MEDIA PLAYING SYSTEM AND MEDIA PLAYING METHOD FOR PLAYING MEDIA FILE IN AREA NETWORK

A media playing method for playing a media file in an area network is provided. First of all, plural playing devices are assigned to a specified group, and a virtual device corresponding to the specified group is created. When the user wants to simultaneously use the plural playing device to play the media file, the user may simply control the virtual device to play the media file. Consequently, the media file is played by the plural playing devices corresponding to the specified group. Since the media playing method of the present invention is capable of controlling plural playing devices to play the media file by using only a single manual setting procedure, the process of controlling playback of the playing devices is simplified.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a media playing method, and more particularly to a media playing method for playing a media file in an area network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, an area network comprises a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN) and a wide area network (WAN). With increasing development of science and technology, the area network further comprises a universal plug and play (UPnP) group and a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA). For example, the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is an alliance organization that is composed by the manufacturers of consumer electronics products, mobile phones and computers. The DLNA is responsible for defining unified transmission specifications to allow a variety of products from different manufacturers to be connected and communicated with each other. Consequently, a first electronic device and a second electronic device that comply with the DLNA protocol can be in direct communication with each other in order to transfer data or make synchronization actions.

First of all, some DLNA architectures will be illustrated as follows.FIG. 1schematically illustrates a first conventional DLNA architecture. As shown inFIG. 1, the first conventional DLNA architecture1comprises a network router10, a digital media server (DMS)11, and a digital media player (DMP)12. The network router10is connected to an internet (not shown). In addition, the network router10is in communication with the digital media server11and the digital media player12. Consequently, the communication between the digital media server11and the digital media player12is established through the network router10. A media file15is stored in the digital media server11. The media file15is for example an audio file, an image file or a video file. After the digital media player12is in communication with the digital media server11, the digital media player12may search the media file15from the digital media server11. After the media file15is selected by the user through the digital media player12, the media file15is transmitted from the digital media server11to a temporary memory121of the digital media player12. After the media file15is received by the digital media player12, the media file15that is temporarily stored in the temporary memory121can be played by the digital media player12.

FIG. 2schematically illustrates a second conventional DLNA architecture. As shown inFIG. 2, the second conventional DLNA architecture2comprises a network router20, a digital media server (DMS)21, and a digital media renderer (DMR)23. The communication between the digital media server21and the digital media renderer23is established through the network router20. The digital media server21is used for storing a media file25. In addition, the digital media server21further provides a control function of controlling operations of the digital media renderer23. The digital media renderer23is used for receiving and playing the media file25that is transmitted from the digital media server21. After the control function of the digital media server21is utilized to select the stored media file25from the digital media server21, the media file25is transmitted from the digital media server21to the digital media renderer23. Consequently, the media file25can be played by the digital media renderer23.

FIG. 3schematically illustrates a third conventional DLNA architecture. As shown inFIG. 3, the third conventional DLNA architecture3comprises a network router30, a digital media server (DMS)31, a digital media renderer (DMR)33, and a digital media controller (DMC)34. The communication between the digital media server31, the digital media renderer33and the digital media controller34is established through the network router30. The digital media server31is used for storing a media file35. The digital media renderer33is used for receiving and playing the media file35that is transmitted from the digital media server31. The digital media controller34provides a control function. After the control function of the digital media controller34is utilized to select the stored media file35from the digital media server31, the media file35is transmitted from the digital media server31to the digital media renderer33. Consequently, the media file35can be played by the digital media renderer33.

As mentioned above, the digital media server, the digital media controller, the digital media renderer and the digital media player that are included in the same network domain and comply with the DLNA protocol may transfer or play media files through the network router. The digital media server and the digital media renderer may be referred as passive electronic devices that can be controlled. Moreover, the digital media controller and the digital media player may be referred as active electronic devices that can control the passive electronic devices. For example, a user in a living room may allow a mobile phone to be connected to a computer host in a study room. Moreover, through the mobile phone, the user may browse the audio files in the computer and select a desired audio file from the computer. Then, the selected audio file is transmitted from the mobile phone to a stereo device in the living room. After the audio file is received by the stereo set, the audio file is played by the stereo device. Consequently, the purposes of conveniently and quickly sharing media contents can be achieved.

