Claims:We claim,

1. A system (100) for displaying media in electronic devices, the system (100) comprising:
a database (108) comprising a plurality of media files and display criteria for each of the media files; and
a server (106) configured to:
receive, from an electronic device (102), data indicating an active state of the electronic device (102);
identify whether a media file, among the plurality of media files, has a display criteria that permits display of said media file in the electronic device (102) while the electronic device (102) is in the active state; and
communicate said media file at least partially to the electronic device (102), if display criteria of said media file permits display of said media file in the electronic device (102).
2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the display criteria of each of the media files comprises schedule of display of the media file relative to one or more electronic devices (102), wherein the server (106) is configured identify said media file for communication to said electronic device (102) if schedule of display of said media file coincides with active state of said electronic device (102).
3. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the server (106) is configured to:
receive a user profile of user of said electronic device (102); and
identify said media file for communication to said electronic device (102) if user profile of the user of the electronic device (102) is associated with demographic profile of said media file.
4. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the server (106) is configured to:
receive a unique identity of said electronic device (102); and
identify said media file for communication to said electronic device (102) if unique identity of the electronic device (102) is associated with said media file.
5. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the database (108) comprises, for each of the media files schedule of display of said media file associated with unique identity of one or more of the electronic devices (102).
6. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the database (108) comprises, for each of the media files schedule of display of said media file associated with demographic profile of users of one or more of the electronic devices (102).
7. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the server (106) is further configured to:
determine that said electronic device (102) to which said media file is at least partially communicated, has assumed an inactive state; and
at least pause communication of rest of said media file while said electronic device (102) is in inactive state.
8. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the server (106) is further configured to identify said media file for communication, despite of absence of a specific request from said electronic device (102) for said media file that is communicated.
9. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the server (106) is further configured to, receive from said electronic device (102) to which said media file was communicated, data corresponding to display of said media file in said electronic device (102).
10. The system (100) according to claim 9, wherein the server (106) is further configured to determine duration of display of said media file in said electronic device (102) using the data corresponding to display of said media file in said electronic device (102).

11. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the server (106) is further configured to:
determine if another media file among the plurality of media files is scheduled to be displayed in said electronic device (102) immediately after display of said media file that is being communicated to electronic device (102); and
communicate said another media to said electronic device (102) if said another media file among the plurality of media files is scheduled to be displayed in said electronic device (102) immediately after display of said media file that is being communicated to electronic device (102).
12. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the server (106) is further configured to select for communication to said electronic device (102), one among a plurality of media files that have display criteria that permit display of the plurality of media files in the electronic device (102) while the electronic device (102) is in the active state, wherein the selection is based on weightage assigned to each of the plurality of media files.
13. The system (100) according to claim 12, wherein the server (106) is further configured to sequentially communicate to said electronic device (102), media files having display criterial that permit display in said electronic device (102), after displaying a previously communicated media file, wherein the sequence is based on said weightage.
14. An electronic device (102) for display of media files, the electronic device (102) configured to:
send data indicating an active state of the electronic device (102) to a server (106);
receive at least a part of a media file for display in the electronic device (102), if a media file, among a plurality of media files, has a display criteria that permits display of said media file in the electronic device (102) while the electronic device (102) is in the active state; and
display the received media file in the electronic device (102) while the electronic device (102) is in the active state.

15. The electronic device (102) according to claim 14, wherein the electronic device (102) is further configured to pause the display of the received media file in the electronic device (102), if the electronic device (102) assumes an inactive state.
16. The electronic device (102) according to claim 14, wherein the electronic device (102) is further configured to send data indicating an inactive state of the electronic device (102) to the server (106).
17. The electronic device (102) according to claim 14, wherein the electronic device (102) is further configured to send to the server (106), data corresponding to display of the received media file.
18. The electronic device (102) according to claim 14, wherein the electronic device (102) is further configured to present media corresponding to the media file on top of all other screen content.
, Description:BACKGROUND
[001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the subject matter described in this section is not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Field
[002] The disclosed subject matter relates to the field of electronic devices and more particularly but not exclusively display of media in the electronic devices.
