Internet protocol based media streaming solution

• US 8,209,398 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exceptional Innovation, Inc. (ST Holdings Topco LLC)
• Original Assignee: Exceptional Innovation, LLC (ST Holdings Topco LLC)
• Inventors: Moorer, Seale, Eichensehr, Eric, Love, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing
• Assistant Examiner(s): YI, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US11/686,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20070220165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,930 Days
• Field of Search: 709/231
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1059 End-user terminal functionalities specially adapted for real-time communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast

Abstract

A system and method for streaming media data in a Web Service environment between two or more units are disclosed. The first unit processes the media data for transfer, using a media streaming application. A network implemented with Web Service transfers the processed media data using a real-time media streaming protocol. The second unit renders the processed media data for playback, using the media streaming application.

Claims

1. A method of streaming media data in a Web Service environment, comprising the steps of:

implementing a first media device and a second media device with a filter-based media streaming framework and a Web Service for Devices (WSD) interface;

establishing a network between the first media device and the second media device;

processing media data at the first media device for transfer using the filter-based media streaming framework;

transferring the processed media data from the first media device to the second media device via the network according to a real-time media streaming protocol; and

rendering the processed media data at the second media device using the filter-based media streaming framework,

wherein the WSD interface implemented to the first and second media devices enables communication between the first and second media devices via the network according to a WSD protocol, the WSD protocol comprising;

a first communication layer configured to logically interface at least one client, the at least one client configured to control a plurality of devices comprising the first and second media devices;

a second communication layer configured to physically interface the plurality of devices; and

a service provider layer comprising one or more components provided corresponding to one or more device categories, respectively, each component including at least one of the plurality of devices of the same device category;

wherein the filter-based media streaming framework comprises at least one of a filter to read the media data from a file or input, a filter to decode the media data, a filter to transform the media data, and a filter to render the media data; and

wherein each component comprises;

one or more Web Services provided corresponding to one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, respectively, each Web Service configured to function as a Web Service host for the corresponding device;

one or more device bridges provided corresponding to the one or more Web Services, respectively, each device bridge configured to translate communication between the corresponding Web Service and device; and

a controller configured to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

implementing the at least one client and the plurality of devices with the WSD interface; and

connecting the at least one client and the plurality of devices to the network,

wherein the at least one client comprises at least one of a TV, a personal computer, a personal digital assistance, a control panel, and a game controller, and the plurality of devices further comprise at least one of an audio system, a video system, an intercom system, a lighting system, a security system, and a HVAC system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the real-time media streaming protocol comprises an internet real-time transport protocol (RTP).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the media data comprises at least one of audio data and video data.

5. A system for streaming media data in a Web Service environment, comprising:

a first media device implemented with Web Service for Devices (WSD) interface and a filter-based media streaming framework for processing media data for transfer; and

a second media device implemented with the WSD interface and the filter- based media streaming framework application for rendering the processed media data for playback; and

a network connected to the first media device and the second media device for transferring the processed media data according to a real-time media streaming protocol,

wherein the WSD interface implemented to the first and second media devices enables communication between the first and second media devices via the network according to a WSD protocol, the WSD protocol comprising;

a first communication layer configured to logically interface at least one client, the at least one client configured to control a plurality of devices comprising the first and second media devices;

a second communication layer configured to physically interface the plurality of devices; and

a service provider layer comprising one or more components provided corresponding to one or more device categories, respectively, each component including at least one of the plurality of devices of the same device category;

wherein the filter-based media streaming framework comprises at least one of a filter to read the media data from a file or input, a filter to decode the media data, a filter to transform the media data, and a filter to render the media data; and

wherein each component comprises;

one or more Web Services provided corresponding to one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, respectively, each Web Service configured to function as a Web Service host for the corresponding device;

one or more device bridges provided corresponding to the one or more Web Services, respectively, each device bridge configured to translate communication between the corresponding Web Service and device; and

a controller configured to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category.

