Abstract: Technology related to activating a first communication channel is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, operations can be performed for initiating communications with a remote computing device over a first communication channel. The operations can comprise determining an address associated with a second communication channel of the remote computing device, transmitting a network packet addressed to the remote computing device over the second communication channel for causing the remote computing device to begin a sequence to activate the first communication channel, and initiating communication over the first communication channel with the remote computing device at a different address associated with the first communication channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to game consoles including game controllers and connected to one or more computing device. Specifically, a game console may receive, via a game controller, a first input triggering an activation of a multi-mode controller switching application at the game console. Further, while a multi-mode controller switching application is active and the game controller is operating in the first controller mode, the game console may receive, via the controller, a second input representing a selection of the second controller mode different from the first controller mode, switch from the first controller mode to the second controller mode in response to receiving the second input, and controlling the computing device in communication with the game console in accordance with the second controller mode.

Abstract: Technology related to activating a first communication channel is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, operations can be performed for initiating communications with a remote computing device over a first communication channel. The operations can comprise determining an address associated with a second communication channel of the remote computing device, transmitting a network packet addressed to the remote computing device over the second communication channel for causing the remote computing device to begin a sequence to activate the first communication channel, and initiating communication over the first communication channel with the remote computing device at a different address associated with the first communication channel.

Abstract: Technology related to activating a peer-to-peer communication channel is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method can be used to initiate peer-to-peer communications between a transmitting device and a receiving device over an inactive first communication channel. The method can include determining an address associated with a second communication channel of the receiving device. A packet addressed to the receiving device can be transmitted over the second communication channel to cause the receiving device to begin a sequence to activate the first communication channel. Communication can be initiated over the first communication channel from the transmitting device to the receiving device at a different address associated with the first communication channel.

Abstract: Technology related to activating a peer-to-peer communication channel is disclosed. In one example of the disclosed technology, a method can be used to initiate peer-to-peer communications between a transmitting device and a receiving device over an inactive first communication channel. The method can include determining an address associated with a second communication channel of the receiving device. A packet addressed to the receiving device can be transmitted over the second communication channel to cause the receiving device to begin a sequence to activate the first communication channel. Communication can be initiated over the first communication channel from the transmitting device to the receiving device at a different address associated with the first communication channel.

Abstract: A computing device is provided with a discovery framework that may include a discovery user interface (UI) and a discovery engine configured to use various standard discovery protocols in a protocol stack of the computing device. The discovery engine may respond to an invocation of the discovery framework by determining discovery criteria and based thereon selecting one of the discovery protocols, requesting discovery through the selected discovery protocol, receiving corresponding first discovery results, and maintaining a discovery list comprised of indicia of devices discovered through at least the selected discovery protocol. The discovery UI allows interactive adjustment of the discovery criteria, displays the discovery list, and responds to selection of a discovered device in the discovery list by enabling a connection with the discovered device based on a network address of the discovered device obtained through one of the discovery protocols.

Abstract: The rendering of media generated by media production systems on a display of a different computer system that operates an operating system. A display of a computer system that operates an operating system is sometimes referred to as a smart display. When the computer system receives the media from the media production system(s), the computer system formulates an operating system control that, when triggered, performs one or more operating system operations. The computer system then displays a visualization of the operating system control along with at least part of the received media on the display of the computer system. The operating system control is structured so as to be triggered when a user interacts in at least a particular way with the visualization of the operating system control. Thus, rather than simply render the media as provided, additional operating system level control is provided by the smart display.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating the streaming of digital media content to a remote device. In one exemplary embodiment, a translation layer translates markup language code and/or scripting language code (e.g., code that complies with the HTML5/W3C standard) to comply with a streaming protocol (e.g., a streaming protocol specified by the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)) to facilitate streaming of digital content (e.g., digital video, digital audio, or digital images) to remote devices (e.g., a digital television, digital audio player, game console, etc.). In some embodiments, a translation layer translates streaming protocol events at a remote device into other events (e.g., events specified in the HTML5 standard) at a local computing device. Local/remote playback switching logic can also facilitate switching between local playback and remote playback.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein may include receiving from an audio application running on the computing device, a selection of a multimedia endpoint device. The multimedia endpoint device may be connected with the audio application in response to a request from the audio application. An audio stream of the audio application may be separated from a system audio stream. The system audio stream may include a plurality of audio signals generated by system components of the computing device or applications running on the computing device. The plurality of audio signals may be played on a default audio endpoint of the computing device. The separated audio stream of the audio application may be communicated to the selected multimedia endpoint device for playback. Separating the audio stream of the audio application from the system audio stream may be based on an API request from the application.

Abstract: A remote media server provides a resource identifier to a digital media controller. A digital media controller passes this resource identifier to a digital media renderer. The digital media renderer launches an application that processes the resource identifier to access the remote media server and play back the media. Playback is responsive to controls from the digital media controller. The digital media renderer can play back media identified by the digital media controller, but that is encoded and protected in a manner specific to the digital media renderer. The digital media controller can shut down or become dormant to save battery power without affecting playback by the digital media renderer. By providing the information about available applications from the digital media renderer to the digital media controller, the digital media controller can reliably send resource identifiers for which applications are available the digital media renderer.

