Divx, LLC

Mp3.com, Inc.

Alexander Van Zoest

Brian T Fudge

Roland Osborne

Mayur Srinivasan

Brian J Callahan

Aaron Robinson

Joshua Stephens

John P Knott

Matthew John Dimeo

James Martin Moore

Brian Mason Degenhardt

George Matthew Costello

Tristan Anne Barnum

David M Story

John William DeRose

James Park

Michael Oliphant

Charles Lawrence Sismondo

Kevin Fry

A computer device selected as a media server is connected to a consumer electronic (CE) device over multiple media transfer channels. The multiple media transfer channels together with an improved media transfer protocol allow for efficient, real-time transfer of different types of digital media, in various combinations, for playing on the CE device. Each type of media is transferred over its own dedicated channel according to its individual data rate. The improved media transfer protocol allows the data to be transmitted in either an asynchronous mode or a synchronous stream or timestamp mode depending on whether synchronization is desired. A dedicated control channel allows for the transfer of control information from the CE device to the media server as well as for resynchronizing media position of the server upon a change in play mode of the corresponding media.

Media transfer protocol

The present invention is a system and method for providing access to electronic works over a network. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention offers a user access to electronic copies of works, such as songs, albums, movies, or music videos, over a network. The user responds to the offer by requesting to access to a particular work. Before such a request is granted, the present invention may verify that the user is authorized to access to the work. In one embodiment, the user verifies that they are authorized to access an electronic copy of the work by demonstrating that they possess a physical copy of the work. In another embodiment, the user verifies that they are authorized to access an electronic copy of the work by demonstrating that they ordered or purchased a copy of the work. If a user's authorization is verified, the user may then be provided with access to an electronic copy of the work by such techniques as downloading or streaming.

System and method for providing access to electronic works

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Alexander Van Zoest