(cid:27)(cid:25)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:28)(cid:29)(cid:27)
`
`(cid:50)(cid:83)(cid:90)(cid:73)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:73)(cid:86)(cid:4)(cid:22)(cid:26)(cid:16)(cid:4)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:21)(cid:24)
`
`(cid:56)(cid:44)(cid:45)(cid:55)(cid:4)(cid:45)(cid:55)(cid:4)(cid:56)(cid:51)(cid:4)(cid:39)(cid:41)(cid:54)(cid:56)(cid:45)(cid:42)(cid:61)(cid:4)(cid:56)(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:56)(cid:4)(cid:37)(cid:50)(cid:50)(cid:41)(cid:60)(cid:41)(cid:40)(cid:4)(cid:45)(cid:55)(cid:4)(cid:37)(cid:4)(cid:56)(cid:54)(cid:57)(cid:41)(cid:4)(cid:39)(cid:51)(cid:52)(cid:61)(cid:4)(cid:42)(cid:54)(cid:51)(cid:49)(cid:4)(cid:56)(cid:44)(cid:41)
`(cid:54)(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:51)(cid:54)(cid:40)(cid:55)(cid:4)(cid:51)(cid:42)(cid:4)(cid:56)(cid:44)(cid:45)(cid:55)(cid:4)(cid:51)(cid:42)(cid:42)(cid:45)(cid:39)(cid:41)(cid:4)(cid:51)(cid:42)(cid:4)(cid:56)(cid:44)(cid:41)(cid:4)(cid:42)(cid:45)(cid:48)(cid:41)(cid:4)(cid:59)(cid:54)(cid:37)(cid:52)(cid:52)(cid:41)(cid:54)(cid:4)(cid:37)(cid:50)(cid:40)(cid:4)(cid:39)(cid:51)(cid:50)(cid:56)(cid:41)(cid:50)(cid:56)(cid:55)
`(cid:51)(cid:42)(cid:30)
`
`(cid:37)(cid:52)(cid:52)(cid:48)(cid:45)(cid:39)(cid:37)(cid:56)(cid:45)(cid:51)(cid:50)(cid:4)(cid:50)(cid:57)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:41)(cid:54)(cid:30)(cid:4)(cid:21)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:22)(cid:27)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:22)(cid:29)(cid:23)
`(cid:42)(cid:45)(cid:48)(cid:45)(cid:50)(cid:43)(cid:4)(cid:40)(cid:37)(cid:56)(cid:41)(cid:30)(cid:4)(cid:50)(cid:83)(cid:90)(cid:73)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:73)(cid:86)(cid:4)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:16)(cid:4)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:25)
`(cid:52)(cid:37)(cid:56)(cid:41)(cid:50)(cid:56)(cid:4)(cid:50)(cid:57)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:41)(cid:54)(cid:30)(cid:4)(cid:27)(cid:27)(cid:28)(cid:27)(cid:29)(cid:20)(cid:24)
`(cid:45)(cid:55)(cid:55)(cid:57)(cid:41)(cid:4)(cid:40)(cid:37)(cid:56)(cid:41)(cid:30)(cid:4)(cid:37)(cid:89)(cid:75)(cid:89)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:4)(cid:23)(cid:21)(cid:16)(cid:4)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:21)(cid:20)
`
`Page 1 of 158
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1002
`
`

`
`......
`......
`0
`<.0
`0
`0'1
`
`PTO/SB/05 (09-04)
`Approved for use through 07/31/2006. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`UTILITY
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMITTAL
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`1104-012
`
`First Inventor
`
`Title
`
`Alfredo C. lssa
`
`PERSONAL AREA NETWORK HAVING MEDIA PLAYER
`AND MOBILE DEVICE CONTROLLING THE SAME
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53{b))
`
`Mail Label No.
`
`EV769199126US
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`
`ADDRESS TO:
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria VA 22313·1450
`
`1.0
`2.0
`3.0
`
`4.!Z)
`
`Fee Transmittal Form (e.g., PTO/SB/17)
`(Submit an original and a duplicate for fee processing)
`Applicant claims small entity status.
`See 37 CFR 1.27.
