Patent Publication Number: US-2009232481-A1

Title: Systems and methods for handling content playback

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to handling content, such as video, audio, image, and/or text content. In particular, the invention may involve playing content utilizing a first playback device in a first location and, for example, after a user of the content has moved from the first location to a second location, resuming playing the content utilizing a second playback device in the second location. In general, a playback device may represent an audio/video device and/or a communication device, such as a television, a radio, a media player, and/or a computer. 
     A playback device user may sometimes need to move from a first location, e.g., the living room in a house, to a second location, e.g., the kitchen in the house, when the user is consuming (e.g., watching or listening to) content. For example, the user may need to move from the living room to the kitchen when the user is watching a television program on a certain television channel, viewing a movie stored on a digital video disc (DVD), or listening to a song broadcasted by a certain radio station. 
     Conventionally, much inconvenience may be involved for the user to resume playing the content. For example, the user may need to memorize or note down the television channel, turn off the television in the living room, turn on the television in the kitchen, and enter the memorized or noted television channel to the television in the kitchen. As a result, a substantial delay or interruption may be introduced, and the user may miss a substantial portion of the television program. In addition, the user may also need to spend time adjusting the volume of the television in the kitchen to a comfortable level. As another example, the user may need to memorize or note down the time position indicated by the DVD player in the living room, eject the DVD from the DVD player in the living room, insert the DVD into the DVD player in the kitchen, and fast-forward the DVD to the memorized or noted time position. Such conventional processes may be substantially inconvenient and time-consuming. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for handling content to accommodate the movement of a user. The method may include playing at least a first portion of the content using a first playback device. The method may also include storing status information concerning the playing the at least the first portion of the content. The method may also include receiving an identifier from a mobile device. The method may also include associating the status information with the identifier. The method may also include determining a start point of a second portion of the content using at least the identifier. The method may also include playing at least the second portion of the content using a second playback device. 
     The above summary relates to only one of the many embodiments of the invention disclosed herein and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the claims herein. These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a schematic representation of a media/content playback system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a schematic representation of the media/content playback system in the example of  FIG. 1A  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a flowchart of a method for handling content playback in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a method for handling content playback in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of a method for handling content playback in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     Various embodiments are described herein below, including methods and techniques. It should be kept in mind that the invention might also cover articles of manufacture that includes a computer readable medium on which computer-readable instructions for carrying out embodiments of the inventive technique are stored. The computer readable medium may include, for example, semiconductor, magnetic, opto-magnetic, optical, or other forms of computer readable medium for storing computer readable code. Further, the invention may also cover apparatuses for practicing embodiments of the invention. Such apparatus may include circuits, dedicated and/or programmable, to carry out tasks pertaining to embodiments of the invention. Examples of such apparatus include a general-purpose computer and/or a dedicated computing device when appropriately programmed and may include a combination of a computer/computing device and dedicated/programmable circuits adapted for the various tasks pertaining to embodiments of the invention. 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for handling content to resume/continue playing the content after a user of the content has moved from a first location to a second location. In comparison with the conventional processes discussed above, the method may provide substantial convenience and may minimize the burden on the user; the method may also minimize the delay or interruption in the playback of the content. 
     The method may include playing at least a first portion of the content utilizing a first playback device, which is disposed in the first location, when the user is in the first location. The method may also include storing status information concerning playing the first portion of the content. For example, the status information may include information such as the content title, the chapter associated with the first portion, the time position of the end point of the first portion, the channel, the radio station, the audio device setting (e.g., the volume setting), and/or the video device setting (e.g., the brightness setting) related to playing the first portion of the content using the first playback device. 
     The status information may be stored in a central server and/or the first playback device. Alternatively or additionally, the status information may be stored in a mobile device carried by the user. For example, the mobile device may represent an infrared device (e.g., a remote control unit), a radio-frequency communication device (e.g., a mobile phone), and/or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. 
     The method may also include transmitting an identifier from the mobile device to the first playback device, the central server, and/or a detection mechanism. The method may also include associating the status information with the identifier. 
