METHOD, MOBILE MEDIA PLAYER AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR SHARING MEDIA CONTENT

RELATED APPLICATIONS [001] This application claims priority of U.S provisional patents serial numbers 60/820,230 and 60/820,231 filing date 25 July 2006 and provisional patent serial number 60/867198 filing date 27 November 2006.

[002] This present application is related to patent application, attorney docket number 1149 titled "METHOD, DEVICE AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR UTILIZING MEDIA CONTENT" and patent application, attorney docket number 1150 titled "DEVICE AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR PROVIDING CONTENT", which are filed concurrently with the present application and are hereby incorporated herein, in their entirety, by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[003] The present invention relates to a method, a mobile media player and a computer readable medium for sharing media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [004] A portable media player is typically designed for entertaining one user, and the screen size and speaker power are appropriate for the short distance between the user's hand holding the device and his face and ears. Typically, the content of such a player is stored in the player's memory, and is intended for interface via the device itself. [005] Entertainment, being social a phenomenon, often calls for joint experience by more than one person, such as a group of two or more users. In many cases, each member in the group has his own portable device, but it is not possible for one player to play a file that is stored on another player. Also, as entertainment is typically associated with emotional reaction, such as laughter and fear, it is essential for the social event that the group experiences the media in synch. Such synchronization happens by default when the parties are all watching the same screen; this is not necessarily the case when each of the parties is playing a copy on his own device.

[006] It would be highly appreciated by consumers of multimedia entertainment if content originating from a single device could be played simultaneously on the devices of several users in a group. Due to the social experience of "togetherness", and due to some foreseeable constraints of DRM, it is preferable that such a link be inherently limited to short distances and local parties — not farther than the physical distance that would have allowed the group to flock around a single device for the same purpose.

[007] There is a need to provide efficient methods for sharing media content. [008] There is a need to provide efficient mobile media players and computer readable mediums for sharing media content.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[009] A method for sharing media content, the method includes: (i) transmitting, by a first mobile media player, an invitation to share the media content; (ii) receiving, by the first mobile media player, an acceptance indication from a second mobile media player located within a proximity area that is smaller than a reception area of the first mobile media player; wherein the proximity area and the reception area of the first mobile media player at least partially surround the first mobile media player; and (iii) sharing the media content between the first and second mobile media players while fulfilling a predefined proximity policy.

[0010] A method for sharing media content, the method includes: (i) receiving, by a first mobile media player, an invitation to share media content with a second mobile media player; (ii) providing an acceptance indication to the second mobile media player, by the first mobile media player, while being located within a proximity area that is smaller than a reception area of the first mobile media player; wherein the proximity area and the reception area of the first mobile media player surround the first mobile media player; and (iii) sharing media content while fulfilling a predefined proximity policy. [0011] A mobile media player, the mobile media player includes: a transmitter, adapted to transmit an invitation to share media content; a receiver, adapted to receive an acceptance indication from a second mobile media player located within a predefined proximity range from the mobile media player, wherein the proximity range is smaller than a reception range of the mobile media player; and logic, adapted

to control a sharing of the media content between the mobile media player and the second mobile media player while a predefined proximity policy is fulfilled. [0012] A computer readable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for sharing media content, the computer-readable code comprising instructions for: transmitting an invitation to share the media content; receiving an acceptance indication from a second mobile media player located within a proximity area that is smaller than a reception area of a first mobile media player; wherein the proximity area and the reception area of the first mobile media player at least partially surround the first mobile media player; and sharing the media content between the first and second mobile media players while fulfilling a predefined proximity policy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: [0014] Figure 1 illustrates a method for sharing media content, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a method for sharing media content, according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0016] Figure 3 illustrates a method for sharing media content, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates a mobile media player, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] The term "media player" can be interpreted in the normal conventional sense, and can also mean a device capable of playing back an audio and/or a video file. The playback includes generating audio signals, and additionally or alternatively, generating video signals in response to audio and/or video files.

[0019] The term "area" can encompass two dimensional spaces as well as three dimensional spaces. An area is typically defined by a radiation patternsof a receiver and, alternatively or additionally by a radiation pattern of the transmitter.

