Media transfer and control system
View Patent ↗A media transfer and control system that includes a handheld device and an audio/visual system. The media transfer and control system provides for: (i) the transfer of media files between the handheld device and the audio/visual system, (ii) the transmission of control commands from the handheld device to the audio/visual system for controlling the function and operation of the audio/visual system through a user interface provided on the handheld device, and (iii) the unsolicited transfer of media descriptive data between the handheld device and the audio/visual system to create a synchronized global view on the handheld electronic device and/or the audio/visual system of all of the media content currently stored on and/or available through both the handheld device and the audio/visual system.
1. A handheld device comprising:
a processor;
a memory configured to store a plurality of media files and in operable communication with said processor;
an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communications and in operable communication with said processor;
an input subsystem in operable communication with said processor, the input subsystem comprised of at least one input component;
an output subsystem in operable communication with said processor, said output subsystem comprised of at least one output component;
wherein said processor, with executable software, is configured to:
receive via said RF transceiver, information about media files not in said memory, said information not received in response to input from said input subsystem;
integrate said received information with information about any media files in said memory;
send, to said output subsystem, said integrated information;
send, using said RF transceiver, some side-band information on a currently-playing media file and a next media file;
receive, from said RF transceiver, an indicator which indicates if the media file associated with said sent side-band information is or is not resident on an A/V system associated with said indicator; and
send, using said RF transceiver, one of: a copy of the currently-playing media file only if said indicator indicates the currently-playing media file is not resident and a copy of the next media file only if said indicator indicates the next media file is not resident; and, only sends a copy of the next media file only if said indicator indicates the next media file is not resident.
2. The handheld device of claim 1 where said processor is configured to receive input from said input subsystem, said input indicating an ordered list in which to play said media files, including media files not in said memory.
3. The handheld device of claim 2 where said processor is configured to:
send, using said RF transceiver, a request for copies of any media files that will be needed to play the ordered list;
receive, using said RF transceiver, the requested media files;
send, according to the ordered list, output to said output subsystem, the output based on said media files.
4. The handheld device of claim 2 where said processor is configured to:
send, using said RF transceiver, control information comprised of said ordered list; and,
send, using said RF transceiver, media files on said ordered list whose information was not from said memory in said handheld.
5. The handheld device of claim 1 where said processor is configured to:
send, using said RF transceiver, a control signal indicating said currently-playing media file is to be played in synchronicity with the handheld, if play synchronicity is functionally available;
send, using said RF transceiver, a control signal indicating when to being playing said next media file if play synchronicity is not functionally available.
6. The handheld device of claim 1 where said processor is configured to send, using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a same digital channel.
7. The handheld device of claim 6 where said digital channel is configured for use as two logical channels, each logical channel usable concurrently.
8. The handheld device of claim 6 where said digital channel is a packetized channel.
9. The handheld device of claim 8 where said digitized, packetized channel is further configured as two logical packetized channels.
10. The handheld device of claim 8 where said digitized, packetized channel is embodied as a “U” channel in a BLUETOOTH® piconet.
11. A method of using a handheld device comprising:
storing at least one media file on a memory in said handheld device, said memory configured to store a plurality of media files;
receiving, using an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communications in said handheld device, sideband information about media files, said sideband information not received in response to an input from an input subsystem on said handheld device;
comparing, using said sideband information, media files available in said memory and media files associated with said sideband information;
creating an integrated list of media files using said received information with information about media files in said memory;
sending, to an output subsystem in said handheld device, a representation of said integrated information;
sending, using said RF transceiver, some side-band information on a currently-playing media file and a next media file;
receiving, from said RF transceiver, an indicator which indicates if the media files associated with said sent side-band information are or are not resident on an A/V system associated with said indicator;
sending, using said RF transceiver, one of: a copy of the currently-playing media file if said indicator indicates the currently-playing media file is not resident and a copy of the next media file if said indicator indicates the next media file is not resident; and,
sending a copy of the next media file only if said indicator indicates the next media file is not resident.
12. The method of claim 11 comprising receiving input from an input subsystem in said handheld device, said input one of indicating or accepting an ordered list in which to play said media files, including media files not in said memory.
13. The method of claim 12 comprising:
sending, using said RF transceiver, a request for copies of any media files that will be needed to play the ordered list;
receiving, using said RF transceiver, the requested media files;
sending, according to the ordered list, output to an output subsystem on said handheld, the output based on said media files.
14. The method of claim 11 comprising:
sending, using said RF transceiver, control information comprised of said integrated information; and,
sending, using said RF transceiver, media files associated with said integrated information whose sideband information was not in said received sideband information.
15. The method of claim 11 comprising:
sending, using said RF transceiver, a control signal indicating said currently-playing media file is to be played in synchronicity with the handheld, if play synchronicity is functionally available; and
sending, using said RF transceiver, a control signal indicating when to being playing said next media file if play synchronicity with the currently-playing media is not functionally available.
16. The method of claim 11 comprising sending, using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a same digital channel.
17. The method of claim 16 where said digital channel is configured for use as two logical channels, each logical channel usable concurrently.
18. The method of claim 16 where said digital channel is a packetized channel.
19. The method of claim 18 where said digitized, packetized channel is configured as two logical packetized channels.
20. The method of claim 18 where said digitized, packetized channel is a “U” channel in a BLUETOOTH® piconet.