(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0057538 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Mar. 17, 2005
`Morse et al.
`
`US 20050057538A1
`
`(54)
`
`(76)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM TO DISPLAY
`MEDIA CONTENT DATA
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Inventors: Lee Morse, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
`David Beauchesne, Scotts Valley, CA
`(US)
`Correspondence Address:
`BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
`12400 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
`SEVENTH FLOOR
`LOS ANGELES, CA 90025-1030 (US)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/654,122
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... .. G09G 5/00
`US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 345/204
`
`A method and system is provided to display media content
`data for playback on a playback device. The system may
`include a playback unit and a remote control device. The
`playback unit may include a media content data storage
`communication interface to communicate With a media
`storage device thereby to receive the media content data.
`Further, the playback unit may include a display data pro
`cessor to process the media content data and generate
`display metrics based on the media content data, and a
`bi-directional remote control communication interface. The
`remote control device may be used to select the digital media
`for playback on the playback device and include a comple
`mental remote control communication interface communi
`cation With the communication interface of the playback
`unit. Further, the remote control device may include a
`display screen, and a display rendering module to display the
`media content data on the display screen based on the
`display metrics.
`
`MEDIA CONTENT
`STORAGE DEVICE
`
`M
`
`MEDIA PLAYER/
`REPRODUCTION DEVICE
`OPTIONALLY INCLUDING
`DISPLAY (E.G. STEREO,
`TV, ETC.)
`
`31
`
`—>
`
`PLAYBACK
`UNIT
`
`DISPLAY
`SCREEN
`
`E
`
`REMOTE
`CONTROL
`DEVICE
`
`'
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`Page 1 of 25
`
`Unified Patents Exhibit 1005
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 15
`
`US 2005/005753 8 A1
`
`STORAGE DEVKCE
`
`i MEDiA CONTENT
`
`15
`
`M
`
`MEDiA PLAYER!r
`ViCE
`REPRODUCUON DE
`Y
`lNCLUDiNG [new
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`
`PLAYBACK CUENT
`
`10
`
`REMOTE CONTROL
`
`H6 1
`(Prior Art)
`
`Page 2 of 25
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 2 0f 15
`
`US 2005/0057538 A1
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`Page 3 of 25
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 5 of 15
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 6 0f 15
`
`US 2005/0057538 A1
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`Page 7 of 25
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 7 0f 15
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`US 2005/0057538 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 8 0f 15
`
`US 2005/0057538 A1
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`;’
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`Page 9 of 25
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 9 0f 15
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`US 2005/0057538 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 10 0f 15
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`US 2005/0057538 A1
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 11 0f 15
`
`US 2005/0057538 A1
`
`160,162,164
`PLAYBACK DEVICEAPPLICATION CODE Q5 ~
`
`COMMON MIDDLEWARE
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`PLAYBACK DEVICE
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`TABLE OF
`DISCOVERED
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`SERVER 2
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`SERVER 3
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`THREADS TO i
`MANAGE
`SERVERS
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`THREAD 2
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`THREAD 3
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`SERVER n
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`Z1_2_
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`THREAD n
`
`?‘l
`
`SELECTED MERGED
`DATA FOR COMMS
`To REMOTE 216
`— FIG. 13
`
`Page 12 of 25
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 12 0f 15
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`US 2005/0057538 A1
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`Page 13 of 25
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 13 0f 15
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`US 2005/0057538 A1
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 14 0f 15
`
`US 2005/0057538 A1
`
`/\ 300
`
`PLAYBACK UNIT GETS DISPLAY DATA FOR
`DISPLAY ON REMOTE CONTROL
`DEVICE AND ANALYZES DATA
`
`V
`
`COMMUNICATE QUERY FOR
`GLYPH METRICS OF GLYPTHS TO
`BE DISPLAYED
`
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`
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`GLYPH METRICS
`DISPLAY DATA
`
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`
`GENERATE DISPLAY METRICS (E.G. SPACING
`BETWEEN GLYPHS) TO ENHANCE
`READABILITY
`
`@
`
`COMMUNICATE TO REMOTE:
`CODE FOR EACH GLYPH
`DISPLAY METRICS/ COORDINATES
`FOR EACH GLYPH
`
`V
`
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`AND MAP TO DISPLAY SCREEN USING
`COORDINATES/DISPLAY METRICS
`
`m
`
`SL2
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM
`REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE TO
`PLAYBACK UNIT
`
`3M
`
`Fig. 16
`
`Page 15 of 25
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Mar. 17, 2005 Sheet 15 0f 15
`
`US 2005/0057538 A1
`
`V
`
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`CODE
`32
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`
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`WITH KEY?
