Systems and methods for managing and aggregating media formats

• US 7,519,911 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2001
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Friedman, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong; Stephen S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pitaro; Ryan F
• Application Number:
  US10/038,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20040148362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,661 Days
• Field of Search: 345/716, 345/717, 345/744, 345/745
• US Class Current: 715/752
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Systems and methods remotely aggregate codecs, media player standards, or other media format access data such that a media player resident on a client device can access the content of media files of virtually any media format through a single universal media player having a graphical user interface. Thus, the user need not utilize multiple media players or manually associate of media file types with the appropriate media player. The most recent versions of media formats are maintained remotely such that updates are provided via a network interface between the client device and the remote server. Program modules that generate the universal media player are also remotely managed by the remote server such that the application is continually updated. Whenever a user encounters a media file of a previously unencountered or unsupported media file type, the universal media player retrieves the appropriate media format access data to access the file.

Claims

1. A system for accessing the content of various types of media files using a single interface, comprising:

a client receiver for receiving remote data from a remote device, where the remote data includes remote program modules and remote media format access data that corresponds to a set of remote media formats, wherein the client receiver initiates communication with the remote device;

a client storage unit for storing client data, the client data further comprising;

a roster of client media formats that are accessible by the system;

a set of client media format access data; and

a set of client program modules;

wherein received remote media format access data is stored as client media format access data, and received remote program modules are stored as client program modules;

a client transmitter for transmitting client data to the remote device, wherein client data sent by the transmitter to the remote device includes status information that indicates the status of the client data;

a client processor for executing any of the set of client program modules and for using the client media format access data to access the content of media files, wherein the set of client media format access data comprises at least one codec shared by more than one of the remote media formats and wherein the at least one codec is used to access the content of the media files without previously associating the client media formats with the client program modules; and

a client media format controller for updating the set of client media access data by automatically accessing a plurality of remote devices each of which supports fewer than all the client media access formats supported by the client media format controller so as to add remote media format access data received from the plural remote devices, for replacing client media format access data with corresponding remote media format access data received from the plural remote devices when the existing stored client media access format data is damaged and for deleting client media format access data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the client receiver is for receiving remote data from a remote device when the system encounters a media file that has a media format that is not present in the roster of client media formats, and where the remote data includes remote media format access data that enables the system to access the content of the encountered media file.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein client data transmitted to the remote device includes identifying data and billing information.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a decrypter for decrypting the remote data; and

an encrypter for encrypting the client data prior to transferring the client data to the remote device.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a client program module controller for updating the set of client program modules by adding remote program modules received from the remote device, for replacing client program modules with corresponding remote program modules received from the remote device, and for deleting client program modules.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the client media format controller updates the set of client media formats and associated client media format access data upon receiving an inquiry from at least one remote device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the client program module controller updates the set of client program modules upon receiving an inquiry from the remote device.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a network interface for interfacing with the Internet.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI further comprising:

means for selecting media files to be accessed by the system;

means for controlling the appearance of the GUI, wherein the GUI is customizable such that a user can determine how the GUI is displayed; and

means for controlling the functionality of the GUI, wherein the GUI is customizable such that a user can determine the frequency and manner of data transfers to and from the remote device;

wherein user custom izations are stored in the client storage unit as personalization data.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor accesses the content of media files according to the stored personalization data.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the GUI displays a roster of the set of client media formats in a user-readable format.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the roster includes the status of the client data.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the GUI further comprises a graphic equalizer.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the GUI further comprises a viewing area.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the client transmitter transmits the stored personalization data to the remote device and the remote device stores the personalization data in a remote storage unit.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the client media format controller replaces client media format access data when corresponding remote media format access data is received from the remote device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the client media format controller replaces client media format access data if the corresponding remote media format access data is a newer version.

18. The system of claim 5, wherein the client program module controller replaces a client program module according the personalization data.

19. The system of claim 5, wherein the client program module controller replaces a client program module when a corresponding remote program module is received from the remote device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the client program module controller replaces a client program module if the corresponding remote program module is a newer version.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the client program module controller replaces a client program module if the client program module is damaged.

80. The system of claim 1, further comprising a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein when the GUI accesses at least one of the remote media formats that contains at least one audio component and no visual component, the GUI having a screen configured to become invisible, leaving only a user control visible.

