Patent Publication Number: US-2016227264-A1

Title: Media content playing method, server and display apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2015/084181, filed on Jul. 16, 2015, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201510057228.9, filed on Feb. 3, 2015, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of multimedia applications, and more specifically, to a media content playing method, a server, and a display apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Media content that can be watched or read by users usually includes advertisement content of various forms, such as an implanted advertisement or an inserted advertisement. Current advertisement playing either interrupts or even stops media content watching/reading experience of a user, or although the implanted advertisement does not affect the media watching/reading experience of the user directly, an advertisement effect and buying experience are not directly connected well, and an advertisement effect of advertisement media content is not fully exerted. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a media content playing method, a server, and a display apparatus, so that a user can watch or read second media content corresponding to the first media content by using another display apparatus at the same time while watching or reading of first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
     According to a first aspect, a media content playing method is provided, including: receiving, by a first server, a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to send first media content to a first display apparatus; sending, by the first server, the first media content to the first display apparatus according to the first request, so that the first display apparatus plays the first media content; and sending, by the first server, first information corresponding to the first media content to a second server, so that the second server sends second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, and the second display apparatus is configured to play the second media content. 
     With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving, by the first server, a second request that is sent by the second display apparatus and includes second information, where the second information corresponds to third media content that is currently presented on the second display apparatus; determining, by the first server according to the second request, fourth media content corresponding to the second information; and sending, by the first server, the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus. 
     With reference to the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the second request further includes identification information of the second display apparatus, and before the sending, by the first server, the second media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, the method further includes: determining, by the first server, the third display apparatus according to the identification information. 
     With reference to the second possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner, the identification information includes geographic location information of the second display apparatus or information about a network to which the second display apparatus currently connects. 
     According to a second aspect, a media content playing method is provided, including: receiving, by a second server, first information sent by a first server, where the first information corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus; and sending, by the second server, second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content. 
     With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the sending, by the second server, second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus includes: determining, by the second server, the second media content corresponding to the first information; generating, by the second server, an electronic magazine including the second media content; and sending, by the second server, the electronic magazine to the second display apparatus. 
     With reference to the second aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, before the sending, by the second server, second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, the method further includes: receiving, by the second server, identification information that is of the first display apparatus and sent by the first server; and determining, by the second server, the second display apparatus according to the identification information. 
     With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the identification information includes geographic location information of the first display apparatus or information about a network to which the first display apparatus currently connects. 
     According to a third aspect, a media content playing method is provided, including: receiving, by a second display apparatus, second media content sent by a second server, where the second media content corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus; and playing, by the second display apparatus, the second media content. 
     With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the receiving, by a second display apparatus, second media content sent by a second server includes: receiving, by the second display apparatus, an electronic magazine that includes the second media content and that is sent by the second server. 
     With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the second display apparatus, a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to play fourth media content corresponding to currently presented third media content; and sending, by the second display apparatus, a second request to a first server, where the second request includes second information corresponding to the third media content, and the second request is used to instruct the first server to send the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, so that the third display apparatus plays the fourth media content. 
     With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the second request further includes identification information of the second display apparatus. 
     With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the identification information includes geographic location information of the second display apparatus and/or information about a network to which the second display apparatus currently connects. 
     According to a fourth aspect, a server is provided, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to send first media content to a first display apparatus; and a sending unit, configured to send the first media content to the first display apparatus according to the first request, so that the first display apparatus plays the first media content; where the sending unit is further configured to send first information corresponding to the first media content to a second server, so that the second server sends second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, and the second display apparatus is configured to play the second media content. 
     With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second request that is sent by the second display apparatus and includes second information, where the second information corresponds to third media content that is currently presented on the second display apparatus; the server further includes: a processing unit, configured to determine, according to the second request, fourth media content corresponding to the second information; and the sending unit is further configured to send the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus. 
     With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the second request further includes identification information of the second display apparatus, and the processing unit is further configured to: before the sending unit sends the second media content to the third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, determine the third display apparatus according to the identification information. 
     With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the identification information includes geographic location information of the second display apparatus or information about a network to which the second display apparatus currently connects. 
     According to a fifth aspect, a server is provided, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive first information sent by a first server, where the first information corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus; and a sending unit, configured to send second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content. 