`18
`[Total Pages
`Specification
`Both the claims and abstract must start on a new page
`(For information on the preferred smmgement, see MPEP 608.01(a))
`Drawing(s)(35 U.S. C. 113)
`[Total Sheets
`7
`
`(Total Sheets
`5. Oath or Declaration
`2
`a. 0 Newly executed (original or copy)
`b. D A copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`_ffpr continuation/divisional with Box 18 completed)
`i. U PELETION OF INVENTOR(S)
`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s)
`name in the prior application, see 37 CFR
`1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`
`6. 0
`
`7. D
`
`Application Data Sheet. See 37 CFR 1.76
`
`CD-ROM or CD·R in duplicate, large table or
`<;.an)puter Program (Appendix)
`U Landscape Table on CD
`
`8. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`(if ape!JE.able, items a. - c. are required)
`a. U Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`b.
`Specification Sequence Listing on:
`
`i. D
`ii. D
`
`CD-ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
`Paper
`
`c. D
`
`Statements
`
`PANYING APPLICATION PARTS
`AC
`9. 0 Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
`
`Name of Assignee Flash Point Technology, Inc.
`
`10. 0 37 CFR 3.73(b) Statement
`(when there is an assignee)
`
`!Z]Powerof
`Attorney
`
`11. D English Translation Document (if applicable)
`
`12. D
`
`lnfoj:.[[Ultlon Disclosure Statement (PTO/SB/08 or PT0-1449)
`L.J Copies of citations attached
`
`13. D Preliminary Amendment
`14. 0 Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503)
`(Should be specifically itemized)
`
`15. D Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
`16. 0 Nonpubllcation Request under 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2)(B)(i).
`Applicant must attach form PTO/SB/35 or equivalent.
`Jf
`17. Dother: ______________ _
`
`below
`
`sentence of the
`
`D
`
`Continuation
`
`D
`
`Divisional
`
`D Continuation-in-part (CIP)
`
`of prior application No.: ............................... ..
`
`Prior application information:
`
`Examiner ____________ _
`
`Arf Unit: ____________ _
`
`0 The address associated with Customer Number:
`
`27820
`
`OR D Correspondence address below
`
`Name
`
`is required by 37 CFR 1.53(b). The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the
`This collection of
`USPTO to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 12 minutes to
`complete, including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any
`comments on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer,
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED
`FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313·1450.
`If you need assistance in completing the form, ca/11-800-PT0-9199 and select option 2.
`
`40,876
`
`Page 2 of 158
`
`

`
`PTO/SB/17 (12-04)
`Approved for use through 07/31/2006. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`...
`..
`llnrlAr lhA P;onArwnrl< RArloor.tlnn Ar.t nf 1 !'l!'l!l nn nA~n~ ArA rAnolirArl In rA.~nnnrl In " r.niiAr.tinn nf infnrtru~tinn o on lA<:<: it rli<:niA~ A VAiirl OMR r.nntrnl noomhAr
`Complete If Known
`
`Effective on 1210812004.
`Fees pursuant to the Consolidated ADProPriations Act. 2005 (H.R. 4818).
`
`FEE TRANSMITTAL Application Number
`For FY 2005
`D Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1 .27
`TOTAL AMOUNT OF PAYMENT I($) $1,000.00
`
`Filing Date
`First Named Inventor
`Examiner Name
`Art Unit
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`November 9, 2005
`Alfredo C. lssa
`
`1104-012
`
`METHOD OF PAYMENT (check all that apply)
`
`50-1732
`
`D Check I)( I Credit Card D Money Order D None Oother (please
`~ Deposit Account Deposit Account Number;
`Withrow & Terranova
`Deposit Account Name:
`For the above-identified deposit account, the Director is hereby authorized to: (check all that apply)
`
`Ocharge fee(s) indicated below
`
`00 Charge any additional fee(s) or underpayments of fee(s)
`
`D Charge fee(s) indicated below, except for the filing fee
`00 Credit any overpayments
`
`under 37 CFR 1.16 and 1.17
`WARNING: Information on this form may become pu!llic. Credit card information should not be Included on this form. Provide credit card
`Information and authorlz:atlon on PT0-2038.
