WO2014145140A2 - Intelligent device connection for wireless media ecosystem - Google Patents
Intelligent device connection for wireless media ecosystem Download PDFInfo
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- WO2014145140A2 WO2014145140A2 PCT/US2014/029852 US2014029852W WO2014145140A2 WO 2014145140 A2 WO2014145140 A2 WO 2014145140A2 US 2014029852 W US2014029852 W US 2014029852W WO 2014145140 A2 WO2014145140 A2 WO 2014145140A2
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B21/00—Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant
- G01B21/22—Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B21/00—Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/16—Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
- H04W4/021—Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
- H04W4/023—Services making use of location information using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/80—Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and computing devices. More specifically, techniques for intelligent device connection for wireless media ecosystem are described.
- Conventional solutions for playing media also are typically not well-suited for automatic, intelligent set up across a user's compatible devices. Typically, every time a user begins using a device, a manual process of setting up a user's account and preferences is required. Although there are conventional solutions for saving a user's account in the cloud, and downloading content and preferences associated with the account across multiple devices, such conventional solutions typically require a user to download particular software onto a computer (i.e., laptop or desktop), and to synchronize such data manually, A conventional device for playing media typically is not configured to automatically and intelligently communicate user account information, preferences, and current media playing activity information, to another conventional device.
- FIGs. 1A-1B illustrates an exemplary system of intelligent wireless media devices
- FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary system of intelligent wireless media devices
- FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary architecture for a connection awareness device
- FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary architecture for an intelligent communication facility
- FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary synchronization of two devices for handing off an operation
- FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary computing platform disposed in or associated with an connection awareness device
- FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram depicting an exemplary ecosystem of intelligent wireless media devices configured to exchange synchronization data
- FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram depicting another exemplary ecosystem of intelligent wireless media devices configured to exchange synchronization data
- FIG 8 illustrates a flow for synchronizing a performance of an operation among intelligent wireless media devices
- the described techniques may be implemented as a computer program or application ("application”) or as a plug-in, module, or sub-component of another application.
- the described techniques may be implemented as software, hardware, firmware, circuitry, or a combination thereof. If implemented as software, then the described techniques may be implemented using various types of programming, development, scripting, or formatting languages, frameworks, syntax, applications, protocols, objects, or techniques, including ASP, ASP.net, .Net framework, Ruby, Ruby on Rails, C, Objective C, ⁇ +, C#, Adobe® Integrated RuntimeTM (Adobe® AIRTM), ActionScriptTM, FlexTM, LingoTM, JavaTM, javascriptTM, Ajax, Perl, COBOL, Fortran, ADA, XML, MXML, HTML, DHTML, XHTML, HTTP, XMPP, PHP, and others.
- Software and/or firmware implementations may be embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium configured for execution by a general purpose computing system
- a wireless device may be implemented with a connection awareness device to dynamically connect (i.e., establish a connection using an available connection path, as described herein) with compatible devices, and seamlessly (i.e., substantially continuously or without interruption) transfer a function (e.g., audio or video input/output, media play control, or the like) from one compatible device to another.
- a connection awareness device to dynamically connect (i.e., establish a connection using an available connection path, as described herein) with compatible devices, and seamlessly (i.e., substantially continuously or without interruption) transfer a function (e.g., audio or video input/output, media play control, or the like) from one compatible device to another.
- a function e.g., audio or video input/output, media play control, or the like
- compatible media device and “compatible device” may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more devices configured to communicate using at least one common communication protocol (i.e., IEEE 802.1 la/b/g/n (WiFi), other wireless local area network (WLAN), WiMax, ANTTM, ZigBee®, Bluetooth®, ultra wideband, near field communication (NFC), mobile broadband (e.g., 4G, 3G or the like), other cellular networks, and the like), and to support at least one common operation, for example, outputting audio and/or video from a telephone call or media fife.
- a common communication protocol i.e., IEEE 802.1 la/b/g/n (WiFi), other wireless local area network (WLAN), WiMax, ANTTM, ZigBee®, Bluetooth®, ultra wideband, near field communication (NFC), mobile broadband (e.g., 4G, 3G or the like), other cellular networks, and the like
- WiFi IEEE 802.1 la/b/g/n
- WLAN wireless local area network
- a compatible device may be configured to play at least one common media type or format (e.g., AVI, FLY, WMV, MOV, MP3, MP4, MSV, WAV, SWF, M4V, MJPEG, or the like).
- a common operation may be outputting audio from a telephone calf.
- a connection awareness device as described herein, may be configured to determine compatibility , as well as a proximity and location, of a compatible device.
- a connection awareness device also may determine whether various other wireless devices are available and well suited for performing a function associated with an operation (e.g., telephone call, playing a media content, or the like) being performed by a compatible device, and to exchange data associated with said function to said wireless devices and said compatible device to seamlessly transfer said function from one device to another.
- a function associated with an operation e.g., telephone call, playing a media content, or the like
- FIGs. 1A- 1B illustrate exemplary systems of intelligent wireless media devices.
- system 100 includes network 102, speaker 104, data-capable band (hereinafter "band") 106, mobile device 108, car 1 10, connection awareness device 1 12, display 114, and server 1 16.
- speaker 104 may include connection awareness device 112 configured to detect proximity and location of a compatible media device and to automatically connect, and exchange data, with the compatible media device, as described herein (see FIGs. 3-4).
- speaker 104 may be implemented as any device configured to output audio, and may include other functional capabilities (e.g., communication functions, device control functions, sensor functions, or the like), as described herein.
- speaker 104 may be configured with a microphone to receive or capture audio input.
- connection awareness device 1 12 may be configured with various sensors to capture a wide range of environmental data associated with a location of speaker 104, as described herein.
- speaker 104 may be compatible with band 106, mobile device 108, and display 114.
- speaker 104, band 106, mobile device 108, and various devices in car 110 may communicate with each other either directly, or using network 102 (e.g., cloud, Internet, local area network (LAN), cellular, satellite or the like).
- network 102 e.g., cloud, Internet, local area network (LAN), cellular, satellite or the like.
- connection awareness devices similar to connection awareness device 1 12 may be implemented in each of data-capable band 106, mobile device 108, car 1 10, and display 1 14.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- mobile device 108 may include both communication and computing capabilities, as well as media playing capabilities, and be configured for data communication using various types of communications infrastructure, including a wireless network connection (e.g., a wireless network interface card, wireless local area network (“LAN”) card, or the like).