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates method 200 for sharing media content according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Method 200 includes various stages that are conveniently executed by a first mobile media player that initiates a sharing of media content.

[0022] Method 200 starts by stage 220 of transmitting, by a first mobile media player, an invitation to share the media content. The transmitting is also referred to as "postering". The transmitted invitation can be conveniently received by a second mobile media player, while the first and second mobile media players are located within an advertisement range from each other (this range is also referred to as

"postering area").

[0023] Conveniently, stage 220 of transmitting can include at least one of the following stages, or a combination thereof: (i) transmitting an invitation by utilizing ultrasonic wave, (ii) transmitting an invitation by utilizing a radio frequency link; and

(iii) transmitting an invitation by utilizing an infrared link.

[0024] Stage 220 is followed by stage 240 of receiving, by the first mobile media player, an acceptance indication from a second mobile media player located within a proximity area that is smaller than a reception area of the first mobile media player.

The proximity area and the reception area of the first mobile media player at least partially surround the first mobile media player.

[0025] It is noted that the timing difference between a transmitting of stage 220 and the receiving of stage 240 can be limited. Accordingly, if an acceptance indication is not received within a predefined time period then method 200 can end. For simplicity of explanation this option has not been illustrated.

[0026] It is further noted that the receiving can be preceded by a sequence of transmissions.

[0027] Conveniently, stage 240 of receiving includes receiving a proximity indication. The proximity indication can be a galvanic proximity indication, a Hall

Effect proximity indication or a biometric proximity indication. The biometric proximity indication can be received once a user of the second mobile media player touches the first mobile media player (and especially a dedicated component of the first mobile media player) and his fingerprints are scanned. It is noted that the proximity indication can be regarded as the acceptance indication but according to another embodiment of the invention the acceptance indication should represent a more complex physical manipulation applied on the second mobile device.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the invention stage 240 includes receiving an acceptance indication representative of a gesture affected by a location of the second mobile media player. The gesture can represent a physical manipulation applied on the second mobile media player. The gesture can also be referred to as a "kiss" and the acceptance indication can be received while the first and second mobile media players are within a kissing range.

[0029] Conveniently, the gesture requires placing the second mobile media player at one or more locations and during one or more time periods such as to differentiate the gesture from merely placing the mobile media players in proximity to each other. For example, the gesture can include one or more rotations of the second mobile media player about predefined axes, placing the second mobile media player at a certain distance from the first mobile media player for a certain time period (that usually exceeds 1 second), and the like. [0030] It is noted that although the above-mentioned description refers to a manipulation applied on the second mobile media player, and that both mobile media players can be manipulated in order to generate an acceptance indication. It is further noted that a gesture can be detected by monitoring the velocity of the second mobile media player, the acceleration of the mobile media player and the relative distances between both mobile media players. [0031] Stage 240 is followed by stage 260 of sharing the media content between the first and second mobile media players while a predefined proximity policy is fulfilled. [0032] According to an embodiment of the invention stage 260 include transmitting the media content from the first mobile media player to the second mobile media player while fulfilling a predefined proximity policy. According to this embodiment, the first mobile media player both initiates the sharing of media content and also provides the media content. Accordingly, the first mobile media player can be viewed as a master while the second mobile media player can be viewed as a slave or as an audient. [0033] According to another embodiment of the invention stage 260 includes transmitting the media content from the first mobile media player to the second mobile media player while playing, by the first mobile media player, the media content. Thus, users of both mobile media players can simultaneously view an audio

portion of the media content (if such exists) and/or hear an audio content of the media content (if such exists) simultaneously.

[0034] It is noted that stage 260 can include monitoring a fulfillment of the predefined proximity policy. The monitoring can be solely preformed at least partially by the first mobile media player and, additionally or alternatively, at least partially by the second mobile media player.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention a media player that provides the media content can control the manner in which the media content is shared and especially how the media content is played (by the first and/or second mobile media player). For example, assuming that the media content is provided by the first media player, then the first media player can, for example, alter the speed of playing the media content, stop playing the media content, skip a video clip or a song, and the like.

