Methods and apparatus for client aggregation of media in a networked media system

Abstract

A network client aggregates media items available in a media system. The network consists of a plurality of nodes, including at least two media server nodes. A client node generates an internal request to obtain a list of media items available in the media system. In response, the client node generates a request for a list of media items from each individual media server node on the network. Each media server node sends their list of media items to the client node. The client node aggregates the lists of media items from each of the media server nodes. Thus, a list of media items available on the media system is aggregated to a requesting client node in the media system.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method for presenting an aggregated list of media content, the method comprising:
 receiving first information from a first device, wherein the first information indicates digital media files available on the first device;   receiving second information from a second device, wherein the second information indicates digital media files available on the second device;   determining a list of digital media files on the first and second device based on the first and second information; and   generating for display the list, wherein a digital media file available on both the first and the second device only appears once in the list.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein digital media files comprise audio media files, video media files, or image media files. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 determining that a third device is configured to playback only audio media files; and   generating for display the list at the third device, wherein the list comprises only audio media files.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 determining that a third device is configured to playback only video media files; and   generating for display the list at the third device, wherein the list comprises only video media files.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 determining that a third device is configured to playback only image media files; and   generating for display the list at the third device, wherein the list comprises only image media files.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first device comprises a media service for downloading and storing digital medial files from the internet. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein first and second information from the first and second devices respectively, each include state information specifying a network protocol and a content service supported by the respective device. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising receiving a selection of a digital media file in the list; sending a request to access the selected digital medial file; and receiving the selected digital media file from the first or second device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the digital media files in the list are organized in a data model, and the data model stores metadata associated with each digital media file, including one of artist, genre, album, track, title, creation date, album art and lyrics. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein each digital medial file in the data model has a unique identification and an associated type. 
     
     
         32 . A media system for presenting an aggregated list of media content, the system comprising:
 a first device configured to
 receive first information from a second device, wherein the first information indicates digital media files available on the second device; 
 receive second information from a third device, wherein the second information indicates digital media files available on the third device; 
 determine a list of digital media files on the second and third devices based on the first and second information; and 
 generate for display the list, wherein a digital media file available on both the second and the third devices only appears once in the list. 
   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein digital media files comprise audio media files, video media files, or image media files. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , the first device further configured to:
 determine that a fourth device is configured to playback only audio media files; and   generate for display the list at the fourth device, wherein the list comprises only audio media files.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 32 , the first device further configured to:
 determine that a fourth device is configured to playback only video media files; and   generate for display the list at the fourth device, wherein the list comprises only video media files.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 32 , the first device further configured to:
 determine that a fourth device is configured to playback only image media files; and   generate for display the list at the fourth device, wherein the list comprises only image media files.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the second device comprises a media service for downloading and storing digital medial files from the internet. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein first and second information from the second and third devices respectively, each include state information specifying a network protocol and a content service supported by the respective device. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , the first device further configured to:
 receive a selection of a digital media file in the list;   send a request to access the selected digital medial file; and   receive the selected digital media file from the second or third device.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the digital medial files in the list are organized in a data model, and the data model stores metadata associated with each digital media file, including one of artist, genre, album, track, title, creation date, album art and lyrics. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein each digital medial file in the data model has a unique identification and an associated type.