     With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the server further includes: a processing unit, configured to: determine the second media content corresponding to the first information; and generate an electronic magazine including the second media content; where the sending unit is further configured to send the electronic magazine to the second display apparatus. 
     With reference to the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to: before the sending unit sends the second media content corresponding to the first information to the second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, receive identification information that is of the first display apparatus and sent by the first server; and the processing unit is further configured to determine the second display apparatus according to the identification information. 
     With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the identification information includes geographic location information of the first display apparatus or information about a network to which the first display apparatus currently connects. 
     According to a sixth aspect, a display apparatus is provided, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive second media content sent by a second server, where the second media content corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus; and a display unit, configured to play the second media content. 
     With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive an electronic magazine that includes the second media content and that is sent by the second server. 
     With reference to the sixth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to play fourth media content corresponding to currently presented third media content; the display apparatus further includes: a sending unit, configured to send a second request to a first server, where the second request includes second information corresponding to the third media content, and the second request is used to instruct the first server to send the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, so that the third display apparatus plays the fourth media content. 
     With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the second request further includes identification information of the second display apparatus. 
     With reference to the third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the identification information includes geographic location information of the second display apparatus and/or information about a network to which the second display apparatus currently connects. 
     According to the foregoing technical solutions of the present disclosure, at the same time when first media content is played, another server is allowed to send second media content corresponding to the first media content to another display apparatus, so that a user can watch/read the second media content at the same time while watching/reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic flowchart of a media content playing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic flowchart of a media content playing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic flowchart of a media content playing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a media content playing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic flowchart of a media content playing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of a server according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of a server according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram of a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic block diagram of a server according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic block diagram of a server according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic block diagram of a server according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic block diagram of a server according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic block diagram of a display apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic block diagram of a display apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The following clearly describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic flowchart of a media content playing method  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the method  100  includes the following content. 
       110 . A first server receives a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to send first media content to a first display apparatus. 
     The first display apparatus may be a display apparatus that is used by a user to watch/read media content. For example, the first display apparatus may be a television, a projector, a display, a computer, or the like. The media content may be a movie, a TV series, a video, music, an electronic book, or the like. 
       120 . The first server sends the first media content to the first display apparatus according to the first request, so that the first display apparatus plays the first media content. 
       130 . The first server sends first information corresponding to the first media content to a second server, so that the second server sends second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, and the second display apparatus is configured to play the second media content. 
     The first information is information associated with the first media content, for example, the first information may be information such as a keyword, an actor name, and advertisement information of the first media content. When the first information is a keyword of the first media content, the second media content is media content having a same or similar keyword; or when the first information is an actor name, the second media content may be other media content in which an actor plays; or when the first information is corresponding advertisement information (for example, a keyword, a trademark, or a serial number in an advertisement) in the first media content, the second media content may be an advertisement corresponding to the advertisement information. 
     The second display apparatus may be a terminal that is used by a user and has a screen. For example, the second display apparatus may be a mobile phone, a tablet, a smart watch, or the like. 
     The second display apparatus is associated with the first display apparatus. For example, the second display apparatus and the first display apparatus connect to a same network, a physical distance between the second display apparatus and the first display apparatus is within a preset range, or the second display apparatus and the first display apparatus have a same name or ID. 
     For example, a clip of an advertisement is implanted in a movie that is being played in a cinema, and media content server sends information about the advertisement to the second server. After receiving the information about the advertisement, the second server sends the advertisement to a mobile phone that is used by an audience in the cinema. 
     Therefore, according to the media content playing method in this embodiment of the present disclosure, at the same time when a first display apparatus plays first media content, another server is allowed to send second media content corresponding to the first media content to a second display apparatus, so that a user can watch/read the second media content at the same time while watching/reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
     When the second media content is an advertisement, the user watches/reads an advertisement associated with media content by using a terminal (for example, a mobile phone) at the same time of watching/reading the media content, which can deepen an impression of the user on the advertisement, and stimulate a desire of the user to buy. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the method  100  may further include: 
     receiving, by the first server, a second request that is sent by the second display apparatus and includes second information, where the second information corresponds to third media content that is currently presented on the second display apparatus; 
     determining, by the first server according to the second request, fourth media content corresponding to second advertisement information; and 
     sending, by the first server, the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus. 
