/2006 Parsiokas
`7’469’283 B2
`12/2008 Ey"1e“’1'
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`Egg/gggggig 21*
`1/333; gufishey e”‘1~
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`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 709/231
`2002/0073” A1
`6/2002 Qureshey 8”“
`2002/0194619 A1* 12/2002 Chang etal.
`......... .. 725/134
`2003/0217102 A1* 11/2003 Jystad etal.
`................ .. 709/203
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`Page 2 of 20
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`Page 2 of 20
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of8
`
`US 8,214,873 B2
`
`PLAYLIST SERVERI
`
`CONTENT SERVER
`
`
`
`SECOND
`
`DEVICE
`
`12
`
`
`
`FIRST
`
`DEVICE
`
`Page 3 of 20
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`Page 3 of 20
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of8
`
`US 8,214,873 B2
`
`FIG. 2
`
`
`
`[MSPLNY
`
`KEYPAD
`
`22
`
`24
`
`13
`
`23
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`Page 4 of 20
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`b . . . . . - - . — . — - - - - . . - . - . . - - . _ _ . - — . — . . — co
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`Page 4 of 20
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 of8
`
`US 8,214,873 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
`
`ATTR|BUTE(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 5 of 20
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`34
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`35
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`Page 5 of 20
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 of8
`
`US 8,214,873 B2
`
`DISPLAY A LIST OF PLAYLISTS ON A FIRST DEVICE
`
`SELECT ONE OF THE DISPLAYED PLAYLISTS FROM
`
`THE FIRST DEVICE
`
`FIG. 4
`
`41
`
`42
`
`SEND AT LEAST ONE ATTRIBUTE OF THE SELECTED
`
`PLAYLIST FROM THE FIRST DEVICE TO A PLAYLIST
`
`SERVER
`
`RECEIVE A PLAYLIST THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE
`
`ATTRlBUTE(S) FROM THE PLAYLIST SERVER AT THE
`FIRST DEVICE
`
`SELECT A SECOND DEVICE
`
`
`48
`
`43
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`44
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`45
`
`46
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`47
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`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
`
`SEND INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
`
`SELECTED SONG(S) FROM THE SECOND DEVICE TO
`A CONTENT SERVER
`
`RECEIVE THE SELECTED SONG(S) FROM THE
`CONTENT SERVER AT THE SECOND DEVICE
`
`PLAY THE SELECTED SONG(S) ON THE SECOND
`DEVICE
`
`49
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`50
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`Page 6 of 20
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 of8
`
`US 8,214,873 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
`
`52
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`53
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 3, 2012
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`Sheet 6 of8
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`US 8,214,873 B2
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`PLAYLIST SERVER!
`
`CONTENT SERVER
`
`FIG. 6
`
`10
`
`64
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`WIRELESS
`
`ACCESS
`
`POINT
`
`12
`----co-----o--
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`Page 8 of 20
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`DEVICE
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`REMOTE
`
`CONTRO
`ET-TOP
`
`BOX
`
`63
`
`RENDERING
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`Page 8 of 20
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 7 of8
`
`US 8,214,873 B2
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`CONTENT SERVER
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`WIRELESS
`
`ACCESS
`
`POINT
`
`SET-TOP
`
`------------ --
`
`63
`
`
`
`REMOTE
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`
`
`
`5‘
`
`RENDERING
`DEVICE
`
`62
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`Page 9 of 20
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`Page 9 of 20
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 8 of8
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`US 8,214,873 B2
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`FIG. 8
`
`81
`
`34
`
`‘E.
`
`CELL PHONE
`
`PDA
`
`STEREO
`
`32
`
`83
`
`WAN
`
`LAN
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`Page 10 of 20
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`

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`US 8,214,873 B2
`
`1
`METHOD, SYSTEM, AND
`COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR
`EMPLOYINGA FIRST DEVICE TO DIRECT A
`NETWORKED AUDIO DEVICE TO RENDER
`A PLAYLIST
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 10/840,109, filed May 5, 2004, now U.S.
`Pat. No. 8,028,323, entitled “PLAYLIST DOWNLOADING
`FOR DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK,” which is
`hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`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 charmel 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.
`According to this newer method of providing music, the
`
`2
`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.
`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.
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`US 8,214,873 B2
`
`3
`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.
`
`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
`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.
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`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
`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
`
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`US 8,214,873 B2
`
`5
`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 more apparent from the following description and
`drawings. It is understood that changes in the specific struc-
`ture shown and described may be made within the scope of
`the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
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`6
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing operation of a discovery
`process wherein devices of the present invention recognize
`one another;
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodi-
`ment of the digital entertainment network of the present
`invention, wherein a set-top box has a removable remote
`control disposed within a cradle thereof;
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the digital entertainment
`network of FIG. 6, wherein the set-top box has the removable
`remote control disposed out of the cradle thereof; and
`FIG. 8, is a block diagram showing the discovery process
`for both a local device and a remote device.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Many alterations and modifications may be made by those
`having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the
`spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be under-
`stood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only
`for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as
`limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For
`example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements ofa claim
`are set forth below in a certain combination,
`it must be
`expressly understood that the invention includes other com-
`binations of fewer, more or different elements, which are
`disclosed herein even when not initially claimed in such com-
`binations.