- a wireless network connection e.g., a wireless network interface card, wireless local area network (“LAN”) card, or the like.
- mobile device 108 may be configured to receive and cany telephone or video conference calls.
- mobile device 108 also may be configured with an operating system configured to run various applications (e.g., mobile applications, web applications, and the like), including playing media content (e.g., radio, play list, other music, movie, online video, other video, and the like) using various types of media players.
- applications e.g., mobile applications, web applications, and the like
- media content e.g., radio, play list, other music, movie, online video, other video, and the like
- band 106 may be configured as a portable (i.e., wearable) data capture device, in some examples, band 106 may be configured for data communication using various types of communications infrastructure, including a wireless network connection (e.g., a wireless network interface card, wireless local area network (“LAN”) card, or the like). In some examples, band 106 may include various types of sensors (e.g., accelerometer,
- altimeter/barometer light/infrared (“IR”) sensor, pulse/heart rate (“HR”) monitor, audio sensor (e.g., microphone, transducer, or others), pedometer, velocimeter, global positioning system (GPS) receiver, location -based sendee sensor (e.g., sensor for determining location within a cellular or micro-cellular network, which may or may not use GPS or other satellite
- IR light/infrared
- HR pulse/heart rate
- audio sensor e.g., microphone, transducer, or others
- GPS global positioning system
- location -based sendee sensor e.g., sensor for determining location within a cellular or micro-cellular network, which may or may not use GPS or other satellite
- band 106 may communicate sensor data to connection awareness device 1 12 and/or mobile de vice 108 for use in generating or modifying a set of user preferences (i.e., preferences associated with playing media or receiving telephone calls) associated with a user.
- a user may be moving from one area (i.e., car 1 10) to another area (i.e., a room with speaker 104 and display 1 14), while listening to, watching, or otherwise enjoying or participating in a media content.
- the user may continuously enjoy or participate in the media content from one compatible device to another compatible device without interruption using connection awareness device 1 12, and other connection awareness devices that may be implemented on compatible devices, which may determine a proximity and location of a compatible device using a radio antenna and an intelligent communication facility, as described herein (see FIGs. 3-4).
- a user may begin playing a playlist of songs in car 1 10 using mobile device 108 (e.g., mobile device 108 may play a playlist stored on mobile device 108, mobile device 108 may be accessing a playlist stored on server 1 16 using network 102, or the like) while driving.
- mobile device 108 e.g., mobile device 108 may play a playlist stored on mobile device 108, mobile device 108 may be accessing a playlist stored on server 1 16 using network 102, or the like
- mobile device 108 may continue to play the playlist without interruption (i.e., substantially continuously, continuing at the same or substantially similar point in the playlist as when mobile device 108 lost a connection with car 1 10), for example, using speakers implemented on mobile device 108 or other output device (e.g., headphones, headset, or the like).
- connection awareness device may prompt the continuous, or substantially continuous, play of the playlist and direct the audio output to an available output device (e.g., said speakers, headphones, headset, or the like) automatically upon a loss of connection between mobile device 108 and car 1 10.
- an available output device e.g., said speakers, headphones, headset, or the like
- connection awareness device 112 may determine a proximity and a location of mobile device 108, and also may determine that mobile device 108 is a compatible device. In some examples, connection awareness device 112 also may determine that mobile device 108 is playing media content (i.e., the playlist) suitable, or better suited, to be played by speaker 104, and
- connection awareness device 1 12 may send data to speaker 104 prompting speaker 104 to play the playlist beginning at a point in the playlist directly after or substantially at a point in the playlist to which mobile device 108 already has played, connection awareness device 1 12 may send data to mobile device 108 prompting mobile device 108 to discontinue outputting the media content to a prior output device (e.g., speakers implemented on mobile device 108, headphones, headset, or the like), connection awareness device 1 12 may receive data associated with the media content from mobile device 108, and/or connection awareness device 112 may send and receive other data to and from mobile device 108 and speaker 104),
- a determination that speaker 104 is better suited to play media content may include determining whether there is another media content already being played by speaker 104, whether there are other compatible devices also in close proximity playing different media content, and/or whether other compatible devices also in close proximity are sending data to speaker 104 for output.
- a user may carry mobile device 108 into a room with speaker 104 and display 1 14 while playing video content suitable, or better suited, to be played by display 1 14.
- connection awareness device 112 may obtain data from mobile device 108 associated with the media content being played, and send data to display 1 14 prompting display 1 14 to turn on and to continue playing said video content without interruption.
- connection awareness device 1 12 also may send data to mobile device 108 prompting mobile device 108 to discontinue outputting the video to its own display. In other examples, some or all of these functions may be performed by another similar connection awareness device implemented on mobile device 108, in cooperation with speaker 104.
- a user may carry mobile device 108 into a room with speaker 104 while carrying on a telephone or video conference call using mobile device 108.
- Connection awareness device 1 12 may determine that mobile device 108 is within a threshold proximity to speaker 104 and/or display 114, and also may determine that mobile device 108 is a compatible device.
- connection awareness device 1 12 also may determine that that speaker 104 and/or display 1 14 may be better suited to output the audio and/or video from the telephone or video conference call being conducted using mobile device 108, and may communicate with mobile device 108 speaker 104 and/or display 1 14 to output the call audio and/or video to speaker 104 and/or display 1 14 (e.g., connection awareness device 112 may send and receive data associated with audio and video output associated with the call to and from mobile device 108, connection awareness device 112 may send data associated with said audio and video output to speaker 104 and display 1 14, and connection awareness device 1 12 may send and receive other data associated with the call to and from mobile device 108, speaker 104 and display 1 14).
- FIG. IB illustrates another exemplar ⁇ ' system of intelligent wireless media devices.
- system 120 includes user 122, mobile device 124, car 126, ceil tower 128, house 130, WiFi router 132, television 134, speaker 136, connection awareness devices 138-142, communications facility 144, satellite 146 and application 148.
- television 134 and speaker 136 may be implemented as any device capable of audio, video and/or other output (i.e., output devices).
- connection awareness device 138 may be coupled to television 134
- connection awareness device 140 may be coupled to speaker 136.
