Proximity synchronization of audio content among multiple playback and storage devices

Abstract

A wireless communication system and in particular to a wireless communication system for digital audio players that provides for increased functionality, such as communication, interaction and synchronization between a computing platform and various mobile, portable or fixed digital audio players, as well as providing a communication link between the various digital audio players themselves. The computing platform may act, for example, through a wireless network or wireless communication platform, to control the digital audio players; to act as a cache of digital audio data for the digital audio players; as well as provide a gateway to the Internet to enable the digital audio players to access additional digital audio content and other information. The computing platform may also be used to automatically update digital audio content on the digital audio players; synchronize digital audio content and playlists between digital audio players; and automatically continue a particular playlist as the user moves from one digital audio player to another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending patent applications: “Proximity Synchronizing Audio Gateway Device,” by Jeffrey J. Spurgat, S. Christopher Gladwin and Hoyet H. Andrews III, Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket No. 11748 / 19; and “Proximity Synchronizing Audio Playback Device,” by Jeffrey J. Spurgat, S. Christopher Gladwin and Hoyet H. Andrews III, Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket No. 11748 / 18, both filed on even date.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and more particularly to a wireless communication system for digital audio players for providing increased functionality including communication, interaction and synchronization between a computing platform and various digital audio players as well as communication among the digital audio players themselves.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]A multitude of d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and in particular to a wireless communication system for digital audio players that provides for increased functionality, such as communication, interaction and synchronization between a computing platform and various mobile, portable or fixed digital audio players, as well as providing a communication link between the various digital audio players themselves. The computing platform may act, for example, through a wireless network or wireless communication platform, to control the digital audio players; to act as a cache of digital audio data for the digital audio players; as well as provide a gateway to the Internet to enable the digital audio players to access additional digital audio content and other information. The computing platform may also be used to automatically update digital audio content on the digital audio players; synchronize digital audio content and playlists between digital audio players; and automatically continue a particular playlist as the user moves from one digital audio player to another.

Problems solved by technology

Although such systems allow selected digital audio content to be played when desired by the user, such systems only allow rather limited functionality.

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