`FEE CALCULATION
`1. BASIC FILING, SEARCH, AND EXAMINATION FEES
`FILING FEES
`SEARCH FEES
`Small Entity
`Small Entitll
`.E!!.ill
`.E!!.ill
`.E!!.ill
`f.!ii..Ul}
`300
`150
`500
`250
`200
`100
`100
`50
`200
`100
`300
`150
`300
`150
`500
`250
`200
`100
`0
`0
`
`Fees Paid Cll
`$1,000.00
`
`EXAMINATION FEES
`Small Entitll
`.E!!.ill EHJt}
`200
`100
`130
`65
`160
`80
`600
`300
`0
`0
`
`Agglication TJlee
`Utility
`Design
`Plant
`Reissue
`Provisional
`2. EXCESS CLAIM FEES
`Small Entitlr!
`.E!!.ill
`Fee Descrigtion
`.EruL(il
`Each claim over 20 or, for Reissues, each claim over 20 and more than in the original patent
`25
`50
`Each independent claim over 3 or, for Reissues, each independent claim more than in the original patent 200
`100
`Multiple dependent claims
`360
`180
`Total Claims
`Extra Claims
`.E!!.ill
`-20 or HP =
`20
`50
`0
`X
`HP = highest number of total claims paid for, if greater than 20
`lndeg. Claims
`Extra Claims
`.E!!.ill
`-3 or HP =
`=
`2
`0
`200
`X
`HP highest number of independent claims paid for, if greater than 3
`3. APPLICATION SIZE FEE
`If the specification and drawings exceed 100 sheets of paper, the application size fee due is $250 ($125 for small entity)
`for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof. See 35 U.S.C. 41(a)(l)(G) and 37 CFR l.l6(s).
`.E!!.ill
`Total Sheets
`Extra Sheets
`Number of each additional 50 or fraction thereof
`-100 =
`(round up to a whole number) X
`/50=
`4. OTHER FEE(S)
`
`Fee Paid Cll
`0
`
`=
`
`Fee Paid (il
`0
`
`Multigle Degendent Claims
`Fee Paid(~}
`.E!!.ill
`
`Non-English Speci~ f"_n discount)
`
`Other:
`
`Fee Paid Cil
`
`..
`
`Fees Paid (~}
`
`SUBMITIEDBY
`
`I
`
`/
`
`J ff
`
`..,...,...
`I
`V1i'!:egistration No.
`ttomey/Agent)
`
`40,876
`
`Telephone
`
`/'7
`II//
`Signature/ /
`919-654-4520
`Name CPtri't!Tvo/l Benjamin..$. ~w
`Date November 9, 2005
`This collectit~redfi'y 37 CFR 1.136. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to file (and by the
`USPTO to pr
`s) an ap
`·
`on. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1. 14. This collection is estimated to take 30 minutes to complete,
`including gatheri
`•
`aring, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments
`on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent
`and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS
`ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`If you need assistance in completing the form, ca/11-800-PT0-9199 and select option 2.
`
`Page 3 of 158
`
`

`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`PO Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Sir:
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING/EXPRESS MAIL
`
`"Express Mail" Mailing Label Number EV769199126US
`
`Date of Deposit November 9, 2005
`
`I hereby certify that this paper, which is a Utility Patent Application entitled
`
`PERSONAL AREA NETWORK HAVING MEDIA PLAYER AND MOBILE DEVICE
`
`CONTROLLING THE SAME (our file 1104-012), and the attached fee are being deposited
`
`with the United States Postal Service "Express Mail Post Office to Addressee" service under 37
`
`C.F.R. 1.10 on the date indicated above and is addressed to the Commissioner for Patents, PO
`
`Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`
`Mailed By:
`
`~u:.,L._~arr-o-w--~
`
`EV769199126USJ
`
`Page 4 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT
`APPLICATION
`FOR GRANT OF LETTERS PATENT
`
`Alfredo C. lssa
`INVENTOR
`
`PERSONAL AREA NETWORK.
`HAVING MEDIA PLAYER AND
`MOBILE DEVICE
`CONTROLLING THE SAME
`
`Withrow & Terranova, P.L.L.C.
`P.O. Box 1287
`Cary, NC 27512
`(919) 654-4520
`
`Docket No. 1104-012
`
`Page 5 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`1
`
`PERSONAL AREA NETWORK HAVING MEDIA PLAYER AND MOBILE
`DEVICE CONTROLLING THE SAME
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`5
`
`[0001]
`
`The present invention relates to controlling content played at a
`
`number of media devices using a mobile device.