Discussion of related field
[003] Communication devices such as smartphones and tablets are extensively used for consuming media such as images, audio files and video files, among other types of media files. With the increase in the media being generated, and consequently the media being distributed, very often, media that is communicated to a user’s device goes unnoticed. One of the primary technical reasons for such a problem is that, communication of media or content to a user’s device is unidirectional. In other words, conventionally, the content that has to be communicated to a user’s device, is sent to the user’s device, as per the convenience of the sending system, which results in pile up of content at the user’s device, which leads to the problems discussed earlier.
[004] In light of the foregoing decision there is a need to technical solution to the above discussed technical problem.
SUMMARY
[005] An embodiment discloses a system for displaying media in electronic devices. The system may include a database, which may include a plurality of media files and display criteria for each of the media files. The system may further include a server configured to receive, from an electronic device, data indicating an active state of the electronic device. The server may be further configured to identify whether a media file, among the plurality of media files, has a display criteria that permits display of said media file in the electronic device while the electronic device is in the active state. The server may be further configured to communicate said media file at least partially to the electronic device, if display criteria of said media file permits display of said media file in the electronic device.
[006] An embodiment discloses an electronic device for display of media files. The electronic device may be configured to send data indicating an active state of the electronic device to a server. The electronic device may be further configured to receive at least a part of a media file for display in the electronic device, if a media file, among a plurality of media files, has a display criteria that permits display of said media file in the electronic device while the electronic device is in the active state. The electronic device may be further configured to display the received media file in the electronic device while the electronic device is in the active state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIAGRAMS
[007] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[008] FIG. 1 is an exemplary architecture of a system 100 for displaying a media in an electronic device 102, in accordance with an embodiment;
[009] FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram 200 of the electronic device 102 of the system 100, in accordance with an embodiment;
[010] FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram 300 of the server 106 of the system 100, in accordance with an embodiment;
[011] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 for displaying a media in an electronic device 102, in accordance with an embodiment;
[012] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 500 for displaying a media in an electronic device 102, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[013] FIGs. 6A-6C are flowcharts of an exemplary method 600 for displaying a media in an electronic device 102, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
I. OVERVIEW
II. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
III. AN EXEMPLARY METHOD FOR PRESENTING MEDIA IN ELECTRONIC DEVICES
IV. CONCLUSION

[014] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough details to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined; other embodiments can be utilized or structural and logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as a limiting sense.
[015] In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a non-exclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated.
[016] It should be understood that the capabilities of the invention described in the present disclosure and elements shown in the figures may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, software, non-transitory recordable medium or combinations thereof.
I. OVERVIEW
[017] The embodiments provide a system and method for displaying media in electronic devices. The system includes an electronic device, which includes a processor configured to determine an active state of the electronic device. The processor is further configured to determine a data and time at which the electronic device is in the active state. The electronic device further comprises a communication interface configured to communicate, to a remote server, the date and time at which the electronic device is in the active state, and a unique identity of the electronic device. A processor of the remote server is configured to determine if display criteria of at least a media is satisfied for displaying the media in the electronic device that is in the active state. The display criteria of the media is satisfied in case the unique identity of the electronic device is associated with the media and schedule of the media matches with the date and time at which the electronic device is in the active state. A communication interface of the remote server is configured to communicate the media to the electronic device, whose display criteria is satisfied for the electronic device that is in the active state. A communication interface of the electronic device receives the media communicated by the communication interface of the remote server. The electronic device further includes a display module configured to display the media in the electronic device. The processor of the remote server is further configured to determine a duration for which the media is displayed in the electronic device while the electronic device is in the active state.
[018] In an embodiment, the communication interface is configured to communicate to the remote server, the date and time at which the electronic device is in the active state, a unique identity of the electronic device and user profile of the user of the electronic device. In an embodiment, the display criteria of a media is satisfied in case schedule of at least a media matches with the date and time at which the electronic device is in the active state, and demographic profile of at least the media matches with the user profile of the user of the electronic device, that is in the active state. The communication interface of the remote server is configured to communicate the media, to the electronic device, whose display criteria is satisfied for the electronic device that is in the active state. The communication interface of the electronic device receives the media communicated by the communication interface of the remote server. The display module of the electronic device is configured to display the media in the electronic device. The processor of the remote server is further configured to determine a duration for which the media is displayed in the electronic device while the electronic device is in the active state.
