Methods and apparatus for transferring media across a network using a network interface device

• US 20070282969A1
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Solutions Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rovi Solutions Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Putterman, Daniel, Peters, Gregory, Dietrich, Bradley
• Granted Patent: US 7,929,551 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/116 Details of conversion of file system types or formats
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/13 File access structures, e.g. distributed indices arrangements of input from, or output to, record carriers G06F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1013 Network architectures, gateways, control or user entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/75 Media network packet handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561

Abstract

A network bridge connects a host device, such as digital media player, cell phone or camera, to content sources over a network to permit the host device to transmit or receive digital media. The network bridge includes a network interface module that identifies at least one media source as well as digital media available on the network. A host device interface module receives, from the host device, file system requests in accordance with a protocol, such as a mass storage protocol. In response to the request, a host device protocol interface module on the network bridge translates the file system request to a request for digital media. The network interface module acquires digital media from the media source, and the host device interface module transfers the digital media to the host device in accordance with the interface protocol. The network bridge may connect to one or more services that provide content to the host device. For example, the services may be accessible over the Internet. In other embodiments, the network bridge implements protocols to add functionality to the host device.

Claims

1. A method for transferring at least one digital media item across a network using a network bridge, said method comprising:

determining, using a network bridge, at least one media source available on said network;

receiving, from a host device at said network bridge, at a least one file system request in accordance with a mass storage protocol;

translating said file system request to a request for at least one digital media item;

transferring said digital media item from said media source to said network bridge; and

transferring said digital media item from said network bridge to said host device.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein translating said file system request comprises:

generating a content directory based on digital media available over said network;

generating a content directory that organizes said digital media available over said network; and

presenting said content directory to said host device in accordance with said file system protocol.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein presenting said content directory to said host device comprises presenting said content directory as directory information in said file system.

4. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein presenting said content directory to said host device comprises presenting digital media as files in said file system.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wireless network interface operates in accordance with a WiFi standard.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said host device comprises a portable audio-video player.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said host device comprises a digital camera.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said host device comprises a cell phone.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said network interface comprises a wireless network interface.

10. A network interface device comprising:

network interface module for identifying, at least one media source available on said network,

host device interface module for receiving, from a host device, at a least one file system request in accordance with a mass storage protocol;

host device protocol interface module for translating said file system request to a request for at least one digital media item;

said network interface module for receiving said digital media item from said media source; and

said host device interface module for transferring said digital media item from said to said host device.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said host device interface module further for generating a content directory based on digital media available over said network, generating a content directory that organizes said digital media available over said network, and for presenting said content directory to said host device in accordance with said file system protocol.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said host device interface module further for presenting said content directory as directory information in said file system.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said host device interface module further for presenting digital media as files in said file system.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said network interface module comprises a wireless network interface module for operation in accordance with a WiFi standard.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said host device comprises a portable audio-video player.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said host device comprises a digital camera.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said host device comprises a cell phone.

18. A method for transferring at least one digital media item across a network using a network bridge, said method comprising:

determining, using a network bridge, at least one media destination device available on said network;

receiving, from a host device at said network bridge, at a least one file system request to write digital media in accordance with a mass storage protocol;

translating said file system request to a request to write at least one digital media item;

transferring said digital media item from said host device to said network bridge; and

transferring said digital media item from said network bridge to said media destination device.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said host device comprises a portable audio-video player.

20. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said host device comprises a digital camera.

21. The method as set forth in claim 18, wherein said host device comprises a cell phone.