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`[0002]
`
`Each day one encounters numerous media devices such as
`
`10
`
`computers, televisions with digital video recorders, MP3 players, and the like.
`
`These media devices may be located in various environments such as one's
`
`home, office, or automobile. However, to date, there is no way of easily
`
`ascertaining the content available on these different media devices and
`
`controlling or selecting the content played by these media devices using a
`
`15 mobile device. As such, there remains a need for a system and method for
`
`ascertaining the content available at a plurality of media devices and
`
`controlling the content played by the media devices using a mobile device.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`20
`
`[0003]
`
`The present invention relates to a system and method for
`
`controlling content played by a number of media devices. In general, the
`
`system includes a mobile device and the number of media devices. The
`
`mobile device includes a wireless communication interface for communicating
`
`with the media devices, a media database, and a control system including a
`
`25 media client. When the mobile device enters a Wireless Personal Area
`
`Network (WPAN) associated with a media device, the media client
`
`communicates with the media device to obtain information describing the
`
`content residing at the media device and stores the information in the media
`
`database at the mobile device. Thereafter, when the mobile device is within
`
`30
`
`the WPAN associated with the media device, the media database is used to
`
`select content to be played at the media device.
`
`[0004]
`
`In one embodiment, when the mobile device is within the WPAN
`
`associated with the media device, the media client interacts with a user of the
`
`mobile device and enables the user to select desired content to be played at
`
`Page 6 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`2
`
`the media device from the media database. The media client communicates
`
`with the media device to instruct the media device to play the desired content.
`
`In another embodiment, when the mobile device is within the WPAN
`
`associated with the media device, the media client automatically selects
`
`5
`
`desired content to be played from the media database based on
`
`predetermined user preferences and instructs the media device to play the
`
`desired content.
`
`[0005]
`
`In another embodiment, the media database of the mobile device
`
`operates as a master database. The mobile device stores last-played time-
`
`1 0
`
`stamps for the content in the media database in addition to the information
`
`describing the content for each of a number of media devices. When the
`
`mobile device enters the WPAN associated with a media device, the mobile
`
`device provides the information describing the content stored at each of the
`
`number of media devices and the last-played time-stamps for the content to
`
`15
`
`the media device. Based on the information and the last-played time-stamps,
`
`the media device automatically selects the desired content to be played. For
`
`example, based on the information and the last-played time-stamps, the
`
`media device may determine a play history and select desired content that is
`
`consistent with the play history.
`
`20
`
`[0006]
`
`Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present
`
`invention and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following
`
`detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the
`
`accompanying drawing figures.
`
`25 Brief Description of the Drawing Figures
`[0007]
`
`The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a
`
`part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the invention, and
`
`together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
`
`[0008]
`
`Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system including a mobile device
`
`30
`
`and a number of media devices, wherein the mobile device controls the
`
`content played by the media devices according to one embodiment of the
`
`present invention;
`
`[0009]
`
`Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary media device
`
`according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`
`Page 7 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`3
`
`[0010]
`
`Figure 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile device
`
`according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0011]
`
`Figure 4 illustrates a provisioning process wherein a mobile device
`
`obtains metadata describing content residing at a media device according to
`
`5
`
`one embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0012]
`
`Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary media database for the mobile
`
`terminal of Figures 1, 3, and 4 according to one embodiment of the present
`
`invention;
`
`[0013]
`
`Figure 6 illustrates a process for controlling the content played by a
`
`10 media device according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`
`(0014]
`
`Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary system wherein a mobile device is
`
`simultaneously within Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) associated
`
`with two media devices according to one embodiment of the present
`
`invention;
`
`15
`
`[0015]
`
`Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary system wherein a mobile device is
`
`simultaneously within Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) associated
`
`with two media devices according to another embodiment of the present
`
`invention; and
`
`(0016]
`
`Figure 9 illustrates a process for controlling the content played by a
`
`20 media device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
`
`[0017]
`
`The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary
`
`information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and
`
`25
`
`illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention. Upon reading the
`
`following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those
`
`skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the invention and will
`
`recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It
`
`should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the
`
`30
`
`scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
`
`(0018]
`
`The present invention provides a system for controlling content
`
`played by a number of media devices. An exemplary system 10 is illustrated
`
`in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the system 10 includes two Wireless
`
`Personal Area Networks (WPANs) 12 and 14. Although only two WPANs 12
`
`Page 8 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`4
`
`and 14 are illustrated, the system 10 may include any number of WPANs 12
`
`and 14. In addition, the WPANs 12 and 14 may or may not overlap. The
`
`WPAN 12 includes a media device 16, and the area covered by the WPAN 12
`
`depends upon a range of a wireless communication interface associated with
`
`5
`
`the media device 16. Likewise, the WPAN 14 includes a media device 18,
`
`and the area covered by the WPAN 14 depends upon a range of a wireless
`
`communication interface associated with the media device 18.
