Methods and apparatus for transferring media across a network using a network interface device
First Claim
1. A method for transferring at least one digital media item across a network using a network bridge, said method comprising:
- using a mass storage protocol and an Internet Protocol (IP) layer,determining, by using a network bridge, at least one media source available on said network;
using a host device protocol,receiving, from a host device at said network bridge, a file system request in accordance with a mass storage protocol, the mass storage protocol for storing files in a file system format of a mass storage file system of said network bridge;
translating, by using the network bridge, said file system request to a request for a transfer, by using the IP layer, of at least one digital media item, such that the request for the transfer of the at least one digital media item is generated within the network bridge without the need for knowledge by the media source of the host device protocol, the request identifying at least one file and its associated location in at least one directory of the mass storage file system, the at least one file being associated with the at least one digital media item;
loading 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.
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Accused Products
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.
164 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for transferring at least one digital media item across a network using a network bridge, said method comprising:
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using a mass storage protocol and an Internet Protocol (IP) layer, determining, by using a network bridge, at least one media source available on said network; using a host device protocol, receiving, from a host device at said network bridge, a file system request in accordance with a mass storage protocol, the mass storage protocol for storing files in a file system format of a mass storage file system of said network bridge; translating, by using the network bridge, said file system request to a request for a transfer, by using the IP layer, of at least one digital media item, such that the request for the transfer of the at least one digital media item is generated within the network bridge without the need for knowledge by the media source of the host device protocol, the request identifying at least one file and its associated location in at least one directory of the mass storage file system, the at least one file being associated with the at least one digital media item; loading 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A network interface device comprising:
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a network interface module for identifying by using an Internet Protocol (IP) layer, at least one media source available on said network, a host device interface module for receiving, from a host device, at least one file system request in accordance with a mass storage protocol, the mass storage protocol for storing files in a file system format of a mass storage file system of said network interface device; a host device protocol interface module for translating said file system request to a request for a transfer, by using the IP layer, of at least one digital media item, such that the request for the transfer of the at least one digital media item is generated within the network interface device without the need for knowledge by the media source of the host device protocol, the request identifying at least one file and its associated location in at least one directory of the mass storage file system, the at least one file being associated with the at least one digital media item; the network interface device thereby configured for operation by using a host device protocol, the mass storage protocol, and the IP layer; 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 network interface device to said host device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for transferring at least one digital media item across a network by using a network bridge, said method comprising:
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using a mass storage protocol and an Internet Protocol (IP) layer, determining, by using the network bridge, at least one media destination device available on said network; using a host device protocol, receiving, from a host device at said network bridge, a file system request to write digital media in accordance with the mass storage protocol, the mass storage protocol for storing files in a file system format of a mass storage file system of said network bridge; translating said file system request to a request to upload, by using the IP layer, at least one digital media item, such that the request to upload the digital media item is generated within the network bridge without the need for knowledge by the media source of the host device protocol, the request including a location, in a directory of the mass storage file system, to upload the at least one digital media item; loading 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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification