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 method comprising:
receiving, at a mobile communication device, media content information from a server, the media content information indicative of a plurality of media content items;
responsive to receiving a first user input indicating selection of a first media content item of the plurality of media content items, sending a first request for the first media content item to the server, the first request identifying the mobile communication device as a destination for streaming;
receiving a stream of the first media content item at the mobile communication device;
initiating playback of the first media content item at the mobile communication device;
responsive to receiving a second user input indicating selection of a media playback device as the destination for streaming, sending a second request to the server, the second request identifying the media playback device as the destination for streaming, wherein the mobile communication device is associated with a first internet protocol (IP) address, and wherein the media playback device is associated with a second IP address that is different than the first IP address; and
after sending the second request, receiving, at the mobile communication device, progress information related to playback of the first media content item at the media playback device; and
displaying the progress information at the mobile communication device during playback of at least a portion of the first media content item at the media playback device.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the progress information is displayed by displaying a visual indication of a duration of a played back portion of the first media content item with respect to a total duration of the first media content item.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the stream is received at the mobile communication device prior to sending the second request.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a prompt that indicates one or more potential destinations for streaming, wherein the one or more potential destinations include the media playback device.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending registration data from the mobile communication device to the server, the registration data indicating that the mobile communication device is associated with the media playback device.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending an operation request from the mobile communication device to the server, wherein the operation request indicates a control operation associated with playback of the first media content item.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the control operation comprises a pause operation.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the control operation comprises a stop operation.
9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the control operation comprises a fast forward operation.
10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the control operation comprises a rewind operation.
11 . A method of providing streaming media content, the method comprising:
during playback of a media content item at a mobile communication device, receiving a user input indicating selection of a media playback device, wherein the mobile communication device is associated with a first internet protocol (IP) address, wherein the media playback device is associated with a second IP address that is different than the first IP address, and wherein the media content item is streamed at the mobile communication device from a server;
sending a request for the media content item to the server, the request identifying the media playback device as a destination for streaming;
after sending the request, receiving, at the mobile communication device, progress information related to playback of the media content item at the media playback device; and
displaying the progress information at the mobile communication device during playback of at least a portion of the media content item at the media playback device.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the stream of the media content item is terminated after sending the request.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the progress information is displayed by displaying a visual indication of a duration of a played back portion of the media content item with respect to a total duration of the media content item.
14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising sending registration data from the mobile communication device to the server, the registration data indicating that the mobile communication device is associated with the media playback device.
15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising displaying a prompt that indicates one or more potential destinations for streaming, wherein the one or more potential destinations include the media playback device.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the user input is received responsive to the prompt.
17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising sending an operation request from the mobile communication device to the server, wherein the operation request indicates a control operation associated with playback of the media content item.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the control operation comprises a pause operation.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the control operation comprises a stop operation.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the control operation comprises a fast forward operation or a rewind operation.