Media Processing Methods and Arrangements
The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content (electronic and physical) and with other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology allow users to easily transfer displayed content from cell phone screens onto a television screens for easier viewing, or vice versa for content portability. Others enable users to participate interactively in entertainment content, such as by submitting plot directions, audio input, character names, etc., yielding more engaging, immersive, user experiences. Still other aspects of the technology involve a program directory database, compiled automatically from information reported by network nodes that watch and identify content traffic passing into (and/or out of) networked computers. By identifying content resident at a number of different repositories (e.g., web sites, TV networks, P2P systems, etc.), such a directory allows cell phone users to identify the diversity of sources from which desired content can be obtained—some available on a scheduled basis, others available on demand. Depending on the application, the directory information may be transparent to the user—serving to identify sources for desired content, from which application software can pick for content downloading, based, e.g., on context and stored profile data. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
1 - 2 . (canceled)
3 . A method of transferring video game play from a first screen to a second screen, wherein one of said screens forms part of a user cell phone, the first screen has a first processor associated therewith, and the second screen has a second processor associated therewith, the method comprising the acts:
executing video game software on a remote processor—distinct from the first and second processors;
converting output from execution of said video game software into a video stream;
transmitting the video stream to the first processor, for display on the first screen;
receiving user input at the first processor relating to game play, and transmitting same to the remote processor for responsive action; and
in response to user instruction, changing a destination for the transmitted video stream from the first processor to the second processor;
wherein the user can transfer game play between a cell phone screen and a different screen, during play of a game.
4 - 10 . (canceled)
11 . A method comprising:
receiving input signals for controlling play of a game, sent from a user's cell phone;
applying data corresponding to the received input signals to a computer system, remote from the cell phone, that is executing game software;
taking video output data from said executing game software, and compressing the video output data into a compressed movie stream; and
sending the compressed movie stream to the user's cell phone for decompression and rendering to the user on a screen of the cell phone;
wherein the game play rendered on the cell phone responds to the input signals as if the game software is executing on the cell phone, when in fact the cell phone is simply playing a movie streamed from the remote system.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the compressed movie stream comprises an MPEG stream.
13 . The method of claim 11 wherein the method further includes receiving input from the user indicating that the compressed movie stream is to be sent to a user device different than the cell phone, and then sending the compressed movie stream to said different device.
14 . The method of claim 11 wherein the method further includes decompressing the compressed movie stream using a processor in the user's cell phone, and rendering output therefrom to the screen of the cell phone.