Although the DLNA-based media sharing system can provide convenience, the DLNA-based media sharing system still has some drawbacks and is not always user-friendly. For example, in case that plural digital media renderers are included in the same area network and the user controls the plural digital media renderers to play the same media file (e.g. a video file) stored in the digital media server, some drawbacks may occur. For example, if two digital media renderers are included in the same area network, one of the digital media renderers may be located in the living room, and the other digital media renderer may be located in a bedroom. Firstly, the user has to use the digital media controller to operate the first digital media renderer and allow the digital media server to transmit the media file to the first digital media renderer, so that the media file can be played by the first digital media renderer. Next, the above playing operation is performed on the second digital media renderer, so that the media file can be played by the second digital media renderer. Consequently, the user in the living room can view this media file, and another user in the bedroom can also view this media file. In other words, the user has to repeatedly and sequentially perform respective playing operations on all of the plural digital media renderers in order to allow the plural digital media renderers to play the same media file. As known, the way of repeatedly performing the playing operation on different digital media renderers is not user-friendly.

Therefore, there is a need of providing a media playing system and a media playing method for playing a media file in an area network without the need of repeatedly performing the playing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a media playing system and a media playing method for playing a media file in an area network without the need of repeatedly performing the playing operation.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a media playing method for operating a controlling device of an area group to control a first playing device and a second playing device of the area network to play a media file. The media playing method includes the following steps. Firstly, internal connection of the area network is established. Then, the first playing device and the second playing device are assigned to a first group, and a first virtual device corresponding to the first group is created. Then, the first virtual device is added to the area network. Then, a first playing command is transmitted from the controlling device to the first virtual device. Then, the first playing command is transmitted to the first playing device and the second playing device of the first group.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a media playing system. The media playing system includes a network router, a controlling device, a first playing device, a second playing device, and an assigning module. The network router provides a network connection function. The controlling device is connected to the network router through network connection and issues a first playing command. The first playing device is connected to the controlling device through network connection via the network router and plays a media file in response to the first playing command. The second playing device is connected to the controlling device through network connection via the network router and plays the media file in response to the first playing command. The controlling device, the first playing device and the second playing device are collaboratively defined as an area network. The assigning module assigns the first playing device and the second playing device to a first group, and creates a first virtual device corresponding to the first group, so that the first virtual device is added to the area network. After the first playing command is transmitted from the controlling device to the first virtual device, the first playing command is received by the first playing device and the second playing device of the first group, so that the media file is played by the first playing device and the second playing device.

From the above descriptions, the present invention provides a media playing system and a media playing method for playing a media file in an area network. First of all, plural playing devices are assigned to a specified group, and a virtual device corresponding to the specified group is created. When the user wants to simultaneously use the plural playing device to play the media file, the user may simply control the virtual device to play the media file. Consequently, the media file is played by the plural playing devices corresponding to the specified group. Since the media playing method of the present invention is capable of controlling plural playing devices to play the media file by using only a single manual setting procedure, the process of controlling playback of the playing devices is simplified.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For eliminating the drawbacks of the conventional technology, the present invention provides a media playing method for playing a media file in an area networks and a media playing system for performing the media playing method.

Hereinafter, a media playing system of a first embodiment will be illustrated with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating a media playing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 4, the media playing system4comprises a network router41, a controlling device42, a first playing device43, a second playing device44, a third playing device45, a fourth playing device46, and an assigning module47. The network router41is used to provide a network connection function. Consequently, the controlling device42, the first playing device43, the second playing device44, the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46are connected with each other through the network router41. Moreover, the network router41, the controlling device42, the first playing device43, the second playing device44, the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46are collaboratively defined as an area network40. The controlling device42is connected to the network router41through network connection. In addition, a first media file M1and a second media file M2are stored in the controlling device42. The controlling device42is used for playing the first media file M1and the second media file M2or issuing a first playing command O1and a second playing command O2. In this embodiment, the network router41complies with the universal plug and play (UPnP) protocol, and the controlling device42complies with the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) protocol. In addition, the controlling device42is a digital media player.