6. An automation system comprising the system of claim 5, wherein the at least one client comprises at least one of a TV, a personal computer, a personal digital assistance, a control panel, and a game controller, and the plurality of devices further comprise at least one of an audio system, a video system, an intercom system, a lighting system, a security system, and a HVAC system.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the real-time media streaming protocol comprises an internet real-time transport protocol (RTP).

8. The system of claim 5, wherein each of said first and second media devices comprises:

a network interface connected to the network; and

a processor running an operating system (OS), the WSD interface and the filter-based media streaming framework.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the media data comprises at least one of audio data and video data.

10. An access point for streaming media data in a Web Service environment, comprising:

a processor running an operating system (OS), a Web Service for Devices (WSD) interface and a filter-based media streaming framework for performing at least one of processing out-bound media data for transfer and rendering in-bound media data for playback;

a media terminal configured to interface an external media device, wherein the media terminal performs at least one of receiving the out-bound media data from the external media device and sending the in-bound media data rendered by the media streaming application to the external media device; and

a network interface connected to a network and configured to perform at least one of transferring the out-bound media data from the access point and transferring the in-bound media data to the access point according to a real-time media streaming protocol,

wherein the WSD interface implemented to the access point enables communication between the access point and any media or non-media device connected to the network and implemented with the WSD interface according to a WSD protocol, the WSD protocol comprising;

a first communication layer configured to logically interface at least one client, the at least one client configured to control a plurality of devices comprising the first and second media devices;

a second communication layer configured to physically interface the plurality of devices; and

a service provider layer comprising one or more components provided corresponding to one or more device categories, respectively, each component comprising at least one of the plurality of devices of the same device category;

wherein the filter-based media streaming framework comprises at least one of a filter to read the media data from a file or input, a filter to decode the media data, a filter to transform the media data, and a filter to render the media data; and

wherein each component comprises;

one or more Web Services provided corresponding to one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, respectively, each Web Service configured to function as a Web Service host for the corresponding device;

one or more device bridges provided corresponding to the one or more Web Services, respectively, each device bridge configured to translate communication between the corresponding Web Service and device; and

a controller configured to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category.

11. An automation system comprising the access point of claim 10, wherein the at least one client comprises at least one of a TV, a personal computer, a personal digital assistance, a control panel, and a game controller, and the plurality of devices further comprise at least one of an audio system, a video system, an intercom system, a lighting system, a security system, and a HVAC system.

12. The access point of claim 10, wherein the real-time media streaming protocol comprises an internet real-time transport protocol (RTP).

13. The access point of claim 10, wherein the in-bound and out-bound media data comprise at least one of audio data and video data.

14. The access point of claim 10, wherein the media terminal comprises at least one of an audio in terminal, a video in terminal and a TV signal in terminal.

15. The access point of claim 10, wherein the media terminal comprises at least one of an audio out terminal and a video out terminal.

16. An intercom unit for a Web Service environment, comprising:

a network interface connected to a network;

a microphone configured to collect out-bound voice sound and convert the out-bound voice sound to a first analog signal;

a speaker configured to reproduce in-bound voice sound based on a second analog signal;

a sound processing unit configured to convert the first analog signal to a first digital data stream and convert a second digital media stream received from the network to the second analog signal; and

a processor configured to operate an operating system (OS), a Web Service for Devices (WSD) interface and a filter-based media stream framework,

wherein the WSD interface enables communication with another device implemented with the WSD interface via the network according to a WSD protocol, and

the filter-based media streaming application framework processes the first digital data stream according to a real time media stream protocol for transfer and renders the second digital data stream according to the real time media streaming protocol for playback according to a real- time media streaming protocol,

wherein the WSD protocol comprises;

a first communication layer configured to logically interface at least one client, the at least one client configured to control a plurality of devices comprising the intercom unit;

a second communication lager configured to physically interface the plurality of devices; and

a service provider layer comprising one or more components provided corresponding to one or more device categories, respectively, each component comprising at least one of the plurality of devices of the same device category;

wherein the filter-based media streaming framework comprises at least one of a filter to read media data from a file or input, decode the media data, transform the media data, and render the media data; and

wherein each component comprises;

one or more Web Services provided corresponding to one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, respectively, each Web Service configured to function as a Web Service host for the corresponding device;

one or more device bridges provided corresponding to the one or more Web Services, respectively, each device bridge configured to translate communication between the corresponding Web Service and device; and

a controller configured to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category.