[0036] Yet according to another embodiment of the invention the mobile media player that receives the media content can control the manner in which the media content is shared and especially how is the media content is played (by the first and/or second mobile media player).

[0037] Accordingly, a mobile media player that controls the manner in which the media content is shared (and especially how it is played) can send commands to the other mobile media player, and, alternatively or additionally, controls the manner in which it played or shared the media content.

[0038] It is noted that the mentioned above control can require a user intervention.

Thus, a user can send control commands to its media player.

[0039] Conveniently, stage 260 includes at least one of the following stages, or a combination thereof: (i) monitoring, by the first mobile media player, a fulfillment of the predefined proximity policy, and (ii) receiving, by the first mobile media player, at least one predefined proximity policy fulfillment indication from the second mobile media player.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the invention the shared media content can be selected from one or more groups of media content. In order to enable the selection of media content stage 220 of transmitting can include transmitting a description of the media content and stage 260 can be responsive to media content selection information

provided by the second mobile media player. The media content selection information can be received during stage 240 but this is not necessarily so.

[0041] According to another embodiment of the invention stage 260 of sharing includes transmitting the media content from the second mobile media player to the first mobile media player while the predefined proximity policy is fulfilled.

[0042] Conveniently, the predefined proximity policy requires that the second mobile media player is located within a predefined content sharing area. Accordingly, stage 260 of sharing can terminate once the second mobile media player exits the predefined content sharing area. [0043] Conveniently, the predefined proximity policy allows the second mobile media player to exit the predefined content sharing area for one or more short duration periods. Accordingly, stage 260 of sharing can continue despite one or more short duration content sharing area violations. [0044] According to an embodiment of the invention once a content sharing area violation is detected an alert (audio and/or visual) can be generated. Accordingly stage 260 can include generating a content sharing area indication and terminating the sharing if the violation is not amended within a predefined time period. [0045] It is noted that the number of allowed violations as well as the duration of each allowed violation can be predefined and that stage 260 can terminate once this number is reached (or is exceeded) and/or once a violation is too long.

[0046] It is noted that the sharing can include streaming the media content, but this is not necessarily so.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the invention multiple mobile media players can share one or more media content. A certain mobile media player can receive certain media content from another mobile media player and also transmit the same media content or other media content to a further mobile media player. [0048] According to an embodiment of the invention a first mobile media player can provide content to a second mobile media player after receiving an acceptance indication from that second mobile media player. A third mobile media player, can provide an acceptance indication to the second mobile media player (while the second and third mobile media players are located within a proximity area) and also receive the media content from the first mobile media player while the predefined proximity policy is fulfilled. For example, the third mobile media player can receive the media

content from the first mobile media player while the first and second mobile media players are located within a predefined content sharing area. It is noted that this mentioned above cascading reception mechanism can operate when more than three mobile media players are involved. [0049] Accordingly, method 200 includes the following optional stages: (i) stage 270 of receiving, by the first mobile media player, an invitation to share an additional media content; wherein the invitation is generated by a third mobile media; (ii) stage 280 of providing, by the first mobile media player, an acceptance indication to the third mobile media player; wherein the third mobile media player is located, during the providing, within a proximity area that is smaller than a reception area of the first mobile media player; and (iii) stage 290 of sharing the other media content while fulfilling a predefined proximity policy.

[0050] Conveniently, the first mobile media player can act as a relay. In such case, stage 220 of transmitting an invitation can include transmitting, by the first mobile media player, an invitation to share media content; wherein the media content is transmitted to the first mobile media player from another mobile media player. In addition, stage 260 can include relaying the media content from the other mobile media player to the second mobile media player. [0051] Conveniently, method 200 includes establishing a virtual media link (VML) established between both mobile media players (also referred to as mlink devices). The establishment can include using one channel for sharing media and a second channel for use during stages 220 and 240. The second channel can also be used to monitor the fulfillment of the predefined proximity policy, for sending alerts and the like. [0052] Figure 2 illustrates method 300 for sharing media content according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0053] Method 300 includes various stages that are conveniently executed by a second mobile media player that receives an invitation to share media content from a first mobile media player. [0054] Method 320 starts by stage 320 of receiving, by the second mobile media player, an invitation to share media content with a first mobile media player. [0055] Conveniently, stage 320 of receiving can include at least one of the following stages, or a combination thereof: (i) receiving an invitation by utilizing an ultrasonic

0805 wave, (ii) receiving an invitation by utilizing a radio frequency link; and (ii) receiving an invitation by utilizing an infrared link.

