Abstract: A particular implementation correlates a broadcast media item, which has a metadata element containing either a station call sign or channel number for a program, to a specific broadcast frequency and a virtual channel that a service provider broadcasts the program on. A command string is algorithmically defined to encode the frequency and physical channel, and is presented to the tuner hardware for locking onto and decoding the signal. A URL including the command string can then be generated. Consequently, a DLNA client device can engage a media renderer to play the broadcast media item through the exchange of a URL and a control interface.

Abstract: A method for generating a unified list of media services available from a plurality of content aggregators having different data formats. A first list of media services from a first content aggregator is transmitted to a playback device. A second list of media services from a second content aggregator is also transmitted to the playback device, which combines both lists into a unified list of media services. The method optionally details the playback of a media service from said plurality of content aggregators via a selection made on the unified list to a playback device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for parsing a UPnP search criteria and creating a search criteria structure that is understandable to any content provider/storage device include an apparatus for dividing a universal plug and play search criteria into elements, assigning at least one element a designation and providing information regarding the assigned designation and an order of the at least one element within the universal plug and play search criteria, the information to be used for searching content. The apparatus of the invention creates a list of structures for performing a search, each structure including a designation of at least one respective element and an order of the at least one respective element within the universal plug and play search criteria.

Abstract: A particular implementation correlates a broadcast media item, which has a metadata element containing either a station call sign or channel number for a program, to a specific broadcast frequency and a virtual channel that a service provider broadcasts the program on. A command string is algorithmically defined to encode the frequency and physical channel, and is presented to the tuner hardware for locking onto and decoding the signal. A URL including the command string can then be generated. Consequently, a DLNA client device can engage a media renderer to play the broadcast media item through the exchange of a URL and a control interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aggregating server based and LAN based media content and information for enabling an efficient search include discovering local and external content directory service instances, storing at least one of content of the discovered content directory service instances and metadata identifying content available via the discovered content directory service instances in a common database and providing a user interface such that a user is able to search for content across the discovered content directory service instances. In one embodiment a common database comprises a de-serialized database which provides use of indexes for enabling searches.

Abstract: An architecture for inserting listener targeted advertisements into Internet retransmission of terrestrial radio broadcasts is provided. An Internet server provides aggregation of a plurality of radio broadcast programming for dissemination over the Internet to a plurality of listeners/users. Each Internet provided radio broadcast includes advertisements targeted for each individual listener/user based on a demographics profile. The demographics profile for each listener/user provides a basis for the targeted advertisements. A readily scaleable architecture is capable of supporting rapid growth in listeners/users. Scheduling data is used to predict and prestage advertising content. Timestamping of the radio broadcast aids in calculating where in the broadcast data sequence to pick up after an advertisement. Scalability is preferably achieved by a multiplexer in order to support large numbers of listener connections for streaming audio.

Abstract: An architecture for inserting listener targeted advertisements into Internet retransmission of terrestrial radio broadcasts is provided. An Internet server provides aggregation of a plurality of radio broadcast programming for dissemination over the Internet to a plurality of listeners/users. Each Internet provided radio broadcast includes advertisements targeted for each individual listener/user based on a demographics profile. The demographics profile for each listener/user provides a basis for the targeted advertisements. A readily scaleable architecture is capable of supporting rapid growth in listeners/users. Scheduling data is used to predict and prestage advertising content. Timestamping of the radio broadcast aids in calculating where in the broadcast data sequence to pick up after an advertisement. Scalability is preferably achieved by a multiplexer in order to support large numbers of listener connections for streaming audio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for transmitting a requested media file through a network. A master controller of a server partitions the media object. The master controller of the server then assigns a segment of said partitioned media object to a file partition handler for transmission over the network to a client that requested the media object. The file partition handler transmits the segment over a user datagram protocol port through the network to a client. The master controller then assigns a second segment of said partitioned media object to the file partition handler when the original segment is transmitted successfully to the client. The segmentation of the media object is determined in response to the availability of file partition handlers and the conditions specified by the client.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a system and process for navigating through a large amount of information (e.g., audio files, text files, video files, device functions, etc.) using audio cues representative of the information. The audio cues are arranged in a multi-level tree data structure such that the user can select general categories (e.g., music classification) and navigate down to a specific data segment (e.g., a particular song or song list). Each audio cue is a brief burst of sound (e.g., a lyric from a particular song) representative of a predetermined number of additional audio cues or a particular data segment. The audio cues are selectable by a user and permit the user to navigate through the information or data segments without having to remember visual or alphanumeric elements (e.g., song title, artist name, or track number). The audio cues are stored in a storage device that can be accessed using a wireless device (e.g., a remote control or wireless mouse) or a wired device (e.g.

Abstract: Architecture is provided for selecting an ad insertion system/server from a plurality of ad insertion systems/server for receiving broadcast transmissions and inserted advertisements. A gateway, as part of the architecture, selects an ad insertion system, in accordance with a developed client profile and a network factor associated with the communication performance of the ad insertion system. The gateway associates the developed profile with a client, and the gateway receives information relating the network factor from at least one ad insertion system. The gateway also ascertains the casting services (IP multicasting, IP multicasting proxy, and IP unicasting) supported by client. The ad insertion system may use the information about the supported casting services, with a developed client profile and a network factor for selecting an ad insertion system.

Abstract: A system for personalizing received transmissions includes a content source that provides multiple transmission streams over a transmission media. A plurality of receivers is included wherein each receiver selects portions of one or more of the transmission streams in accordance with a playlist for each user. The receiver renders the portions of the received transmissions in accordance with a schedule.

Abstract: Architecture is provided for selecting an ad insertion system/server (30) from a plurality of ad insertion systems/server for receiving broadcast transmissions and inserted advertisements. A gateway (710), as part of the architecture, selects an ad insertion system (30), in accordance with a developed client profile and a network factor associated with the communication performance of the ad insertion system. The gateway associates the developed profile with a client (32), and the gateway (710) receives information relating the network factor from at least one ad insertion system (30). The gateway (710) also ascertains the casting services (IP multicasting, IP multicasting proxy, and IP unicasting) supported by client (32). The ad insertion system (30) may use the information about the supported casting services, with a developed client profile and a network factor for selecting an ad insertion system (30).

Abstract: A method for generating a unified list of media services available from a plurality of content aggregators having different data formats. A first list of media services from a first content aggregator is transmitted to a playback device. A second list of media services from a second content aggregator is also transmitted to the playback device, which combines both lists into a unified list of media services. The method optionally details the playback of a media service from said plurality of content aggregators via a selection made on the unified list to a playback device.

Abstract: A system for personalizing received transmissions includes a content source that provides multiple transmission streams over a transmission media. A plurality of receivers is included wherein each receiver selects portions of one or more of the transmission streams in accordance with a playlist for each user. The receiver renders the portions of the received transmissions in accordance with a schedule.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a system and process for navigating through a large amount of information (e.g., audio files, text files, video files, device functions, etc.) using audio cues representative of the information. The audio cues are arranged in a multi-level tree data structure such that the user can select general categories (e.g., music classification) and navigate down to a specific data segment (e.g., a particular song or song list). Each audio cue is a brief burst of sound (e.g., a lyric from a particular song) representative of a predetermined number of additional audio cues or a particular data segment. The audio cues are selectable by a user and permit the user to navigate through the information or data segments without having to remember visual or alphanumeric elements (e.g., song title, artist name, or track number). The audio cues are stored in a storage device that can be accessed using a wireless device (e.g., a remote control or wireless mouse) or a wired device (e.g.