22. A system for maintaining and distributing media formats, comprising:

a remote media format controller for compiling remote media format access data usable for accessing the content of a set of remote media formats when the existing stored remote media access data is damaged, and for updating the remote media format access data by accessing a plurality of remote devices each of which supports fewer than all the remote media formats of the set of remote media formats, wherein the remote media format controller initiates communication with the plurality of remote devices;

a remote program module controller for compiling and updating a set of remote program modules;

a remote storage unit for storing the remote media format access data and the set of remote program modules;

a remote encrypter for encrypting the remote media format access data and the remote program modules; and

a remote transmitter for transmitting remote media format access data and remote program modules to at least one client device that is connected to the communications network;

wherein the set of remote media formats includes at least one commercially available media format wherein the set of remote media format access data comprises at least one codec and wherein the at least one codec shared by more than one of the remote media formats and is used to access the content of media files without previously associating the remote media formats with the remote program modules.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

a remote receiver for receiving client data from the client device; and

a remote decrypter for decrypting the client data.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the remote receiver is for uploading billing and user identification data from the client device.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the remote receiver is for uploading data indicating the status of client media format access data stored on the client device and wherein the remote transmitter is for downloading the remote media format access data to the client device according to the uploaded status data.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the remote receiver is for uploading data indicating the status of client program modules stored on the client device and wherein the remote transmitter is for downloading the remote program modules to the client device according to the uploaded status data.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the remote receiver is for uploading user personalization data, and the remote transmitter is for downloading remote media format access data and remote program modules according the user personalization data.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the personalization data further controls the frequency and manner of downloading and storage of the remote program modules, and the personalization data controls the links to the media files.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the remote storage unit further functions to store the personalization data.

30. A method of displaying content of media files, comprising:

storing a set of client program modules and a set of client media format access data on a client device;

connecting the client device to a communications network;

comparing the set of client media format access data to a set of remote media format access data;

downloading members of a set of remote media format access data when the media format comparison indicates that existing stored remote media format access data is damaged;

storing the members of the set of remote media format access data in the set of client media format access data on the client device;

accessing the content of the media files using the client media format access data, wherein the set of client media format access data comprises at least one codec and wherein the at least one codec is used to access the content of the media files without previously associating client media formats with the client program modules; and

downloading members of the set of remote media format access data from a plurality of remote devices each of which supports fewer than all the remote media format access data according to the personalization data, wherein downloading members of the set of remote media format access data from a plurality of remote devices comprises the client program modules initiating communication with the plurality of remote devices.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

comparing a set of client program modules to a set of remote program modules;

downloading members of a set of remote program modules in response to the program module comparison; and

storing the members of the set of remote program modules in the set of client program modules on the client device.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising decrypting the members of the set of remote media format access data.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising decrypting the members of the set of remote program modules.

34. The method of claim 30, further comprising implementing customizations to the appearance and functionality of a graphical user interface (GUI) and storing the customizations as personalization data.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising transmitting the personalization data to a remote device.

36. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

implementing customizations to the appearance and functionality of the GUI and storing the customizations as personalization data; and

downloading members of the set of remote program modules according to the personalization data.

37. The method of claim 30, further comprising transmitting data to a remote device.

38. The method of claim 30, further comprising transmitting billing and identifying data to the remote device.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein transmitting data further comprises encrypting the data.

40. The method of claim 30, wherein storing the members of the set of remote media format access data further comprises deleting corresponding members of the set of client media format access data previously stored on the client device.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein storing the members of the set of remote program modules further comprises deleting corresponding members of the set of client program modules previously stored on the client device.

42. A method of maintaining and distributing media format access data, comprising:

a set of remote media format access data that is usable to access the content of at least one commercially available media format;

storing the set of remote media format access data on a remote server;

storing additional media format access data in the set of remote media formats by obtaining the additional media format access data from a plurality of remote devices each of which supports fewer than all the media format access data of the set of remote media format access data; and

downloading media format access data to a client device when the existing media access data stored on the client device is damaged, wherein the media format access data comprises at least one codec shared by more than one of the remote media formats and wherein the at least one codec is used to access the content of the at least one commercially available media format without previously associating the at least one commercially available media format with a program module running on the client device, wherein downloading media format access data to a client device comprises the client device initiating communications with the plurality of remote devices to download media format access data.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein obtaining the additional media format access data further comprises retrieving media format access data that have no corresponding members in the set of remote media format access data.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein obtaining the additional media format access data further comprises retrieving media format access data that are newer than the corresponding members of the set of remote media format access data.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising uploading status data from the client device, where the status data indicates the status of a set of client media format access data, and wherein downloading data to the client device further comprises downloading data to the client device according to the status data.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein downloading data comprises transmitting the data over the Internet.

47. The method of claim 42, further comprising uploading billing and identifying data from the client device.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein uploading status data further comprises uploading a result of a comparison of the set of remote media format access data to the set of client media format access data.

49. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

compiling a set of remote program modules;

storing the set of remote program modules on the remote server; and

storing additional remote program modules on the remote server by adding program modules that have no corresponding members in the set of remote program modules;

downloading program modules from the set of remote program modules to the client device according to the status data;

wherein the status data further indicates the status of a set of client program modules.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the status data further includes user personalization data.