[019] In a case where two or more media among a plurality of media is found to have satisfied the display criteria of the electronic device that is in the active state, then based on weightage assigned to the media, the media will be displayed in the electronic device.
II. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
[020] FIG. 1 is an exemplary architecture of a system 100 for displaying media in electronic devices, in accordance with an embodiment. The system 100 includes a plurality of electronic devices 102a, 102b, 102c…102n (herein after referred to as electronic device 102 or electronic devices 102), a server 106 connected to a database 108 and a communication network 104 to enable communication between the electronic devices 102 and the server 106. The database 108 may be part of the server 106.
[021] Examples of electronic devices 102 (also referred to as electronic devices of users) may include mobile phones, smartphones, palmtops, PDAs and tablet PCs, among other handheld computing devices. In an embodiment, the electronic device 102 may be any handheld computing device that is configured to communicate with the server 106. The electronic device 102 may be configured to communicate its active state to the server 106. The electronic device 102 may be configured to receive one or more media files from the server 106 via the communication network 104. The received one or more media files may be presented in the electronic device 102, while the electronic device 102 is in the active state, for the user to view, listen and/or interact with the one or more media. The duration for which the media was presented in the active state of the electronic device 102 is determined by the server 106.
[022] The communication network 104 may include a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination of wired network and wireless network. For example, the communication network 104 may include local area network, wide area network, and metropolitan area network, among others.
[023] The database 108 is external to the server 106. However, it is possible to implement the database 108 and the server 106 in a single system, or to have the database 108 and server 106 at a single location with wired or wireless communication there between. Further, the database 108 may be populated by receiving information from one or more external information sources. Further, multiple servers 106 and multiple databases 108 may be implemented to improve redundancy, among other reasons.
[024] FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram 200 of the electronic device 102 of the system 100, in accordance with an embodiment. The electronic device 102 may include a processing module 202, a memory module 204, an input/output module 206, a display module 208, a communication interface 210 and a bus 212 connecting all the modules of the device 102. The electronic device 102 may also include a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, a battery, input and output components such as a microphone, keypad and speaker, among others.
[025] The processing module 202 is implemented in the form of one or more processors and may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of the processing module 202 may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described. Further, the processing module 202 may communicate with the other modules of the device 102 through the bus 212.
[026] The memory module 204 may be implemented in the form of a primary and a secondary memory. The memory module 204 may store additional data and program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processor 202, as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Further, the memory module 204 may be volatile memory, such as random access memory and/or a disk drive, or non-volatile memory. The memory module 204 may comprise of removable memory such as a Compact Flash card, Memory Stick, Smart Media, Multimedia Card, Secure Digital memory, or any other memory storage that exists currently or may exist in the future.
[027] The memory module 204 may be configured to store date and time at which the electronic device 102 assume an active state and/or inactive state. Further, the memory module 204 may be configured to store one or media received from the server 106. Further, the memory module 204 may be configured to store a duration for which the one or more media was displayed in the active state of the electronic device 102. Furthermore, the memory module 204 may be configured to store the date and time at which the electronic device displayed the one or more media while the electronic device 102 was in active state. Furthermore, the memory module 204 may be configured to store a user profile of the user of the electronic device 102. The user profile of the user of the electronic device 102 may include one or more of name, gender, age, ethnicity, contact number(s), email id(s), address, social networking profile and professional networking profile, among others.
[028] The input/output module 206 may provide an interface for input devices such as microphone, keypad, touch screen, mouse, and stylus among other input devices; and output devices such as speakers, printer, and additional displays among other.
[029] The display module 208 may be configured to display content. The display module 208 may also be used to receive an input from a user. The display module 208 may be of any display type known in the art, for example, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), Light emitting diode displays (LED), Cathode Ray Tube Displays (CRT), Orthogonal Liquid Crystal Displays (OLCD) or any other type of display currently existing or which may exist in the future.
