System and related interfaces supporting the processing of media content

• US 7,757,240 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Rudolph, Eric H., Miller, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sough; Hyung S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anya; Charles E
• Application Number:
  US11/134,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20050216592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,880 Days
• Field of Search: 719/312, 386/124
• US Class Current: 719/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols

Abstract

A software enabled, matrix switch is presented wherein a scalable plurality of inputs, coupled to media content sources, provide media content which is recursively routed through select media processing object(s) coupled to a scalable plurality of matrix switch outputs in accordance with a user-defined media processing project.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating the processing of media content, the computer-implemented method comprising:

dynamically coupling a scalable plurality of inputs to select source(s) to receive media content based in part on media time and/or project time, wherein the scalable plurality of inputs are part of a software-implemented matrix switch;

dynamically coupling a scalable plurality of outputs to select object(s) based in part on media time and/or project time, wherein the scalable plurality of outputs are part of the software-implemented matrix switch and wherein the software-implemented matrix switch recursively routes media content through the select object(s) to manipulate the received media content in accordance with a user-defined media processing project; and

sharing, among the scalable plurality of inputs and outputs, a memory space, to receive and buffer media content from various sources until presentation to one of the plurality of outputs, wherein the memory space is comprised of two segments, a first segment dedicated to the scalable plurality of inputs and a second segment dedicated to the scalable plurality of outputs and wherein the memory space enables a filter graph manager to process media content related tasks ahead of schedule.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second segment is dedicated to a primary output which is coupled to a rendering object.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second segment is dedicated to an independent output processing thread supporting the rendering object.

4. A computer having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed, implement a method comprising:

dynamically coupling a scalable plurality of inputs to select source(s) to receive media content based in part on media time and/or project time, wherein the scalable plurality of inputs are part of a software-implemented matrix switch;

dynamically coupling a scalable plurality of outputs to select object(s) based in part on media time and/or project time, wherein the scalable plurality of outputs are part of the software-implemented matrix switch and wherein the software-implemented matrix switch recursively routes media content through the select object(s) to manipulate the received media content in accordance with a user-defined media processing project; and

sharing, among the scalable plurality of inputs and outputs, a memory space, to receive and buffer media content from various sources until presentation to one of the plurality of outputs, wherein the memory space is comprised of two segments, a first segment dedicated to the scalable plurality of inputs and a second segment dedicated to the scalable plurality of outputs and wherein the memory space enables a filter graph manager to process media content related tasks ahead of schedule.

5. The computer of claim 4, wherein the second segment is dedicated to a memory output which is coupled to a rendering object.

6. The computer of claim 5, wherein the second segment is dedicated to an independent output processing thread supporting the rendering object.

7. A system comprising:

means for implementing a matrix switch for processing media content in accordance with a user-defined media processing project, the matrix switch comprising;

a scalable plurality of inputs dynamically coupleable to select source(s) to receive media content; and

a scalable plurality of outputs dynamically coupleable to select object(s);

means for dynamically coupling one or more of the inputs to one or more of the sources to receive the media content based in part on media time and/or project time;

means for dynamically coupling one or more of the outputs to the select object(s) based in part on media time and/or project time, to recursively route media content through the select object(s) to manipulate the received media content in accordance with the user-defined media processing project; and

means for providing a memory space and sharing the memory space among the plurality of inputs and outputs effective to receive and buffer media content from various sources until presentation to one of the plurality of outputs, wherein said act of providing comprises providing at least two memory space segments, a first of which is dedicated to the scalable plurality of inputs, a second of which is dedicated to the scalable plurality of outputs and wherein the memory space enables a filter graph manager to process media content related tasks ahead of schedule.