Patent ID: 8301792
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a network interface to interface with a client and a server, wherein the apparatus is distinct from the client and the server, wherein the client requests content from the server via the apparatus to ensure that, a media stream sent to the client is routed via the apparatus, wherein the network interface receives an input from the client requesting a modification of the content requested from the server via a network plug-in interface on the client; a network processor coupled to the network interface that analyzes data received from the server to extract the media stream from the requested content, wherein analyzing the data involves detecting the media stream within the requested content and determining the type of the media stream; and a multimedia processor coupled to the network processor to dynamically modify the media stream in real-time according to the input from the client wherein the apparatus modifies media streams destined for multiple clients that include the network plug-in interface based on input from the multiple clients; wherein the network plug-in interface on the multiple clients supports low-level basic actions that do not need to change; and wherein the capabilities of the apparatus are upgraded to provide additional modification capabilities for media streams without installing or populating upgrade software and application plug-ins on the multiple clients.