throbber
8416456
`
`September 26, 2023
`
`THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT ANNEXED IS A TRUE COPY FROM THE
`RECORDS OF THIS OFFICE OF THE FILE WRAPPER AND CONTENTS
`OF:
`
`APPLICATION NUMBER: 15/687,249
`FILING DATE: August 25, 2017
`PATENT NUMBER: 11048751
`ISSUE DATE: June 29, 2021
`
`Page 1 of 893
`
`Comcast, Ex. 1176
`
`

`

`API Adapter||| Pf ll
`
`aa
`| Database <—+|
`
`
`
`; 26
`
`«>| Database|| |
`
`Page 2 of 893
`
`Page 2 of 893
`
`

`

`cab
`
`
`0}paidogebessey)
`
`
`panje2oyebessayy/MON
`
`&
`
`aonagAedsiq
`
`6Oia
`
`
`
`ssiaaq]Agidsic)Aq
`
`gzi|=
`
`ore
`
`
`saindexgaaiegAgdsiq
`
`abessayyMAK
`
`oapiA10uopeIueseid|
`
`—>[eidepyiaviesienun|ORE
`
`perjeoayabessayy
`
`AUCMEWSLOY
`
`
`—olaseaqered0}wesWO
`sebesseyyMeNJO]eseqereq|SYOBUD
`
`pennonpoh
`B2/Aaq]Aeidsiq
`
`
`jaseqejeqlLWeWS)
`o]peppyabessoyy
`
`
`co—ee|\Zz|qoajes||
`
`__BedoapiAIsenbey|SardSeaWK;Teak|Pol
`|Saycapirl
`
`
`
`SJBAI8SPUBIEG
`
`
`
`UOINSOULIOA,}90I8Zt
`
`PIBOQUOUMS/
`
`
`
`
`
`[iekeig6oapiA|.toeovHF
`
`CaIIL
`
`Page 3 of 893
`
`Page 3 of 893
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Transmission Code _
`|
`‘UserlD]Targeti|MediaPlayeriD|
`
`
` User -
`
`di Data
`Smartphone FIG. 4
`26~ | Vimeo
`
`Pause
`
`
`
`yt_pauseVideo
`| YouTube
`‘Tedcom.pauseVideoS~*~S~
`ee‘Vimeo—‘pause
`FIG. 5
`
`Page 4 of 893
`
`Page 4 of 893
`
`

`

`
`
`_-~the Media Player that ~~_
`y;
`“~>
`28." ig Needed to Play the Video
`
`~~. Already Loaded in the _-—-
`
`~~ ~DisplayDevice- —
`Request and Obtain a
`
`
`
`Copy of the Appropriate
`Media Player and a Copy)
`
`of the Video File from |
`
`
`Yes a Copy ofthe
`™,
`
`v
`is
`~
`
`Content Provider
`
`
`
`
`a Video Already Loadeditin >
`
`*, ihe> DIspIBY Device,PO rer ;| _LoadtheMediaPlayer
`
`
` Obtain a Copy |
`
`
`a
`
`s
`
`a
`
`>|
`
`Playthe Video
`
`—|
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Page 5 of 893
`
`|
`
`ofthe Video
`
`|
`
`Page 5 of 893
`
`

`

`Display Device_
`
`Splash Page
`
`a2
`
`
`
`485,
`[435-05-342| ene SYNC-COUE
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`FIG. 76
`
`
`
`Page 6 of 893
`
`Page 6 of 893
`
`

`

`Display Device |
` 22
`Z IN
`20
`
`Moderator
`
`Contral of
`Display
`
`]
`
`FIG. 10
`
`| Display Device |
`
`_Dispiay Device|
`20
`
`|
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Page7 of 893
`
`Page 7 of 893
`
`