In the media playing system4, the first playing device43is connected with the controlling device42through network connection via the network router41. Moreover, in response to the first playing command O1, the first playing device43plays the first media file M1. The second playing device44is connected with the controlling device42through network connection via the network router41. Moreover, in response to the first playing command O1, the second playing device44plays the first media file M1. The third playing device45is connected with the controlling device42through network connection via the network router41. Moreover, in response to to the second playing command O2, the third playing device45plays the second media file M2. The fourth playing device46is connected with the controlling device42through network connection via the network router41. Moreover, in response to the second playing command O2, the fourth playing device46plays the second media file M2. The assigning module47is included in the third playing device45. In this embodiment, all of the first playing device43, the second playing device44, the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46are digital media renderers. Moreover, both of the first playing device43and the second playing device44are televisions, the first media file M1is a video file, both of the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46are speakers, and the second media file M2is an audio file.

In this embodiment, the assigning module47is a software component included in the third playing device45, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the assigning module is a hardware component that is individually installed in the area network and connected to other devices of the area network through network connection. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the assigning module is a firmware component included in the first playing device, the second playing device, the fourth playing device or the network router.

Hereinafter, a media playing method for playing a media file in an area network according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference toFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating a media playing method for playing a media file in an area network according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The media playing method comprises the following steps. In the step (A), the internal connection of the area network is established. In the step (B), the first playing device and the second playing device are assigned to a first group, a first virtual device corresponding to the first group is created, the third playing device and the fourth playing device are assigned to a second group, and a second virtual device corresponding to the second group is created. In the step (C), the first virtual device and the second virtual device are added to the area network. In the step (D), a first playing command is transmitted from the controlling device to the first virtual device. In the step (E), the first playing command is further transmitted to the first playing device and the second playing device of the first group. In the step (F), the first playing device issues a first transmission request signal and the second playing device issues a second transmission request signal according to a media file information contained in the first playing command. In the step (G1), the first transmission request signal and the second transmission request signal are received by the controlling device. In the step (G2), the first media file is transmitted from the controlling device to the first playing device and the second playing device. In the step (H), the first media file is played by the first playing device and the second playing device.

Hereinafter, the detailed procedure of the step (A) performed by the media playing system4will be illustrated with reference toFIGS. 4 and 6.FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating the step (A) of the media playing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The step (A) comprises the following sub-steps. In the sub-step (A1), the first playing device issues a first device data and a first communication address, the second playing device issues a second device data and a second communication address, the third playing device issues a third device data and a third communication address, and the fourth playing device issues a fourth device data and a fourth communication address data. In the sub-step (A2), the controlling device receives the first device data, the first communication address data, the second device data, the second communication address data, the third device data, the third communication address data, the fourth device data and the fourth communication address data. In the sub-step (A3), the controlling device is in communication with the first playing device, the second playing device, the third playing device and the fourth playing device through network connection according to the first communication address data, the second communication address data, the third communication address data and the fourth communication address data, so that the internal connection of the area network is established.

When the sub-step (A1) is performed by the media playing system4, the first playing device43issues the first device data D1and the first communication address data I1according to the DLNA protocol. Similarly, the second playing device44issues the second device data D2and the second communication address data I2according to the DLNA protocol, the third playing device45issues the third device data D3and the third communication address data I3according to the DLNA protocol, and the fourth playing device46issues the fourth device data D4and the fourth communication address data I4. The first device data D1contains associated information of the first playing device43, including the type of the first playing device43(e.g. the television of the digital media renderer). Moreover, the first communication address data I1is an internet protocol address (IP address) of the first playing device43. Similarly, the second device data D2contains associated information of the second playing device44, and the second communication address date I2is the IP address of the second playing device44. Similarly, the third device data D3contains associated information of the third playing device45, and the third communication address data I3is the IP address of the third playing device45. Similarly, the fourth device data D4contains associated information of the fourth playing device46, and the fourth communication address data I4is the IP address of the fourth playing device46.

In the sub-step (A2), the controlling device42receives the first device data D1, the second device data D2, the third device data D3, the fourth device data D4, the first communication address data IL the second communication address data I2, the third communication address data I3and the fourth communication address data I4. Consequently, the controlling device42can realize the types and the IP address data of the first playing device43, the second playing device44, the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46. In the sub-step (A3), the controlling device42is in communication with the first playing device43, the second playing device44, the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46through network connection according to the first communication address data I1, the second communication address data I2, the third communication address data I3and the fourth communication address data I4. Consequently, the internal connection of the area network40is established. After the internal connection of the area network40is established, a first playing device list421shown on the controlling device42contains the first playing device43, the second playing device44, the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46(seeFIG. 7A). The user may select at least one specified playing device from the first playing device list421in order to control the specified playing device to play the first media file M1or the second media file M2.