[030] The communication interface 210 may provide an interface between the communication network 104 and the device 102. The communication interface 210 may include an antenna and a communication port, among others. The communication interface 210 may include devices supporting both wired and wireless protocols. Data in the form of electronic, electromagnetic, optical, among other signals may be transferred via the communication network interface 210. Further, the communication interface 210 may be present for different technologies including WLAN, USB and GPS, among others. Furthermore, the communication interface 210 may communicate with the other modules of the device 102 through the bus 212.
[031] In an embodiment, the processing module 202 may be configured to receive information from the display module 208 and/or input/output module 206 to determine whether the electronic device 102 is in active state or inactive state. In an embodiment, the processing module 202 may obtain information from software components that interact with the display module and/or input/output module 206 to determine whether the electronic device 102 is in active state or inactive state.
[032] In an embodiment, the active state of the electronic device 102 may mean that the electronic device 102 is in an unlocked state.
[033] In an embodiment, the active state of the electronic device 102 may mean that the electronic device 102 is being used by the user, while the electronic device 102 is in unlocked state.
[034] In an embodiment, the active state of the electronic device 102 may mean that the display of the electronic device 102 is on, while the electronic device 102 is in unlocked state.
[035] The communication interface 210 may be configured to communicate the active state of the electronic device 102 to the server 106. The communication of the active state from the electronic device 102 to the server 106 may be instantaneous and/or continuous. The frequency of communication of the active state may be every second, millisecond and/or microsecond. In an embodiment, stopping communication about an active state of the electronic device 102 to the server 106 may be mean that the electronic device 102 has resumed an inactive state. In an embodiment, active state of the electronic device 102 may be communicated by the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102 to the server 106 and thereafter, once the electronic device 102 resumes an inactive state, data indicating the inactive state of the electronic device 102 may be communicated by the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102 to the server 106.
[036] The communication interface 210 in return may receive at least a part of a media file from the server 106 for presenting the media in the electronic device 102, if display criteria of at least a media permits display of the media in the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the memory module 204 may store the media received by the communication interface 210 from the server 106. In an embodiment, the display module 208 may instantaneously display the media as being received from the server 106, in case the electronic device 102 is in the active state. The electronic device 102 may be configured to be display, play or present the media on top (overlay) of all other screen content in the electronic device 102. The server 106 may determine a duration for which the display module 208 displayed the media during the active state of the electronic device 102.
[037] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram 300 of the server 106, in accordance with an embodiment. The server 106 may include a processing module 302, a memory module 304, an input/output module 306, a communication interface 308 and a bus 310 connecting all the modules of the server 106.
[038] The processing module 302, the memory module 304, the input/output module 306, the communication interface 308 and the bus 310 may be similar, however with greater computing, communication and storage capabilities, to the processing module 202, the memory module 204, the input/output module 206, the communication interface 210 and the bus 212 of the electronic device 102, respectively. Additionally, the memory module 304 may comprise of the database 108.
[039] The memory module 304 and/or the database 108 may be configured to store a plurality of media files, information corresponding to the electronic devices 102, information corresponding to the users of the electronic devices 102, display criteria for each of the plurality of media files and information corresponding to each of the plurality of media, among others. The information corresponding to the users (herein after referred to as user profiles of the users) of the electronic devices 102 may include one or more of name, gender, age, contact number(s), email id(s), address, social networking profile and professional networking profile, among others. The information corresponding to the electronic devices 102 may include unique identity of each of the electronic devices 102, dimensions of the electronic devices 102 and, hardware and software specifications of each of the electronic devices 102, among others. Unique identity is unique for each of the electronic devices 102 and the unique identities are used for identification of the electronic devices 102.
[040] The media files that may be stored in the memory module 304 may be of any of the following formats html, jpeg, tiff, bmp, gif, pcx, png, webm, mkv, flv, vob, ogv, ogg, drc, gifv, mng, avi, mov, qt, wmv, yuv, rm, asf, mp4, mpg, mpeg, 3gp and svi, among others file formats known in the art.