`

`| Display Device
`
` | Smart Phone
`20
`I
`
`|
`
`Moderator
`
`Control of
`Display
`
`FIG. 12
`
`
`
`2
`
`
`Playlist and Video Links
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Page 8 of 893
`
`Page 8 of 893
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`10MOjOGBLO-OUAS449AF
`
`JOA{0OUOweyas
`
`
`
`BADEPalsyseonap
`
`
`
`[©doydeyspuayy
`
`O qwoorBuiay=‘odakaroe
`
`JONHSVIcS
`
`Page 9 of 893
`
`Page 9 of 893
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`aneAgidsiqjojo4uog=,|
`
`SbOd
`
`
`
`UONOeULIO’Y)dnoicy
`
`Bice4dn-y00")
`
`a(S113
`
`i
`
`Page 10 of 893
`
`Page 10 of 893
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`PTO/AIA/01 (06-12)
`Approved for use through 01/31/2014. OMB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; US. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Underthe Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respondto a collection of information unlessit displays a valid OMB control number.
`
`
`
`The attached application, or
`
`
`
`United States application or PCTinternational application number
`
` DECLARATION(37 CFR 1.63) FOR UTILITY OR DESIGN APPLICATION USING AN
`
`APPLICATION DATA SHEET(37 CFR 1.76)
`
`
`
` PLAY CONTROL OF CONTENT ONA DISPLAY DEVICE
`Title of
`Invention
`
`
`Asthe below namedinventor, | hereby declare that:
`
`
`
`
`This declaration |
`
`is directed to:
`
`
`
`
`
`filed on
`
`
`
`The above-identified application was made or authorized to be made by me.
`
`
`
`| believe that | am the original inventor or an original joint inventor of a claimed inventionin the application.
`
` | hereby acknowledge that anywillful faise statement made in this declaration is punishable under 18 U.S.C. 1001
`
`
`by fine or imprisonmentof not more thanfive (5) years, or both. WARNING:
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner/applicant is cautioned to avoid submitting personal information in documentsfiled in a patent application that may
`contribute to identity theft. Personal information such as social security numbers, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers
`(other than a checkorcredit card authorization form PTO-2038 submitted for payment purposes)is never required by the USPTO
`to support a petition or an application.
`If this type of personal information is included in documents submitted to the USPTO,
`
`
`petitioners/applicants should consider redacting such personal information from the dacuments before submitting them to the
`
`
`USPTO. Petitionerfapplicant is advised that the record of a patent application is available to the public after publication of the
`
`
`application (unless a non-publication request in compliance with 37 CFR 1.213(a) is madein the application) or issuance of a
`
`
`patent. Furthermore, the record from an abandonedapplication may also be available to the public if the application is
`
`
`referenced in a published application or an issued patent (see 37 CFR 1.14). Checks and credit card authorization forms
`
`
`
`PTQ-2038 submitted for payment purposes arenotretained in the application file and therefore are not publicly available.
`
` LEGAL NAME OF INVENTOR
`
`
`
`DAVID STROBER
`Date (Optional) ; AUS 25, 2017
`Inventor:
`
`
`
`ehfence
`Signature: ! ee
`I
`
`
`
`Note: An application data sheet (PTO/SB/14 or equivalent), including naming the entire inventive entity, must accompanythis form or must have
`beenpreviously filed. Use an additional PTO/AIA/01 form for each additional inventor.
`
`This collection of information is required by 35 U.S.C. 115 and 37 CFR 1.63. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public whichis to file (and
`by the USPTOto 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 1 minute to
`complete, inciuding gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending uponthe individual case. Any
`comments on the amountof 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.
`ifyou need assistance in completing the form, cal! 1-800-PTO-9199 and select option 2.
`
`Page 11 of 893
`
`
`
`Page 11 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
`
`A system for presenting and controlling content on a display device includes a network, a
`
`server system coupled to the network and comprising one or moreservers, a display device coupled
`
`to the network and having a display, and a personal computing device operable to transmit a first
`
`message according to a specified format over the network to the server system. The server system
`
`stores an association between the personal computing device and the display device. Thefirst
`
`message identifics uscr-sclected content and a media playerto play the content. The server system
`
`is operable, in response to receiving the first message from the personal computing device, to
`
`provideto the display device a second messageidentifying the user-selected content and the media
`
`player to play the content. In response to receiving the second message, the display device is
`
`operable to obtain a first media player needed to play the content, to load the media player and to
`
`present the content on the display.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 27 of 27
`
`Page 12 of 893
`
`Page 12 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`CLAIMS