[0056] It is noted that method 300 can include receiving multiple invitations from one or more mobile media players and selecting between these multiple invitations. The selection can be done automatically, semi-automatically or manually. A manual or semi-automatic selection process requires user intervention. This can involve displaying to the user invitation information and receiving from the user selection information. [0057] Stage 320 is followed by stage 340 of providing an acceptance indication to the first mobile media player, by the second mobile media player, while the first and second mobile media players are located within a proximal area that is smaller than a reception area of the second mobile media player. Conveniently, the reception area of the second mobile media player is a short range reception area. For example, if the mobile media player is integrated within a mobile phone that has short range reception area and a long range reception area then the proximity area is smaller than both short and long range reception areas.

[0058] Conveniently, stage 340 of providing includes providing a proximity indication by the second mobile media player. The proximity indication can be a galvanic proximity indication, a Hall Effect proximity indication, a biometric proximity indication and the like. The biometric proximity indication can be received once a user of the first mobile media player touches the second mobile media player (and especially a dedicated component of the second mobile media player) and his fingerprints are scanned. It is noted that the proximity indication can be regarded as the acceptance indication but according to another embodiment of the invention the acceptance indication should represent a more complex physical manipulation applied on the first mobile phone.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the invention stage 340 includes providing an acceptance indication representative of a gesture that affects at least a location of the second mobile media player. The gesture can represent a physical manipulation applied on the second mobile media player.

[0060] Conveniently, the gesture requires placing the first mobile media player at one or more locations and during one or more time periods such as to differentiate the gesture from merely placing the mobile media players in proximity to each other. For

example, the gesture can include one or more rotations of the second mobile media player about predefined axes, placing the second mobile media player at a certain distance from the first mobile media player for a certain time period (that usually exceeds 1 second), and the like. [0061] It is noted that although the above-mentioned description refers to a manipulation applied on the first mobile media player that both mobile media players can be manipulated in order to generate an acceptance indication. [0062] Stage 340 is followed by stage 360 of sharing media content while a predefined proximity policy is fulfilled. [0063] It is noted that stage 360 can include monitoring a fulfillment of the predefined proximity policy. The monitoring can be solely preformed at least partially by the first mobile media player and, additionally or alternatively, at least partially by the second mobile media player. For example, stage 360 can include monitoring the fulfillment of the predefined proximity policy (by the second mobile media player) and sending to the second mobile media player at least one predefined proximity policy fulfillment indication.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the invention the shared media content can be selected from one or more groups of media content. In order to enable the selection of media content stage 320 of receiving can include receiving a description of the media content and stage 360 can be responsive to media content selection information provided by the first mobile media player. The media content selection information can be provided during stage 340 but this is not necessarily so.

[0065] According to another embodiment of the invention stage 360 of sharing includes transmitting the media content from the first mobile media player to the second mobile media player while the predefined proximity policy is fulfilled.

[0066] Conveniently, the predefined proximity policy requires that the second mobile media player and the first mobile media player are located within a predefined content sharing area. Accordingly, stage 360 of sharing can terminate once the second (or the first) mobile media player exits the predefined content sharing area. [0067] Conveniently, the predefined proximity policy allows the second (or first) mobile media player to exit the predefined content sharing area for one or more short duration periods. Accordingly, stage 360 of sharing can continue despite one or more

5 short duration content area violations. [Oren, is there a predefined maximum area violation which causes termination? Chava]

[0068] Figure 3 illustrates method 400 for sharing media content according to an embodiment of the invention. [0069] According to various embodiments of the invention, a mobile media player can initiate a sharing of media content or can accept invitations to share media content from other mobile media players. The selection of one of these operational modes can be made by the user, by the mobile device itself, and the like.