[041] In an embodiment, the display criteria for each of the plurality of media may include association of each of the plurality of media with one or more electronic devices 102 based on unique identities of the electronic devices 102.
[042] In an embodiment, the display criteria for each of the plurality of media may include schedule(s) for displaying/presenting each of the plurality of media files based on the association of each of the plurality of media files with one or more electronic devices 102. In an embodiment, the schedule for displaying the media file may be time specific. For example, 10:00:00. In an embodiment, the schedule for displaying the media may have time range. For example, 10:00:00 – 10:00:20. The schedule for displaying the media files in the electronic devices 102 may be static and/or dynamic.
[043] In an embodiment, the display criteria for each of the plurality of media files may include association of each of the plurality of media with one or more geographic locations.
[044] In an embodiment, the display criteria for each of the plurality of media files may include association of demographic profile(s) of each of the plurality of media with user profiles of the users of the electronic devices 102.
[045] In an embodiment, the information corresponding to each of the plurality of media files may include duration for which each of the plurality of media should be presented in the electronic devices 102. In an embodiment, the duration of display or presentation (display or presentation may be referred to as display) of a media may be same in all the electronic devices 102. In an embodiment, the duration of display of a media may vary in all the electronic devices 102.
[046] In an embodiment, the information corresponding to each of the plurality of media may include weightage assigned to each of the plurality of media.
[047] In an embodiment, the information corresponding to each of the plurality of media may include information indicating whether the media was communicated to its associated electronic devices 102 for displaying the media as per the schedule(s).
[048] In an embodiment, the information corresponding to each of the plurality of media may include duration for which the media was displayed. The duration may include one or more of date, start time, pause time, resume time and end time, among others.
[049] In an embodiment, the information corresponding to each of the plurality of media may include information about the interaction of the user of the device with the media when displayed. In an embodiment, information about the interaction of the user of the device with the media may include replaying the media that is being/was displayed.
[050] In an embodiment, information about the interaction of the user of the device with the media may include selection of a link that is present in the media. Selection of the link may redirect the user to an external page/website.
[051] In an embodiment, information about the interaction of the user of the device with the media may include user terminating the display of the media in the electronic device 102 while the media was being displayed.
[052] In an embodiment, information about the interaction of the user of the device with the media may include downloading the media to the electronic device 102 while the media was being displayed.
[053] The communication interface 308 of the server 106 may be configured to communicate one or more media among the plurality of media to the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102. The communication interface 308 of the server 106 may be configured to receive communication from the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102. The received communication may include data indicating an active state of the electronic device 102. The received communication may further include information about the interaction of the user with media. The received communication may further include user profile of the user of the electronic device 102. The received communication may further include information corresponding to the electronic device 102. The received communication may further include information about location of the electronic device 102 of the user. The communication interface 308 of the server 106 may be configured to instantly respond to communication(s) received from the communication interface of the electronic device 102.
III. AN EXEMPLARY METHOD FOR DISPLAYING MEDIA IN ELECTRONIC DEVICES
[054] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 for displaying media in electronic device 102, in accordance with an embodiment. At step 402, state of the electronic device 102 is checked to identify whether the electronic device 102 is in active state or inactive state. At step 404, if the electronic device 102 is identified to be in the active state, then at step 406, data indicating the active state and unique identity of the electronic device 102 is communicated to the server 106.
[055] At step 408, the server 106 checks if display criteria of at least a media file permits display of the media in the electronic device 102 based on the data received from the electronic device 102.
[056] At step 410, if display is not permitted for the media, then at step 412, the server 106 records the active state of the electronic device 102. Recording of the active state of the electronic device 102 may be based on the data communicated by the electronic device 102.
[057] At step 412, if display is permitted for the media, then at step 414, the server 106 may communicate the media file at least partially to the electronic device 102.
[058] At step 416, the electronic device 102 may display the media when the electronic device 102 is in the active state, and pause the display of the media when the electronic device 102 assumes the inactive state from the active state.