- connection awareness device 142 may be implemented in mobile device 124, and may include communications facility 144.
- communications facility 144 may be implemented similarly to an intelligent communication facility (e.g., intelligent communication facility 308 in FIG. 3, intelligent communication facility 400 in FIG. 4, or the like), as described herein.
- mobile device 124 also may implement application 148, configured to perform an operation, for example, streaming satellite radio, that car 126 also is configured to perform.
- application 148 configured to perform an operation, for example, streaming satellite radio, that car 126 also is configured to perform.
- user 122 may move through various zones, each zone providing a different device with different connection capabilities for performing an operation or function.
- car 126 may have various communication capabilities (e.g., satellite, Bluetooth®, NFC, or the like), and may be streaming radio using satellite 146.
- mobile device 124 may detect an increase in distance (i.e., decrease in proximity) from car 126, and using connection awareness device 142, may access data from car 126 to determine which media content is being played by car 126, for example, a satellite radio content.
- said data from car 126 may include an indication of a point in the media content at which to pick up playing (e.g., using a marker, as described herein).
- connection awareness device 142 using communication facility 144, may provide said data associated with said satellite radio content to application 148, which may be configured to access the same satellite radio station using a mobile broadband connection provided by cell tower 128 in Zone 2.
- house 130 may be equipped with WiFi router 132, using which television 134, speaker 136, and other devices in house 130, may access the Internet, satellite, or other remote data.
- WiFi router 132 using which television 134, speaker 136, and other devices in house 130, may access the Internet, satellite, or other remote data.
- connection awareness devices 140 and 142 may detect an increasing proximity between mobile device 124 and speaker 136.
- connection awareness device 140 and/or 142 also may determine that speaker 136 is well suited to perform an operation (e.g., playing satellite radio content, and outputting audio, or the like) being performed by mobile device 124 using application 148, and that speaker 136 also has an available connection path (i.e., using WiFi router 132) for accessing remote data associated with said operation.
- connection awareness device 140 and/or 142 may exchange data between mobile device 124 and speaker 136 to transfer said operation, for example, playing satellite radio content, from mobile device 124 to speaker 136, and to synchronize them (see FIG, 4B) for user 122's uninterrupted enjoyment of the media content.
- mobile device 124 may be using application 148 to play media content involving both video and audio output (e.g., a movie, television show, online video, or the like).
- User 122 may move into a room where mobile device 124 and television 134 come within a threshold proximity (e.g., close enough to exchange data associated with the media content being played), and connection awareness device 138 may detect the proximity and location of mobile device 124.
- a threshold proximity e.g., close enough to exchange data associated with the media content being played
- connection awareness device 138 may be prompted automatically to exchange data with mobile device 124, as described herein, to determine whether mobile device 124 is performing an operation for which television 134 may ⁇ be better suited to perform, and to access data from mobile device 124 to transfer said operation, for example, playing a video, from mobile device 124 to television 134, and to synchronize them (see FIG. 4B) for user 122's uninterrupted enjoyment of the media content.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may he varied and are not limited to the examples provided,
- FIG, 2 illustrates another exemplary system of intelligent wireless media devices.
- system 200 includes room 202-208, speakers 210-212, display 214, connection awareness devices 216-220, users 222-224, mobile device 226 and headset 228, Like-numbered and named elements may describe the same or substantially similar elements as those shown in other descriptions.
- user 222 may move from room to room (e.g., rooms 202-208) carrying mobile device 226, and experience media content being played using mobile device 226 on various output devices (e.g., speakers 210-212 and display 214) as user 222 comes into proximity with each of the various output devices.
- various output devices e.g., speakers 210-212 and display 214
- connection awareness device 216 may determine whether mobile device 226 is a compatible device, as described herein, further determine whether mobile device 226 is playing music (e.g., a. playlist, album, or the like), and exchange data with mobile device 226 and speaker 210 to switch audio output for said music to speaker 210 (i.e., without interruption, as described herein).
- music e.g., a. playlist, album, or the like
- connection awareness device 216 may exchange data with mobile device 226 to determine compatibility, as described herein, further determine there is no one else in room 204, and exchange data with mobile device 226 and speaker 210 to transfer the call's audio input/output function to speaker 210.
- connection awareness device 220 may exchange data with mobile device 226 to determine compatibility, as described herein, further determine there is no one else in room 204, and exchange data with mobile device 226 and display 214 to transfer the call's video input/output function to display 214 (i.e., without interruption, as described herein).
- display 214 also may be configured with compatible audio input/output capabilities, in which case connection awareness device 220 also may exchange data with mobile device 226 and display 214 to transfer the call's audio input/output function to display 214 as well.
- connection awareness device 218 may exchange data with mobile device 226 to determine compatibility, as described herein, and further determine that another person (i.e., user 224) is in the room.
- connection awareness device 218 may be configured with one or more sensors (e.g., sensor 31 8 in FIG, 3) for determining a presence of another person in a room, as described herein.
- connection awareness device 218 may be configured to determine a presence of another person in a room by detecting a wireless device (not shown) configured with a user profile, as described below, associated with a different user (e.g., user 224).
- connection awareness device 218 may determine based on a presence of user 224 in room 208 that speaker 212 is not well suited for outputting audio from user 222's telephone call. In other examples, connection awareness device 218 further may be configured to determine that speaker 212 already is in use (i.e., outputting other audio), and thus is not available or suitable to output audio associated with user 222's telephone call. In still other examples, the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- connection awareness device 300 includes antenna 302, connection path module 304, media configuration module 306, intelligent communication facility 308, logic 310, memory 312, sensor 318, and may be configured to communicate with wireless device 314 and user interface 316.
- antenna 302 may be configured to detect, sense or receive radio signals or energy (i.e., electromagnetic radiation), for example, emitted from wireless device 314 or other wireless device (e.g., mobile device 108, band 106 and display 1 14 in FIG, 1, speakers 210-212, display 214, mobile device 226 and headset 228 in FIG. 2, or the like).
- radio signals or energy i.e., electromagnetic radiation
- wireless device 314 may be any device capable of communicating with another device using radio signals, including accessing a network (e.g., network 102 in FIG. 1 ). In some examples, wireless device 314 may be a compatible device, as described herein.