     It should be understood that, the third display apparatus and the first display apparatus may be a same display apparatus, or may be different display apparatuses. 
     The third media content may be an advertisement, and correspondingly, the fourth media content may be media content corresponding to the advertisement. It should be understood that, the fourth media content may be complete media content, or may be a clip, from the media content, showing the advertisement. For example, the fourth media content may be a movie implanted with the advertisement or a clip, from the movie, showing the advertisement. 
     For example, in a cinema, an advertisement corresponding to a movie that is currently played may be sent to an audience in a movie hall. When in need, the user may further control, at home by using the advertisement, a television to play a movie or movie clip corresponding to the advertisement. This can further deepen an impression of the user on the advertisement, and fully exert an advertisement effect of the media content. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the second request further includes identification information of a second display apparatus, and before the first server sends the second media content to the third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, the method  100  may further include: determining, by the first server, the third display apparatus according to the identification information of the second display apparatus. 
     The identification information of the second display apparatus may include geographic location information of the second display apparatus or information about a network to which the second display apparatus currently connects. It should be understood that, the identification information may further include other information that can identify the second display apparatus, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In this way, the first server can automatically determine, according to the second request, the third display apparatus that plays the fourth media content. 
     In this embodiment of the present disclosure, when the third media content is an advertisement, media content corresponding to an advertisement that is being watched/read by a user is sent to another display apparatus, so that the media content is played for the user by using the display apparatus, which can deepen an impression of the user on the advertisement, thereby fully exerting an advertisement effect. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic flowchart of a media content playing method  200  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The method  200  corresponds to the method  100 , and corresponding description is appropriately omitted herein. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the method  200  may include the following content. 
       210 . A second server receives first information sent by a first server, where the first information corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus. 
       220 . The second server sends second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content. 
     It should be understood that, media content and corresponding information thereof may be stored on the second server in advance. 
     The second server may send the second media content to multiple second display apparatuses. 
     The second media content may be an advertisement, and correspondingly, the second server may be configured to store advertisement content. 
     For example, in a cinema, the second server may send an advertisement associated with a movie that is being played to a terminal that is used by an audience in a movie hall. Because a possibility that a user buys a related commodity shown in media content (such as a movie) that is being watched or read is relatively high, a target group of people may be positioned more precisely in this embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Therefore, according to the media content playing method in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content corresponding to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is sent to a second display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content, and therefore a user can watch/read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading, by the user, of the first media content that is played by the first display apparatus is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
     Optionally,  220  may include: determining, by the second server, the second media content corresponding to the first information; generating, by the second server, an electronic magazine including the second media content; and sending, by the second server, the electronic magazine to the second display apparatus. 
     For example, when the second media content is an advertisement, generating an electronic magazine including the second media content can bear more abundant content than a single advertisement manner, and can better stimulate a desire of a user to buy. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, before  230 , the method  200  may further include: receiving, by the second server, identification information that is of the first display apparatus and sent by the first server; and determining, by the second server, the second display apparatus according to the identification information. 
     Specifically, the identification information may include geographic location information of the first display apparatus or information about a network to which the first display apparatus currently connects. It should be understood that, the identification information may further include other information that can identify the second display apparatus, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     For example, in a cinema, when a display apparatus used by a user connects to public Wireless Fidelity (WIFI) in a movie hall, and when a movie is played, the second server may send an advertisement associated with a movie that is being played to the display apparatus connected to the public WiFi. 
     For example, in a public area, the second server may further send, according to the geographic location information, related advertisement to a second display apparatus that is away from the first display apparatus within a predetermined range. 
     In addition, the second server may further send different advertisements to second display apparatuses of different users according to registration information of the second display apparatus. For example, when a Transformer is played, the second server may send an advertisement of a Transformers garage kit to a mobile phone used by a male audience; and when a female actor is played, the second server sends an advertisement of apparel to a mobile phone used by a female audience of an appropriate age. 
     In this embodiment of the present disclosure, a display apparatus of a proper user is determined according to geographic location information or information about a connected network, and different advertisements are sent to different display apparatuses according to registration information of the display apparatus, thereby implementing personalized advertisement delivery, and further improving an advertisement effect. 
       FIG. 3  is a media content playing method  300  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The method  300  corresponds to the method  100  and the method  200 , and corresponding description is appropriately omitted herein. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the method  300  may include the following content. 