Hereinafter, the detailed procedure of the step (B) performed by the media playing system4will be illustrated with reference toFIG. 4andFIGS. 8A-8D.FIGS. 8A-8Dschematically illustrate an assigning interface of the media playing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. InFIGS. 8A-8D, an assigning interface48is shown. The user may operate a third-party device (e.g. a computer) to input a default website address (e.g. http://xyz.com.tw) in order to open an assigning interface48. The assigning interface48comprises a group list481, a group member list482, a second playing device list483, a new group selective item484, a delete group selective item485, a new group member selective item486, and a delete group member selective item487. The group list481is located at a left side of the assigning interface48. The group list481contains a first group P1and a second group P2(seeFIG. 8B). By clicking the new group selective item484(i.e. receiving a group creating command), a new group may be added to the group list481. Originally, the group list481is blank (seeFIG. 8A). By clicking the new group selective item484, the first group P1and the second group P2may be added to the group list481(seeFIG. 8B). On the contrary, by clicking the delete group selective item485, a specified group of the group list481may be deleted. For example, after the delete group selective item485is clicked, the user may select the second group P2of the group list481in order to remove the second group P2from the group list481. Meanwhile, only the first group P1is shown in the group list481(seeFIG. 8C). The second playing device list483is located at a right side of the assigning interface48. The second playing device list483contains all playing devices of the area network40(i.e. the first playing device43, the second playing device44, the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46).

The functions and operations of the new group member selective item486and the delete group member selective item487will be illustrated as follows. When the user intends to assign the first playing device43, the second playing device44to the first group P1, the first group P1has to be firstly created in the blank group list481(seeFIG. 8A). That is, by clicking the new group selective item484, the first group P1is added to the group list481(seeFIG. 8C). Then, after the user selects the first group P1from the group list481, the user may select the first playing device43and the second playing device44from the second playing device list483and click the new group member selective item486(i.e. receive a first device selection command corresponding to the first playing device and a second device selection command corresponding to the second playing device). Consequently, the first playing device43and the second playing device44are added to the group member list482(seeFIG. 8D). Meanwhile, the process of assigning the first playing device43and the second playing device44is completed. Similarly, the process of assigning the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46to the second group P2is similar to the process of assigning the first playing device43and the second playing device44to the first group P1, and is not redundantly described herein. The way of operating the delete group member selective item487to delete a specified playing device from a specified group is similar to the way of operating the new group member selective item486.

In particular, via the assigning interface48, the assigning module47assigns the first playing device43and the second playing device44to the first group P1, and assigns the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46to the second group P2in order to perform the step (B). After the step (B) is completed, the assigning module47creates the first virtual device V1corresponding to the first group P1and creates the second virtual device V2corresponding to the second group P2. In addition, the first virtual device V1and the second virtual device V2are added to the area network40.

Hereinafter, the detailed procedure of the step (C) performed by the media playing system4will be illustrated with reference toFIGS. 4 and 9.FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating the step (C) of the media playing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The step (C) comprises the following sub-steps. In the sub-step (C1), the first virtual device issues a first virtual device data and a first virtual communication address data, and the second virtual device issues a second virtual device data and a second virtual communication address data. In the sub-step (C2), the controlling device receives the first virtual device data, the first virtual communication address data, the second virtual device data and the second virtual communication address data. In the sub-step (C3), the controlling device is in communication with the first virtual device and the second virtual device through network connection according to the first virtual communication address data and the second virtual communication address data, so that the first virtual device and the second virtual device are added to the area network.

In the sub-step (C1), the contents of the first virtual device data Dv1are similar to the contents of the first device data D1, the second device data D2, the third device data D3and the fourth device data D4, and the contents of the first virtual communication address data Iv1are similar to the contents of the first communication address data I1, the second communication address data I2, the third communication address data I3and the fourth communication address data I4. Moreover, since the assigning module47is included in the third playing device45, the first virtual communication address data Iv1from the first virtual device V1is the third communication address data I3of the third playing device45. Likewise, the second virtual communication address data from the second virtual device V2is the third communication address data I3of the third playing device45. The steps (C2) and (C3) are similar to the steps (A2) and (A3), and are not redundantly described herein. It is noted that the first virtual device V1and the second virtual device V2are not physical devices.

