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:
Jan. 27, 2009
Filed:
Mar. 26, 2002
Tarek Z. Elabbady, Redmond, WA (US);
Shannon J. Chan, Bellevue, WA (US);
James M. Alkove, Woodinville, WA (US);
Sandeep S. Sahasrabudhe, Redmond, WA (US);
Tarek Z. Elabbady, Redmond, WA (US);
Shannon J. Chan, Bellevue, WA (US);
James M. Alkove, Woodinville, WA (US);
Sandeep S. Sahasrabudhe, Redmond, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
Methods and systems suitable for sharing media content are provided. One system includes at least one media holder, at least one media cataloger, at least one user control point, at least one media player, and at least one network operatively connecting them. The media holder is configured to selectively output shared media metadata, media content and at least one corresponding media playing license over the network. The media cataloger is configured to receive the metadata identifying the shared media content that is available from the media holder(s). The media cataloger is configured to output at least one media catalog over the network. The media catalog identifies the shared media content that is available from the media holder(s). The user control point is configured to receive the media catalog(s) and request the shared media content as selected from the media catalog, for example, by a user. The user control point configures the media player to receive the media playing license and the media content over the network. The media player cannot play protected media content without having a proper license. The license may be withheld if certain authentication criteria are not met by the playing device. In certain implementations, the network includes a Universal Plug-and-Play network that allows the various devices to quickly integrate with one another without user intervention. The network also provides a robust environment, such that, e.g., media content sharing can easily be accomplished even if the media cataloger is not available.