`
`Whatis claimedis:
`
`1.
`
`A non-transitory computer storage medium storing computer-useable
`
`instructions that, when used by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing
`
`devices to perform operations for remotely presenting various types of content, the operations
`
`comprising:
`
`initializing a connection with a remote server device to facilitate an
`
`association with a remote computing device;
`
`receiving, from the remote server device, a first message that includes at
`
`least one commandin a first format, wherein the first message is received based at
`
`least in part on a second messageincludingat least one command in a second format
`
`having been sent from the associated remote computing device;
`
`employing a first media player application operable to load a first piece of
`
`content referenced in the received first message; and
`
`controlling a presentation of the first piece of content
`
`loaded in the
`
`employedfirst media player application based on a first commandin the first format
`
`having been includedin the received first message for recognition by the first media
`
`player application.
`
`2.
`
`The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein a
`
`commandin the second format is a universal command.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 21 of 27
`
`Page 13 of 893
`
`Page 13 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`3.
`
`The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 2, wherein the first
`
`format is different than the second format.
`
`4,
`
`The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein the
`
`second message is sent to the remote server device.
`
`5.
`
`The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein the at
`
`least one commandin the second format is converted into the at least one commandin thefirst
`
`format based at least in part on the second message including therein a referenceto the first piece
`
`of content.
`
`6.
`
`The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein the at
`
`least one commandin the second format is converted into the at least one commandin thefirst
`
`format based at least in part on a reference to the first media player application having been
`
`included in the second message.
`
`7.
`
`The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein the first
`
`media player application is employed basedat least in part on the received first message including
`
`therein a reference to the first media player application.
`
`8.
`
`The non-transitory computer
`
`storage medium of claim 1, wherein
`
`controlling the presentation includes an execution of the first command.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 22 of 27
`
`Page 14 of 893
`
`Page 14 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`9.
`
`The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 1, the operations
`
`further comprising:
`
`obtaining the first media player application based on a determinationthat
`
`the first media player application is not already being employed.
`
`10.
`
`The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 9, wherein the first
`
`media player application is obtained from a content provider that corresponds to the referenced
`
`first piece of content.
`
`11.
`
`The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein the
`
`connection with the remote server device is maintained, for at least a duration that the first media
`
`player application is being employed,to facilitate a change from the first media player application
`
`to a second media player application operable to load a second piece of content referenced in a
`
`second message received from the remote server device.
`
`12.
`
`A computer-implemented method for remotely presenting various types of
`
`content, comprising:
`
`initializing, by a content presentation device, a connection with a remote
`
`server device to facilitate an association between the content presentation device
`
`and a remote computing device;
`
`receiving, by the content presentation device and from the remote server
`
`device, a first message that includes at least one commandin a first format, wherein
`
`the first message is received basedat least in part on a second message including at
`
`8327117
`
`Page 23 of 27
`
`Page 15 of 893
`
`Page 15 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`least one commandin a second format having been sent from the remote computing
`
`device associated with the content presentation device;
`
`employing, while the connection with the remote server device is
`
`maintained, a first media player application operableto load a first piece of content
`
`based at least in part on the first piece of content being referenced in the received
`
`first message; and
`
`controlling, by the content presentation device, a presentation of the first
`
`piece of content loaded in the employed first media player application based on a
`
`first commandin the first format having been included in the received first message
`
`for recognition by the first media player application.
`
`13.
`
`The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the first media
`
`player application is employed basedat least in part on the received first message including therein