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`
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`ADD TO BOTTOM
`OF DISPLAY LIST
`
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`
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`
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`DISPLAY DATA TO
`ADD TO TOP OF
`DISPLAY LIST 3_5_8
`
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`REQUIRED FOR
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`
`OBTAIN FURTHER
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`
`FIG. 17
`
`Page 16 of 25
`
`

`
`US 2005/0057538 A1
`
`Mar. 17, 2005
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM TO DISPLAY MEDIA
`CONTENT DATA
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to the ?eld
`of digital media and, more speci?cally, to a method and a
`system to display media content data on a remote control
`device.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] More and more homes are noW being equipped
`With local area netWorks. These so-called “home networks”
`provide digital connectivity using either Wired and/or Wire
`less links. Examples of Wired links are Ethernet and HPNA
`Phone Line netWorks. Examples of Wireless links are
`802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and the like links that may
`provide digital Wireless connectivity throughout the home.
`[0003] Further, an increasing amount of digital media
`(e.g., digital media such as audio and video) is being stored
`on personal computers or PCs. For example, in many homes
`music and/or video content is stored on a central PC and
`products are noW available that alloW a user to reproduce or
`play back this content on a different playback device (eg a
`TV set or stereo). These products may use a home netWork
`to communicate the digital content to a playback client that,
`in turn, communicates the digital content to a playback
`device such as a TV set.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0004] A method and system is provided to display media
`content data for playback on a playback device. The system
`may include a playback unit and a remote control device.
`The playback unit may include a media content data storage
`communication interface to communicate With a media
`storage device thereby to receive the media content data.
`Further, the playback unit may include a display data pro
`cessor to process the media content data and generate
`display metrics based on the media content data, and a
`bi-directional remote control communication interface. The
`remote control device may be used to select the digital media
`for playback on the playback device and include a comple
`mental remote control communication interface for bi-di
`rectional communication With the remote control commu
`nication interface of the playback unit. Further, the remote
`control device may include a display screen, and a display
`rendering module to display the media content data on the
`display screen based on the display metrics.
`
`[0005] The invention extends to a playback unit and to a
`remote control device. The invention also extends to a
`machine-readable medium including a set of instructions
`that, When execute by a machine, cause the machine to
`execute any of the methods described herein.
`
`[0006] Other features of the present invention Will be
`apparent from the accompanying draWings and from the
`detailed description that folloWs.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0007] The invention is noW described, by Way of example
`and not limitation, With reference to the accompanying
`diagrammatic draWings in Which like reference numerals
`refer to the same or similar features unless otherWise indi
`cated.
`
`In the draWings,
`
`[0008]
`[0009] FIG. 1 shoWs a schematic block diagram of a prior
`art system to control playback of digital media on a playback
`device;
`[0010] FIG. 2 shoWs a schematic block diagram of a
`system, in accordance With the invention, to control play
`back of digital media on a playback device;
`
`[0011] FIG. 3 shoWs a more detailed schematic block
`diagram of an exemplary remote control device and an
`exemplary playback unit of the system of FIG. 2;
`
`[0012] FIG. 4 shoWs a schematic ?oW diagram of a
`method, in accordance With the invention, to control play
`back of digital media using a remote control device;
`
`[0013] FIG. 5 shoWs a schematic ?oW diagram of a
`method, in accordance With the invention, to control play
`back of digital media using a playback unit;
`
`[0014] FIG. 6 a shoWs schematic vieW of an exemplary
`remote control device, in accordance With the invention;
`
`[0015] FIG. 7 shoWs an exemplary media content hierar
`chy of media content data for display on a display screen of
`the remote control device;
`
`[0016] FIG. 8 shoWs a schematic vieW of an exemplary
`user interface presented to the user on the display screen of
`the remote control device;
`
`[0017] FIG. 9 shoWs a schematic vieW of an exemplary
`user interface to present media content to the user on the