`
`[0019]
`
`As discussed below, the media devices 16 and 18 include media
`
`players and content that may be played by the media players. A mobile
`
`10
`
`device 20, which includes a wireless communication interface, operates to
`
`control the content played by the media players of the media devices 16 and
`
`18. More specifically, the first time that the mobile device 20 enters the
`
`WPAN 12, the mobile device 20 communicates with the media device 16 to
`
`obtain metadata defining the content stored at the media device 16 and then
`
`15
`
`stores the metadata. The metadata may more generally be referred to as any
`
`information describing the content stored at the media device 16. Thereafter,
`
`a user associated with the mobile device 20 may select desired content to be
`
`played using the stored metadata. Alternatively, the mobile device 20 may
`
`automatically select desired content to be played based on user preferences.
`
`20
`
`The mobile device 20 then communicates with the media device 16 to direct
`
`the media device 16 to play the desired content. In response, the media
`
`device 16 plays the desired content. Likewise, when the mobile device 20
`
`enters the WPAN 14, the mobile device 20 obtains and stores metadata
`
`describing the content stored by the media device 18 and directs the media
`
`25
`
`device 18 to play desired content.
`
`[0020]
`
`Each of the media devices 16 and 18 may be a personal computer,
`
`a digital video recorder associated with a television, an audio player such as a
`
`Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) Audio Layer-3 (MP3) player, a digital
`
`picture frame, or the like. An exemplary embodiment of the media device 16
`
`30
`
`is illustrated in Figure 2. Note that this discussion is equally applicable to the
`
`media device 18. As shown, the media device 16 includes a wireless
`
`communication interface 22, a control system 24, and a content database 26.
`
`The wireless communication interface 22 may be a stand-alone device
`
`communicatively coupled to the control system 24 and operating to provide
`
`Page 9 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`5
`
`wireless communication between the media device 16 and the mobile device
`
`20. Alternatively, the wireless communication interface 22 may be embedded
`
`within the media device 16. The wireless communication interface 22 may
`
`operate according to a wireless communication standard such as, but not
`
`5
`
`limited to, the Bluetooth wireless communication standard, the Zigbee
`
`wireless communication standard, the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) wireless
`
`communication standard, or the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication
`
`standards.
`
`[0021]
`
`The control system 24 includes a media player 28 and a WPAN
`
`10 media server 30, which is hereinafter referred to as the media server 30. The
`
`media player 28 may be implemented in hardware and/or software and
`
`operates to play the content in the content database 26 such that people
`
`within the WPAN or near to the media device 16 can view and/or listen to the
`
`content. The content database 26 may be any storage device such as, but
`
`15
`
`not limited to, a hard drive or Random Access Memory (RAM) and operates to
`
`store content such as digital video files, digital audio files, digital images,
`
`slideshows of digital images, or the like.
`
`[0022]
`
`The media server 30 may be implemented in software and/or
`
`hardware and operates to instruct the media player 28 to play select content
`
`20
`
`based on instructions or information received from the mobile device 20. In
`
`addition, the media server 30 may optionally scan the content database 26 for
`
`content that may be played at initial start-up or periodically throughout
`
`operation. This may be referred to as "auto-discovering" the content.
`
`Additionally or alternatively, a user associated with the media device 16 may
`
`25
`
`configure the media server 30 to select the content or content types to be
`
`made available to the mobile device 20.
