Method and apparatus for aggregating server based and lan based media content and information for enabling an efficient search
AssigneeThomson Licensing
InventorKerry Wayne Calvert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for aggregating server based and LAN based media content and information for enabling an efficient search include discovering local and external content directory service instances, storing at least one of content of the discovered content directory service instances and metadata identifying content available via the discovered content directory service instances in a common database and providing a user interface such that a user is able to search for content across the discovered content directory service instances. In one embodiment a common database comprises a de-serialized database which provides use of indexes for enabling searches.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- discovering local and external content directory service instances;
- storing at least one of content of the discovered content directory service instances and metadata identifying content available via the discovered content directory service instances in a common database;
- and
- providing a user interface such that a user is able to search for content across the discovered content directory service instances.
An apparatus comprising:
- a memory for storing program routines and data;
- and
- a processor for executing said program routines, said processor, when executing said program routines, configured to perform the steps of:
- discovering local and external content directory service instances;
- storing at least one of content of the discovered content directory service instances and metadata identifying content available via the discovered content directory service instances in a common database;
- and
- providing a user interface such that a user is able to search for content across the discovered content directory service instances.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.