- antenna 302 may be implemented as a receiver, transmitter, or transceiver, configured to detect and generate radio waves, for example, to and from electrical signals. In some examples, antenna 302 may be configured to detect radio signals across a broad spectrum, including licensed and unlicensed bands (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth®, NFC, ultra wideband, or other bands).
- antenna 302 may ⁇ be configured to generate data associated with a radio signal or energy from wireless device 314, or other wireless devices (e.g., speaker 104, band 106, mobile device 108 and display 1 14 in FIG. 1 , speakers 210-212, display 214, mobile device 226 and headset 228 in FIG. 2, and the like), including proximity data (i.e., data associated with a proximity of wireless device 314) and location data (i.e., data associated with a location (e.g., direction, position, either in a room or other environment, and the like) of wireless device 314).
- proximity data i.e., data associated with a proximity of wireless device 31
- location data i.e., data associated with a location (e.g., direction, position, either in a room or other environment, and the like) of wireless device 314).
- antenna 302 may determine a proximity of wireless device 314 using a strength (i.e., intensity or magnitude) of a radio signal or energy emitted by wireless device 314, for example, as may be caused by a wireless data exchange being performed by wireless device 314 (e.g., downloading an electronic mail message ("email"), receiving a push notification, sensing a Bluetooth® or WiFi signal, or the like).
- antenna 302 may be configured to generate, and communicate to intelligent communication facility 308, data associated with a proximity and location of wireless device 314.
- "facility” refers to any, some, or all of the features and structures that are used to implement a given set of functions (see, e.g., intelligent communication facility 400 in FIG. 4).
- intelligent communication facility 308 may be configured to communicate with wireless device 314 automatically once wireless device 314 comes within a certain threshold proximity of connection awareness device 300, and makes this threshold proximity determination using data gathered by antenna 302.
- connection path module 304 may be configured to determine available connection paths (i.e., WiFi, other WLA , WiMax, ANTTM, ZigBee®, Bluetooth®, ultra wideband, MFC, mobile broadband, other cellular networks, and the like).
- connection path and “communication path” may be used interchangeably to refer to a path, mode, method, or protocol for sending, receiving, or otherwise exchanging data, for example, wirelessly.
- connection path module 304 may be configured to detect the availability of a WiFi network, Bluetooth® ) network, cellular network, or other wireless networks.
- connection path module 304 may be configured to detect multipoint connection paths, for example, connection paths using two or more networks.
- connection path module 304 may determine that connection awareness device 300 is in a Bluetooth!® hotspot (i.e., a Bluetooth® ) network is readily accessible to connection awareness device 300), and also determine that another network (e.g., WiFi, ultra wideband, or the like), which may better serve the data exchange requirements of connection awareness device 300 (or another device coupled to connection awareness device (not shown)), may be accessible using the Bluetooth® network.
- another network e.g., WiFi, ultra wideband, or the like
- NFC may be used to establish a Bluetooth® connection.
- connection path module 304 may be configured to detect and adjust to changing connection paths when different connection paths become available to connection awareness device 300.
- connection path module 304 may dynamically change from a connection path to another connection path, including adjusting one or more connections in a multipoint connection path, as connection awareness device 300 continues to exchange or stream data.
- media configuration module 306 may be configured to generate, capture or otherwise obtain media preferences associated with a user.
- a set of media preferences may be generated and stored (e.g., in memory 312 in FIG. 3, or in memory 506 or storage device 508 in FIG. 5, or the like) in association with a user account (i.e., with a user).
- a user account may include a user profile, which may include a user's media preferences.
- identification data associated with a user also may be stored with a user profile or user account.
- media configuration module 306 may generate user preferences using user interface 316, which may be implemented on a device coupled to connection awareness device 300.
- connection awareness device 300 may be coupled to a speaker (e.g., speaker 104 in FIG. 1 , speakers 210-212 in FIG. 2, or the like) or other output device (e.g., display 114 or mobile device 108 in FIG. 1, display 214 or mobile device 226 in FIG. 2, or the like), which may implement user interface 316 using audio (e.g., questions asked and answered audibly, other noise prompts, or the like), visual (e.g., using LED, touchscreen or other types of interactive displays), or tactile (e.g., buttons, switches and the like) cues and prompts, or any combination thereof.
- audio e.g., questions asked and answered audibly, other noise prompts, or the like
- visual e.g., using LED, touchscreen or other types of interactive displays
- tactile e.g., buttons, switches and the like
- media configuration module 306 may be configured to receive data from intelligent communication facility 308 associated with wireless device 314, and with user preferences stored or accessed by wireless device 314.
- media configuration module 306 may be configured to determine automatically, using intelligent communication facility 308, whether wireless device 314 has access to any user preference data not already generated or captured by media configuration module 306 for a user, and to automatically download any such new user preference data. For example, when a user creates a playlist, or otherwise indicate new song preferences, using wireless device 314, media configuration module 306 may access or download said playlist and new song preferences using intelligent communication facility 308 when wireless device 314 comes within a threshold proximity of connection awareness device 300.
- media configuration module 306 may generate user preferences using sensor 318, which may include one or more sensors configured to capture data associated with a user's location and environment (e.g., light/infrared (“IR”) sensor, audio sensor (e.g., microphone, transducer, or others), global positioning system (GPS) receiver, location-based service sensor (e.g., sensor for determining location within a cellular or micro-cellular network, which may or may not use GPS or other satellite constellations for fixing a position), motion detection sensor, environmental sensor, chemical sensor, or the like).
- sensors configured to capture data associated with a user's location and environment
- IR light/infrared
- audio sensor e.g., microphone, transducer, or others
- GPS global positioning system
- location-based service sensor e.g., sensor for determining location within a cellular or micro-cellular network, which may or may not use GPS or other satellite constellations for fixing a position
- motion detection sensor environmental sensor
- chemical sensor chemical sensor
- media configuration module 306 may use sensor 318 to determine that connection awareness device 300 is located in a user's home, and also to capture data associated with various aspects of the user's home, including noise level, types of sounds, levels of light, motion activity, or other environmental characteristics. Such data also may be used by media configuration module 306 to inform various user media preferences (e.g., brightness level for playing video content, volume level for playing audio content, or the like).