[059] At step 418, the electronic device 102 may communicate data corresponding to the display of the media in the electronic device 102. The data communicated corresponding to the display of the media is explained in detail further below.
[060] At step 420, the server 106 may determine the duration for which the media was displayed in the electronic device 102.
[061] Referring again to the exemplary method 400 for displaying media in electronic device 102, at step 402, the processing module 202 of the electronic device 102 may check the state of the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the processing module 202 of the electronic device 102 may obtain information from the display module 208 and/or input/output module 206 to determine whether the electronic device 102 is in active state or inactive state. In an embodiment, the processing module 202 may obtain information from software components that interact with the display module 208 and/or input/output module 206 to determine whether the electronic device 102 is in active state or inactive state.
[062] At step 404, if the electronic device 102 is in the active state, then at step 406, the communication interface 210 may communicate data indicating the active state and unique identity of the electronic device 102 to the server 106. The date and time at which the data indicating active state is communicated to the server 106 may be considered as the date and time at which electronic device 102 is in the active state. In another embodiment, the server 106 may determine the date and time at which the electronic device 102 is in the active state since it receive data indicating active state in real-time.
[063] At step 408, the processing module 302 of the server 106 may check if display criteria of at least a media file permits display of the media in the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, display of the media in the electronic device 102 may be permitted based on association of the media with the unique identity of the electronic device 102 and matching/coinciding of the schedule of the media for display with the date and time at which the electronic device 102 is in the active state.
[064] In another embodiment, display of the media in the electronic device 102 may be permitted based on matching/coinciding of the schedule of the media for display with the date and time at which the electronic device 102 is in the active state and matching of the demographic profile of the media with the user profile of the user of the electronic device 102.
[065] At step 410, if display criteria of at least the media file is not permitting for display of the media in the electronic device 102, then at step 412, the server 106 may record active state of the electronic device 102. The recorded active state of the electronic device 102 may include one or more of the unique identity of the electronic device 102, start date and time, and end date and time of the active state of the electronic device 102.
[066] At step 410, if display criteria of at least the media file permits for display of the media in the electronic device 102, then at step 414, the communication interface 308 may communicate the media file at least partially to the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the communication interface 308 may communicate the media file at once to the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102. If the media file is communicated at once, then the media file may be stored in the memory module 204 for display in the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the communication interface 308 may communicate, via streaming, the media file to the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102. The media file communicated via streaming, by the communication interface 308 to the communication interface 210, may or may not be permanently stored in the memory module 204 of the electronic device 102.
[067] At step 416, the media may be displayed in the electronic device 102 when the electronic device 102 is in the active state and pause the display of the media when the electronic device 102 assumes the inactive state from the active state while the media was being displayed in the electronic device 102. In case display of the media is paused in the electronic device 102, then the display of the media is resumed when the electronic device 102 assumes the active state from the inactive state.
[068] At step 418, data corresponding to display of the media in the electronic device 102 may be communicated to the communication interface 308 of the server 106. In an embodiment, the data communicated may include information corresponding to interaction of the user with the media that is being/was displayed in the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the data communicated may include information corresponding to assumption of inactive state from active state of the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the data communicated may include information corresponding to user initiated termination of display of the media in the electronic device 102, while the media is/was displayed in the electronic device 102.
[069] At step 420, the processing module 302 of the server 106 may determine the duration for which the media was displayed in the electronic device 102.
[070] The processing module 302 of the server 106 may determine if there is another media file to be displayed in the electronic device after display of the media in the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the processing module 302 may determine if there is another media to be played while the media is currently being displayed. In an embodiment, the processing module 302 may determine if there is another media to be displayed, after the completion of display of the media.
[071] The process of determining if another media is scheduled to be displayed subsequent to display of the media may include checking if display criteria of at least another media file permits display of the media in the electronic device 102.
[072] In an embodiment, display of another media in the electronic device 102 may be permitted based on association of another media with the unique identity of the electronic device 102 and matching of the schedule of another media for display with the date and time at which the electronic device 102 is in the active state.
