Universal decoder for use in a network media player

• US 20030033449A1
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Nadeski, Mark, Kridner, Jason, Frantz, Gene A., Gelabert, Pedro
• Granted Patent: US 7,240,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4437 Implementing a Virtual Machine [VM] virtual machines in general G06F9/45533
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8193 dedicated tools, e.g. video decoder software or IPMP tool

Abstract

A media player coupled to a network contains a processor, non-volatile memory, volatile memory, a driver, and input and output ports. The media player receives a media file over the network that contains an encoded media stream and a universal decoder. The player'"'"'s processor converts or translates (or otherwise generates) the universal decoder into a player-specific decoder which may differ from the universal decoder. A library of routines stored in the non-volatile memory is used to create the player-specific decoder. The media stream downloaded to the media player may comprise audio, video, or any other desired type of media. In this manner, each media player can generate a decoder that differs, not only from the universal decoder, but may also differ from other media players thereby alleviating the burden on the media source from having to download the encoded media with a decoder specific to the target media player.

Claims

1. A media player which can be coupled to a network, comprising:

a processor;

an input port coupled to said processor which receives encoded media and a universal decoder; and

a driver coupled to said memory which provides decoded media to an output device;

said processor generates a player-specific decoder based on said universal decoder, said player-specific decoder used to decode said encoded media.

2. The media player of claim 1, wherein said encoded media comprises encoded audio and said driver generates audio electrical signals based on said decoded media.

3. The media player of claim 1, wherein said encoded media comprises encoded video and said driver generates video electrical signals based on said decoded media.

4. The media player of claim 1, wherein said encoded media comprises encoded audio and video and said driver generates video electrical signals based on said decoded media.

5. The media player of claim 1 further including a library of routines executable by said processor, said processor uses said library of routines to generate a player-specific decoder.

6. The media player of claim 1 further including memory coupled to said processor in which said processor stores said player-specific decoder.

7. The media player of claim 1 further including memory coupled to said processor in which said processor stores the decoded media.

8. The media player of claim 7 wherein said driver retrieves said decoded media from said memory.

9. The media player of claim 1 further including a read only memory and interpreter software executable by said processor which, when executed, causes said processor to generate the player-specific decoder, said interpreter software stored in said read only memory.

10. The media player of claim 9 further including a library of routines stored in said read only memory and executable by said processor, said processor uses said library of routines to generate a player-specific decoder.

11. A method of providing a media stream to a user of a media player, comprising:

(a) receiving an encoded media stream;

(b) receiving a universal decoder associated with said encoded media stream;

(c) converting said universal decoder to a media player-specific format; and

(d) using said player-specific decoder to decode said encoded media stream.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said encoded media stream comprises encoded audio.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said encoded media stream comprises encoded video.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said encoded media stream comprises encoded audio and video.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein (c) includes using a library of routines.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the encoded media stream and universal decoder are received over a network.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the encoded media stream and universal decoder are received over the Internet.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the encoded media stream and universal decoder are received from a storage medium.

19. The method of claim 11 further including generating electrical signals indicative of said decoded media stream.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said electrical signals represent audio and are provided to an audio output device.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said electrical signals represent video and are provided to a video output device.

22. A method of providing a media stream to a user of a media player, comprising:

(a) receiving an encoded media stream from a network;

(b) receiving a universal decoder associated with said encoded media stream from the network;

(c) translating said universal decoder to a player-specific format that is different from the universal decoder;

(d) using a library of decoding routines in (c);

(e) using said player-specific decoder to decode said encoded media stream;

(f) generating electrical signals representative of said decoded media stream; and

(g) providing said electrical signals to an output device.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said media stream comprises audio.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein said media stream comprises video.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein said media stream comprises audio and video.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein network comprises the Internet.

27. A media player which can be coupled to a network, comprising:

an input port which receives an encoded media stream and a universal decoder;

a means for generating a player-specific decoder based on said universal decoder, said player-specific decoder used to decode said encoded media stream; and

a means for providing decoded media to an output device.

28. A media player coupled to a network, comprising:

a processor;

an input port coupled to said processor which receives encoded media and a universal decoder;

a read only memory coupled to and readable by processor containing interpreter software and a library of routines executable by said processor;

a volatile memory coupled to said processor;

an output port; and

a driver coupled to said memory which provides decoded media to said output device;

wherein said processor executes said interpreter software and said library of routines to generate a player-specific decoder based on said universal decoder, said player-specific decoder stored in said volatile memory and used to decode said encoded media; and

wherein said decoded media is stored in said volatile memory.

29. A media system, comprising:

a network containing a file which includes an encoded media stream and a universal decoder; and

a media player coupled to said network and comprising;

a processor; and

an input port coupled to said processor which receives said file;

wherein said processor uses a library of routines to translate said universal decoder into a player-specific decoder, said player-specific decoder used to decode said encoded media.

30. The media system of claim 29 wherein said media stream comprises audio.

31. The media system of claim 29 wherein said media stream comprises video.

32. A method of providing a media stream to a user of a media player, comprising:

receiving an encoded media stream;

receiving a decoder associated with said encoded media stream;

using said decoder to decode said encoded media stream.