`display screen;
`
`[0018] FIG. 10 shoWs a schematic diagram of a further
`system, also in accordance With the invention, to control the
`playback of digital media residing on a plurality of media
`content storage devices in the exemplary form of digital
`media servers;
`
`[0019] FIG. 11 shoWs a schematic diagram of sub-sets of
`media content data stored on a media content storage device,
`a playback unit, and a remote control device;
`
`[0020] FIG. 12 shoWs an exemplary con?guration of a
`playback unit used in the system of FIG. 10 shoWing a
`plurality of driver protocols;
`
`[0021] FIG. 13 shoWs an exemplary table of discovered
`media storage devices and threads to manage the discovered
`media storage devices;
`
`[0022] FIG. 14 shoWs exemplary modules of a remote
`control device and a playback unit, both in accordance With
`the invention, in Which a font table is provided on the remote
`control device and an application that uses the font table is
`provided on the playback unit;
`
`[0023] FIG. 15 shoWs a schematic functional diagram of
`interaction betWeen the playback unit and the remote control
`device When accessing the font table and communicating
`display metrics to the remote control device;
`
`[0024] FIG. 16 shoWs a schematic ?oW diagram of a
`method, in accordance With the invention, to control the
`display of data on a remote control device remotely from a
`playback unit; and
`
`Page 17 of 25
`
`

`
`US 2005/0057538 A1
`
`Mar. 17, 2005
`
`[0025] FIG. 17 shows a schematic ?oW diagram of a
`method, in accordance With the invention, to provide data
`for display on a remote control device.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0026] A method a system to display media content data
`for playback on a playback device is described. In the
`following description, for purposes of explanation, numer
`ous speci?c details are set forth in order to provide a
`thorough understanding of the present invention. It Will be
`evident, hoWever, to one skilled in the art that the present
`invention may be practiced Without these speci?c details.
`
`[0027] Referring to the draWings, reference numeral 10
`general indicates a system, in accordance With the prior art,
`to play back digital media on a playback or reproduction
`device 12. The system 12 includes a media content storage
`device 14, a playback client 16, and a remote control 18. The
`media content storage device 14 is typically in the form of
`a personal computer or PC on Which audio ?les (e.g. music
`?les) are stored. Audio data is typically communicated from
`the media content storage device 14 to the playback client 16
`via a local area netWork 20 (e. g. a Wired netWork connection,
`a Wireless netWork connection (e.g., a Wireless home net
`Work), or the like). The playback client 16 communicates
`selected audio ?les to the media player 12 via a hardWired
`connection 22. The media player 12 is typically a TV set or
`the like Which has a display screen for displaying informa
`tion to a user of the system 10. In use, the user may vieW the
`display screen of the TV set (see arroW 24) and, using the
`remote control 18, communicate With the playback client 16
`to select audio for playback on the media player or playback
`device 12. In order to accomplish this, the playback client 16
`receives the selected audio from the media content storage
`device 14 and communicates it to the media player or
`reproduction device 12. Accordingly, in the system 10 of the
`prior art, the user vieWs some separate or independent
`display screen such as a TV set and uses the remote control
`18 to select audio content for playback based on What is
`displayed on the TV set. Accordingly, in the prior art,
`unidirectional communication from the remote control 18 to
`the playback client 16 takes place and the remote control 18
`does not include a display that receives media content
`information from the playback client 16.
`
`[0028] Referring in particular to FIG. 2, reference
`numeral 30 generally indicates a system, in accordance With
`the invention, to control playback of digital media on a
`playback or reproduction device 31. The playback device 31
`may be a television set, a stereo or any other playback device
`for playing back media content (digital and/or analog). It
`should be noted that the playback device 31 may or may not
`include a display screen.
`
`[0029] The system 30 includes a playback unit 32, also in
`accordance With the invention, and a remote control device
`34, also in accordance With the invention (see also FIG. 6).
`As described in more detail beloW, the system 30 displays
`content data on a display screen 36 of the remote control
`device 34. For eXample, the media content storage device 14
`may store digital media in the form of music ?les, video
`?les, photographs, or the like and the playback unit 32 may
`retrieve content data that identi?es, or is associated With, the
`media ?les and communicate the content data to the remote
`control device 34 for display on the display screen 36.
