Patent ID: 7720970
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method, implemented on a computer, of providing media content, the method comprising acts of: A) receiving a notification that at least one media application is running on the computer, the at least one media application providing media content to a user; B) processing, by the computer, in response to receiving the notification that the at least one media application is running on the computer, a number of received packets during a first time interval that is no greater than a maximum number of packets, the received packets being received over a network, wherein the maximum number of packets is set such that an amount of time used to process the maximum number of packets by the computer is less than an amount of time for which a delay in processing by the at least one media application causes an interruption of the media content that is perceptible to the user, wherein an operating system running on the computer limits the number of received packets processed by the computer during the first time interval to be no greater than the maximum number of packets; and C) providing the media content to the user at least partially using the at least one media application, such that processing the received packets does not cause an interruption in the media content that is perceptible to the user.