`
`a reference to the first media player application.
`
`14.
`
`The computer-implemented method of claim 12,
`
`the operations further
`
`comprising:
`
`obtaining the first media player application based on a determination that a
`
`second media player application is being employed.
`
`15.
`
`The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the first media
`
`player application obtained byretrieving the first media player application from a content provider
`
`associated with the referenced first piece of content.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 24 of 27
`
`Page 16 of 893
`
`Page 16 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`16.
`
`The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the presentation
`
`of the first piece of content loaded in the employed first media player application is controlled
`
`based further on the first command in the first format having been converted, from the second
`
`commandin the second format, for inclusion in the received first message for recognition by the
`
`first media player application.
`
`17.
`
`A content presentation device comprising:
`
`a display;
`
`at least one processor; and
`
`at least one computer storage media storing computer-usable instructions that,
`
`when used bythe at least one processor, cause the at least one processorto:
`
`initialize a connection with a remote server device to facilitate an
`
`associalion between the content presentation device and a remote computing
`
`device, wherein the associated remote computing device is configured to send
`
`messagesthat include at least one command in a second format;
`
`receive, from the remote server device,a first messagethat includesat least
`
`one commandinafirst format based on a second message in the second formatsent
`
`from the associated remote computing device;
`
`employ a first media player application operable to load a first piece of
`
`content referenced in the received first message; and
`
`control a presentation of the first picce of content loaded in the employed
`
`first media player application based on a first commandin the first format having
`
`been included in the received first message for recognition by the first media player
`
`application.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 25 of 27
`
`Page 17 of 893
`
`Page 17 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`18.
`
`The content presentation device of claim 17, wherein a commandin the first
`
`format is recognizable by the first media player application.
`
`19.
`
`The content presentation device of claim 17, wherein the second messageis
`
`sent to the remote server device.
`
`20.
`
`The content presentation device of claim 18, wherein the first media player
`
`application is employed based at least in part on the received first message including therein a
`
`referenceto the first media player application.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 26 of 27
`
`Page 18 of 893
`
`Page 18 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`PLAY CONTROL OF CONTENT ON A DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001]
`
`The present application is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 13/532,546, filed
`
`on June 25, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 13/157,821, filed on
`
`June 10, 2011, which issued on December2, 2014 as U.S. Patent No. 8,904,289, which claimsthe
`
`benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/477,998, filed on April 21, 2011.
`
`The contents of the earlier applications are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002]
`
`This disclosure relates to play control of content on a display device. Such display
`
`devices include, for example, television displays used by consumers in their home for viewing
`
`videos and other media that are either provided from the Web orpreviously stored. In particular,
`
`the disclosure relates to the creation, storage, manipulation and access of media playlists used in
`
`conjunction with display devices and control of the display devices.
`
`[0003]
`
`Web media often is played on computers rather than television displays. Although
`
`it is known to connect a computerto a television set in order to watch Web media,it is difficult to
`
`control such a system within the typical scenario for television watching where the viewer is
`
`positioned some distance from the television. Furthermore, although a wireless device can enable
`
`the user to control the television from a distance, it can be difficult to view a web browserdisplay
`
`on the television set and may interfere with normal television program viewing by other persons.
`
`[0004]
`
`Given the desire to watch various World Wide Web media on a family's primary
`
`television set, and to control this operation from the comfort of one's couch, there is a need to
`
`operate a television set or other display remotely from a personal computing device, such as a
`
`mobile phone.It also is desirable to allow a user to perform a general Websearch to locate and
`
`Page 1 of 27
`
`8327117
`
`Page 19 of 893
`
`Page 19 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`capture Web media, and to control a television or other display remotely using the personal