`
`Further, as described in more detail beloW, the user may then
`select content (selected media) for reproduction or playback
`on the playback device 31 based on the information pro
`vided on the display screen 36. Thus, for eXample, the
`content data may include audio track titles, album names,
`video clip titles, photograph tiles, and so on that reside on
`the media content storage device 14. It Will be appreciated
`that the media content storage device 14 may include any
`server (e.g., a personal computer) that may serve digital
`media content. In the system 30 of FIG. 2, the netWork 20
`may be a Wired netWork (e.g., using an IEEE 1394 connec
`tion or the like) or a Wireless netWork (e.g., using 802.11 or
`any other Wireless technology).
`[0030] Referring in particular to FIG. 3, the eXemplary
`playback unit 32 includes a remote control communication
`interface 38, a media storage communication interface 40,
`and a playback device interface 42. Further, the playback
`unit 32 may include other components such as storage/
`memory 44, a memory buffer 46, a poWer unit 48, and a
`processor unit 50 to control operation of the playback unit
`32.
`
`[0031] The media storage communication interface 40 is
`typically a bi-directional communication interface such as a
`local area netWork (LAN) Wireless device capable, for
`eXample, of communicating via a local area netWork using
`802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or the like communication pro
`tocols. It is, hoWever, to be appreciated that the playback
`unit 32 may communicate using any communication link or
`links (both Wired and/or Wireless) With any one or more
`digital content servers, as described in more detail beloW. In
`one embodiment, the media storage communication inter
`face 40 is con?gured to communicate With a standard
`Wireless netWork such as a standard Wireless home netWork.
`In one embodiment, the playback device interface 42 con
`nects the playback unit 32 to the playback device 31 via a
`hardWired connection. Accordingly, the playback unit 32
`may include RCA, SP/DIF audio outputs, or the like. In one
`embodiment, the playback device interface 42 includes a
`digital to analogue converter for converting digital media
`?les (e.g., MP3, JPEG, WAV, AVI, or the like) received from
`the media content storage device 14 to a suitable form for
`playback on the playback device 31. The processor unit 50
`is typically a microprocessor-based controller or the like to
`control operation of the playback unit 32. As described in
`more detail beloW, the remote control communication inter
`face 38 is a bi-directional communication device to alloW
`bi-directional communication betWeen the remote control
`device 34 and the playback unit 32.
`
`[0032] The remote control device 34 includes a comple
`mental remote control communication interface 52 to com
`municate in a bi-directional fashion With the remote control
`communication interface 38 of the playback unit 32. Further,
`the remote control device 34 includes a controller 54 (eg a
`microprocessor-based controller), the display screen 36
`(e.g., 132x64-pixel LCD graphic display providing 5 lines of
`teXt display), and a user interface 56 (see also FIG. 6). The
`user interface 56 includes navigation buttons 58 as Well as
`other functional buttons 60 to alloW a user to select and play
`digital media stored on the media content storage device 14.
`The user interface 56 and the display screen 36 alloW a user
`to broWse (e.g., by artist, album, genre, all tracks, playlist or
`the like) and select media content stored on the media
`content storage device 14. In one embodiment, the remote
`
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`control device 34 includes a hand-held housing 35 Which is
`shaped and dimensioned to render the remote control device
`34 portable.
`[0033] The remote control communication interfaces 38
`and 52 may be radio frequency interfaces, optical interfaces
`(e.g. infrared), or any other communication interface. For
`example, the communication interfaces 38, 52 may be loW
`poWer devices having a range suitable for use Within a
`domestic dWelling. The display screen 36 may be an LCD
`display or the like suitable for displaying data in the form of
`text to a user so that the user may select content for playback
`on the playback device 31. As described in more detail
`beloW, the display screen 36 may operate in conjunction
`With the user interface 56 in a menu driven fashion so that
`media content available on the media content storage device
`14 may be displayed to the user on the display screen 36 and,
`in response thereto, the user may then select one or more
`media ?les for playback on the playback device 31. Thus,
`unlike the prior art Where the playback device 31 itself
`provides a display screen to display the media content
`available on the media content storage device 14 to the user,
`the remote control device 34, in accordance With the present
`invention, includes the display screen 36 for displaying
`media content to the user for selection.
