US 8,510,461 B2 · Network selection for streaming media among multiple devices

Abstract

Given the variety of ways in which devices can connect to a network, and the possibility of incompatible media formats, a digital media controller implements a process through which it determines an optimal connection for playing media from a media server on a media renderer. The digital media controller attempts to connect to the media server and media renderer using the same network interface and protocol if the media server has content in formats which are supported by the media renderer. Otherwise, the digital media controller connects to the media server and the media renderer using the fastest available connections, in the event that the renderer cannot stream directly from the server, whether due to network connectivity or format incompatibility. If a direct wireless connection is available, then it is used only when the digital media controller relays and/or converts the content.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented process comprising:

if a media server has content in a format supported by a media renderer, attempting to establish a computer network connection between a digital media controller and the media server and the media renderer using a same network interface and protocol;
if such connection cannot be established, then establishing a connection between the digital media controller and the media server using a fastest available connection, and establishing a connection between the digital media controller and the media renderer using a fastest available connection;
and
if the media server does not have content in formats which are supported by the media renderer, then establishing a connection between the digital media controller and the media server using a fastest available connection, and establishing a connection between the digital media controller and the media renderer using a fastest available connection.

1 more element

A computing machine comprising:

a processor;
and
computer storage media storing computer program instructions which, when processed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform a process comprising:
if a media server has content in a format supported by a media renderer, attempting to establish a computer network connection between a digital media controller and the media server and the media renderer using a same network interface and protocol;
if such connection cannot be established, then establishing a connection between the digital media controller and the media server using a fastest available connection, and establishing a connection between the digital media controller and the media renderer using a fastest available connection;
and
if the media server does not have content in formats which are supported by the media renderer, then establishing a connection between the digital media controller and the media server using a fastest available connection, and establishing a connection between the digital media controller and the media renderer using a fastest available connection.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Network selection for streaming media among multiple devices

Life of this patent

Network selection for streaming media among multiple devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20