[073] In an embodiment, display of another media in the electronic device 102 may be permitted based on matching of the schedule of another media for display with the date and time at which the electronic device 102 is in the active state and matching of the demographic profile of the media file with the user profile of the user of the electronic device 102.
[074] The communication interface 308 may communicate another media to the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102. The display module 208 of the electronic device 102 may display another media in case the electronic device 102 has completed displaying of the preceding media and the electronic device 102 is in the active state. The processing module 302 of the server 106 may determine a duration for which another media was displayed in the electronic device 102 while the electronic device 102 is in the active state.
[075] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 500 for displaying media in electronic device 102, in accordance with an embodiment. At step 502, the display module 208 may display the media in the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, at step 504, the processing module 202 of the electronic device 102 may determine a time at which the display of the media was started in the electronic device 102. In another embodiment, at step 504, the processing module 302 of the server 106 may determine a time at which the display of the media was started in the electronic device 102.
[076] At step 506, the processing module 202 may determine an inactive state of the electronic device 102 while the media was being displayed. In an embodiment, the processing module 202 of the electronic device 102 may obtain information from the display module 208 and/or input/output module 206 to determine whether the electronic device 102 is in active state or inactive state. In an embodiment, the processing module 202 may obtain information from software components that interact with the display module and/or input/output module 206 to determine whether the electronic device 102 is in active state or inactive state. In an embodiment, the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102 may communicate an inactive state of the electronic device 102 to the server 106.
[077] In an embodiment, at step 506, the processing module 302 of the server 106 may determine an inactive state of the electronic device 102 while the media was being displayed. In another embodiment, the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102 may stop communicating the active state of the electronic device 102 to the server 106. Thus, an inactive state of the electronic device 102 may be determined by the processor 302 of the server 106. In an embodiment, the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102 may communicate the inactive state of the electronic device 102 to the server 106.
[078] At step 508, the communication interface 308 may pause communication of the media file to the communication interface 210 thereby pausing the display of the media in the electronic device 102 which is in the inactive state. In an embodiment, the display module 208 may pause the display of the media in the electronic device 102 which is in the inactive state.
[079] At step 510, the processing module 202 may check for the active state of the electronic device 102. Upon determining the active state of the electronic device 102, the communication interface 210 may communicate an active state of the electronic device 102 to the communication interface 308 of the server 106. The communication interface 308 may resume communication of the media that was previously paused.
[080] In an embodiment, upon determining the active state of the electronic device 102, the display module 208 may receive the media file from the memory module 204 to display the media in the electronic device 102.
[081] At step 512, the display module 208 may resume the display of the media in the electronic device 102.
[082] At steps 514 and 518, the communication interface 210 may communicate, to the communication interface 308, data corresponding to display of the media in the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the data communicated may include information corresponding to interaction of the user with the media that is being/was displayed in the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the data communicated may include information corresponding to assumption of inactive state from active state of the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the data communicated may include information corresponding to user initiated termination of display of the media in the electronic device 102, while the media is/was displayed in the electronic device 102.
[083] At step 516, the processing module 302 may determine the duration for which the media was displayed in the electronic device 102. The processing module 302 may also determine the duration for which the media was displayed in the active state of the electronic device 102 before assuming inactive state while the media was being displayed.
[084] FIGs. 6A-6C are flowcharts of an exemplary method 600 for displaying media in the electronic device 102, in accordance with an embodiment. Steps 602 and 604, are similar to the steps 402 and 404 respectively. At step 606, the communication interface 210 may communicate to the communication interface 308 of the server 106, the data indicating the active state, user profile of the user and unique identity of the electronic device 102. Step 408 is similar to the step 608.
[085] At step 610, the processing module 302 may check if at least a media file among a plurality of media files is associated with the unique identity of the electronic device 102. If yes, then at steps 612 and 614, the processing module 302 may check if schedule of the media files matches with the date and time at which the electronic device 102 is in the active state.
