Patent ID: 7664871

Claim:
A method, comprising: receiving a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) POST request at a server, the POST request requesting streamed digital media data and comprising a request header and a request entity body, the request entity body comprising a media command for causing the streamed digital media data to be sent from the server to a client, the media command comprising at least one of a server name that identifies the server, a port usable to establish a control connection, a name of streamed digital media data, a stop command, a play command, a fast forward command, a rewind command, a pause command, or an unpause command; sending an HTTP response to the client from the server, the HTTP response comprising a response header and a response entity body, the response entity body comprising at least a portion of the first portion of the streamed digital media data; and prior to receiving the HTTP POST request: receiving, by the server, an inquiry from the client inquiring whether a HTTP proxy is required to receive the streamed digital media data; waiting for the client to obtain data relating to the HTTP proxy when the HTTP proxy is required; and accessing the HTTP proxy to facilitate communication between the client and the server when the HTTP proxy is required.