`
`computing device.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Various aspects of the invention are set forth in the claims.
`
`For example, according to one aspect, a system for presenting and controlling
`
`[0005]
`
`[0006]
`
`content on a display device includes a network, a server system coupled to the network and
`
`comprising one or moreservers, a display device coupled to the network and having a display, and
`
`a personal computing device operable to transmit a first message according to a specified format
`
`over the networkto the server system. The server systemstores an association between the personal
`
`computing device and the display device. The first message identifies user-selected content and a
`
`media player to play the content. The server system is operable, in response to receiving the first
`
`message from the personal computing device, to provide to the display device a second message
`
`identifying the user-selected content and the media player to play the content. In response to
`
`receiving the second message,the display device is operable to obtain a first media player needed
`
`to play the content, to load the media playerand to present the content on the display.
`
`[0007]
`
`In some implementations, the display device is operable, in response to receiving
`
`the second message, to obtain the first media player from the content provider only if the first
`
`media playeris not already loaded inthe display device.
`
`[0008]
`
`In some implementations, the personal computing device is operable to transmit a
`
`message according to a specified format over the network to the server system. The message can
`
`include a command for controlling playing of the content on the display device. The server system
`
`is operable, in response to receiving the message, to convert the command into a corresponding
`
`command recognizable by the media playerif the command received from the personal computing
`
`Page 2 of 27
`
`8327117
`
`Page 20 of 893
`
`Page 20 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`device is not recognizable by the media player. The server system is operable to provide to the
`
`display device a message that includes the corresponding command, and the display device is
`
`operable, in response to receiving the message from the server system, to execute the command.
`
`[0009]
`
`In some implementations, the personal computing device is, for example, a mobile
`
`phone, and the display device is a television set. Other personal computing devices or display
`
`devices can be used in other implementations. The network can include, for example, the Internet.
`
`[0010]
`
`In some implementations, the server system stores a look-up table that includes a
`
`synchronization code uniquely associated with the display device. A message from the personal
`
`computing device can include the synchronization code, and in response to receiving the message
`
`from personal computing device, the server system can use the synchronization code and the look-
`
`up table to identify the display device on which the content is to be played. The synchronization
`
`code can be different from an IP address associated with the display device and/or a media access
`
`control address associated with the display device.
`
`[0011]
`
`In various implementations,
`
`the system can facilitate allowing a personal
`
`computing device to be used to select different content to be played on a remote display even if
`
`different media players are required to present the different content. The systemalso can allow the
`
`user to control how the content is displayed on the display device using the personal computing
`
`device. For cxample, uscr-initiated play commands can be passed from the uscr's personal
`
`computing device, through the server system,to the display devices.
`
`[0012]
`
`Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed
`
`description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 3 of 27
`
`Page 21 of 893
`
`Page 21 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`[0013]
`
`The present technology is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of
`
`limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.
`
`[0014]
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system according to the
`
`invention.
`
`[0015]
`
`FIG, 2 illustrates various details of the flow of information and signals according
`
`to some implementations.
`
`[0016]
`
`FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a transmission code incorporated into a message
`
`from a personal computing device.
`
`FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a look-up table that forms part of a server system.
`
`FIG. 5 illustrates an example of entries in a universal API adapter.
`
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing steps for display device to load a video player and
`
`[0017]
`
`[0018]
`
`[0019]
`
`video.
`
`[0020]
`
`PIG. 7A illustrates an example of a display device including a synchronization
`
`code.
`
`[0021]
`
`[0022]
`
`used.
`
`FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a synchronization code look-up table.
`
`FIGS. 8-13 illustrate examples of various scenarios in which the invention can be
