A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING MULTIPLE DIGITAL MEDIA RENDERERS IN A DIGITAL LIVING NETWORK ALLIANCE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of digital media stream and more specifically, to the field of synchronizing digital media Tenderers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the recent days, digital entertainment is an integral part of user's life. Examples of digital entertainment include, but not limited to, multimedia movies, music, video, animation, games and the like. One or more devices are required for storing a digital entertainment data. Examples of the one or more devices include, but not limited to, cellular phones, compact discs, computers, digital video, interactive media and internet. Such increased usage of digital entertainment has led the users demand for augmented device interoperability. Device interoperability allows the digital entertainment data such as music, video, movies and the like to be shared among the one or more devices present in an environment.

[0003] In response to such demands, a number of consumer electronics manufacturers formed an organization referred to as a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA). The goal of the DLNA is to ensure device interoperability and content interoperability among the one or more devices present in the environment using established industry standards. The device interoperability and the content interoperability can be achieved using one or more DLNA based devices such as a digital media renderer (DMR) for playing multiple media streams, a digital media server (DMS) for storing the multiple media streams and a digital media controller (DMC) for controlling the playing of the multiple media streams by the DMR.

[0004] Conventionally, multiple DMRs can be present in the environment for playing multiple media streams. The DMC is used to control each of the multiple DMRs individually. However, the conventional method does not define a technique for constituting the multiple DMRs as a common rendering unit.

[0005] In the light of the foregoing discussion there is a need for a system and a method for synchronizing the multiple DMRs to constitute as the common rendering unit.

SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein provide system and method for synchronizing multiple digital media renderers in a digital living network alliance.

[0007] An example of a system for synchronizing multiple digital media Tenderers in a digital living network alliance includes a digital media controller for controlling multiple digital media Tenderers. The system also includes a sync module for synchronizing the multiple digital media Tenderers. The system further includes a digital media server for storing various media streams.

An example of a method of synchronizing multiple digital media Tenderers in a digital living network alliance includes obtaining a value of one or more state variables associated with a source digital media Tenderer in response to altering one of a control of a plurality of controls by the source digital media Tenderer. The method also includes identifying a set of digital media Tenderers belonging to a group. The method further includes assigning the value of the one or more state variables associated with the source digital media Tenderer to one or more state variables of the set of digital media Tenderers belonging to the group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0008] The accompanying figure, similar reference numerals may refer to identical or functionally similar elements. These reference numerals are used in the detailed description to illustrate various embodiments and to explain various aspects and advantages of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment in accordance with which various embodiments can be implemented;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for synchronizing multiple digital media Tenderers in a digital living network alliance, in accordance with one embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of synchronizing multiple digital media renderers in a digital living network alliance, in accordance with one embodiment; and

[0012] FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration for synchronizing multiple digital media renderers in a digital living network alliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] It should be observed the method steps and system components have been represented by conventional symbols in the figure, showing only specific details which are relevant for an understanding of the present disclosure. Further, details may be readily apparent to person ordinarily skilled in the art may not have been disclosed. In the present disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from another entity, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or order between such entities.

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure described herein provide system and method for synchronizing multiple digital media renderers in a digital living network alliance.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment 100 in accordance with which various embodiments can be implemented. The environment 100 includes one or more DMRs for playing multiple media streams such as a DMR 105a, and a DMR 105b. The environment 100 also includes a DMC 115, a DMS 120 and a network 125.

[0016] The DMR 105a is used for playing and rendering multiple media streams to a user. Examples of the DMR 105a include, but not limited to, media players (MPS), stereos and televisions. Examples of multiple media streams include, but not limited to, movies, music and video. The DMR 105a can also receive a uniform resource locator (URL) of a media stream from the DMC 115 for playing the media stream. Further, the DMR 105a is communicably coupled to the DMS 120 through the network 125 for browsing the URL associated with each of the multiple media streams stored in the DMS 120. Furthermore, the DMR 105a can subscribe itself with the DMC 115, so that a state change performed on the DMR 105a can be notified to the DMC 115. Hence, the DMC 115 bears an updated state variable of the DMR 105a. Examples of the network 125 can include, but not limited to, internet, wireless, local area network (LAN), small area network (SAN), bluetooth, and wide area network (WAN).

[0017] The DMC 115 is used to control the multiple media streams played by the DMR 105a. Examples of the DMC 115 can include, but not limited to, cell phones, softwares and personal digital assistance (PDA's).The DMC 115 maintains a list of DMR's and a list of DMSs. The DMC 115 also maintains a URL associated with each of the multiple media streams stored in the DMS 120. The DMC 115 can also select a URL associated with a media stream from the DMS 120 and further transmit the URL to the DMR 105a for playing the selected media stream.

[0018] The DMS 120 is used to store multiple media streams. The multiple media streams stored in the DMS 120 can be accessed by the DMC 115 through the network 125. In one example, the DMC 115 can browse the multiple media streams stored in the DMS 120. The DMC 115 further selects a media stream of the multiple media stream and transmits a URL associated with the selected media stream to the DMR 105a. Upon obtaining the URL, the DMR 105a browses for the obtained URL and further receives the selected media stream for playing from the DMS 120.