     After the user has brought the mobile device to the second location. A second playback device, which is disposed in the second location, may directly or indirectly receive the identifier associated with the mobile device. Utilizing the identifier, the status information, and, in some embodiments, one or more user preference settings, the second playback device, the first playback device, and/or the central server may determine a start point of a second portion of the content for the user. Accordingly, the second playback device may resume playing the content from the start point of the second portion of the content. Advantageously, the method may enable content playback to be conveniently, efficiently, and accurately resumed/continued in the second location with minimum user interactions and efforts. 
     In one or more embodiments, the method may also involve detecting the presence of the mobile device carried by the user (and one or more other mobile devices carried by one or more other users) for properly handling the content playback. 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention may relate to a content/media playback system. The system may include components and arrangements for performing one or more steps in the method. 
     The features and advantages of the invention may be better understood with reference to the figures and discussions that follow. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a schematic representation of a media/content playback system  100  (hereinafter “system  100 ”) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. System  100  may include several playback devices, such as a playback device  108  and a playback device  110 , disposed in different locations, such as a room  122  and a room  124 . For example, a playback device may represent an audio/video device and/or a communication device, such as a television, a radio, a media player, and/or a computer. The playback devices may communicate with one another through a peer-to-peer arrangement. Alternatively or additionally, system  100  may include a server/router  116  (hereinafter “server  116 ”) coupled with the playback devices for facilitating communication among the playback devices. Server  116  may also provide data storage and/or data management for the playback devices. 
     System  100  may also include one or more mobile devices, such as a mobile  102  carried by a user  152  and a mobile device  132  carried by a user  154 . For example, a mobile device in system  100  may represent an infrared device, a radio-frequency device, a mobile communication device, and/or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. 
     System  100  may also include one or more detection mechanisms, such as a detection mechanism  134  associated with room  122  and a detection mechanism  136  associated with room  124 , for detecting the mobile devices in system  100 . The detection mechanisms may be implemented utilizing one or more well-known sensing technologies, such as Bluetooth® technology available from Bluetooth SIG, Inc. (www.bluetooth.com). 
     The example of  FIG. 1A  illustrates that users  152  and  154  are consuming (e.g., watching and/or listening to) a portion  192  of certain content utilizing playback device  108 . System  100  may enable the content to be resumed in room  124  for user  152  in a convenient, efficient, and accurate manner after user  152  has moved from room  122  to room  124 . 
       FIG. 1B  also shows a schematic representation of system  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1B , user  152  with mobile device  102  has moved from room  122  to room  124 . Accordingly, system  100  has resumed/continued the playback of the content by playing a portion  194  of the content utilizing playback device  110  in room  124 . 
     Example operations, features, and advantages of system  100  are further discussed with reference to the examples of  FIGS. 2-4 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a flowchart of a method for handling content playback in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The method may be implemented, for example, utilizing system  100  discussed in the example of  FIG. 1 . The method may start with step  202 , in which playback device  108  in room  122  may play certain content (e.g. audio and/or video content) automatically or in response to a command provided by user  152  or  154 . In step  202 , mobile device  102  may transmit a unique identifier  104  (hereinafter “ID  104 ”) to playback device  108  and/or detection mechanism  134 . As an example, ID  104  may be part of the infrared code transmitted by mobile device  102 . As another example, ID  104  may be a unique serial number transmitted through one or more radio-frequency signals. 
     System  100  (e.g., server  116  and/or playback device  108 ) may record the playback status information concerning playback device  108 &#39;s playing the content (or playing at least portion  192  of the content). For example, the playback status information may include information such as the title of the content, the channel or radio station that broadcasts the content, the time position of the content when mobile device  102  leaves the coverage of detection mechanism  134  or when user  152  requests a time stamp, the audio device setting (e.g., the volume setting), and/or the video device setting (e.g., the brightness setting) related to playback device  108 &#39;s playing the content. 
     System  100  (e.g., server  116  and/or playback device  108 ) may also associate ID  104  with the playback status information. System  100  may also record the association. Given the association, system  100  may utilize ID  104  to determine a start point of portion  194  of the content for resuming the content for user  152 . 
