Abstract: A system and method for effectuating playlist seeking capability with respect to digital media content from a network node. A Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or a Session Description Protocol (SDP) file including a set of appropriate play list-related control attributes is provided when a media user invokes a streaming session. Responsive to the RTSP URL or SDP file, an RTSP message is provided to the network node from the media user, the RTSP message including selected playlist-related control attributes in a URL query string associated with the identified playlist. In particular, the selected playlist-related control attributes include a clip index (that indexes into the playlist to identify a particular media clip) and an offset (that indicates a start time within the identified media clip) at which to commence streaming to enable more versatile seeking capability.

Abstract: A method for facilitating multimedia streaming using server-side playlists comprises a plurality of operations. An operation is performed for streaming current playlist selection data from a server that supports server-side playlists to a client having a jitter buffer. An operation is performed for receiving at the server a request for streaming multimedia content corresponding to a different playlist selection. An operation is performed for communicating client-server specification information between the server and the client for enabling the different playlist selection data to be streamed from the server to the client at a data transfer rate greater than a maximum data presentation rate.

Abstract: A scheme for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node. A message is provided to the network node by a client application executing on a digital multimedia device, wherein the message includes a multidimensional pointer to a depository of digital multimedia content associated with the network node as well as a timing parameter operable to indicate when the message is to take effect. The multidimensional pointer contains a relative time offset variable as well as a plurality of media identifier dimensions corresponding to a plurality of nested hierarchical levels into which the digital multimedia content is organized. Responsive to the message, content from a particular content source identified by the multidimensional pointer is streamed to the digital multimedia device at a time indicated responsive to the timing parameter.

Abstract: A scheme for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node. An RTSP SET_PARAMETER message is provided to the network node by a client application executing on a digital multimedia device, wherein the message contains at least one of a playlist identifier, a media clip index and an indication of an activation time. Responsive to the message, content from a particular content source identified by the playlist identifier, the media clip index, or both, is streamed to the digital multimedia device at a time determined responsive to the activation time.

Abstract: A system and method for effectuating playlist seeking capability with respect to digital media content from a network node. A Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or a Session Description Protocol (SDP) file including a set of appropriate playlist-related control attributes is provided when a media user invokes a streaming session. Responsive to the RTSP URL or SDP file, an RTSP message is provided to the network node, the RTSP message including the playlist-related control attributes in a URL query string associated with the identified playlist. In particular, a clip index (that indexes into the playlist to identify a particular media clip) and an offset (the start time within the identified media clip) are provided as the playlist-related control attributes to enable more versatile seeking capability.

Abstract: A multimedia device enables playlist navigation of digital multimedia content using a media player engine and a media application. The media player engine establishes a streaming media session with a content source via a standard control channel over a network, and receives, from the content source, streaming digital multimedia content representative of a current media clip within a playlist during the streaming media session. The media application is in communication with the content source via an external interface over the network and outside the standard control channel between the media player engine and the content source. The media application generates a playlist navigation message to the content source to navigate the playlist and control the streaming digital multimedia content via the external interface.

Abstract: A scheme for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node. An RTSP SET_PARAMETER message is provided to the network node by a client application executing on a digital multimedia device, wherein the message contains at least one of a playlist identifier, a media clip index and an indication of an activation time. Responsive to the message, content from a particular content source identified by the playlist indentifier, the media clip index, or both, is streamed to the digitial multimedia device at a time determined responsive to the activation time.

Abstract: A scheme for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node. A message is provided to the network node by a client application executing on a digital multimedia device, wherein the message includes a multidimensional pointer to a depository of digital multimedia content associated with the network node as well as a timing parameter operable to indicate when the message is to take effect. The multidimensional pointer contains a relative time offset variable as well as a plurality of media identifier dimensions corresponding to a plurality of nested hierarchical levels into which the digital multimedia content is organized. Responsive to the message, content from a particular content source identified by the multidimensional pointer is streamed to the digital multimedia device at a time indicated responsive to the timing parameter.

Abstract: A method for facilitating multimedia streaming using server-side playlists comprises a plurality of operations. An operation is performed for streaming current playlist selection data from a server that supports server-side playlists to a client having a jitter buffer. An operation is performed for receiving at the server a request for streaming multimedia content corresponding to a different playlist selection. An operation is performed for communicating client-server specification information between the server and the client for enabling the different playlist selection data to be streamed from the server to the client at a data transfer rate greater than a maximum data presentation rate.

Abstract: A method for transferring multimedia data from a server to a terminal via a guaranteed delivery mechanism is provided. The method addresses the ability to begin playback before the transfer of multimedia data from a server to a terminal is complete. The method further addresses the ability to tailor the content of the transfer based on terminal characteristics and to resume an interrupted transfer without re-sending previously transmitted data. The method further addresses the ability for the terminal to reconstruct the file on the user device without having knowledge of the original multimedia format.