[0019] A system for synchronizing multiple digital media Tenderers in a digital living network alliance is described in detail in FIG. 2.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system 200 for synchronizing multiple digital media renderers in a digital living network alliance, in accordance with one embodiment. The system 200 includes one or more DMRs such as a DMR 105a, a DMR 105b and a DMR 105c. The system 200 also includes a DMC 220, a DMS 230 and a sync module 225.

[0021] The one or more DMRs are used for playing multiple media streams. The multiple media streams can be obtained from a DMS, such as the DMS 230. The one or more DMRs can also be classified into various groups. In one example, the DMR 105a and the DMR 105b can belong to a group, for example, a first group. The first group can be identified by a group name. An event state variable can be used to hold the group name. In one example, the event state variable, SyncGroupName can be used for holding the group name. Further, the one or more DMRs can be associated with one or more state variables.

[0022] Each of the one or more state variables bears a corresponding value. The value of the one or more state variables defines multiple controls associated with a media stream. Examples of the multiple controls include, but not limited to, state information such as play, pause and stop, media information, seek time, volume, information associated with altering the media stream and the like. Further, the one or more DMRs can interact with each other through a DMC, for example, the DMC 220. Each of the DMRs can also share corresponding state information with the DMC 220. The DMC 220 further interacts with other DMRs.

[0023] The DMC 220 is used for controlling the multiple media streams played by the DMRs. Further, the DMC 220 maintains a list of DMRs present in an environment. Furthermore, the DMC 220 also maintains a list of DMSs present in the environment. The DMC 220 can further be configured to group the one or more DMRs into various groups. In one example, the DMC 220 can group the DMR 105a and the DMR 105b into the first group. Further, the DMC 220 can also be configured to assign a group name for the first group that includes the DMR 105a and the DMR 105b.

[0024] The sync module 225 can be embedded within the DMC 220. The sync module 225 is configured to synchronize the one or more DMRs. The sync module 225 is configured to identify a protocol capability between the source DMR and the one or more DMRs belonging to a similar group as that of the source DMR. The sync module 225 is configured to fetch corresponding values of the one or more state variables associated with a source DMR. The source DMR can be regarded as a DMR that initiates altering any one of the multiple controls. Further, the sync module 225 is configured to identify the DMRs bearing similar group name. Furthermore, the sync module 225 assigns the values of the one or more state variables associated with the source DMR to one or more state variables of each of the DMR bearing similar group name. Moreover, the sync module 225 is also configured to add a new DMR to a group, for example, the first group and also eliminate an existing DMR from the group.

[0025] The system 200 further includes the DMS 230 that stores multiple media streams. Examples of the DMS 230 include, but not limited to, mobile devices, personal computers and network attached storage (NAS) devices.

[0026] A method to synchronize the one or more DMR's is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of synchronizing multiple digital media renderers in a digital living network alliance, in accordance with one embodiment. The method starts at step 305. At step 310 a value of one or more state variables associated with a source DMR in response to altering one of a control of a plurality of controls by the source DMR is obtained. The one or more state variables define multiple controls such as state information, media information, seek time, volume and information associated with altering the media stream.

[0028] In one embodiment, the value of one or more state variables associated with a source DMR can be obtained in response to a request for synchronization operation made by the source DMR.

[0029] The source DMR can trigger an event change such as altering a state of a media stream, altering volume level, altering a track played and the like and further can request for the synchronization operation. An information associated with each of the event change is Identified by a value and the value is stored in corresponding state variables. Further, a protocol capability between the source DMR and the set of DMR's belonging to the group is identified prior to synchronization for checking compatibility between the source DMR and multiple DMRs.

[0030] Further, the multiple DMR's can be grouped into one or more groups. Synchronization ensures the value of the state variables associated with the source DMR are similar to the value of the state variables associated with the multiple DMRs included in a group.

[0031] At step 315 a set of DMRs belonging to a group is identified. Tine group is associated with a group name. Each of the DMR included in the set is further associated with an event state variable. The group name is embedded within the event state variable. In one example, the event state variable named SyncGroupName is used for holding the group name. The event state variable of each of the DMR can be analyzed to identify the DMRs belonging to the set. The event state variable can be represented using one or more data types, for example, a string data type. Further, the event state variable can be initialized to a constant value. In one example, the event state variable associated with a DMR can be initialized to the constant value null if the DMR does not belong to any group. In another example, the event state variable associated with a DMR can bear a group name if the DMR belongs to a group. Identification is performed to ensure synchronization between the source DMR and the set of DMRs belonging to the group.

[0032] At step 320 the value of the one or more state variables associated with the source DMR bearing the group name similar to the group name of the set of DMRs is assigned to one or more state variables associated with each of the DMR of the set. This ensures synchronization of the set of DMRs belonging to the group with the source DMR.

[0033] In one embodiment, an event change can also be triggered by any of a DMR belonging to the group. Upon triggering the event change, the value of the state variable associated with the DMR is assigned to the each of the DMR in the set belonging to the group.