`
`[0023]
`
`FIGS. 14A through 14E illustrate examples of display screens that may appear on
`
`a user's personal computing device in accordance with the invention.
`
`[0024]
`
`FIG. 15 illustrates further information that can be stored in the look-up table in the
`
`server system.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 4 of 27
`
`Page 22 of 893
`
`Page 22 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0025]
`
`As shown in FIG. 1, a system 10 facilitates synchronizing a connection between
`
`two or more devices 20, 22 connected to the Internet 21 or other computer network. The connection
`
`is designed to be made bya first device (e.g., a personal computing device) 20 that acts as a
`
`controller and a second device (e.g., a television set 22 with a display 23) that acts as a receiver to
`
`play content selected by a userof the first device and to respond to commandsthatoriginate at the
`
`personal computing device. The personal computing device 20 is operable to display an application
`
`or website that contains information and links to content providers 30 on the Internet 21. The
`
`television set 22 is operable to link back to a server system 24 from which the television set
`
`receives commands. When a user makesa selection using the personal computing device 20 for
`
`particular content to be displayed onthe television display 23, a signal is sent throughthe Internet
`
`(or other network) 21 to the server system 24. A corresponding command signal then is passed
`
`along to the connected television set 22, which acts on a transmission code contained within the
`
`signal and performs specified commands. For example, in some scenarios, the command instructs
`
`the television set 22 to access a content provider 30 through the Internet 21, load a specific media
`
`player, load the media player-specific content (e.g., a video) and play the content on the television
`
`display 23. The user can use the personal computing device 20 to control how the contentis played
`
`on the television display 23. The user may subsequently visit the same or another Website using
`
`the personal computing device 20 to select different content (e.g., a second video) to be played on
`
`the television display 23. In that case, another signal would be sent through the server system 24
`
`to the television set 22. A transmission code associated with this command signal instructs the
`
`television set 22 to load a new media player (if needed) over the Internet and to load the specified
`
`videofile to be played on the display 23. Thus, the system 10 allows a personal computing device
`
`8327117
`
`Page 5 of 27
`
`Page 23 of 893
`
`Page 23 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`20 to be used to select different content to be played on a remote display 23 even if different media
`
`players are required for the different content. The user also can control how the contentis displayed
`
`(e.g., play, pause, stop, rewind, fast forward, etc.) on the display 23 using the personal computing
`
`device 20. The user-initiated play commandsare passed from the user's personal computing device
`
`20, through the server system 24, to the television set 22.
`
`[0026]
`
`Although the following detailed discussion describes videos as an example of the
`
`type of content to be played on the display 23, the system 10 can be used for other types of content
`
`as well. Thus, depending on the implementation, the content may include one or more of the
`
`following: video, audio, interactive video game, streaming media, multimedia, images, slides (e.g.,
`
`a PowerPoint presentation) or other types of dynamic content. Furthermore, in the following
`
`discussion,it is assumed that the personal computing device 20 is a mobile phonethat includes a
`
`display, an internal microprocessoror other processing circuitry, a keypad, keyboard, touchscreen,
`
`mouse, trackball, or other device to receive user selections and other input, and a transceiver to
`
`establish communications to the Internet 21 or other communications networks. More generally,
`
`however, the personal computing device 20 can be any type of handheld or other Internet-enabled
`
`personal computing device, including personal computers, e-books, kiosks, tablets, smart phones,
`
`media players, and motion and touch sensory interfaces. In some cases, input from the user can be
`
`reccived in forms otherthan tactile input (c.g., acoustic or specch).
`
`[0027]
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates further details of the flow of information and signals according to
`
`some implementations. The personal computing device (e.g., mobile phone) 20 is operable to
`
`display an application or web site that contains information and links to content providers 30 on
`
`the Internet 21. The user operates the mobile phone 20soas to start the application or access the
`
`website (block 100). In some implementations, a logo appears on the mobile phone's display. By
`
`8327117
`
`Page 6 of 27
`
`Page 24 of 893
`
`Page 24 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`selecting the logo, the user causes a menu to expand and present various options. The options can
`