       310 . A second display apparatus receives second media content sent by a second server, where the second media content corresponds to first media content that is being played by a first display apparatus. 
       320 . The second display apparatus plays the second media content. 
     The second media content may be an advertisement. 
     Therefore, according to the media content playing method in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content that is sent by a second server and that corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is received, and the second media content is played, so that a user can watch/read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
     For example, when watching a movie in a cinema, a user may receive an advertisement sent by the second server. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment,  310  may include: receiving an electronic magazine that includes the second media content and that is sent by the second server. 
     In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic magazine may include multiple pieces of media content. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the method  300  may further include: 
     receiving, by the second display apparatus, a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to play fourth media content corresponding to currently presented third media content; and 
     sending, by the second display apparatus, a second request to a first server, where the second request includes second information corresponding to the third media content, and the second request is used to instruct the first server to send the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, so that the third display apparatus plays the fourth media content. 
     The third media content may be an advertisement, and correspondingly, the fourth media content may be media content corresponding to the advertisement. It should be understood that, the fourth media content may be complete media content, or may be a clip, from the media content, showing the advertisement. For example, the fourth media content may be a movie implanted with the advertisement or a clip, from the movie, showing the advertisement. 
     For example, when a user watches/reads an advertisement of a brand shirt, a first display apparatus may be controlled, by using the second display apparatus, to play a clip of a movie in which an actor wears the brand shirt. 
     In this embodiment of the present disclosure, when a user uses the second display apparatus to watch/read an advertisement, the first display apparatus may further be controlled, by using the second display apparatus, to play media content corresponding to an advertisement that is currently watched or read. 
     For example, a play icon may be presented on an interface of the second display apparatus (such as a smartphone) that plays an advertisement. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the user may tap the play icon to send a second request to the second display apparatus; a media content server sends, according to the second request, media content or a media content clip corresponding to the advertisement to the first display apparatus (such as a television), and the user can watch, by using the television, the media content or media content clip corresponding to the advertisement. 
     It should be understood that, the user may further send the second request to the second display apparatus in another manner, for example, pressing a preset button of the second display apparatus, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In this embodiment of the present disclosure, at the same time when watching/reading an advertisement by using a display apparatus, a user can further watch/read, by using another display apparatus, media content or a media content clip corresponding to the advertisement, which can deepen an impression of the user on the advertisement by using the media content, thereby fully exerting an advertisement effect. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, when the second media content is an advertisement, the method  300  may further include: receiving, by the second display apparatus, a buying request of a user, where the buying request is used to instruct to buy a commodity in the advertisement; and executing, by the second display apparatus, a commodity buying procedure according to the buying request. 
     For example, a buying icon may be presented on an interface of a smartphone that plays an advertisement. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the user may directly buy a commodity in the advertisement by tapping the buying icon. 
     In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may directly buy a commodity corresponding to an advertisement that is being watched/read, so that an advertisement effect and buying experience can be combined well. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the following describes in detail a media content playing method  500  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method  500  is an example of the methods shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , and corresponding description is appropriately omitted herein. The method  500  is described by using an example in which a first display apparatus is configured to play media content (such as a movie and a video), and a second display apparatus is configured to play an advertisement; where, a media content server, an advertisement content server, first advertisement information, second advertisement information, a first advertisement, and a second advertisement respectively correspond to the first server, the second server, the first information, the second information, the second media content, and the third media content in the methods shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , and second media content corresponds to the fourth media content in the methods shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the method  500  may include the following content. 
       501 . A user requests a media content server to play first media content. 
       502   a . The media content server sends the first media content to a first display apparatus. 
       502   b . The media content server sends first advertisement information corresponding to the first media content to an advertisement content server. 
     It should be understood that, the first advertisement information may be one or more pieces of advertisement information. The advertisement information may be a keyword, a serial number, or the like that identifies an advertisement. 
     Optionally, the media content server sends identification information of the first display apparatus to the advertisement content server. 
       503   a . The first display apparatus plays the first media content. 
       503   b . The advertisement content server determines a first advertisement corresponding to the first advertisement information. 
     It should be understood that, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, a sequence of steps  502   a  and  502   b  and steps  503   a  and  503   b  is not limited, and steps  502   a  and  502   b  and steps  503   a  and  503   b  may also be executed at the same time. 
