Method for providing access to media content through a server

Abstract

A system for providing devices such as WCDs, televisions, stereos, video game systems, etc. access to media content through an entity such as a web server. In accordance with at least one embodiment, UPnP or DLNA compliant devices may utilize a user's home network to access a user's media library from on an online media service. The media service may provide a user interface to the device to enable the user to access his media library. The media may be stored on a networked storage device connected to the media service, on the user's network devices, on the user's WCD, etc. The media service may automatically query the user's WCD to determine the presence of other persons in his proximity, and determine their preferences. A customized media stream that is suitable for the whole group may be generated based at least in part on the combined preferences of the group.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of presenting media content, comprising:
 connecting a first device through a short-range wireless communication network to a second device;   connecting the first device to a media server;   accessing, from the first device, a media library account at the media server;   then displaying a user interface at the first device, the displayed user interface including a playlist of media files associated with a first media library account at the media server; and   directing, from the first device, playback of a selected media file from the playlist on the second device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting of the first device to the media server is through a short-range wireless communication network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting of the first device to the media server is through a long-range communication network. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying, at the first device, a plurality of devices within range of a short-range communication network to the first device, the plurality of devices including the second device;   and wherein the connecting step comprises:
 selecting the second device from the identified plurality of devices. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the selecting is based on past used device information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the identified plurality of devices comprises one or more wireless devices in proximity to the first device, each of the one or more wireless devices associated with a media library account different from the first media library account;
 and further comprising:
 determining preferences for the media library accounts associated with the one or more wireless devices in proximity to the first device; 
   wherein the playlist of media files is based, at least in part, on the preferences for the media library accounts.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 obtaining log-on information to a media service for the media library accounts; and   logging onto the media service using the log-on information for the first media library account and the media library accounts.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the directing step comprises:
 directing, from the first device, playback of at least one media file from one of the media library accounts different from the first media library account.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor;   a communications module, coupled to the at least one processor;   a user interface, coupled to the at least one processor; and   at least one memory, coupled to the at least one processor, and storing computer program code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform a plurality of operations comprising:
 connecting, through the communications module, to a second device via a short-range wireless communication network; 
 connecting, through the communications module, to a media server; 
 then accessing a first media library account at the media server; 
 then displaying, at the user interface, a playlist of media files associated with a first media library account at the media server; and 
 responsive to receiving an input at the user interface, directing playback, on the second device, of a selected media file from the playlist. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the operation of connecting the first device to the media server connects through a short-range wireless communication network. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the communications module comprises:
 a short-range communications module, through which the apparatus connects to the second device; and   a long-range communications module, through which the apparatus connects to the media server.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of operations further comprises:
 identifying a plurality of devices within range of a short-range communication network to the apparatus, the plurality of devices including the second device;   and wherein the operation of connecting to the second device comprises:
 selecting the second device from the identified plurality of devices. 
   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the selecting is based on past used device information. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the identified plurality of devices comprises one or more wireless devices in proximity to the apparatus, each of the one or more wireless devices associated with a media library account different from the first media library account;
 wherein the plurality of operations further comprises:
 determining preferences for the media library accounts associated with the one or more wireless devices in proximity to the apparatus; 
   and wherein the playlist of media files is based, at least in part, on the preferences for the media library accounts.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of operations further comprises:
 obtaining log-on information to a media service for the media library accounts; and   logging onto the media service using the log-on information for the first media library account and the media library accounts.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the operation of directing playback comprises:
 responsive to receiving an input at the user interface, directing playback of at least one media file from one of the media library accounts different from the first media library account on the second device.   
     
     
         17 . A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable program code that, when executed by a processor, causes an apparatus to perform a plurality of operations comprising:
 connecting the apparatus to a second device via a short-range wireless communication network;   connecting the apparatus to a media server;   then accessing a first media library account at the media server;   then displaying at a user interface of the apparatus, a playlist of media files associated with a first media library account at the media server; and   directing playback, on the second device, of a selected media file from the playlist.   
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of operations further comprises:
 identifying a plurality of devices within range of a short-range communication network to the apparatus, the plurality of devices including the second device;   and wherein the operation of connecting the apparatus to the second device comprises:
 selecting the second device from the identified plurality of devices. 
   
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 18 , wherein the identified plurality of devices comprises one or more wireless devices in proximity to the apparatus, each of the one or more wireless devices associated with a media library account different from the first media library account;
 wherein the plurality of operations further comprises:
 obtaining log-on information to a media service for the media library accounts; and 
 logging onto the media service using the log-on information for the first media library account and the media library accounts. 
   
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 19 , wherein the operation of directing playback comprises:
 directing playback, on the second device, of at least one media file from one of the media library accounts different from the first media library account.