[086] Step 616 is similar to the step 414. In an embodiment, the communication interface 308 may communicate the media file at once to the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102. If the media file is communicated at once, then the media file may be stored in the memory module 204 for display in the electronic device 102. In an embodiment, the communication interface 308 may communicate, via streaming, the media file to the communication interface 210 of the electronic device 102. The media file communicated via streaming, by the communication interface 308 to the communication interface 210, may or may not be permanently stored in the memory module 204 of the electronic device 102.
[087] At step 618, the processing module 202 may check if the electronic device 102 is in the active state before displaying the media file (partial or complete) received from the server 106. If the electronic device 102 is in the inactive state, the display module 208 may pause display of the media.
[088] In an embodiment, at step 618, the processing module 302 may check if the electronic device 102 is in the active state before displaying the media file received from the server 106. If the electronic device 102 is in the inactive state, the communication interface 308 may pause communicating the rest of the media file to the electronic device 102, thereby the display module 208 may pause display of the media.
[089] Steps 624 and 626 are similar to the steps 418 and 420 respectively.
[090] At step 610, the electronic device 102 communicates to the remote server 106, the date and time at which the electronic device 102 is in the active state, user profile of the user of the electronic device 102 and the unique identity of the electronic device 102.
[091] At step 608, the remote server 106 may receive the communicated unique identity of the electronic device 102, the user profile of the user of the electronic device 102 and the date and time at which the electronic device 102 is in the active state.
[092] Steps 610, 612, 614, 616 and 618 are similar to the steps 410, 412, 414, 416 and 418 respectively.
[093] At step 610, in case at least a media file among a plurality of media files is not associated with the unique identity of the electronic device 102, then at step 628, the processing module 302 may check if at least a media file among a plurality of media files matches with the date and time at which the electronic device is in the active state. If yes, then at steps 630 and 632, the processing module 302 may check if demographic profile of the media file matches with the user profile of the user of the electronic device 102.
[094] If demographic profile of the media file matches with the user profile of the user of the electronic device 102, then at step 634, the media is communicated at least partially to the electronic device 102.
[095] In an embodiment, the server (106) may be configured to identify the media file for communication, despite of absence of a specific request from the electronic device 102 for the media file that is communicated. In an embodiment, the absence of the specific request may mean absence of request from the user of the electronic device. In an embodiment, the absence of the specific request may mean absence of request from the electronic device 102.
[096] In an embodiment, the server 106 may be further configured to select for communication to the electronic device 102, one among a plurality of media files that have display criteria that permit display of the plurality of media files in the electronic device 102 while the electronic device 102 is in the active state, wherein the selection is based on weightage assigned to each of the plurality of media files. The server 106 may be further configured to sequentially communicate to the electronic device 102, media files having display criteria that permit display in the electronic device 102, after displaying a previously communicated media file, wherein the sequence is based on the weightage.
[097] In an embodiment, in a case where two or more media among the plurality of media is found to have satisfied the display criteria of the electronic device that is in the active state, the processing module 302 of the server 106 may identify which among the two or more media has the first highest weightage. The media with the first highest weightage (herein after referred to as first media) is communicated first for display in the electronic device 102 that is in the active state. The display of the first media, determination of duration of display of the first media and communication of the determined duration of display of the first media is similar to display of the preceding media, determination of duration of display of the preceding media and communication of the determined duration of display of the preceding media.
[098] Further, a media with the second highest weightage (herein after referred to as second media) is communicated to the electronic device 102 after communicating the first media. The display of the second media, determination of duration of display of the second media and communication of the determined duration of display of the second media is similar to display of the succeeding media, determination of duration of display of the succeeding media and communication of the determined duration of display of the succeeding media.
IV. CONCLUSION
[099] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of existing technologies that fails to determine whether the electronic device is in active state or not before presenting media in the electronic device. Thus, the present invention as discussed in this document with respect to different embodiments will be advantageous at least in displaying the media when the electronic device is in the active state. Further, it is advantageous in determining the duration for which the media was displayed in the electronic device. Further, it is advantageous in pausing the display of the media when the electronic device assumes inactive state from active state and resuming the display of the media after the electronic device assumes the active state.
[0100] Although, embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications, arrangements of components and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of display of media in electronic devices while it is in active state described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
[0101] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications; these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.