       504 . The advertisement content server generates an electronic magazine including the first advertisement. 
     Optionally, the advertisement content server may further determine a second display apparatus according to the identification information that is of the first display apparatus and sent by the media content server. 
       505 . The advertisement content server sends the electronic magazine to the second display apparatus. 
       506 . The second display apparatus plays the electronic magazine. When a user of the second display apparatus wants to watch/read second media content corresponding to a second advertisement that is of the electronic magazine and that is currently played, step  507  is executed. 
       507 . The second display apparatus determines second advertisement information corresponding to the second advertisement, sends the second advertisement information to the media content server, and requests to play second media content corresponding to the second advertisement information. 
     Optionally, the second display apparatus may further send identification information of the second display apparatus to the media content server. 
       508 . The media content server sends the second media content to the first display apparatus. 
     It should be understood that, in step  508 , the media content server may further send the second media content to a third display apparatus. 
     Optionally, the media content server may further determine, according to the identification information of the second display apparatus, the first display apparatus or the third display apparatus associated with the second display apparatus. 
       509 . The first display apparatus plays the second media content. 
     Correspondingly, in step  509 , the third display apparatus plays the second media content. 
     It should be understood that sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean execution sequences. The execution sequences of the processes should be determined according to functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be construed as any limitation on the implementation processes of the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Therefore, according to the media content playing method in this embodiment of the present disclosure, at the same time when first media content is played, another server is allowed to send second media content corresponding to the first media content to another display apparatus, so that a user can watch or read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of a server  600  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the server  600  includes: a receiving unit  610  and a sending unit  620 . 
     The receiving unit  610  is configured to receive a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to send first media content to a first display apparatus. 
     The sending unit  620  is configured to send the first media content to the first display apparatus according to the first request, so that the first display apparatus plays the first media content. 
     The sending unit  620  is further configured to send first information corresponding to the first media content to a second server, so that the second server sends second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, and the second display apparatus is configured to play the second media content. 
     Therefore, according to the server in this embodiment of the present disclosure, at the same time when a first display apparatus plays first media content, another server is allowed to send second media content corresponding to the first media content to a second display apparatus, so that a user can watch/read the second media content while watching/reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the receiving unit  610  is further configured to receive a second request that is sent by the second display apparatus and includes second information, where the second information corresponds to third media content that is currently presented on the second display apparatus. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the server  600  further includes: a processing unit  630 , configured to determine, according to the second request, fourth media content corresponding to the second information; and the sending unit  620  is further configured to send the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the second request further includes identification information of the second display apparatus, and the processing unit  630  is further configured to: before the sending unit  620  sends the second media content to the third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, determine the third display apparatus according to the identification information. 
     The identification information may include geographic location information of the second display apparatus or information about a network to which the second display apparatus currently connects. 
     It should be understood that, the server  600  according to this embodiment of the present disclosure may correspond to the first server in the media content playing method  100  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the foregoing and other operations and/or functions of various modules of the server  600  are intended to implement corresponding procedures of the method  100  shown in  FIG. 1  respectively. For brevity, details are not described herein again. 
     Therefore, according to the server in this embodiment of the present disclosure, at the same time when a first display apparatus plays first media content, another server is allowed to send second media content corresponding to the first media content to a second display apparatus, so that a user can watch/read the second media content at the same time while watching/reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
       FIG. 8  is a server  800  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the server  800  includes: a receiving unit  810  and a sending unit  820 . 
     The receiving unit  810  is configured to receive first information sent by a first server, where the first information corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus. 
     The sending unit  820  is configured to send second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content. 
     Therefore, according to the server in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content corresponding to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is sent to a second display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content, and therefore a user can watch/read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading, by the user, of the first media content that is played by the first display apparatus is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of media content can further be better exerted. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the server  800  further includes: a processing unit  830 , configured to: determine the second media content corresponding to the first information; and generate an electronic magazine including the second media content; and the sending unit  820  is further configured to send the electronic magazine to the second display apparatus. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the receiving unit  810  is further configured to: before the sending unit  820  sends the second media content corresponding to the first information to the second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, receive identification information that is of the first display apparatus and sent by the first server; and the processing unit  830  is further configured to determine the second display apparatus according to the identification information. 
     The identification information includes geographic location information of the first display apparatus or information about a network to which the first display apparatus currently connects. 