After the first virtual device V1and the second virtual device V2are added to the area network40, the first playing device list421shown on the controlling device42contains the first playing device43, the second playing device44, the third playing device45, the fourth playing device46, the first virtual device V1and the second virtual device V2. As shown inFIG. 7B, the name of the first virtual device V1is denoted as “First group P1”, and the second virtual device V2is denoted as “Second group P2”.

When the user wants to use the first playing device43and the second playing device44to play the first media file M1in order to allow the first media file M1to be viewed by the users at different locations (e.g. different bedrooms), the user may operate the controlling device42to select the first media file M1. Then, the user may select the first virtual device V1from the first playing device list421. After the first media file M1and the first virtual device V1are selected, the first playing command O1is transmitted from the controlling device42to the first virtual device V1. The first playing command O1contains a first media file information corresponding to the first media file M1. Meanwhile, the step (D) is performed. In this embodiment, the first media file information is a uniform resource locator (URL). After the first playing command O1is received, the first virtual device V1can realize the location of the first media file M1according to the first media file information.

Since the first group P1comprises the first playing device43and the second playing device44, according to the settings of the media playing system4, the command or signal that is transmitted to the first virtual device V1will be transferred to the first playing device43and the second playing device44. Meanwhile, the step (E) is performed. That is, the first playing command O1is firstly transmitted to the third playing device45with the assigning module47, and then transmitted to the first playing device43and the second playing device44. Next, after the first playing command O1is received by the first playing device43, the first playing device43realizes that the first media file M1is stored in the controlling device42according to the first media file information. Consequently, the first playing device43issues a first transmission request signal R1to the controlling device42. On the other hand, after the first playing command O1is received by the second playing device44, the second playing device44issues a second transmission request signal R2to the controlling device42according to the first media file information. Meanwhile, the step (F) is performed.

In the step (G1), the first transmission request signal R1from the first playing device43and the second transmission request signal R2from the second playing device44are received by the controlling device42. In response to the first transmission request signal R1and the second transmission request signal R2, the first media file M1is transmitted from the controlling device42to the first playing device43and the second playing device44(i.e. the step G2). After the first media file M1is received by the first playing device43, the first media file M1is played by the first playing device43. In addition, after the first media file M1is received by the second playing device44, the first media file M1is played by the second playing device44. Meanwhile, the step (H) is performed. The operations of using the third playing device45and the fourth playing device46to play the second media file M2are similar to those of using the first playing device43and the second playing device44to play the first media file M1, and are not redundantly described herein. From the above descriptions, the media playing method of the present invention is capable of allowing plural playing devices to play a media file in an area network by using only a single manual setting procedure.

The present invention further provides a media playing system of a second embodiment.FIG. 10is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating a media playing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 10, the media playing system5comprises a network router51, a controlling device52, a first playing device53, a second playing device54, a third playing device55, a fourth playing device56, an assigning module57, and a server58. The first playing device53and the second playing device54are assigned to a first group P1, and the third playing device55and the fourth playing device56are assigned to a second group P2. The assigning module57is included in the first playing device53. In addition, the assigning module57creates a first virtual device V1corresponding to the first group P1and creates a second virtual device V2corresponding to the second group P2. The first playing device53has a first device data D1and a first communication address data I1. The second playing device54has a second device data D2and a second communication address data I2. The third playing device55has a third device data D3and a third communication address data I3. The fourth playing device56has a fourth device data D4and a fourth communication address data I4. The server58has a fifth device data D5and a fifth communication address data I5. Moreover, the network router51, the controlling device52, the first playing device53, the second playing device54, the third playing device55, the fourth playing device56and the server58are collaboratively defined as an area network50.

Except for the following three items, the configurations of the media playing system5of this embodiment are substantially identical to those of the media playing system4of the first embodiment, and are not redundantly described herein. Firstly, the controlling device52is a digital media controller and does not have the function of storing media files. Secondly, the server58is connected to the network router51through network connection, and the first media file M1and the second media file M2are stored in the server58. Thirdly, the assigning module57is included in the first playing device53, not the third playing device.

