Apple files ‘wireless synchronization between media player and host device’ patent application
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Jul 27, 2006 at 9:06am
On July 27, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple’s patent application titled “Wireless synchronization between media player and host device,” originally filed in November 2004. Apple’s patent application relates to media devices and, more particularly, to synchronization of media on media devices.
Summary
Broadly speaking, the invention relates to interaction between a host computer (e.g., personal computer) and a media player. According to one embodiment of the invention, interaction between a host device (e.g., host computer) and a media player can be performed over a wireless channel.
The interaction over the wireless channel can be used to automatically synchronize media contents stored on the media player with media contents stored on the host device. The synchronization can automatically be performed when the wireless channel is available between the media player and the media host. For example, the synchronization can be automatically performed when the media player that supports wireless communications is placed within a wireless network that also couples to the host device.
According to another embodiment of the invention, interaction between a host device and a media player, such as automatic synchronization of media contents stored on a media player with media contents stored on a host device, can be restricted. In one implementation, a given media player is able to automatically interact only with a designated host device. In still another embodiment, synchronization can be automatically performed when the media player is placed in a docking station that supports wireless communications. In one embodiment, the host device can be another media player, such that the interaction performed over a wireless channel is from one media player to another.
Implementations
The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, apparatus, or computer readable medium. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.
As a method for synchronizing media contents between a portable media player and a media host, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: determining whether a wireless connection between the media player and the media host is available; establishing the wireless connection between the media player and the media host when it is determined that the wireless connection is available; determining whether the media player is associated with the media host; synchronizing media content between the media player and the media host via the wireless connection when it is determined that the media player is associated with the media host.
As a computer readable medium including at least computer program code for synchronizing media contents between a portable media player and a media host, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: computer program code for determining whether a wireless connection between the media player and the media host is available; computer program code for establishing the wireless connection between the media player and the media host when it is determined that the wireless connection is available; computer program code for determining whether the media player is associated with the media host; and computer program code for synchronizing media content between the media player and the media host via the wireless connection when it is determined that the media player is associated with the media host.
As a system for managing and playing media data, one embodiment of the invention includes at least a host computer, a portable media player and a docking station. The host computer includes at least a management module for managing a plurality of media items, a host play module for playing the media items for a user of the host computer, and a host media store for storing a plurality of media items. The portable media player includes at least a player media store for storing a plurality of media items, and a player play module for playing the media items stored in the media store for a user of the portable media player. The docking station for the portable media player includes wireless communication circuitry so that the portable media player can receive media items or media information from the host computer over a wireless channel via the wireless communication circuitry.
As a system for managing and playing media data, one embodiment of the invention includes at least a host computer, a portable media player, and another portable device. The host computer includes at least a management module for managing a plurality of media items, a host play module for playing the media items for a user of the host computer, and a host media store for storing a plurality of media items. The portable media player includes at least a player media store for storing a plurality of media items, and a player play module for playing the media items stored in the media store for a user of the portable media player. The other portable device is larger than the portable media player and can house the portable media player. The other portable device or the portable media player includes wireless communication circuitry so that the portable media player can receive media items or media information from the host computer over a wireless channel via the wireless communication circuitry.
Notice
Macsimum News presents only a brief summary of patents with associated graphic(s) for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application and/or grant is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent applications and/or grants should be read in its entirety for further details.
The inventors of patent application 20060168351 are Stanley Ng, Anthony M. Fadell and Jeffrey L. Robbin.
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Contributor
Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