- user preferences generated, captured, downloaded, or otherwise obtained by media configuration module 306 may be saved in memory 312 or in other storage (e.g., memory 506 or storage device 508 in FIG. 5), In still other examples, the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- intelligent communication facility 308 may be configured to communicate automatically with compatible devices, including determining whether another device (e.g., wireless device 314) is compatible. For example, intelligent communication facility 308 may receive data from antenna 302 indicating that wireless device 314 is within a threshold proximity of connection awareness device 300, or an output device (e.g., speaker 104 and display 1 14 in FIG. 1, speakers 210-212 and display 214 in FIG. 2, media player 418 in FIG.
- another device e.g., wireless device 314
- an output device e.g., speaker 104 and display 1 14 in FIG. 1, speakers 210-212 and display 214 in FIG. 2, media player 418 in FIG.
- connection awareness device 300 which may automatically prompt intelligent communication facility 308 to send data to wireless device 314 to determine compatibility (e.g., to determine whether wireless device 314 has common communication capabilities, which types of communication capabilities wireless device 314 has in common with connection awareness device 300, whether wireless device 314 and connection awareness device 300 (or any device coupled to connection awareness device 300) have any common operational capabilities (e.g., connecting a telephone or video call, outputiing audio or video from a telephone or video call, playing a type of media, or the like), operate any common or compatible software, and the like).
- compatibility e.g., to determine whether wireless device 314 has common communication capabilities, which types of communication capabilities wireless device 314 has in common with connection awareness device 300, whether wireless device 314 and connection awareness device 300 (or any device coupled to connection awareness device 300) have any common operational capabilities (e.g., connecting a telephone or video call, outputiing audio or video from a telephone or video call, playing a type of media, or the like), operate any common or compatible software, and the like).
- intelligent communication facility 308 upon determining wireless device 314 to be a compatible device, intelligent communication facility 308 also may be configured to exchange data automatically with wireless device 314 to determine any current operation being performed by wireless device 314 (e.g., a telephone or video call, playing music, playing a movie or other video, and the like), and also to determine whether another output device (e.g., speaker 104 and display 1 14 in FIG. 1, speakers 210-212 and display 214 in FIG. 2, media player 418 in FIG. 4, or the like) may be better suited to perform a function associated with the operation being performed by wireless device 314 (e.g., output audio, output video, connect a call to an ongoing conference call, or the like).
- any current operation being performed by wireless device 314 e.g., a telephone or video call, playing music, playing a movie or other video, and the like
- another output device e.g., speaker 104 and display 1 14 in FIG. 1, speakers 210-212 and display 214 in FIG. 2, media player 418 in FIG
- intelligent communication facility 308 may be configured to make a determination whether an available output device is better suited to perform a function associated with an operation being performed by wireless device 314 using data generated by antenna 302, connection path module 304, media configuration module 306 and sensor 318.
- antenna 302 may provide data indicating other wireless devices also are within a threshold proximity, which may prompt intelligent communication facility 308 to determine whether such other wireless devices are being used by different users, indicating a presence of other people.
- a presence of other people in a room may be determined using sensor 318, which may capture data indicating a high level of motion.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- intelligent communication facility 308 may be configured to exchange data with wireless device 314 and with an available output device (e.g., speaker 104 and display 1 14 in FIG. 1, speakers 210-212 and display 214 in FIG. 2, media player 418 in FIG. 4, or the like) to transfer said function from wireless device 314 to said available output device.
- an available output device e.g., speaker 104 and display 1 14 in FIG. 1, speakers 210-212 and display 214 in FIG. 2, media player 418 in FIG. 4, or the like
- intelligent communication facility 308 may send data to said available output device to turn on a desired functionality, obtain output data from wireless device 314 associated with an operation being performed, and route said output data to said available output device.
- intelligent communication facility 308 may be configured to use data from sensor 318 to determine a volume level, brightness level, or other characteristic associated with said output data being routed to said available output device.
- sensor 31 8 may capture data associated with light and noise levels in a. room, which may indicate a. time of day or level of activity (e.g., if a noise level in a room is low, intelligent communication facility 308 may adjust a volume of audio output from a speaker, or if a light level in a room is low, intelligent communication facility 308 may adjust a brightness of video output from a display, and the like).
- logic 310 may be implemented as firmware or application software that is installed in a memory (e.g., memory 312, memory 506 in FIG. 5, or the like) and executed by a processor (e.g., processor 504 in FIG. 5). Included in logic 310 may be program
- logic 310 may provide control functions and signals to other components of connection awareness device 300, including to antenna 302, connection path module 304, media configuration module 306, intelligent communication facility 308, sensor 318, or other components.
- logic 310 may be configured to send control signals to intelligent communication facility 308 to transfer, transmit, or receive data, to and from antenna 302, connection path module 304, media configuration module 306, or a memory (e.g., memory 312, memory 506 in FIG. 5, or the like).
- a memory e.g., memory 312, memory 506 in FIG. 5, or the like.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary architecture for an intelligent communication facility .
- intelligent communication facility 400 includes device compatibility module 402, device proximity module 404, media preferences module 406, communication facility 408, media play controller 410, and may be configured to communicate or interface with antenna 412, wireless device 414, media configuration module 416 and media player 418.
- device proximity module 404 may be configured to determine whether wireless device 414 (or other wireless device, as described herein) has crossed a threshold proximity, using data from antenna 412 (i.e., implemented in a connection awareness device, as described herein) indicating a proximity and/or location of wireless device 414.
- device proximity module 404 may be configured to determine whether wireless device 414 is entering within a proximity threshold (i.e., coming closer) or exiting a proximity threshold (i.e., moving away).
- device compatibility module 402 may be configured to compare data received from wireless device 414 associated with communication and operational capabilities of wireless device 414 with data associated with communication and operational capabilities of other available wireless devices coupled to intelligent communication facility 400 (e.g., media player 418, or other wireless devices, as described herein). For example, device compatibility module 402 may receive data indicating wireless device 414 has WiFi communication capabilities and compare such data with stored data indicating intelligent communication facility 400 also has WiFi communication capabilities to determine that intelligent communication facility 400 and wireless device 414 are compatible to exchange data.
- device compatibility module 402 may access data indicating wireless device 414 has an ability to play a video format and that media player 418 also has an ability to play a video format to determine that wireless device 414 and media player 418 are compatible to output video using said video format.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements sho wn may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- media preferences module 406 may be configured to exchange media preference data with media configuration module 416 (i.e., implemented in a connection awareness device, as described herein).