`[0034] Referring in particular to FIG. 4, reference
`numeral 70 generally indicates a method, in accordance With
`the invention, to display and control playback of digital
`media using a remote control device. The method 70 may be
`carried out on the exemplary remote control device 34. As
`shoWn at operation 72, the remote control device 34 Waits
`for user input via the user interface 56. When user activity
`or input is detected (see operation 74), the method 70 then
`identi?es if the input from the user requires processing or if
`a message (e.g., requesting media content data) must be sent
`to the playback unit 32 (see decision operation 76). If the
`input received from the user requires processing, then the
`method 70 processes the input or request (see operation 78)
`and, as shoWn at decision operation 80, decides Whether or
`not the display screen 36 is to be updated (e.g., scroll
`through text available on the remote control device 34). If
`the display screen 36 does not require updating, then the
`method 70 returns to operation 72. If, hoWever, the display
`screen 36 requires updating, then the method 70 updates the
`display screen 36 as shoWn at operation 82 and, thereafter,
`returns to operation 72 Where it Waits for further user input.
`[0035] Returning to decision operation 76, When the user
`input requires communication With the playback unit 32, the
`method 70 proceeds to operation 84 and sends a request or
`message to the playback unit 32 and aWaits a return message
`as shoWn at operation 86. For example, When the remote
`control device 34 requests information from the media
`content storage device 14 (eg information on the content
`available for playback on the playback device 31), the
`playback unit 32 may then communicate a media data
`request to the media content storage device 14 via the local
`area netWork 20 (see FIG. 2). In response to the media data
`request, the media content storage device 14 may then
`communicate content data to the playback unit 32 Which, in
`turn, communicates the data to the remote control device 34
`(see operation 86) for display on the display screen 36. As
`shoWn at decision operation 88, the method 70 may identify
`Whether or not further information or data is required from
`the playback unit 32 (and/or media content storage device
`14) and, if so, the method 70 returns to operation 84. If,
`hoWever, no further information or data is required from the
`playback unit 32, then the method 70 proceeds to operation
`78 Where the data is processed.
`
`[0036] Referring in particular to FIG. 5, reference
`numeral 90 generally indicates a method, in accordance to
`the invention, to control playback of media data using a
`playback unit. The method 90 may be carried out on the
`playback unit 32. As shoWn at operation 92, the playback
`unit 32 may aWait a message or data request from the remote
`control device 34. When a message or data request is
`received from the remote control device 34 (see operation
`94), then a decision is made at decision operation 96 as to
`Whether or not the playback unit 32 can process the request
`or Whether the request should be communicated to the media
`content storage device 14. The media content storage device
`14 may act as a server that provides the digital media to any
`one or more playback units 32.
`
`[0037] Returning to operation 96, if the playback unit 32
`can process the message or data request received from the
`remote control unit 34, then, as shoWn at operation 98, the
`playback unit 32 processes the message. As shoWn at
`decision operation 100, a determination is then made as to
`Whether or not the remote control device 34 (e. g., its display
`screen 36) requires updating. If the remote control device 34
`requires updating, then as shoWn at operation 102, appro
`priate data is communicated by Way of, for example, a
`message to the remote control device 34 and, thereafter, the
`method 90 returns to operation 92 Where it Waits for further
`user input. If, hoWever, no updating of the remote control
`device 34 is required, then, as shoWn at decision operation
`104, a determination is made as to Whether or not data is to
`be communicated from the playback unit 32 to the repro
`duction or playback device 31. For example, if the user has
`selected a particular media ?le (eg a music ?le such as an
`MP3 ?le) to be played back on the playback device 31, then
`the playback unit 32 may stream the music ?le (see opera
`tion 106) to the playback device 31.
`
`[0038] As shoWn at decision operation 108, the method 90
`then determines Whether or not further digital media (e.g.,
`further streaming) is required from the media content stor
`age device 14 and, if so, the playback unit 32 may then send
`a message/request to the media content storage device 14
`requesting further media content (see operation 110). An
`application running on the media content storage device 14
`may then communicate the requested data to the playback
`unit 32 Which then, accordingly, receives the requested
`media content data (see operation 112). Thereafter, as shoWn
`at decision operation 108, a determination is made Whether
`or not further information or data is required from the media
`content storage device 14. If, hoWever, no more information
`or data is required from the media content storage device 14,
`then the method 90 reverts to operation 98 Where the
`message or data is processed. It Will be appreciated that any
`data (e.g., media ?les) communicated via the system 30 may
`be compressed and decompressed, encoded, or the like.