Hereinafter, a media playing method for playing a media file in an area network according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference toFIG. 11.FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a media playing method for playing a media file in an area network according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The media playing method comprises the following steps. In the step (A), the internal connection of the area network is established. In the step (B), the first playing device and the second playing device are assigned to a first group, a first virtual device corresponding to the first group is created, the third playing device and the fourth playing device are assigned to a second group, and a second virtual device corresponding to the second group is created. In the step (C), the first virtual device and the second virtual device are added to the area network. In the step (D), a first playing command is transmitted from the controlling device to the first virtual device. In the step (E), the first playing command is further transmitted to the first playing device and the second playing device of the first group. In the step (F), the first playing device issues a first transmission request signal and the second playing device issues a second transmission request signal according to a media file information contained in the first playing command. In the step (G3), the first transmission request signal and the second transmission request signal are received by the server. In the step (G4), the first media file is transmitted from the server to the first playing device and the second playing device. In the step (H), the first media file is played by the first playing device and the second playing device.

Except for the following two items, the operations of the media playing method of this embodiment are substantially identical to those of the media playing method of the first embodiment, and are not redundantly described herein. Firstly, the detailed procedure of the step (A) is distinguished. Secondly, the detailed procedures of the step (G3) and the (G4) are distinguished.

Hereinafter, the detailed procedure of the step (A) performed by the media playing system5will be illustrated with reference toFIGS. 10 and 12.FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating the step (A) of the media playing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The step (A) comprises the following sub-steps. In the sub-step (A4), the first playing device issues a first device data and a first communication address, the second playing device issues a second device data and a second communication address, the third playing device issues a third device data and a third communication address, the fourth playing device issues a fourth device data and a fourth communication address data, and the server issues a fifth device data and a fifth communication address data. In the sub-step (A5), the controlling device receives the first device data, the first communication address data, the second device data, the second communication address data, the third device data, the third communication address data, the fourth device data, the fourth communication address data, the fifth device data and the fifth communication address data. In the sub-step (A6), the controlling device is in communication with the first playing device, the second playing device, the third playing device, the fourth playing device and the server through network connection according to the first communication address data, the second communication address data, the third communication address data, the fourth communication address data and the fifth communication address data, so that the internal connection of the area network is established.

The operations of the media playing system5will be illustrated with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11. After the steps (A), (B) and (C) are performed, if the user wants to use the third playing device55and the fourth playing device56to play the second media file M2in order to allow the second media file M2to be listened by the users at different locations, the user may operate the controlling device52to select the second media file M2that is stored in the server58. Then, the user may select the second virtual device V2corresponding to the second group P2. Consequently, a second playing command O2is transmitted from the controlling device52to the second virtual device V2. The second playing command O2contains a second media file information corresponding to the second media file M2. Moreover, the second playing command O2is firstly transmitted to the first playing device53with the assigning module57, and then transmitted to the third playing device55and the fourth playing device56. Meanwhile, the step (D) and the step (E) are performed.

After the second playing command O2is received by the third playing device55, the third playing device55realizes that the second media file M2is stored in the server58according to the second media file information. Consequently, the third playing device55issues a third transmission request signal R3to the server58. On the other hand, after the second playing command O2is received by the fourth playing device56, the fourth playing device56issues a fourth transmission request signal R4to the server58according to the second media file information. Meanwhile, the step (F) is performed.

In the step (G3), the third transmission request signal R3from the third playing device55and the fourth transmission request signal R4from the fourth playing device56are received by the server58. In response to the third transmission request signal R3and the fourth transmission request signal R4, the second media file M2is transmitted from the server58to the third playing device55and the fourth playing device56(i.e. the step G4). After the second media file M2is received by the third playing device55, the second media file M2is played by the third playing device55. In addition, after the second media file M2is received by the fourth playing device56, the second media file M2is played by the fourth playing device56. Meanwhile, the step (H) is performed.

From the above descriptions, the present invention provides a media playing system and a media playing method for playing a media file in an area network. First of all, plural playing devices are assigned to a specified group, and a virtual device corresponding to the specified group is created. When the user wants to simultaneously use the plural playing devices to play the media file, the user may simply control the virtual device to play the media file. Consequently, the media file is played by the plural playing devices corresponding to the specified group. Since the media playing method of the present invention is capable of controlling plural playing devices to play the media file by using only a single manual setting procedure, the process of controlling playback of the playing devices is simplified.