Patent ID: 7519667
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for integrating audio playback, streaming audio, and instant messaging in a client computer system, comprising: receiving an indication that an audio track is being played back by said client computer, wherein the indication is sent by a media player application on the client computer to an instant messaging client application on the client computer; in response to receiving said indication, automatically providing a notification to a remote computer that an audio stream corresponding to said audio track is available at said client computer system for playback, wherein the indication is received by the instant messaging client application and the notification is provided by the instant messaging client application; receiving a request at said client computer for said audio stream, wherein said request is received by a streaming audio server application on the client computer; and in response to said request, transmitting said audio stream directly from said client computer to a remote computer making said request so that a user on the remote computer can listen to the audio track in real time, wherein the audio stream is transmitted to the remote computer without going through a central server.