     For example, the playback status information associated with ID  104  may include the time position information that portion  192  of the content ends at “00:52:36” of the content, e.g., that a movie is interrupted at “00:52:36.” Accordingly, system  100  (e.g., playback device  110 , playback device  108 , and/or server  116 ) may set the start point of portion  194  of the content to be “00:52:36” of the content. In one or more embodiments, the start point of portion  194  may be a section or chapter marker in portion  192 , such as the last section or chapter marker in portion  192 , i.e., the section or chapter marker present immediately before “00:52:36” of the content. Accordingly, the continuity of the user&#39;s experience in consuming the content may be ensured. In one or more embodiments, system  100  may introduce a standard/default amount of an overlap between portions  192  and  194  of the content for improving the continuity of user experience in consuming the content. For example, if the default amount is 10 seconds, the start point of portion  194  of the content may be “00:52:26” of the content. In one or more embodiments, system  100  may allow user  152  to set the amount of the overlap. Advantageously, user  152  may customize and optimize the continuity according to the preferences of user  152 . 
     System  100  may also record the environment information concerning playback device  108 &#39;s playing the content in room  122 . For example, the environment information may include information pertaining to the settings of lighting and temperature (or air conditioning) in room  122  when playback device  108  plays the content. System  100  may also associate the environment information with ID  104 , such that a new environment associated with ID  104 , i.e., a new environment in which mobile device  102  is disposed, may be automatically adjusted according to the settings in room  122 . 
     Playback device  108  and/or detection mechanism  134  may also receive a second unique identifier from mobile device  132 . System  100  may also associate the second unique identifier (which represents mobile device  132 ) with the playback status information and/or the environment information. System  100  may also record the association. 
     In step  204 , user  152  may bring mobile device  102  to room  124 . In room  124 , mobile device  102  may transmit ID  104  directly or indirectly to playback device  110 . 
     In step  206 , playback device  10  may utilize ID  104  to request the playback status information that is associated with ID  104   
     In step  208 , playback device  108  and/or server  116  may report the playback status information associated with ID  104  to playback device  110 . 
     In step  210 , system  100  (e.g., server  116  and/or playback device  110 ) may determine whether playback device  110  is configured to resume/continue playing the content according to an automatic mode or a manual mode. If the manual mode is default or has been previously selected, control may be transferred to step  212 ; if the automatic mode is default or has been previously selected, control may be transferred to step  214 . 
     In step  212 , user  152  may provide a command, for example, by pressing a “follow-me” button on mobile device  102  or playback device  110 , to trigger playback device  110  to resume playing the content. In one or more embodiment, system  100  may ask user  152  whether the content is to be resumed, for example, through the user interface of mobile device  102 , before receiving the command. 
     In step  214 , playback device  110  may resume/continue the playback of the content. For example, playback device  110  may retrieve audio/video data from server  116  or receive data from the appropriate television channel to play portion  194  of the content from the start point discussed above. In step  214 , system  100  or an associated automation system may also adjust one or more environment settings, such as lighting and temperature settings, in room  124  according to the environment information associated with ID  104  (or mobile device  102 ). According, one or more environment settings in room  122  may be automatically replicated in room  124 . 
     In step  216 , system  100  (e.g., server  116  and/or playback device  108 ) may determine whether system  100  is configured to resume/continue playing the content according to a “move” mode or a “copy” mode. If the “move” mode is default or has been previously selected, control may be transferred to step  218 , in which playback device  108  may stop playing the content. If the “copy” mode is default or has been previously selected, control may be transferred to step  220 , in which playback device  108  may continue playing the content, such that user  154  also may be able to continue watching and/or listening to the content. 
     As can be appreciated from the example for  FIG. 2 , with minimum efforts and minimum interruption, user  152  may continue to watch and/or listen to the content after having moved from room  122  to room  124 . The environment settings in room  124  also may be automatically conformed to the settings in room  122  with minimum user interactions or operations. 
       FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a method for handling content playback in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The method may be implemented, for example, utilizing system  100  discussed in the example of  FIG. 1 . The method may start with step  302 , in which playback device  108  in room  122  may play certain content automatically or in response to a command provided by user  152  or  154 . 
