Methods and apparatus for communication media commands and data using the HTTP protocol

• US 7,664,871 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: del Val, David, Klemets, Anders E.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUOC H
• Application Number:
  US11/068,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20050198364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,814 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709217-219, 709/230, 709/231
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols

Abstract

A method for employing a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP protocol) for transmitting streamed digital media data from a server. The server is configured for coupling to a client computer via a computer network. The method includes receiving at the server from the client an HTTP POST request. The POST request requests a first portion of the digital media data and includes a request header and a request entity-body. The request entity body includes a media command for causing the first portion of the digital media data to be sent from the server to the client. The method further includes sending an HTTP response to the client from the server. The HTTP response includes a response header and a response entity body. The response entity body includes at least a portion of the fast portion of the digital media data.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) POST request at a server, the POST request requesting streamed digital media data and comprising a request header and a request entity body, the request entity body comprising a media command for causing the streamed digital media data to be sent from the server to a client, the media command comprising at least one of a server name that identifies the server, a port usable to establish a control connection, a name of streamed digital media data, a stop command, a play command, a fast forward command, a rewind command, a pause command, or an unpause command;

sending an HTTP response to the client from the server, the HTTP response comprising a response header and a response entity body, the response entity body comprising at least a portion of the first portion of the streamed digital media data; and

prior to receiving the HTTP POST request;

receiving, by the server, an inquiry from the client inquiring whether a HTTP proxy is required to receive the streamed digital media data;

waiting for the client to obtain data relating to the HTTP proxy when the HTTP proxy is required; and

accessing the HTTP proxy to facilitate communication between the client and the server when the HTTP proxy is required.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the digital media data comprises video data.

3. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs a method comprising:

receiving, by a server, a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) POST request, the POST request requesting streamed digital media data and comprising a request header and a request entity body, the request entity body comprising a media command for causing the streamed digital media data to be sent from the server to a client, the media command comprising at least one of a server name that identifies the server, a port usable to establish a control connection, a name of streamed digital media data, a stop command, a play command, a fast forward command, a rewind command, a pause command, or an unpause command;

sending an HTTP response to the client from the server, the HTTP response comprising a response header and a response entity body, the response entity body comprising at least a portion of the first portion of the streamed digital media data; and

prior to receiving the HTTP POST request;

receiving, by the server, an inquiry from the client inquiring whether a HTTP proxy is required to receive the streamed digital media data;

waiting for the client to obtain data relating to the HTTP proxy when the HTTP proxy is required; and

accessing the HTTP proxy to facilitate communication between the client and the server when the HTTP proxy is required.

4. A medium as recited in claim 3, wherein the digital media data comprises video data.

5. A client system, comprising:

a sender configured to send a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP protocol) POST request requesting a first portion of the digital media data and comprising a media command for causing the first portion of the digital media data to be sent from a server system to the client system, the media command comprising at least one of-a server name that identifies the server, a port usable to establish a control connection, a name of streamed digital media data, a stop command, a play command, a fast forward command, a rewind command, a pause command, or an unpause command;

a receiver configured to receive an HTTP response to the client system from the server system, the HTTP comprising at least a portion of the first portion of the digital media data, wherein the digital media data comprises multimedia data, and

prior to receiving the HTTP POST request;

receiving an inquiry from the sender inquiring whether a HTTP proxy is required to receive the streamed digital media data;

waiting for the sender to obtain data relating to the HTTP proxy when the HTTP proxy is required; and

accessing the HTTP proxy to facilitate communication between the sender and the receiver when the HTTP proxy is required.

6. A system as recited in claim 5, wherein the digital media data comprises audio data.

7. A system as recited in claim 5, wherein the digital media data comprises video data.

8. A server system, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP protocol) POST request requesting a first portion of the digital media data and comprising a media command for causing the first portion of the digital media data to be sent from the server system to a client system, the media command comprising at least one of-a server name that identifies the server, a port usable to establish a control connection, a name of streamed digital media data, a stop command, a play command, a fast forward command, a rewind command, a pause command, or an unpause command;

a sender configured to send an HTTP response to the client system from the server system, the HTTP comprising at least a portion of the first portion of the digital media data, wherein the digital media data comprises multimedia data; and

prior to receiving the HTTP POST reguest;

receiving an inquiry from the sender inquiring whether a HTTP proxy is required to receive the streamed digital media data;

waiting for the sender to obtain data relating to the HTTP proxy when the HTTP proxy is required; and

accessing the HTTP proxy to facilitate communication between the sender and the receiver when the HTTP proxy is required.

9. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein the digital media data comprises audio data.

10. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein the digital media data comprises video data.