Patent ID: 6272546
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
A method of providing content selections to one or more listening devices from a sourcing device within a single data stream comprising the steps of:a. maintaining a record which associates content selections with a requesting device;b. receiving a clear command from a clearing device, wherein the clear command includes a scope notification specifying whether or not the clear command is to clear a specified content selection regardless of the devices associated with the specified content selection;c. disassociating all devices from the specified content selection if the scope notification specifies that the clear command is to clear the specified content selection regardless of the devices associated with the specified content selection;d. disassociating only the clearing device from the content selection if the scope notification does not specify that the clear command is to clear the specified content selection regardless of the devices associated with the specified content selection;e. clearing the specified content selection if no devices are associated with the specified content selection;f. receiving a content command from a requesting device to add a requested content selection to the single data stream, wherein the content command includes a warning notification specifying whether or not the content command is to be executed even if the requested content selection will exceed bandwidth capabilities of any one of the sourcing device and the listening devices;g. determining if addition of the requested content selection to the single data stream will exceed bandwidth capabilities of any one of the sourcing device and the listening devices;h. clearing one or more existing content selections within the single data stream and adding the requested content selection to the single data stream if the warning notification specifies that the content command is to be executed even if the requested content selection will exceed bandwidth capabilities of any one of the sourcing device and the listening devices and it is determined that addition of the requested content selection will exceed the bandwidth capabilities of any one of the sourcing device and the listening devices; andi. rejecting the content command if the warning notification specifies that the content command is not to be executed if the requested content selection will exceed bandwidth capabilities of any one of the sourcing device and the listening devices and it is determined that addition of the requested content selection will exceed the bandwidth capabilities of any one of the sourcing device and the listening devices.