Transferring a media browsing session from one device to a second device by transferring a session identifier and a session key to the second device

Abstract

A system is described in which a media browser (), operating as a software application on a user terminal or preferably a server for a number of users, provides a user with a single user interface that facilitates browsing and searching different metadata collections over the Internet (). A metadata server () is associated with each of the metadata collections. When the metadata server () receives a request from the media browser (), the metadata server () interprets the request and replies with a description that satisfies the request and according to a predetermined scheme. The description contains at least one link which represents a return link which represents a return request to the metadata server (). Specifically disclosed are methods of forming a table of contents for a particular user preferably based upon media reproduction attributes, methods of right to use and quality of service control, graphical user interfaces for facilitating the browsing process, methods of interpreting metadata, methods of communicating metadata between users, and method for transferring media sessions between users.