[0070] Accordingly, method 400 starts either one of stage 410 and 420. [0071] Stage 410 includes determining, by the mobile media player, whether the mobile media player should initiate media sharing or whether it should respond to invitations to share media content. The determination can be responsive to predefined conditions.

[0072] Stage 420 includes receiving an indication (from a user) that indicates whether the mobile media player should operate in one of these modes.

[0073] Assuming that the media player initiating the media content sharing also transmits that media content, stages 310 and 320 define whether to operate the mobile media player as a master or as an audient.

[0074] If the mobile media player should initiate the media sharing then stages 420 and 410 are followed by stage 220-260, otherwise stages 410 and 420 are followed by stages 320-360.

[0075] Figure 4 illustrates system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0076] System 100 includes content source module 110 and a mobile media player

(also referred to as mLink device). It can also include additional components (such as power supply source) which are not shown.

[0077] Content source module 110 can be connected to mobile media player 90, can be included within mobile media player 90 and can be detachably connected to mobile media player 90, but this is not necessarily so. For example, content source module

110 can transmit (via wired and/or wireless channels) media content to mobile media player 90. Yet for another example, content source module 110 can be a local storage unit included within mobile media player 90, can be a removable storage device attached to the mobile media player 90.

[0078] The media content can include, for example movies of any type, audio content, pictures, or a combination thereof.

[0079] The media content is provided to mobile media player 90 via link 100 that can be a wired link (internal to mobile media device 90 or external) or a wireless link. [0080] According to an embodiment of the invention, mobile media player 90 includes a transmitter that is adapted to transmit an invitation to share the media content, a receiver that is adapted to receive an acceptance indication from a second mobile media player located within a proximity area that is smaller than a reception area of the mobile media player; wherein the proximity area and the reception area of the mobile media player at least partially surround the first mobile media player; and a controller, adapted to control a sharing of the media content between the mobile media player and the second mobile media player while fulfilling a predefined proximity policy.

[0081] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is adapted to transmit the media content to the second mobile media player while fulfilling the predefined proximity policy.

[0082] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is adapted to receive the media content from the second mobile media player while fulfilling the predefined proximity policy.

[0083] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is further adapted to monitor a fulfillment of the predefined proximity policy. [0084] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is further adapted to receive at least one predefined proximity policy fulfillment indication from the second mobile media player.

[0085] Conveniently, the transmitter is adapted to transmit a description of the media content. [0086] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is adapted to share the media content in response to media content selection information provided by the second mobile media player.

[0087] Conveniently, the receiver is adapted to receive a galvanic proximity indication, a Hall Effect proximity indication or a biometric proximity indication. [0088] Conveniently, the receiver is adapted to receive an acceptance indication representative of a gesture that affects at least a location of the second mobile media player.

[0089] Conveniently, the transmitter is adapted to transmit an invitation by utilizing ultrasonic waves, a radio frequency link or an infrared link.

[0090] Conveniently, the controller is adapted to control sharing of the media content between the mobile media player and the second mobile media player, while the second mobile media player is located within a predefined content sharing area.

[0091] Conveniently, the controller is adapted to enable the sharing of media content, this despite at least one short duration content sharing area violation. [0092] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is further adapted to determine whether to transmit an invitation or to wait to receive an invitation from another mobile media player.

[0093] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is further adapted to sense an acceptance indication that is at least partially generated by a predefined movement of the second mobile media player. [0094] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is further adapted to: receive an invitation to share another media content; wherein the invitation is generated by a third mobile media; provide an acceptance indication to the third mobile media player; wherein during the providing, the third mobile media player is located within a proximity area that is smaller than a reception area of the first mobile media player; and share the other media content while a predefined proximity policy is fulfilled. [0095] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is further adapted to transmit an invitation to share media content; wherein the media content is transmitted to the first mobile media player from another mobile media player.

