Patent ID: 7142935
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: G06F,G10H,G11B,H04H

Abstract:
1. A converter device to playback digital media, the converter device comprising: a local area network port to receive portions of a digital media file stored on a local server; a volatile memory buffer to store the portions of the digital media file; a microprocessor to convert a portion of the digital media file stored in the volatile memory buffer into a format usable by a conventional media playback system; a buffer management function to control flow of the portions of the digital media file from the local server for insuring that the volatile memory buffer is filled as the portions of the digital media file already received from the local server and stored in the volatile memory buffer are being converted by the microprocessor to thereby avoid interruption of media playback; a user interface to allow a user to navigate through a hierarchical presentation of data associated with the digital media file; and an infrared receiver to receive instructions from a remote controller for transfer of the converted portion of the digital media file to the conventional media playback device.