51. The method of claim 49, further comprising encrypting data downloaded from the remote server.

52. The method of claim 49, further comprising decrypting data uploaded to the remote server.

53. The method of claim 42, wherein downloading data to the client device is initiated by the remote server.

54. The method of claim 42, wherein downloading data to the client device is initiated by the client device.

55. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable code which causes a machine to perform a method of displaying content of media files, the method comprising:

storing a set of client program modules and a set of client media format access data on a client device;

connecting the client device to a communications network;

comparing the set of client media format access data to a set of remote media format access data;

downloading members of a set of remote media format access data from a plurality of remote devices each of which supports fewer than all member of the set of remote media format access data, when the media format comparison indicates that existing stored remote media format access data is damaged, wherein downloading member of a set of remote media format access data comprises the client device initiating communication with the plurality of remote devices;

storing the members of the set of remote media format access data in the set of client media format access data on the client device; and

accessing the content of the media files using the client media format access data, wherein the set of client media format access data comprises at least one codec shared by more than one of the media files and wherein the at least one codec is used to access the content of the media files without previously associating client media formats with the client program modules.

56. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein the method further comprises:

comparing a set of client program modules to a set of remote program modules;

downloading members of a set of remote program modules in response to the program module comparison; and

storing the members of the set of remote program modules in the set of client program modules on the client device.

57. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein the method further comprises decrypting the members of the set of remote media format access data.

58. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein the method further comprises decrypting the members of the set of remote program modules.

59. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein the method further comprises implementing customizations to the appearance and functionality of a graphical user interface (GUI) and storing the customizations as personalization data.

60. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein the method further comprises transmitting the personalization data to a remote device.

61. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein the method further comprises downloading members of the set of remote media format access data according to the personalization data.

62. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein the method further comprises:

implementing customizations to the appearance and functionality of the GUI and storing the customizations as personalization data; and

downloading members of the set of remote program modules according to the personalization data.

63. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein the method further comprises transmitting data to the remote device.

64. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein the method further comprises transmitting billing and identifying data to the remote device.

65. The machine readable medium of claim 63, wherein transmitting data further comprises encrypting the data.

66. The machine readable medium of claim 55, wherein storing the members of the set of remote media format access data further comprises deleting corresponding members of the set of client media format access data previously stored on the client device;

and wherein storing the members of the set of remote program modules further comprises deleting corresponding members of the set of client program modules previously stored on the client device.

67. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable code which causes a machine to perform a method for maintaining and distributing media format access data, the method comprising:

compiling a set of remote media format access data that is usable to access the content of at least one commercially available media format;

storing the set of remote media format access data on a remote server;

storing additional media format access data in the set of remote media formats by obtaining the additional media format access data from a plurality of remote devices each of which supports fewer than all members of the set of remote media format access data; and

downloading media format access data to a client device when the existing media access data stored on the client device is damaged, wherein the media format access data comprises at least one codec and wherein the at least one codec is used to access the content of the at least one commercially available media format without previously associating the at least one commercially available media format with a program module running on the client device, wherein downloading media format access data comprises the client device initiating communication with the plurality of remote devices.

68. The machine readable medium of claim 67, wherein obtaining the additional media format access data further comprises retrieving media format access data that have no corresponding members in the set of remote media format access data.

69. The machine readable medium of claim 67, wherein obtaining the additional media format access data further comprises retrieving media format access data that are newer than the corresponding members of the set of remote media format access data.

70. The machine readable medium of claim 67, wherein the method further comprises uploading status data from the client device, where the status data indicates the status of a set of client media format access data, and wherein downloading data to the client device further comprises downloading data to the client device according to the status data.

71. The machine readable medium of claim 67, wherein downloading data comprises transmitting the data over the Internet.

72. The machine readable medium of claim 67, wherein the method further comprises uploading billing and identifying data from the client device.

73. The machine readable medium of claim 70, wherein uploading status data further comprises uploading a result of a comparison of the set of remote media format access data to the set of client media format access data.

74. The machine readable medium of claim 67, wherein the method further comprises:

compiling a set of remote program modules;

storing the set of remote program modules on the remote server; and

storing additional remote program modules on the remote server by adding program modules that have no corresponding members in the set of remote program modules;

downloading program modules from the set of remote program modules to the client device according to the status data;

wherein the status data further indicates the status of a set of client program modules.

75. The machine readable medium of claim 74, wherein the status data further includes user personalization data.

76. The machine readable medium of claim 74, wherein the method further comprises encrypting data downloaded from the remote server.

77. The machine readable medium of claim 74, wherein the method further comprises decrypting data uploaded to the remote server.

78. The machine readable medium of claim 67, wherein downloading data to the client device is initiated by the remote server.

79. The machine readable medium of claim 67, wherein downloading data to the client device is initiated by the client device.