     It should be understood that, the server  800  according to this embodiment of the present disclosure may correspond to the second server in the media content playing method  200  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the foregoing and other operations and/or functions of various modules of the server  800  are intended to implement corresponding procedures of the method  200  shown in  FIG. 2  respectively. For brevity, details are not described herein again. 
     Therefore, according to the server in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content corresponding to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is sent to a second display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content, and therefore a user can watch or read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading, by the user, of the first media content that is played by the first display apparatus is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of media content can further be better exerted. 
       FIG. 10  is a display apparatus  1000  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the display apparatus  1000  includes: a receiving unit  1010  and a display unit  1020 . 
     The receiving unit  1010  is configured to receive second media content sent by a second server, where the second media content corresponds to first media content that is being played by a first display apparatus. 
     The display unit  1020  is configured to play the second media content. 
     Therefore, according to the display apparatus in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content that is sent by a second server and that corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is received, and the second media content is played, so that a user can watch or read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the receiving unit  1010  is specifically configured to receive an electronic magazine that includes the second media content and that is sent by the second server. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the receiving unit  1010  is further configured to receive a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to play fourth media content corresponding to currently presented third media content. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the display apparatus  1000  further includes: a sending unit  1030 , configured to send a second request to a first server, where the second request includes second information corresponding to the third media content, and the second request is used to instruct the first server to send the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, so that the third display apparatus plays the fourth media content. 
     Optionally, the second request may further include identification information of the second display apparatus. 
     The identification information may include geographic location information of the second display apparatus and/or information about a network to which the second display apparatus currently connects. 
     It should be understood that, the display apparatus  1000  according to this embodiment of the present disclosure may correspond to the second display apparatus in the media content playing method  300  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the foregoing and other operations and/or functions of various modules of the display apparatus  1000  are intended to implement corresponding procedures of the method  300  shown in  FIG. 3  respectively. For brevity, details are not described herein again. 
     Therefore, according to the display apparatus in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content that is sent by a second server and that corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is received, and the second media content is played, so that a user can watch or read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic block diagram of a server  1200  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the server  1200  includes: a receiver  1210 , a sender  1220 , and a bus system  1230 . The receiver  1210  and the sender  1220  are connected by using the bus system  1230 . 
     The receiver  1210  is configured to receive a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to send first media content to a first display apparatus. 
     The sender  1220  is configured to send the first media content to the first display apparatus according to the first request, so that the first display apparatus plays the first media content. 
     The sender  1220  is further configured to send first information corresponding to the first media content to a second server, so that the second server sends second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, and the second display apparatus is configured to play the second media content. 
     Therefore, according to the server in this embodiment of the present disclosure, at the same time when a first display apparatus plays first media content, another server is allowed to send second media content corresponding to the first media content to a second display apparatus, so that a user can watch/read the second media content while watching/reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the server  1200  further includes: a processor  1240  and a memory  1250 . The processor  1240  may also be referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit). The memory  1250  may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide an instruction and data to the processor  1240 . A part of the memory  1250  may further include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). 
     The receiver  1210  is further configured to receive a second request that is sent by the second display apparatus and includes second information, where the second information corresponds to third media content that is currently presented on the second display apparatus. The processor  1240  is configured to determine fourth media content corresponding to the second information. The sender  1220  is further configured to send the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the second request further includes identification information of the second display apparatus, and the processor  1240  is further configured to: before the sender  1220  sends the second media content to the third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, determine the third display apparatus according to the identification information. 
     The identification information includes geographic location information of the second display apparatus or information about a network to which the second display apparatus currently connects. 
     It should be understood that, the server  1200  according to this embodiment of the present disclosure may correspond to the first server in the media content playing method  100  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and the server  600  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the foregoing and other operations and/or functions of various modules of the server  1200  are intended to implement corresponding procedures of the method  100  shown in  FIG. 1  respectively. For brevity, details are not described herein again. 
     Therefore, according to the server in this embodiment of the present disclosure, at the same time when a first display apparatus plays first media content, another server is allowed to send second media content corresponding to the first media content to a second display apparatus, so that a user can watch or read the second media content while watching or reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
       FIG. 14  is a server  1400  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the server  1400  includes: a receiver  1410 , a sender  1420 , and a bus system  1430 . The receiver  1410  and the sender  1420  are connected by using the bus system  1430 . 
