Methods and apparatus for client aggregation of media in a networked media system

摘要

A network client aggregates media items available in a media system. The network consists of a plurality of nodes, including at least two media server nodes. A client node generates an internal request to obtain a list of media items available in the media system. In response, the client node generates a request for a list of media items from each individual media server node on the network. Each media server node sends their list of media items to the client node. The client node aggregates the lists of media items from each of the media server nodes. Thus, a list of media items available on the media system is aggregated to a requesting client node in the media system.

主权项

1. A method for aggregating media in a media system comprising network devices coupled through a network, the network devices comprising a first storage device, a second storage device, and a client device that communicate with each other through the network by using network protocols, the method comprising:
receiving though the network, at the client device, first and second state information from the first and second storage devices respectively, each state information specifying a network protocol and a content service supported by the respective storage device configured to store digital media files, the content service for allowing other network devices to access digital media files or information regarding the digital media files stored on the respective storage device, first and second network protocols associated with the first and second storage devices respectively being different; upon the client device being coupled to the network, sending third state information from the client device to the first and second storage devices, the third state information specifying at least one network protocol and at least one service supported by the client device, wherein the media system utilizes a peer-to-peer architecture, wherein the network devices communicate with each other through the network by using network protocols specified in the state information for each network device, and a request sent to a network device is translated to the network protocol specified in the state information for the network device, the request invoking a service specified in the state information for the network device; receiving, at the client device, a first list of digital media files from the first storage device and a second list of digital media files from the second storage device; aggregating, at the client device, an overall list of digital media files comprising the first and second lists, wherein a digital media file found on both the first list and the second list is only listed once on the overall list; and in response to user input, playing, at the client device, at least a portion from the overall list of digital media files.