- media preferences module 406 may ⁇ be configured to obtain data associated with media preferences stored or accessible by wireless device 414, and to route such data to media configuration module 416 for processing.
- media preferences module 406 may be prompted by media configuration module 16 to exchange data associated with a user's media preferences with wireless device 414.
- various exchanges of data between intelligent communication facility 400 and other devices may be carried out using communication facility 408.
- communications facility 408 may include a wireless radio, control circuit or logic, antenna, transceiver, receiver, transmitter, resistors, diodes, transistors, or other elements that are used to transmit and receive data.
- communications facility 408 may be implemented to provide a wireless data communication capability to transmit digitally encoded data across one or more frequencies using various types of data communication protocols, without limitation.
- media play controller 410 may be configured to generate and send control signals to media player 418, the control signals configured to turn on and control desired functionality for playing media content. For example, media play controller 410 may obtain data. from wireless device 414 associated with media content being played by wireless device 414, the data including a marker indicating a point in, or portion of, the media content being played by the wireless device. In some examples, media play controller 410 may be configured to send data to media player 418, the data including the media content and the marker, and configured to cause the media player to begin playing the media content at a point indicated by the marker. In some examples, media play controller 410 may exchange data with media player 418 through communication facility 408.
- wireless device 414 may maintain play control of a media content being played
- communication facility 408 may be configured to route audio and video output data from wireless device 414 to media player 418.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- FIG. 4B illustrates a diagram of an exemplary synchronization of two devices for handing off an operation.
- diagram 420 includes speaker 422, mobile device 424, media content 426, media content portions 428 and 430, connection awareness device 432, and intelligent communications facility 434.
- connection awareness device 432 may be coupled to, or implemented with, speaker 422.
- speaker 422 may be implemented as any device operable to output audio data.
- mobile device 424 may be synchronized with a. different type of device, for example, a television, a display, or other output device.
- connection awareness device 432 may be in data
- mobile device 424 may be configured to synchronize mobile device 424 with speaker 422 to seamlessly (i.e., without interruption) transfer the data streaming operation from mobile device 424 to speaker 422.
- mobile device 424 may be streaming media, content 426, and media content portion 428 may represent the portion of media currently being played by mobile device 424.
- data provided to mobile device 424 from the source of media content 426 may include a marker indicating a point in, or portion of, media content 426 represented by media content portion 428 (i.e., indicating a point in media content 426 being played, or about to be played (e.g., within a predetermined range of milliseconds, nanoseconds, picoseconds, or other predetermined range of time), by mobile device 424), or otherwise describing media content portion 428.
- intelligent communication facility 434 may include a controller (e.g., media play controller 410, or the like) configured to send a control signal to speaker 422 to begin performing an operation, for example, streaming media content 426.
- speaker 422 may pick up streaming media content 426 at. media, content portion 430.
- intelligent communication facility 434 may be configured to access data from mobile device 424 associated with media content portion 428 (i.e., including a marker associated with media content portion 428) and to synchronize the media content being streamed by speaker 422 (e.g., media, content portion 430) with media content portion 428 (e.g., by delaying speaker 422 's playing of media content portion 430 until a marker associated with media content portion 430 is reached by mobile device 424, or the like), such that speaker 422 picks up streaming the media content from mobile device 424 without interruption.
- intelligent communication facility 434 also may be configured to send a control signal to mobile device 424 to stop playing and/or streaming said media content picked up by speaker 422.
- control signal to mobile device 424 to stop playing and/or streaming said media content picked up by speaker 422.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary computing platform disposed in or associated with a connection awareness device.
- computing platform 500 may be used to implement computer programs, applications, methods, processes, algorithms, or other software to perform the above-described techniques.
- Computing platform 500 includes a. bus 502 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, which interconnects subsystems and devices, such as processor 504, system memory 506 (e.g., RAM, etc.), storage device 508 (e.g., ROM, etc.), a communication interface 513 (e.g., an Ethernet or wireless controller, a Bluetooth controller, etc.) to facilitate communications via a port on communication link 521 to
- Processor 504 can be implemented with one or more central processing units (“CPUs”), such as those manufactured by Intel® Corporation, or one or more virtual processors, as well as any combination of CPUs and virtual processors.
- Computing platform 500 exchanges data representing inputs and outputs via input-and-output devices 501, including, but not limited to, keyboards, mice, audio inputs (e.g., speech-to-text devices), user interfaces, displays, monitors, cursors, touch-sensitive displays, LCD or LED displays, speakers, media players and other L'O-related devices.
- input-and-output devices 501 including, but not limited to, keyboards, mice, audio inputs (e.g., speech-to-text devices), user interfaces, displays, monitors, cursors, touch-sensitive displays, LCD or LED displays, speakers, media players and other L'O-related devices.
- computing platform 500 performs specific operations by processor 504 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions stored in system memory 506, and computing platform 500 can be implemented in a client-server arrangement, peer-to-peer arrangement, or as any mobile computing device, including smart phones and the like.
- Such instructions or data may be read into system memory 506 from another computer readable medium, such as storage device 508.
- hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions for implementation. Instructions may be embedded in software or firmware.
- the term "computer readable medium” refers to any non-transitory medium that participates in providing instructions to processor 504 for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media.
- Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks and the like.
- Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as system memory 506,
- Computer readable media includes, for example, floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM,
- Transmission medium may include any tangible or intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instmctions for execution by the machine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such instructions.
- Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise bus 502 for transmitting a computer data signal
- execution of the sequences of instructions may be performed by computing platform 500.
- computing platform 500 can be coupled by communication link 521 (e.g., a wired network, such as LAN, PSTN, or any wireless network) to any other processor to perform the sequence of instructions in coordination with (or asynchronous to) one another.
- Communication link 521 e.g., a wired network, such as LAN, PSTN, or any wireless network
- Computing platform 500 may transmit and receive messages, data, and instructions, including program code (e.g., application code) through communication link 521 and communication interface 13.
- Received program code may be executed by processor 504 as it is received, and/or stored in memory 506 or other non-volatile storage for later execution.
- system memory 506 can include various modules that include executable instructions to implement functionalities described herein.
- system memory 506 includes a media configuration learning module 510 configured to determine media preferences using input from various sources, including sensors (e.g., sensors 314 in FIG. 3, or as may be implemented in band 106 in FIG. 1, or the like), manual input (i.e., using a user interface), or from compatible devices, as described herein.