17. The intercom unit of claim 16, wherein the real-time media streaming protocol comprises an internet real-time transport protocol (RTP).

18. A method of establishing a real-time voice communication in a Web Service environment, comprising the steps of:

implementing first and second voice communication units with a filter-based media streaming framework and a Web Service for Devices (WSD) interface;

collecting a first voice sound at the first voice communication unit;

converting the first voice sound into a digital data stream at the first voice communication unit;

processing the digital data stream at the first voice communication unit for transfer using the filter-based media streaming framework;

transferring the processed digital data stream to the second voice communication unit via the network according to a real-time media streaming protocol;

rendering the processed digital data streaming at the second voice communication unit for playback using the filter-based media streaming framework;

converting the rendered digital data stream to an analog audio signal at the second voice communication unit; and

recreating the first voice sound based on the analog audio signal at the second voice communication unit;

wherein the WSD interface implemented to the first and second voice communication units enables communication therebetween via the network according to a WSD protocol, the WSD protocol comprising;

a first communication layer configured to logically interface at least one client, the at least one client configured to control a plurality of devices comprising the first and second voice communication units;

a second communication layer configured to physically interface the plurality of devices; and

a service provider layer comprising one or more components provided corresponding to one or more device categories, respectively, each component including at least one of the plurality of devices of the same device category;

wherein the filter-based media streaming framework comprises at least one of a filter to read a digital data stream from a file or input, decode the digital data stream, transform the digital data stream, and render the digital data stream; and

wherein each component comprises;

one or more Web Services provided corresponding to one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, respectively, each Web Service configured to function as a Web Service host for the corresponding device;

one or more device bridges provided corresponding to the one or more Web Services, respectively, each device bridge configured to translate communication between the corresponding Web Service and device; and

a controller configured to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the real-time media streaming protocol comprises an internet real-time transport protocol (RTP).

20. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising stored instructions, which, when executed by a processor cause the processor to stream media data in a Web Service environment, the storage medium comprising:

instructions for implementing a first media device and a second media device with a filter-based media streaming framework and a Web Service for Devices (WSD) interface;

instructions for establishing a network between the first media device and the second media device;

instructions for processing media data at the first media device for transfer using the filter-based media streaming framework;

instructions for transferring the processed media data from the first media device to the second media device via the network according to a real-time media streaming protocol; and

instructions for rendering the processed media data for playback using the filter-based media streaming framework,

wherein the WSD interface implemented to the first and second media devices enables communicate therebetween via the network according to a WSD protocol, the WSD protocol comprising;

a first communication lager configured to logically interface at least one client, the at least one client configured to control a plurality of devices comprising the first and second media devices;

a second communication lager configured to physically interface the plurality of devices; and

a service provider layer comprising one or more components provided corresponding to one or more device categories, respectively, each component including at least one of the plurality of devices of the same device category;

wherein the filter-based media streaming framework comprises at least one of a filter to read the media data from a file or input, decode the media data, transform the media data, and render the media data; and

wherein each component comprises;

one or more Web Services provided corresponding to one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, respectively, each Web Service configured to function as a Web Service host for the corresponding device;

one or more device bridges provided corresponding to the one or more Web Services, respectively, each device bridge configured to translate communication between the corresponding Web Service and device; and

a controller configured to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category.

21. The storage of claim 20, wherein the real time media streaming protocol comprises an internet real-time transport protocol (RTP).

22. The storage of claim 20, wherein the media data comprises at least one of audio data and video data.