[0034] Further, a new DMR can also be added to the group. When the new DMR is added to the group, the event state variable associated with the new DMR is updated and will hold the group name. Furthermore, a DMR can also be detached from the group. When the DMR is detached from the group, the event state variable associated with the detached DMR is initialized to a null value.

[0035] The method stops at step 325.

[0036] FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration for synchronizing multiple digital media renderers in a digital living network alliance. FIG. 4 includes one or more DMRs for example, the DMR 105a and the DMR 105b. FIG. 4 also includes a DMC, for example, the DMC 220.

[0037] The DMR 105a triggers an event change, for example, altering a volume level of a media stream. The DMR 105a updates the event change to the DMC 220 through a process regarded as eventing as shown in 405. Further, the DMR 105a is associated with a group name, for example synd and is embedded within an event state variable SyncGroupName of the DMR 105a. The DMC 220 identifies the group name synd of the DMR 105a, and further the DMC 220 also analyzes a value of a state variable indicating the volume level.

[0038] The DMC 220 further validates the event state variable as shown in 410. Validation can be performed by identifying the event state variable, for example, SyncGroupName of other DMRs bearing the group name synd. A sync module, for example, the sync module 225 embedded within the DMC 220 may be used for validating. In one example, if the DMC 220 identifies that an event state variable SyncGroupName of a DMR holds a null value, then it is deduced that the DMR does not belong to any group and no further processing is performed by the DMC 220. If an event state variable SyncGroupName of a DMR, for example, the DMR 105b bears the group name synd then it is assumed that the DMR 105a and the DMR 105b belongs to a similar group that is named synd.

[0039] Upon identifying all the DMRs bearing the group name sync 1, the sync module 225 embedded within the DMC 220 assigns the value of the state variable as shown in 415 indicating the volume level associated with the DMR 105a that triggered the event change to the state variable of DMR 105b since both, the DMR 105a and the DMR 105b belongs to a similar group that is named synd.

[0040] Upon assigning the value of the state variable, the DMR 105a and the DMR 105b are synchronized as shown in 420 and will play a similar media stream with equal volume level.

[0041] Advantageously, the present disclosure synchronizes multiple DMRs present in an environment so that the multiple DMRs can act as a common rendering unit providing media services to users. The synchronization is performed by updating the values of state variables associated with one or more controls to all the DMRs belonging to a similar group. The present disclosure also groups multiple DMRs into one or more groups. The technique illustrated in the present disclosure can also be used in a DLNA based live video conferencing system where a set of DMRs connected to a conference system can be grouped into a common group. Such grouping, allows updating an event change taking place in one DMR of the group to all the DMRs present in the group. Similarly, the technique can be used to synchronize multiple DMRs present in a home network so that the same media stream with similar controls can be played by all the DMRs present in the home network. Further, the technique illustrated in the present disclosure can also be applied for social television viewing.

[0042] In the preceding specification, the present disclosure and its advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded as illustrative examples of the present disclosure, rather than in restrictive sense. All such possible modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present disclosure.

I/We claim:

1 A system for synchronizing multiple digital media renderers in a digital living network alliance, the system comprising:

a digital media controller for controlling a plurality of digital media renderers; a sync module for synchronizing the plurality of digital media renderers; and a digital media server for storing a plurality of media streams.

2 The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital media controller maintains a list of the plurality of digital media renderers and a list of one or more digital media servers.

3 The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital media controller further controls playing of the plurality of media streams by the plurality of digital media renderers.

4 The system as claimed in claim1, wherein the sync module is embedded within the digital media controller.

5 The system as claimed in claim 1 and further includes a plurality of state variables associated with the plurality digital media renderers, the state variables being utilized for synchronizing the one or more digital media renderers.

6 The system as claimed in claim1, wherein the digital media controller classifies the plurality of digital media renderers into a group.

7 The system as claimed in claim1, wherein the digital media controller assigns a group name for the group.

8 The system as claimed in claim1, wherein the group name is embedded within an event state variable.

9 A method of synchronizing multiple digital media renderers in a digital living network alliance, the method comprising:

obtaining a value of one or more state variables associated with a source digital media renderer in response to altering one of a control of a plurality of controls by the source digital media renderer;

identifying a set of digital media renderers belonging to a group; and assigning the value of the one or more state variables associated with the source digital media renderer to one or more state variables of the set of digital media renderers belonging to the group.

10 The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the value of the one or more state variables defines the plurality of controls associated with a media stream.

11 The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the source digital media Tenderer belongs to the group.

12 The method as claimed in claim 9 and further comprising

communicating a state change event information to the set of digital media Tenderers belonging to the group in response to altering the plurality of controls associated with a media stream by at least the source digital media renderer and one of a digital media renderer of the set of digital media renderers.

13 The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the group is identified using a group name.

14 The method as claimed in claim 9 and further includes identifying a protocol capability between the source digital media renderer and the set of digital media renderers.

15 The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the group name is embedded within an event state variable.

16 The method as claimed in claim 9 and further includes detaching one of the digital media renderer from the set of digital media renderers belonging to the group.

17 The method as claimed in claim 9 and further includes adding a new digital media ten derer to the set of digital media renderers belonging to the group.