The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 09, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 17, 2002
Ian Cameron Mercer, Sammamish, WA (US);
Kevin Leigh Lachapelle, Redmond, WA (US);
Harutoshi Miyamoto, Ibaraki, JP;
Yoshifumi Yanagawa, Kyoto, JP;
Nobuyasu Takeguchi, Kawachinagano, JP;
Chiyoko Matsumi, Suita, JP;
Ian Cameron Mercer, Sammamish, WA (US);
Kevin Leigh LaChapelle, Redmond, WA (US);
Harutoshi Miyamoto, Ibaraki, JP;
Yoshifumi Yanagawa, Kyoto, JP;
Nobuyasu Takeguchi, Kawachinagano, JP;
Chiyoko Matsumi, Suita, JP;
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
Grouping and navigating media files within a playlist on a computer-readable medium. Invention software selects media files according to a grouping criterion to define a group from the media files. The invention software generates a group header associated with the group. The group header includes a value identifying the defined group and a reference to another group to enable navigation. The invention software stores the selected media files, the playlist, the defined groups, and the associated group headers on a computer-readable medium. The invention software also includes playback software for navigating and selecting media files via groups within a playlist. In one embodiment, the invention is operable as part of a compressed media format having a set of small files containing metadata, menus, and playlists in a compiled binary formal designed for playback on feature-rich personal computer media players as well as low cost media players.