Enhanced system for content continuation and handoff

Abstract

A content delivery system and method for use with plurality of digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems spanning across one or more network environments. The system and method enable users with freedom of mobility while maintaining access to the user's selected content while the user transitions from one device in one location to a different device in a difference location, substantially without interruption and without the need for user action to turn on and off these target data processing systems. The Instant Invention can provide high bandwidth content delivery solutions based upon hardware and software components by activating a target device while the system is proximate to the target device and, in one embodiment, automatically redirecting the content while the system is proximate to a new target device without user intervention. The target devices include digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems including, but not limited to, HDTVs, TV, Personal Computers, digital music systems, printers, radios, and fax machines.

Having thus described the inventions, what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A data processing apparatus, comprising:
 a processor, a storage device, an output unit, and a proximity detection circuit, which are collectively coupled for communicating content with a target device;   the storage device is coupled to the processor, and for storing at least:
 a content, at least some of the content is stored in a buffer for communicating content to the target device; and 
 target device characteristics, including a characteristic of the target device is registered for communication with the processor; 
   the proximity detection circuit to detect proximity to the target device and provide to the processor a target device indication indicating the proximity of the target device, and to cease providing the target device indication when the proximity of the target device is not detected; and   the processor causing the content to be communicated from the storage device to the output unit and upon receiving the target device indication and a signal indicating a user's desire to transfer the content to the target device, the processor suspending the communication of the content only to the output unit and then transferring at least some of the content from the buffer to the target device in accordance with the characteristic of the target device for displaying the content from the storage device on the target device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal comes from the data processing apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the signal comes from the target device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the data processing apparatus is storing some of the content in the buffer while suspending the communication of the content only to the output unit. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least some of the said content stored in the buffer is included with the content being transferred to the target device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the data processing apparatus is storing some of the content in the buffer while transferring the content to the target device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of the said content stored in the buffer is included with the content being transferred to the target device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the storage device is local and coupled to the processor via a local bus. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the storage device is remote and coupled to the processor via a network. 
     
     
         10 . A data processing apparatus, comprising:
 a processor, a storage device, an output unit, and a proximity detection circuit, which are collectively coupled for communicating content with a target device after registration for communication with the processor;   the storage device is coupled to the processor, and for storing at least:
 an indication of a content; 
   the proximity detection circuit to detect proximity to the target device and provide to the processor a target device indication indicating the proximity of the target device, and to cease providing the target device indication when the proximity of the target device is not detected; and   the processor causing the content corresponding to the indication of the content to be communicated to the output unit and upon receiving the target device indication and a signal indicating a user's desire to transfer the content to the target device, the processor suspending the communication of the content only to the output unit and then transferring an indication of the content to the target device for displaying the content on the target device.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the signal comes from the data processing apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the signal comes from the target device. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the storage device is local and coupled to the processor via a local bus. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the storage device is remote and coupled to the processor via a network. 
     
     
         15 . A data processing apparatus, comprising:
 a processor, a storage device, an output unit, and a proximity sensor, which are collectively coupled for communicating content with a target device;   wherein the storage device is coupled to the processor, and for storing at least an indication of a content;   wherein the proximity sensor is capable to detect proximity to the target device and provides to the processor a target device indication indicating the proximity of the target device, and ceases providing the target device indication when the proximity of the target device is not detected;   wherein the processor accesses at least some of the content corresponding to the indication of the content, and transfers at least some of the content to the output unit for display;   wherein, upon receiving the target device indication of the target device and receiving a signal indicating a user's desire to transfer at least some of the content to the target device, the processor ceases transferring the content only to the output unit and instead transfers an indication of the content to the target device for displaying the content on the target device.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the signal comes from the data processing apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the signal comes from the target device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the storage device is local and coupled to the processor via a local bus. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the storage device is remote and coupled to the processor via a network.