`
`[0023]
`
`Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
`
`the mobile device 20. The mobile device 20 may be a mobile phone,
`
`Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or the like. Alternatively, the mobile device
`
`30
`
`20 may be a stand-alone device similar to a remote control. In general, the
`
`mobile device 20 includes a wireless communication interface 32 and a
`
`control system 34. The wireless communication interface 32 may be a stand(cid:173)
`
`alone device communicatively coupled to the control system 34 and operating
`
`to provide wireless communication between the mobile device 20 and the
`
`Page 10 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`6
`
`media devices 16 and 18. Alternatively, the wireless communication interface
`
`32 may be embedded within the mobile device 20. The wireless
`
`communication interface 32 may operate according to a wireless
`
`communication standard such as, but not limited to, the Bluetooth wireless
`
`5
`
`communication standard, the Zigbee wireless communication standard, or the
`
`Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) wireless communication standard, or the IEEE 802.11
`
`wireless communication standards.
`
`[0024]
`
`The control system 34 includes a WPAN media client 36 and a
`
`media database 38. The WPAN media client 36 is hereafter referred to as the
`
`10 media client 36. The media client 36 may be implemented in hardware and/or
`
`software and operates to provide instructions or information to the media
`
`server 30 in order to control the content played by the media player 28. As
`
`discussed below in more detail, when the mobile device 20 enters one of the
`
`WPANs 12, 14, the media client 36 interacts with the media server 30 to
`
`15
`
`obtain metadata describing the content in the content database 26. The
`
`metadata is stored in the media database 38 and may include information
`
`such as a file name, file type, and an identifier of the WPANs 12, 14 for each
`
`file in the content database 26. Note that, in the preferred embodiment, the
`
`media database 38 stores metadata describing the content in the content
`
`20
`
`database 26 for each of the WPANs 12, 14. In addition, last-played time(cid:173)
`
`stamps for the content may be added to the media database 38, as discussed
`
`below. A user associated with the mobile device 20 may then browse the
`
`media database and select content to be played. For example, if the mobile
`
`device 20 is within the WPAN 12, then the user may select content to be
`
`25
`
`played by the media device 16 using the media database 38. If the mobile
`
`device 20 is within the WPAN 14, then the user may select content to be
`
`played by the media device 18 using the media database 38. In another
`
`embodiment, the media client 36 may automatically select content to play
`
`from the media database 38 based on preferences previously entered by the
`
`30
`
`user.
`
`[0025]
`
`Figure 4 illustrates a provisioning process performed the first time
`
`that the mobile device 20 enters the WPAN 12. Note, however, that this
`
`discussion equally applies to the first time that the mobile device 20 enters the
`
`WPAN 14. When the mobile device 20 enters the WPAN 12 by coming within
`
`Page 11 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`7
`
`5
`
`10
`
`the range of the wireless communication interface 22 of the media device 16,
`the media client 36 detects the media server 30 and a validation process is
`performed (step 1 00). During the validation process, the media client 36
`interacts with a user associated with the mobile device 20 to obtain a
`password or key, which may also be referred to as a passkey. Once the
`passkey is entered by the user, it is provided to the media server 30 and
`communication between the media client 36 and the media server 30 is
`established. In the preferred embodiment, the validation process is performed
`only once when the mobile device 20 enters the WPAN 12 for the first time. If
`the mobile device 20 leaves the WPAN 12 and later returns, the validation
`process does not need to be repeated. In one embodiment, the wireless
`communication interfaces 22, 32 of the media device 16 and mobile device
`20, respectively, operate according to the Bluetooth wireless communication
`standard and the validation process is the pairing process described in the
`15 Bluetooth specification.
`[0026] Once validation is complete, the media client 36 sends a request to
`the media server 30 for metadata describing the content in the content
`database 26 at the media device 16 (step 1 02). In response, the media
`server 30 queries the content database 26 to obtain the metadata describing
`the content within the content database 26 (step 1 04). The meta data may
`include information such as the file name and file type for each file in the
`content database 26. In addition, the media server 30 may add a server
`name or identifier of the media device 16 to the metadata. The media server
`30 then returns the metadata to the media client 36 (step 1 06), and the media
`client 36 stores the metadata in the media database 38 (step 1 08).
`Steps 100-108 are repeated each time the mobile device 20 enters
`[0027]
`one of the WPANs 12, 14 for the first time. As such, the media database 38
`stores metadata describing the content in the content databases 26 for each
`of the WPANs 12, 14.
`Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the media
`[0028]
`database 38. As shown, the media database 38 includes an 10, file name, file
`type, last-played time-stamp, and server name for each file stored in the
`content databases 26 of the media devices 16 and 18. The IDs may be
`assigned to each of the files by the media client 36. The name and file type
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`Page 12 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`8
`
`are provided in the metadata provided to the media client 36 from the media
`
`server 30. The last-played time-stamp indicates the time at which the
`
`particular file was last played by the media player 28 and may be added to the
`
`media database 38 by the media client 36. Optionally, the last-played time-
`
`5
`
`stamp may be provided in the metadata provided by the media server 30.
`
`The server name is an identifier for the WPANs 12, 14 in which the content is
`
`located and may be added by the media client 36 or provided in the metadata
`
`from the media server 30. In this example, the server names are "Kitchen"
`
`and "Study." The "Kitchen" server name may be used to identify the WPAN
`
`10
`
`12, and the "Study" server name may be used to identify the WPAN 14. Thus,
`
`for example, when the mobile device 12 is within the WPAN 12, the media
`
`client 36 may enable the user associated with the mobile device 20 to browse
`
`the content stored in the content database 26 within the WPAN 12 and select
`
`content to be played by the media player 28.
`
`15
`
`(0029]
`
`Figure 6 illustrates the process of controlling the content played by
`
`the media device 16 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Note, however, that this discussion equally applies to controlling the content
`
`played by the media device 18 when the mobile device 20 is within the WPAN
`
`14. The process begins when the mobile device 20 enters the WPAN 12 and
`
`20
`
`the media client 36 detects the media server 30 (step 200). For example, the
`
`media server 30 may periodically scan the WPAN 12 for a mobile device 20.
`
`Alternatively, the mobile device 20 may periodically perform a scan for the
`
`media devices 16, 18. Note that if this process is performed after the
`
`provisioning process of Figure 4, then step 200 may be unnecessary. Once
`
`25
`
`the media client 36 has detected the media server 30 or visa versa,
`
`communication between the media client 36 and the media server 30 is
`
`established.
`
`(0030]
`
`Thereafter, the media client 36 may optionally communicate with
`
`the media server 30 to obtain any updates to the metadata describing the
`
`30
`
`content in the content database 26 (step 202). This may be particularly
`
`beneficial where the mobile device 20 has just re-entered the WPAN 12 after
`
`leaving for some period of time during which content may have been added or
`
`removed from the content database 26.
`
`Page 13 of 158
`
`

`
`P279
`
`9
`
`[0031]
`
`The media client 36 then operates to select desired content to play
`
`at the media device 16 from the media database 38 (step 204). In one
`
`embodiment, a user interacts with the media client 36 to browse the media
`
`database 38 and select desired content in the content database 26 to be
`
`5
`
`played. In another embodiment, the user associated with the mobile device
`
`20 may interact with the media client 36 to define preferences. The user may
`
`define preferences for each of the WPANs 12 and 14 or a single set of
`
`preferences to be applied to all of the WPANs 12 and 14. The preferences
`
`may then be used by the media client 36 to automatically select the desired
`
`10
`
`content to be played using the media database 38. As a first example, the
`
`user may configure his preferences such that content is selected based on
`
`genre. More specifically, the media player 28 within the WPAN 12 may be
`
`capable of playing audio content, and the user may configure his preferences
`
`such that the media client 36 automatically selects music content in a desired
`
`15
`
`genre such as "rock" when the mobile device 20 is within the WPAN 12. Note
`
`that the genre of the content may be provided in the metadata from the media
`
`server 30. As a second example, the user may configure his preferences
`
`such that non-duplicate content is played. More specifically, the user may
`
`configure his preferences such that the media client 36 selects content that
`
`20
`
`has not been previously played or recently played in any other WPAN. As a
`
`third example, the user may also configure his preferences such that content
`
`to be played is selected randomly by the media client 36. As a fourth
`
`example, the user may configure his preferences by defining a play list for
`
`each of the WPANs 12 and 14. As a fifth example, the user may configure his
`
`25
`
`preferences such that the media client 36 selects new content as the content
`
`to be played.
`
`[0032]
`
`The media client 36 then directs the media server 30 to play select
`
`content from the content database 26 (step 206). Once the media server 30
`
`receives the request to play the desired content from the media client 36, the
`
`30 media server 30 directs the media player 28 to play the desired content (step
`
`208). In response, the media player 28 obtains the desired content from the
`
`content database 26 and plays the desired content (step 21 0). The media
`
`server 30 then sends a notification to the m