[0096] Conveniently, mobile media player 90 is further adapted to relay the media content from the other mobile media player to the second mobile. [0097] Referring back to figure 4, mobile media player 90 includes: (i) a logic module 102, (ii) input module (also referred to as input section) 96, (iii) encoder (also referred to as content encoding) 94, (iv) radio frequency (RF) transmitter 92, (v) RF receiver 120, (vi) decoder (also referred to as content decoding) 122, (vii) proximity sensor 108, (viii) range monitor module (also referred to as range controller) 112, and (ix) a small display, such as button display 104.

[0098] Logic module 102 is connected to RF receiver 120, encoder 94, RF transmitter 92, decoder 122, range controller 112, proximity sensor 108 and button display 104.

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Input module 96 is connected to encoder 94. Decoder 122 is also connected to output module 118.

[0099] When operating in a master mode, media content is received via input module 96, provided to encoder 94 and encoded by encoder, provided to logic module 102 and finally transmitted via RF transmitter 92. It is noted that while the media content is transmitted it can also be provided (via audio and/or visual components or peripherals 114). These peripherals can include an earphone, a speakerphone, a display and the like. It is further noted that the playing can be executed regardless of the transmission of the media content. [00100] Figure 4 illustrates multiple receiving components (RF receiver 102, proximity sensor 108 and even a receiving portion of range monitor module 112) it is noted that the term "receiver" can be regarded as a combination of these receiving components. [00101] Figure 4 illustrates multiple transmitting components (RF transmitter 92, and even a transmitting portion of range monitor module 112) it is noted that the term "transmitter" can be regarded as a combination of these transmittings. [00102] When operating in an audient mode, media content is received by RF receiver 102, sent to logic module 102, sends to decoder 122, decoded by decoder 122 and sent, via output module 118 to peripherals 114. [00103] It is noted that the transmitter and receiver can utilize radiation that differs from radio frequency radiation. For example, they can utilize infrared radiation, ultrasonic waves, wires links, ultra wideband radiation and the like. [00104] Range monitor 112 is capable of monitoring the range between an audient and the master. It can be implemented in several alternative ways, for example by measuring the time of arrival of acoustic signals transponder between the master and the audient. This measurement makes use of the velocity of acoustic waves in free air. The master device sends an ultrasonic signal. Once the signal is detected by the audient device, it immediately sends an "echo" ultrasonic signal back. The master device then detects the "echo" signal, measures the time lapse between a transmission of the signal and a detection of the "echo" signal. This time is directly correlated to the range between the master and the audient, based on the known speed of sound waves in the air.

[00105] The range between the audient and the master is sent to logic module

102 that can determine if a content sharing area violation occurred. If such a violation occurred logic module 102 can send an alert to the other mobile media player, terminate the sharing of media content or enable the sharing despite a short content sharing area violation.

[00106] Conveniently, logic module 102 can maintain a list of audients that receive the media content. An audient can be removed from the list (and a VML to that audient is terminated) if a predefined proximity policy is not fulfilled. [00107] Logic module 102 is adapted to control various operations of mobile media player 90, such as: (i) a transmission of invitations to share media content (this operation is also referred to as a postering process), (ii) a reception of an acceptance indication representative of a gesture (this operation is also referred to as "Kiss" recognition and identification of a "kissing" mlink device), and (iii) sharing the media content with another mobile media player. It is noted that the sharing can include: establishing a VML with another mobile media device that accepted the invitation (the other mobile media player is also referred to as the "kissing" mlink device) and (iv) monitoring a fulfillment of the predefined proximity policy. [00108] Invitations to share the media content can be generated by main logic

102 and then transmitted via RF transmitter 92. It is noted that the invitations can be transmitted via a channel that differs from a channel used to transmit the media content.

[00109] Alternatively or additionally, main logic 102 can detect an invitation

(transmitted from another mobile media device) to share media content. Main logic 102 can also control a generation of an invitation reception indication that can be provided to the user of mobile media player 90. Button display 104 can be used to display such an indication.

[00110] Proximity sensor 108 can sense that another mobile media player is within a proximity area. The proximity sensor 108 can sense the proximity by utilizing the Hall Effect, by sensing a biometric feature of the user of the other mobile media player, by utilizing a galvanic effect, and the like.

[00111] According to an embodiment of the invention mobile media device is adapted to sense a manipulation applied on the other mobile media device. This sensing can include tracking the location, velocity and/or acceleration of the other

000805 mobile media player. This more complex sensing scheme can utilize a proximity sensor such as proximity sensor 108 as well as one other sensor.

[00112] Conveniently, mobile media player can determine an identity of the other mobile media player. This can involve receiving identification information by proximity sensor and/or utilizing other components and/or techniques to gain this information. For example, the proximity sensor based upon Hall Effect does not sense identification information of the other mobile media player. Alternatively, other techniques such as RFID or biometric access control can be used.

[00113] Once the identification information of the other mobile media player is gained, the main logic can create a selective, one-to-one content link.

[00114] The mlink control button 104 may be any type of user-controlled component, such as a switch or button, with or without illumination, or a joystick.

This control item sets and shows the specific mode of the mobile media player.

[00115] Conveniently, a computer readable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for sharing media content is provided. The computer-readable code includes instructions for: transmitting an invitation to share the media content; receiving an acceptance indication from a second mobile media player located within a proximity area that is smaller than a reception area of a first mobile media player; wherein the proximity area and the reception area of the first mobile media player at least partially surround the first mobile media player; and sharing the media content between the first and second mobile media players while a predefined proximity policy is fulfilled.

[00116] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for transmitting the media content to the second mobile media player while the predefined proximity policy is fulfilled.

[00117] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for transmitting the media content to the second mobile media player while playing the media content.

[00118] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for monitoring a fulfillment of the predefined proximity policy.

[00119] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for receiving at least one predefined proximity policy fulfillment indication from the second mobile media player.

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[00120] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for transmitting a description of the media content.

[00121] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for sharing the media content in response to media content selection information provided by the second mobile media player.

[00122] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for receiving the media content from the second mobile media player while the predefined proximity policy is fulfilled.

[00123] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for receiving a galvanic proximity indication.

[00124] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for receiving includes receiving a Hall Effect proximity indication.

[00125] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for receiving a biometric proximity indication. [00126] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for receiving an acceptance indication representative of a gesture that affects at least a location of the second mobile media player.

[00127] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for transmitting an invitation by utilizing ultrasonic waves. [00128] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for transmitting an invitation over a link selected from a group consisting of a radio frequency link and an infrared link.

[00129] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for sharing the media content while the second mobile media player is located within a predefined content sharing area.

[00130] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for sharing the media content despite at least one short duration content area violation.

[00131] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for sharing the media content while determining whether to transmit an invitation or to wait to receive an invitation from another mobile media player.

[00132] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for receiving an acceptance indication is at least partially generated by a predefined movement of the second mobile media player.

0805

[00133] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for: receiving an invitation to share another media content; wherein the invitation is generated by a third mobile media; providing an acceptance indication to the third mobile media player; wherein the third mobile media player is located, during the providing, within a proximity area that is smaller than a reception area of the first mobile media player; and sharing the other media content while a predefined proximity policy is fulfilled.

[00134] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for sharing the media content while transmitting, by the first mobile media player, an invitation to share media content; wherein the media content is transmitted to the first mobile media player from another mobile media player.

[00135] Conveniently, the computer-readable code includes instructions for sharing the media content while relaying the media content from the other mobile media player to the second mobile media player. [00136] The computer readable medium of claim 56, wherein the computer- readable code comprises instructions for controlling, by the first mobile media player, the sharing of the media content.

[00137] The computer readable medium of claim 56, wherein the computer- readable code comprises instructions for receiving media content sharing control signals from the second mobile media player.

[00138] The computer readable medium of claim 56, wherein the computer- readable code comprises instructions for sharing the media content with a third media player while a predefined proximity policy is fulfilled if the third media player sent to the second mobile media player an acceptance indication while the second and third mobile media player are located within a predefined proximity area.

[00139] Variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described herein will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. [00140] Accordingly, the invention is to be defined not by the preceding illustrative description but instead by the spirit and scope of the following claims.