Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Zhen Ma

Min Liu

Feng Lu

Ashley Speicher

Anthony Vincent Discolo

Haoyun Wu

Renaud Bordelet

Hui Wan

Ying Wu

Rathe Hollingum

Thomas Meng

Shuyin Zhao

Wei Ning

A system is disclosed for media content search and retrieval, and a virtual television channel capable of using that system. The present system may be implemented on a computing device, such as for example a media service server, and a client device, such as for example a set top box for a television system, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or a gaming console. A first aspect of the present system relates to a media download control engine which enables a client device with limited capabilities to play media content which comes from a website in a format not supported by the client device. A second aspect of the present system may make use of the media download control engine to obtain media content and create customized virtual channels. The second aspect in particular relates to a virtual channel engine that schedules a continuous stream of content for the user, which content is selected based on topics of interest to the user.

Media content retrieval system and personal virtual channel

Television content from multiple sources is described. In embodiment(s), a television client device includes an interface to receive television media content in multiple streaming video formats. A television media service implemented in the television client device can process television media content when received in a first streaming video format, and render the television media content for display. In addition, the television media service can process additional television media content when received in a second streaming video format, and render the additional television media content for display.

Television content from multiple sources

Growing community of inventors

Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Zhen Ma