     In step  304 , playback device  108  may provide playback status information (e.g., similar to the playback status information discussed in step  202  in the example of  FIG. 2 ) to mobile device  102 . Accordingly, mobile device  102  may save the playback status information, for example, in a memory or storage device in mobile device  102 . One or more components in system  100 , such as detection mechanism  134 , may provide environment information (e.g., similar to the environment information discussed in step  202  in the example of  FIG. 2 ) mobile device  102 . Mobile device  102  may also save the environment information. 
     In step  306 , system  100  (e.g., server  116 , playback device  108 , playback device  110 , detection mechanism  134 , and/or detection mechanism  136 ) may determine whether mobile device  102  is receiving information from playback device  108  or is receiving one or more signals from playback device  110 . If mobile device  102  is still receiving information from playback device  108 , i.e., if user  152  and mobile device  102  are still in room  122 , control may be transferred back to step  302 , in which playback device  108  may continue to play the content. If mobile device  102  is receiving one or more signals from playback device  110 , i.e., if user  152  and mobile device  102  have moved to room  124 , control may be transferred to step  308 . 
     In step  308 , mobile device  102  may directly or indirectly provide the playback status information to playback device  110 . Mobile device  102  may also provide the environment information to system  100  or an associated automation system, for example through playback device  110  and/or detection mechanism  136 . 
     In step  310 , playback device  110  may resume the playback of the content utilizing the playback status information provided by mobile device  102 . System  100  or the associated automation system may also adjust one or more environment settings, such as lighting and temperature settings, in room  124  according to the environment information provided by mobile device  102 . 
     As can be appreciated from the example for  FIG. 3 , the playback of the content may be conveniently, efficiently, and accurately resumed in various locations as long as user  152  simply brings mobile device  102  to the locations. In addition, a comfortable environment may be automatically replicated. 
       FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of a method for handling content playback in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. The method may be implemented, for example, utilizing system  100  discussed in the example of  FIG. 1 . The method may start with step  402 , in which detection mechanism  134  may detect mobile device  102  in room  122 , for example, given that the strength of a signal transmitted from mobile device  102  to detection mechanism  134  is greater than a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, playback device  108  may continue to play content for user  152  to watch or listen to. 
     In step  404 , system  100  (e.g., server  116 , playback device  108 , playback device  110 , and/or mobile device  102 ) may store playback status information (e.g., similar to the playback status information discussed in step  202  in the example of  FIG. 2 ). System  100  may also associate playback status information with mobile device  102 . System  100  may also store environment information and may also associate the environment information with mobile device  102 . 
     In step  406 , user  152  may move from room  122  to room  124 . Accordingly, detection mechanism  136  may detect mobile device  102 . 
     In step  408 , playback device  110  may resume playing the content utilizing the playback status information associated with mobile device  102 . System  100  or an associated automation system may adjust environment settings in room  124  according to the environment information associated with mobile device  102 . 
     In step  410 , system  100  may determine whether there is still any user in room  122 , for example, based on whether any mobile device (e.g., mobile device  132 ) is detected by mechanism  134 . If there is not any user (represented by a mobile device) in room  122 , control may be transferred to step  412 , in which playback device  108  may stop playing the content. If there is still at least one user (represented by at least one mobile device) in room  122 , control may be transferred to step  414 , in which playback device  108  may continue playing the content. 
     As can be appreciated from the foregoing, when a user moves from one location to another location, embodiments of the invention may provide satisfactory continuity of content/media playback in a convenient, efficient, and accurate manner with minimum user efforts. For example, in contrast with conventional processes, embodiments of the invention may not require the user to memorize or note down information concerning the content and status of the playback of the content; embodiments of the invention may not require the user to eject, transport, and insert media, e.g., DVD; embodiments of the invention may not require the user to manually control fast-forwarding to find a start point to resume the playback. Embodiments of the invention may also automatically replicate comfortable environment settings in different locations. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention may optimize user mobility and user experience in consuming content. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may find utility in other applications. The abstract section is provided herein for convenience and, due to word count limitation, is accordingly written for reading convenience and should not be employed to limit the scope of the claims. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.