- System memory 506 also may include intelligent communication module 512, which may be configured to provide one or more of the intelligent communication functions described herein (see, e.g., intelligent communication facilities 308 and 400 in FIGs. 3-4).
- speaker 104, band 106 and mobile device 108 of FIG. 1 can communicate (e.g., wired or wirelessly) with each other, or with other compatible devices.
- mobile device 108, speaker 104, band 106, display 114, or any networked computing device (not shown) in communication with wearable device 106 or mobile device 108 can provide at least some of the stmctures and/'or functions of any of the features described herein.
- the structures and 'or functions of any of the above- described features can be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, circuitry, or any combination thereof.
- the stmctures and constituent elements above, as well as their functionality, may be aggregated or combined with one or more other structures or elements. Alternatively, the elements and their functionality may be subdivided into constituent sub- elements, if any.
- a s software, at least some of the above-described techniques may be implemented using various types of programming or formatting languages, frameworks, syntax, applications, protocols, objects, or techniques.
- at least one of the elements depicted in FIGs. 1 -4 can represent one or more algorithms.
- at least one of the elements can represent a portion of logic including a portion of hardware configured to provide constituent stmctures and/or functionalities.
- intelligent communication module 512 can be implemented in one or more computing devices thai include one or more circuits.
- at least one of the elements in FIGs. 1-4 can represent one or more components of hardware.
- at least one of the elements can represent a portion of logic including a portion of circuit configured to provide constituent structures and/or functionalities.
- the term "circuit” can refer, for example, to any system including a number of components through which current flows to perform one or more functions, the components including discrete and complex components.
- discrete components include transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and the like
- complex components include memory, processors, analog circuits, digital circuits, and the like, including field-programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs"), application-specific integrated circuits ("ASICs"). Therefore, a circuit can include a system of electronic
- the term “module” can refer, for example, to an algorithm or a portion thereof, and/or logic implemented in either hardware circuitry or software, or a combination thereof (i.e., a module can be implemented as a circuit).
- algorithms and/or the memory in which the algorithms are stored are "components" of a circuit.
- circuit can also refer, for example, to a system of components, including algorithms.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram depicting an exemplary ecosystem of intelligent wireless media devices configured to exchange synchronization data.
- diagram 600 includes media content 602, markers 604a-f, database 606, marker data 608a-f, server 610, network 612, display 614, speaker 616 and mobile device 618.
- media content 602 may be stored as content data (not shown), for example, in database 606 or other storage (e.g., storage device 508 in FIG. 5, database 71 8 in FIG. 7, or the like), the content data being associated with markers 60 a-f at predetermined points in media content 602.
- media content 602 may include an audio track (e.g., for a. song, a movie, or other audio content).
- media content 602 may include a video track (e.g., for a movie, online video, or other video content).
- content data associated with media content 602 may include other data (e.g., content metadata, or the like).
- markers 604a- f may be evenly spaced with a same time interval between each marker. In other examples, markers 604a-f may be unevenly spaced, with two or more different time intervals between each marker, and may correspond to chapters or other logical or key points in media content 602.
- marker data 608a-f may include a timestamp associated with, or other indication of, a point in media content 602 corresponding to a marker.
- marker data 608a- f also may include metadata, associated with a marker.
- marker data 608b may represent or describe a timestamp (i.e., associated with, or based on, a track for media content 602) for marker 604b, as well as indicate an amount of time to a next marker (i.e., marker 604c) and/or an amount of time to a previous marker (i.e., marker 604a).
- marker data 608a may represent or describe a timestamp for marker 604a, as well as a predetermined, static time interval between markers.
- marker data 608a also may indicate marker 604a to be a start marker (i.e., a marker at the start of media content 602 's track), and marker data 608f may indicate marker 604f to be an end marker (i.e., a marker at the end of media content 602 's track).
- start marker i.e., a marker at the start of media content 602 's track
- marker data 608f may indicate marker 604f to be an end marker (i.e., a marker at the end of media content 602 's track).
- end marker i.e., a marker at the end of media content 602 's track
- display 614, speaker 616 and mobile device 618 may be configured to retrieve both content data and marker data using network 612 and server 610.
- mobile device 618, or an application implemented thereon may be configured to play media, content 602 by streaming content data (e.g., associated with media content 602, other media content stored in database 606, other media content accessible using network 612 (not shown), or the like).
- said content data may be associated with marker data (e.g., marker data 608a-f) indicating one or more of markers 6Q4a-f.
- mobile device 618 may be configured to provide marker data to speaker 616 or display 614 indicating a marker associated with a point in media content 602 at which mobile device is playing, such that speaker 616 or display 614 may retrieve content data starting at said marker, for example, without retrieving any additional data from a synchronized backend track or from an extensive synchronizing buffer (e.g., jitter or de-jitter buffer, or the like).
- an extensive synchronizing buffer e.g., jitter or de-jitter buffer, or the like.
- one or more of marker data 608a-f may be exchanged efficiently (i.e., without causing perceptible delays) between wireless devices in an ecosystem (e.g., display 614, speaker 616, mobile device 618, and the like) using existing networks (i.e., short-range, such as Bluetooth®, NFC or ultra wideband; or longer-range, such as WiFi or mobile broadband), for example, without creating an overlay or other additional network to synchronize playing of media content by two or more devices.
- an ecosystem e.g., display 614, speaker 616, mobile device 618, and the like
- existing networks i.e., short-range, such as Bluetooth®, NFC or ultra wideband; or longer-range, such as WiFi or mobile broadband
- mobile device 618 may provide marker data 608c to speaker 616 substantially at (e.g., within an allowable range of milliseconds, nanoseconds, picoseconds, or other range) a time when mobile device 618 will reach marker 604c in playing media content 602.
- speaker 616 may be configured to retrieve content data associated with media content 602 at marker 604c to begin playing media content 602 where mobile device 618 is leaving off.
- mobile device 618 may send marker data 608c to display 614, for example, upon determining using a connection awareness device, as described herein, display 614 to be a preferred device for playing media content 602.
- display 614 may be configured to automatically retrieve content data associated with media content 602 at marker 604c to begin playing media content 602 where mobile device is leaving off.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram depicting another exemplary ecosystem of intelligent wireless media devices configured to exchange synchronization data.