`include, for example: (i) add new contentto a playlist, (ii) play a listed item on a secondary device,
`
`(111) play a listed item on the mobile phone 20.If the user selects to add new content to the playlist,
`
`the user is presented with a screen that allows him to enter user-defined search parameters or o
`
`select predefined search parameters to request video data. The search parameters are sent from the
`
`mobile phone 20 as part of a request for video data that satisfy the search parameters (block 102).
`
`The requestis transmitted via the Internet 21 and through the server system 24 to the appropriate
`
`content provider website. In response, the content provider 30 provides metadata(e.¢., titles, links
`
`to the videos) for one or more video files that satisfy the search parameters (block 104). The
`
`metadata can be provided to the mobile phone 20, for example, in the form of an XML data file.
`
`Uponreceiving the data file, the mobile phone 20 displays a list of one or more videos based on
`
`the information received from the content provider 30 (block 106).
`
`[0028]
`
`If desired, the user can take one of several actions, including selecting one of the
`
`videos from the displayed list to be played on the television display 23 or initiating a command
`
`with respect to a video that already has been loadedto the television set 22 (block 108). The mobile
`
`phone 20 then formats and transmits a message to the server system 24 (block 110). The message
`
`from the mobile phone 20 contains a transmission code that includes data regarding the user
`
`information(c.g., uscr identification or account numbcr), the secondary display it wants to connect
`
`to (e.g., television set 22 with display 23), the location and name of the media player for the
`
`selected video, the command(e.g., play, pause, rewind, etc.), and the video file to be acted upon.
`
`An example of the format of a transmission code from the mobile phone 20 to the server system
`
`24is illustrated in FIG. 3. Different formats and/or different information may be appropriate for
`
`other implementations.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 7 of 27
`
`Page 25 of 893
`
`Page 25 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`[0029]
`
`The message from the mobile phone 20 is transmitted over the Internet 21 and is
`
`received by the server system 24 (block 112). Based on information in the message from the mobile
`
`phone 20, the server system 24 verifies that the user has an account (block 114), and the contents
`
`of the message, as well as the date and time of receipt of the message, are added to a personal
`
`computing device database 32 (block 116) which forms part of a switchboard 28. In general, all
`
`messages from a particular user's personal computing device 20 are stored in the database 32
`
`corresponding to an account for the particular user. Thus, the database 32 stores a record ofall
`
`messages received from a user's personal computing device 20, as well as the user's identification,
`
`an indication of the target device 22, an identification of the media player that is required for the
`
`selected video, and an identification of the selected video.
`
`[0030]
`
`The switchboard 28 also includes a look-up table 34 that stores a correspondence
`
`between a particular personal computing device (such as mobile phone 20) andtarget devices(e.g.,
`
`the television set 22) to which the user commandis directed. An example of the look-up table 28
`
`is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this example, it is assumed that, at most, a single connection is
`
`established at any given time between a particular mobile phone and a display device. However,
`
`as explained below, other scenarios are also possible to establish group connections(e.g., multiple
`
`mobile phones connected to the same display device). The server system 24 performs a target
`
`verification (block 118), which includes checking whether a connection to a particular display
`
`device already is established for the mobile phone 20 and,if so, checking the identification of the
`
`display device. During the target verification, if the look-up table indicates that there is no
`
`comnection established between the mobile phone 20 and a particular display device, then the
`
`server system 24 sends a message to the mobile phone 20 to promptthe user to identify the device
`
`on whichthe video is to be displayed.
`
`8327117
`
`Page 26 of 893
`
`Page 8 of 27
`
`Page 26 of 893
`
`

`

`Nonprovisional Application
`
`Attorney Docket No.: TSTH.278581
`
`[0031]
`
`A user can identify the device on which the videois to be displayed in one of several
`
`ways, depending on the implementation. In some implementations, the user can select the display
`
`device from a list of devices displayed on the mobile phone 20. The list can include a field
`
`populated with namesoridentifications of display devices that previously have beeninitialized for
`
`comnection. Alternatively, the user can select the display device by entering a synchronization code
`
`uniquely associated with the particular display device. As
`
`illustrated in FIG. 7A,
`
`the
`
`synchronization code 48 can be displayed,

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket