Media processing methods and arrangements

Abstract

The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content (electronic and physical) and with other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology allow users to easily transfer displayed content from cell phone screens onto a television screens for easier viewing, or vice versa for content portability. Others enable users to participate interactively in entertainment content, such as by submitting plot directions, audio input, character names, etc., yielding more engaging, immersive, user experiences. Still other aspects of the technology involve a program directory database, compiled automatically from information reported by network nodes that watch and identify content traffic passing into (and/or out of) networked computers. By identifying content resident at a number of different repositories (e.g., web sites, TV networks, P2P systems, etc.), such a directory allows cell phone users to identify the diversity of sources from which desired content can be obtained—some available on a scheduled basis, others available on demand. Depending on the application, the directory information may be transparent to the user—serving to identify sources for desired content, from which application software can pick for content downloading, based, e.g., on context and stored profile data. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method comprising the acts:
 at a distributor of video entertainment content, receiving video entertainment content from a source thereof;   detecting digital watermark or fingerprint identification data from the received video entertainment content;   by reference to the detected identification data, reporting presence of such content at the distributor to a remote program directory database;   also reporting scheduling information to the remote program directory database, the scheduling information specifying a schedule by which the video entertainment content is to be made available to the public;   wherein such reports allow automatic compilation of a program directory database usable by the public to identify sources and schedules for obtaining video entertainment content.   
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A system for transferring video entertainment content from a first screen to a second screen, the system including a cell phone including one of said screens and an associated processor, the system further including a second processor associated with the second screen, the system further comprising a memory containing instructions for configuring one of said processors to present a user interface control that can be activated by a user to initiate transfer of video entertainment content from the first screen to the second screen, the system further including means, responsive to said user interface control, for transferring the video entertainment content from the first screen to the second screen. 
     
     
         6 . A method of involving a user in video entertainment content, comprising the acts:
 presenting video entertainment content to the user;   receiving user input, submitted through a user cell phone; and   adapting the video entertainment content in accordance with said received user input.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the user input comprises audio. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the user input comprises audio, and the video entertainment content is adapted by including at least a portion of said audio in said content. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the user input comprises gestural input issued by user movement of the cell phone.