     The receiver  1410  is configured to receive first information sent by a first server, where the first information corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus. 
     The sender  1420  is configured to send second media content corresponding to the first information to a second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content. 
     Therefore, according to the server in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content corresponding to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is sent to a second display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content, and therefore a user can watch or read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading, by the user, of the first media content that is played by the first display apparatus is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the media content can further be better exerted. 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the server  1400  further includes: a processor  1440  and a memory  1450 . The processor  1440  may also be referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit). The memory  1450  may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide an instruction and data to the processor  1440 . A part of the memory  1450  may further include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). 
     The processor  1440  is configured to: determine the second media content corresponding to the first information; and generate an electronic magazine including the second media content. 
     The sender  1420  is further configured to send the electronic magazine to the second display apparatus. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, the receiver  1410  is further configured to: before the sender  1420  sends the second media content corresponding to the first information to the second display apparatus that is associated with the first display apparatus, receive identification information that is of the first display apparatus and sent by the first server. The processor  1440  is further configured to determine the second display apparatus according to the identification information. 
     The identification information includes geographic location information of the first display apparatus or information about a network to which the first display apparatus currently connects. 
     It should be understood that, the server  1400  according to this embodiment of the present disclosure may correspond to the second server in the media content playing method  200  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and the server  800  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the foregoing and other operations and/or functions of various modules of the server  1400  are intended to implement corresponding procedures of the method  200  shown in  FIG. 2  respectively. For brevity, details are not described herein again. 
     Therefore, according to the server in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content corresponding to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is sent to a second display apparatus, so that the second display apparatus plays the second media content, and therefore a user can watch or read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading, by the user, of the first media content that is played by the first display apparatus is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the media content can further be better exerted. 
       FIG. 16  is a display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 16 , a display apparatus  1600  includes: a receiver  1610 , a display  1620 , and a bus system  1630 . The receiver  1610  and the display  1620  are connected by using the bus system  1630 . 
     The receiver  1610  is configured to receive second media content sent by a second server, where the second media content corresponds to first media content that is being played by a first display apparatus. 
     The display  1620  is configured to play the second media content. 
     Therefore, according to the display apparatus in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content that is sent by a second server and that corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is received, and the second media content is played, so that a user can watch or read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
     Optionally, the receiver  1610  is specifically configured to receive an electronic magazine that includes the second media content and that is sent by the second server. 
     Optionally, as another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the display apparatus  1600  further includes a sender  1640 . 
     The receiver  1610  is further configured to receive a first request of a user, where the first request is used to instruct to play fourth media content corresponding to currently presented third media content. The sender  1640  is configured to send a second request to a first server, where the second request includes second information corresponding to the third media content, and the second request is used to instruct the first server to send the fourth media content to a third display apparatus that is associated with the second display apparatus, so that the third display apparatus plays the fourth media content. 
     Optionally, the second request may further include identification information of the second display apparatus. 
     The identification information includes geographic location information of the second display apparatus and/or information about a network to which the second display apparatus currently connects. 
     It should be understood that, the display apparatus  1600  according to this embodiment of the present disclosure may correspond to the second display apparatus in the media content playing method  300  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and the display apparatus  1000  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the foregoing and other operations and/or functions of various modules of the display apparatus  1600  are intended to implement corresponding procedures of the method  300  shown in  FIG. 3  respectively. For brevity, details are not described herein again. 
     Therefore, according to the display apparatus in this embodiment of the present disclosure, second media content that is sent by a second server and that corresponds to first media content that is currently played by a first display apparatus is received, and the second media content is played, so that a user can watch or read the second media content at the same time while watching or reading of the first media content by the user is not affected, and when the second media content is an advertisement, an advertisement effect of the first media content can further be fully exerted. 
     A person of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on particular applications and design constraint conditions of the technical solutions. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of the present disclosure. 
     It may be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art that, for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing system, apparatus, and unit, refer to a corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again. 
     In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described apparatus embodiment is merely exemplary. For example, the unit division is merely logical function division and may be other division in actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented by using some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms. 
     The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments. 
     In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. 
     When the functions are implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of the present disclosure essentially, or the part contributing to the prior art, or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in a form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The foregoing storage medium includes: any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc. 
     The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementation manners of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.