`
`[0039] Returning to decision operation 96, if the playback
`unit 32 does not need to process any data (and thus does not
`need to proceed to operation 98) but requires media content
`data from the media content storage device 14, then the
`method 90 proceeds directly to operation 110 Where the
`playback unit 32 sends a request or message to the media
`content storage device 14.
`
`[0040] In one embodiment, the media content storage
`device 14 is a PC including server softWare that manages
`media content stored on the PC and communicates With the
`playback unit 32 via the netWork 20. The PC may commu
`nicate With any number of playback units 32. In one embodi
`ment, as described in more detail beloW, a single remote
`
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`control device 34 can communicate With more than one
`playback unit 32, one at a time. In one embodiment, the
`remote control device 34 is an RF remote control With an
`operating range suitable for use in a domestic dWelling (eg
`a range of 10 about meters).
`
`[0041] In one embodiment, operation of the remote con
`trol device may be divided into 3 main functional areas,
`namely, administrative, transport and navigation. Exemplary
`administrative functions include poWering the remote con
`trol device 34 up and doWn, providing information on media
`presently being played via the reproduction or playback
`device 31, or the like. Exemplary transport functions include
`Play/Pause, Scan forWard/skip, Scan backWard/back, Stop,
`Mute, Volume up and doWn, Mode, or the like. Exemplary
`navigation functions include Menu, Music, Library, Left,
`Right, DoWn, Up, Favorites, playlists (e.g., using buttons
`1-9), OK (to save settings/select items), or the like.
`[0042] Reference numeral 120 (see FIG. 8) generally
`indicates an exemplary graphic user interface presented to
`the user on the display screen 36 to select digital media
`stored on, and served from, the digital media storage device
`14. In the exemplary embodiment shoWn in FIG. 8, a user
`may select group descriptions such as “Favorite Playlists”,
`“Music Library”, “Setup”, and “Info”. It Will hoWever be
`appreciated that the information displayed by the graphic
`user interface 120 may be dependent upon the digital media
`available from the digital media storage device 14. As
`mentioned above, navigation of digital content displayed on
`the display screen 36 may be accomplished in a drill-doWn
`fashion in conjunction With the navigation buttons 58 (see
`FIG. 6). For example, if the user selects the “Music Library”
`option 122, then a further graphic user interface 124 may be
`presented to the user on the display screen 36. In this
`menu-driven fashion, media content (e.g., music ?les, video
`?les, pictures, or any other digital media) arranged in a
`hierarchy 126 (see FIG. 7) may be broWsed or navigated. In
`one embodiment, navigation functionality using the display
`screen 36 and the user interface 56 may resemble the
`navigation functionality provided on a Creative NOMAD
`Jukebox available from Creative Technology Ltd.
`
`[0043] Referring in particular to FIG. 10, reference
`numeral 150 generally indicates an exemplary system, in
`accordance With the invention, for controlling the playback
`of media data sourced from a plurality of media content
`storage devices. In the system 150, the media content
`storage devices are shoWn to be in the form of a plurality of
`servers 152, 154, 156, and 158. The servers 152 to 158 are
`connectable to one or more playback units 160, 162, and 164
`via one or more netWorks 166, 168, and 170. Further, each
`playback unit 160, 162, 164 may communicate With one or
`more remote control devices 172, 174, and 176. The servers
`152 to 158, the netWorks 166 to 170, the playback units 160
`to 164, and the remote control devices 172 to 176 may
`resemble or be substantially similar to the media content
`storage device 14, the netWork 20, the playback unit 32, and
`the remote control device 34, respectively, as described
`above.
`
`[0044] It is to be appreciated that the netWorks 166 to 170
`need not be identical netWorks but may differ in nature. For
`example, the netWork 166 may be a Wireless netWork
`Whereas the netWork 168 may be a Wired netWork. Accord
`ingly, the playback unit 160 and the playback unit 162 may
`each include different media storage communication inter
`faces to communicate in both a Wired and Wireless fashion
`(see, for example, the media storage communication inter
`
`face 40 of the playback unit 32 shoWn in FIG. 3). Thus, it
`Will be appreciated, that any combination of Wired or
`Wireless netWorks may form part of the system 150.
`
`[0045] Further, a plurality of different communication
`protocols may be used to communicate With the servers 152