- diagram 700 includes room 701-702, user 703, band 704, mobile device 706, speakers 708-710, display 712, network 714, server 716, database 718, data 720, and content data 720a-b.
- band 704, mobile device 706, speakers 708-710 and display 712 may be configured to communicate with each using short-range communication paths or longer-range communication paths, as described herein.
- band 704, mobile device 706, speakers 708-710 and display 712 also may be configured to communicate with network 714 (i.e., to access data from server 716) using longer-range communication paths (e.g., WiFi, mobile broadband, or the like).
- speaker 708 may be configured to play media content associated with data 720, being stored in database 718, and to retrieve data 720 from database 718 using network 714 and server 716.
- data 720 may include content data 720a-b associated with one or more portions of a media content being associated with one or more markers, as described herein.
- speaker 708 may be configured to implement a connection awareness device (e.g., connection awareness devices 112 and 138-142 in FIG.
- speaker 708 may be configured to play a media content using an application (not shown) implemented on mobile device 706, and may receive content data (e.g., content data 720a, or the like) from database 718 using mobile device 706.
- content data e.g., content data 720a, or the like
- a connection awareness device implemented in either speaker 708, band 704 or mobile device 706 may be configured to detect user 703 leaving room 701 (i.e., using a proximity threshold and an antenna generating proximity data associated with band 704, mobile device 706 and speaker 708), and may cause speaker 708 to provide mobile device 706 with marker data indicating where (i.e., a marker) in the media content mobile that device 706 should pick up playing.
- a connection awareness device implemented in mobile device 706 may query speaker 708 for marker data associated with speaker 708's playing of media content, and speaker 708 may provide mobile device 706 with marker data associated with content data 720a substantially at a time when speaker 708 will begin to play media content associated with content data 720a, along with a control signal causing mobile device 706 to access content data 720a using said marker data and to begin playing said media content where speaker 708 is leaving off.
- a connection awareness device implemented in speaker 708 may determine mobile device 706 to be exiting or crossing out of a proximity threshold from speaker 708, and may cause speaker 708 to send marker data associated with content data 720a substantially at a time when speaker 708 will begin to play media content associated with content data 720a, along with a control signal causing mobile device 706 to access content data 720a using said marker data and to begin playing said media content where speaker 708 is leaving off.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided.
- connection awareness device configured to determine compatibility and proximity of other devices in room 702.
- said connection awareness device also may be configured to select a preferred device for playing a media content associated with data 720.
- said connection awareness device may determine display 712 to be a preferred device for playing a media content being played by mobile device 706 as user 703 is walking into room 702 carrying mobile device 706, and then may prompt or cause mobile device 706 to provide marker data associated with a point in said media content that mobile device 706 will be reaching.
- mobile device 706 may send marker data to display 712 indicating a marker associated with content data 720b, causing display 712 to access content data 720b to begin playing said media content at a point where mobile device 706 will leave off playing.
- speaker 710 may be determined as a preferred device, and mobile device 706 may share said marker data with speaker 710 to cause speaker 710 to begin playing said media content at a point where mobile device 706 will leave off playing.
- band 704 may be configured to provide marker data to speaker 710 or display 712.
- the quantity, type, function, structure, and configuration of the elements shown may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided,
- FIG 8 illustrates a flow for synchronizing a performance of an operation among intelligent wireless media devices.
- flow 800 begins with receiving, by a media device, a. first control signal from another media device, the first control signal configured to cause the media device to access data associated with playing a media content being played by the another media device (802).
- said another media device may implement a connection awareness device (e.g., connection awareness devices 112 and 138-142 in FIG. 1A-1 B, connection awareness devices 214, 216 and 218 in FIG. 2, connection awareness device 300 in FIG. 3, connection awareness device 432 in FIG. 4B, and the like) configured to determine compatibility and proximity of said media device.
- a connection awareness device e.g., connection awareness devices 112 and 138-142 in FIG. 1A-1 B, connection awareness devices 214, 216 and 218 in FIG. 2, connection awareness device 300 in FIG. 3, connection awareness device 432 in FIG. 4B, and the like
- said connection awareness device also may be configured to select a preferred device for playing the media content, for example, selecting said media device as a preferred device.
- said another media device may be configured to send a first control signal to said media device automatically upon determining said media device to be a preferred device.
- a media device may obtain marker data from the another media device, the marker data representing a marker associated with the media content (804).
- obtaining marker data may include sending a query to the another media device in response to receiving a first control signal, the query requesting the marker data. Said another media device may send the requested marker data in response to said query.
- a connection awareness device implemented in the another media device may be configured to automatically send the marker data to said media device immediately or soon after sending said first control signal.
- said marker data also may be configured to synchronize the media device with the another media device, for example, by indicating a timestamp, a time period until a next or upcoming marker, a time period between a previous (i.e., last) marker and said marker (i.e., current marker), and the like.
- content data may be retrieved from a source using the marker data, the content data configured to play the media content starting at a point indicated by the marker data (806).
- the marker data may be sent within a predetermined range of time (e.g., a range of milliseconds, nanoseconds, picoseconds, or other acceptable unit of time) prior to a time when the another media device is reaching a point in playing the media content indicated by the marker, such that when said media device retrieves said content data and begins playing at a point indicated by the marker, said media device will be synchronized with said another media device.
- a second control signal may be sent to the another media device, the second control signal configured to indicate a completion of synchronization to the another media device (808).
- the second control signal also may be configured to indicate to the another media device that the media device has begun playing the media content.
- the second control signal or another control signal may be sent to the another media device and configured to cause the another media device to stop playing the media content.
- the above-described process may be varied in steps, order, function, processes, or other aspects, and is not limited to those shown and described.
Abstract
Description
Claims
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US10958974B2 (en) | 2016-01-20 | 2021-03-23 | Google Llc | Methods and systems for controlling media display in a smart media display environment |
US11671662B2 (en) | 2016-01-20 | 2023-06-06 | Google Llc | Methods and systems for controlling media display in a smart media display environment |
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CA2906908A1 (en) | 2014-09-18 |
AU2014233348A1 (en) | 2015-11-05 |
WO2014145140A3 (en) | 2014-11-13 |
RU2015143734A (en) | 2017-04-21 |
EP2972941A2 (en) | 2016-01-20 |
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