`
`The words used in this specification to describe the inven-
`tion and its various embodiments are to be understood not
`
`only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to
`include by special definition in this specification structure,
`material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined
`meanings. Thus ifan element can be understood in the context
`ofthis specification as including more than one meaning, then
`its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all
`possible meanings supported by the specification and by the
`word itself.
`
`The definitions of the words or elements of the following
`claims therefore include not only the combination of ele-
`ments which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure,
`material or acts for performing substantially the same func-
`tion in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the
`same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an
`equivalent substitution oftwo or more elements may be made
`for any one ofthe elements in the claims below or that a single
`element may be substituted for two or more elements in a
`claim. Although elements may be described above as acting
`in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it
`is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from
`a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the
`
`The invention and its various embodiments can now be
`
`better understood by turning to the following detailed
`description of the preferred embodiments which are pre-
`sented as illustrated examples of the invention defined in the
`claims. It is expressly understood that the invention as defined
`by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodi-
`ments described below.
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodi-
`ment ofthe digital entertainment system ofthe present inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing further detail of an
`exemplary first device or remote control of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing one way of operating a
`digital entertainment system of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing another way of operating a
`digital entertainment system of the present invention;
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`Page 13 of 20
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`the claimed combination may be
`combination and that
`directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombina-
`tion.
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`55
`
`Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as
`viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known
`or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equiva-
`lently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious
`substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in
`the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined
`elements.
`The claims are thus to be understood to include what is
`
`specifically illustrated and described above, what is concep-
`tionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and
`also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the
`invention.
`
`Page 13 of 20
`
`

`
`US 8,214,873 B2
`
`7
`Thus, the detailed description set forthbelow in connection
`with the appended drawings is intended as a description ofthe
`presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not
`intended to represent the only forms in which the present
`invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets
`forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing
`and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated
`embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same
`or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different
`embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within
`the spirit of the invention.
`The digital entertainment network of the present invention
`is preferably a fully integrated plug and play technology
`platform that delivers secure anytime, anywhere, on-demand
`multimedia content for digital home systems.
`The digital entertainment network provides efiicient and
`ubiquitous wireless and web-enabled control over digital
`home systems by enabling users to access and manage music
`content using a variety of control devices and by delivering
`such content to a wide variety of different rendering devices.
`On-demand delivery of content, such as streaming music,
`is provided utilizing such user-friendly features such as cus-
`tomized playlists, collaboration, music management tools,
`and search capability.
`The present invention preferably provides a plug and play
`control point that has the software intelligence that forms the
`basis for a truly integrated entertainment network system.
`This control point architecture delivers the ability to unify
`content, such as music or other types of multimedia content,
`with control applications that enable system users to access
`content from a variety of different remote control devices and
`deliver such content to a variety of rendering devices.
`For example, the control point enables a digital entertain-
`ment network user to utilize a PDA or other device to browse
`
`for music on the Internet, then select and play a song on an
`MP3 player or the like, or even on stand-alone audio speakers.
`In another embodiment, the control point allows a user to
`choose a song via a set-top device, then play that music on a
`television, stereo system, or the like.
`Preferably, the present invention comprises a web services
`based component that provides users with on-demand music
`streamed to a variety of devices, such as MP3 players, set-top
`boxes and home stereo systems. Thus, according to one
`aspect, the present invention is a web-based content and
`music management system that offers users a number of
`desirable features via a web browser.
`
`These features preferably include web-based music cata-
`log browsing via jukebox interface, search capability (to find
`artists and specific selections), the use of standard playlists,
`the use of custom playlists (created by each user), the ability
`to select different devices on which to play songs, the ability
`to view a user’s activity over a given time period or in real-
`time with the activity streamer, collaboration, the ability to
`find buddies with the same music preferences you have in
`your playlists, the ability to share playlists with buddies, the
`ability to view buddies’ activity based on various time peri-
`ods, instant messaging for chatting among users, and the use
`of a set top box to facilitate the use of playlists and the
`streaming of content.
`According to one aspect, the digital entertainment network
`ofthe present invention comprises a set-top box that provides
`users with on-demand music streamed to a variety of devices.
`The set-top box is a web-based content and music manage-
`ment system that offers users a list of features including the
`need for little or no setup (plug into Ethernet and video out,
`audio out), content catalog browsing, search capability (to
`find artists and specific selections), the use of standard play-
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`8
`lists, the use of custom playlists (created by each user), the
`ability to select different devices on which to play songs, the
`ability to view your activity over a given time period or in
`real-time with the activity streamer, collaboration, the ability
`to find buddies with the same music preferences you have in
`your playlists, the ability to share playlists with buddies, the
`ability to view buddies’ activity based on various time peri-
`ods, and instant messaging for chatting among users.
`The digital entertainment network of the present invention
`comprises control devices that allow users to communicate
`with the control point and give commands to render music/
`multimedia content on various different rendering devices.
`Examples of control devices include the personal digital
`assistant (PDAs) and set-top boxes.
`According to one aspect of the present invention, a FDA
`based control application allows users to roam the house and
`play music content that is accessed via the PDA and is avail-
`able via an Internet based service. According to one aspect,
`the content is played via set-top boxes, i.e., rendering devices,
`which may be located throughout the home.
`The digital entertainment network also includes rendering
`devices that receive instructions from the control point and
`thereby render music/multimedia content. Rendering device
`examples include the set-top devices, home stereo systems
`and televisions. A variety of differen