Abstract: A remote media server provides a resource identifier to a digital media controller. A digital media controller passes this resource identifier to a digital media renderer. The digital media renderer launches an application that processes the resource identifier to access the remote media server and play back the media. Playback is responsive to controls from the digital media controller. The digital media renderer can play back media identified by the digital media controller, but that is encoded and protected in a manner specific to the digital media renderer. The digital media controller can shut down or become dormant to save battery power without affecting playback by the digital media renderer. By providing the information about available applications from the digital media renderer to the digital media controller, the digital media controller can reliably send resource identifiers for which applications are available the digital media renderer.

Abstract: Given the variety of ways in which devices can connect to a network, and the possibility of incompatible media formats, a digital media controller implements a process through which it determines an optimal connection for playing media from a media server on a media renderer. The digital media controller attempts to connect to the media server and media renderer using the same network interface and protocol if the media server has content in formats which are supported by the media renderer. Otherwise, the digital media controller connects to the media server and the media renderer using the fastest available connections, in the event that the renderer cannot stream directly from the server, whether due to network connectivity or format incompatibility. If a direct wireless connection is available, then it is used only when the digital media controller relays and/or converts the content.

Abstract: Given the variety of ways in which devices can connect to a network, and the possibility of incompatible media formats, a digital media controller implements a process through which it determines an optimal connection for playing media from a media server on a media renderer. The digital media controller attempts to connect to the media server and media renderer using the same network interface and protocol if the media server has content in formats which are supported by the media renderer. Otherwise, the digital media controller connects to the media server and the media renderer using the fastest available connections, in the event that the renderer cannot stream directly from the server, whether due to network connectivity or format incompatibility. If a direct wireless connection is available, then it is used only when the digital media controller relays and/or converts the content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating the streaming of digital media content to a remote device. In one exemplary embodiment, a translation layer translates markup language code and/or scripting language code (e.g., code that complies with the HTML5/W3C standard) to comply with a streaming protocol (e.g., a streaming protocol specified by the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)) to facilitate streaming of digital content (e.g., digital video, digital audio, or digital images) to remote devices (e.g., a digital television, digital audio player, game console, etc.). In some embodiments, a translation layer translates streaming protocol events at a remote device into other events (e.g., events specified in the HTML5 standard) at a local computing device. Local/remote playback switching logic can also facilitate switching between local playback and remote playback.

Abstract: A system for providing recording functions in a streaming media server comprising a streaming media server with buffering and a PC having an application capable of processing a streaming media protocol having media recording functions.

Abstract: The production of an interleaved multimedia stream for servers and client computers coupled to each other by a diverse computer network which includes local area networks (LANs) and/or wide area networks (WANs) such as the internet. Interleaved multimedia streams can include compressed video frames for display in a video window, accompanying compressed audio frames and annotation frames. In one embodiment, a producer captures separate video/audio frames and generates an interleaved multimedia file. In another embodiment, the interleaved file include annotation frames which provide either pointer(s) to the event(s) of interest or include displayable data embedded within the annotation stream. The interleaved file is then stored in the web server for subsequent retrieval by client computer(s) in a coordinated manner, so that the client computer(s) is able to synchronously display the video frames and displayable event(s) in a video window and event window(s), respectively.

Abstract: An efficient transmission protocol for transmitting multimedia streams from a server to a client computer over a diverse computer network including local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) such as the internet. The client computer includes a playout buffer, and the transmission rate is dynamically matched to the available bandwidth capacity of the network connection between the server and the client computer. If a playtime of the playout buffer, which is one measure of the number of data packets currently in the playout buffer, drops below a dynamically computed Decrease_Bandwidth (DEC_BW) threshold, then the transmission rate is decreased by sending a DEC_BW message to the server. Conversely, if the number of packets remaining in the playout buffer rises above a dynamically computed Upper Increase_Bandwidth (INC_BW) threshold and does not drop below a Lower INC_BW threshold for at least an INC_BW wait period, then the transmission rate is incremented.

Abstract: Authorization methods, systems and computer program products ensure that user media streaming requests are implemented to access unmodified original content. Authorization and data collection follow a user streaming request to a media server, including comparison of user password with a remote password maintenance authority, followed by decryption and descrambling of content pursuant to password clearance. Streaming and media content recording are monitored to ensure compliance with bandwidth and stream number policies for all and specific clients. Users are provided with service levels at least at the level of predetermined status.

Abstract: Authentication methods, systems and computer program products ensure that user media streaming requests originate with web documents having an authorized URL. The user makes a streaming request to a media server with a URL including a URL prefix, a path, and the name of a media work to be performed, which URL the media server compares with earlier made URL entries in a pre-established database. If there is a URL correspondence between a URL in the pre-established database and the URL extracted from the HTML document received by the browser from a web server, then streaming of the particular work is authorized.

Abstract: A method for employing a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP protocol) for transmitting streamed digital media data from a server. The server is configured for coupling to a client computer via a computer network. The method includes receiving at the server from the client an HTTP POST request. The POST request requests a first portion of the digital media data and includes a request header and a request entity-body. The request entity body includes a media command for causing the first portion of the digital media data to be sent from the server to the client. The method further includes sending an HTTP response to the client from the server. The HTTP response includes a response header and a response entity body. The response entity body includes at least a portion of the first portion of the digital media data.