Media asset streaming over network to devices
Streaming of a media asset from a cloud server computer to a media playback device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a list of media assets stored in the cloud server computer is sent over network from the cloud server computer to a portable device. In another embodiment, the list is transferred via close-range communication to the portable device from the media playback device which received the list from the cloud server computer over network. In the embodiments, a media asset is started streaming over network from the cloud server computer to the media playback device responsive to selection of one of the listed media assets at the portable device. In some embodiments, streaming is redirected from the portable device to the media playback device responsive to a user's operation or in case of disconnection.
1 . A mobile phone comprising:
one or more processors;
a communication device coupled to the one or more processors;
a display device responsive to the one or more processors; and
a memory device having computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for:
displaying one or more graphical user interfaces on the display device,
in response to a first user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, sending a first request for a media content item to a server, the first request identifying the mobile phone as a first destination for streaming,
receiving a stream of the media content item from the server at the mobile phone, and
in response to a second user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, sending a second request to the server to control media streaming of the media content item to be rendered on a media playback device, wherein the media playback device is a second destination for streaming that is different from the mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone is associated with a first internet protocol (IP) address and the media playback device is associated with a second IP address that is different from the first IP address.
2 . The mobile phone of claim 1 wherein the media playback device that is communicatively coupled to the mobile phone via the communication device is communicatively coupled through the Internet.
3 . The mobile phone of claim 1 wherein the media playback device that is communicatively coupled to the mobile phone via the communication device is communicatively coupled through a close-range wireless network.
4 . The mobile phone of claim 1 wherein the media playback device that is communicatively coupled to the mobile phone via the communication device is communicatively coupled through a local area network.
5 . The mobile phone of claim 1 wherein:
the communication device receives media streaming progress information indicative of progress of streaming of media content rendered on the media playback device; and
the memory device has computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for displaying, in response to receipt of the media streaming progress information by the communications device, the media streaming progress information on the display device.
6 . The mobile phone of claim 1 wherein the memory device has computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for:
generating, in response to a third user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, a pause control signal that causes the media playback device to pause playback of the media content item rendered on the media playback device; and
transmitting the pause control signal to the media playback device through the communications device.
7 . The mobile phone of claim 1 wherein the memory device has computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for:
in response to a third user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, generating a restart control signal that causes the media playback device to restart playback of the media content item rendered on the media playback device; and
transmitting the restart control signal to the media playback device through the communications device.
8 . The mobile phone of claim 1 wherein the memory device has computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for:
in response to a third user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, generating a stop control signal that causes the media playback device to stop playback of the media content item rendered on the media playback device; and
transmitting the stop control signal to the media playback device through the communications device.
9 . The mobile phone of claim 8 wherein:
the display device is capable of rendering the media content based on a first coder-decoder (CODEC); and
the media playback device is capable of rendering the media content based on a second CODEC supporting a higher resolution or sampling rate.
10 . A mobile phone comprising:
one or more processors;
a communication device coupled to the one or more processors and communicatively coupled to a server;
a display device responsive to the one or more processors; and
a memory device having computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for:
displaying one or more graphical user interfaces on the display device,
in response to a first user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, sending a first request for a media content item to a server, the first request identifying the mobile phone as a first destination for streaming,
receiving a stream of the media content item from the server at the mobile phone, and
in response to a second user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, redirecting the stream of the media content item to a media playback device for rendering the media content item, wherein the media playback device is a second destination for streaming that is different from the mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone is associated with a first internet protocol (IP) address and the media playback device is associated with a second IP address that is different from the first IP address.
11 . The mobile phone of claim 10 wherein:
the communication device receives from the server media streaming progress information indicative of progress of streaming of media content rendered on the media playback device; and
the memory device has computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for displaying, in response to receipt of the media streaming progress information by the communications device, the media streaming progress information on the display device.
12 . The mobile phone of claim 10 wherein the memory device has computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for:
generating, in response to a third user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, a pause control signal that causes the media playback device to pause playback of the media content rendered on the media playback device; and
transmitting the pause control signal to the media playback device through the communications device.
13 . The mobile phone of claim 10 wherein the memory device has computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for:
in response to a third user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, generating a restart control signal that causes the media playback device to restart playback of the media content item rendered on the media playback device; and
transmitting the restart control signal to the media playback device through the communications device.
14 . The mobile phone of claim 10 wherein the memory device has computer program instructions when executed by the one or more processors for:
in response to a third user interaction with the one or more graphical user interfaces, generating a stop control signal that causes the media playback device to stop playback of the media content item rendered on the media playback device; and
transmitting the stop control signal to the media playback device through the communications device.
15 . The mobile phone of claim 14 wherein generating a stop control signal further comprises storing stop point information to allow the media playback device to restart playback of the media content at the same point that the display device received the user stop command.
16 . The mobile phone of claim 10 wherein:
the display device is capable of rendering the media content based on a first coder-decoder (CODEC); and
the media playback device is capable of rendering the media content based on a second CODEC supporting a higher resolution or sampling rate.