초록 ▼

A method of managing resources within a network for consumer electronic media devices. In one embodiment, the method is implemented as a software resource manager which provides a centralized resource allocation, reservation and access control functionalities for a home entertainment server. Particu

A method of managing resources within a network for consumer electronic media devices. In one embodiment, the method is implemented as a software resource manager which provides a centralized resource allocation, reservation and access control functionalities for a home entertainment server. Particularly, user applications of the home server receive instructions from a user or other entities for a media service, and converts the instructions into a request that identifies the necessary resources for providing the media service. The software resource manager then determines whether such resources are available upon receiving the request. Importantly, the software resource manager also determines whether a routing path between the necessary resources has sufficient bandwidth for performing the requested media service. If necessary resources and bandwidth are available, the software resource manager then sends control signals to the source and destination devices causing them to perform the requested media services. Additionally, the software resource manager of the present invention provides event scheduling and request arbitration functionalities to the home entertainment server. In this manner, a secure home entertainment network that is protected from misuse and abuse can thus be achieved.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of managing resources within a network including a plurality of consumer electronic media devices, said method comprising the steps of:a) providing a resource manager for manging resources within said network; b) receiving a request for a media service, said request identifying a source

1. A method of managing resources within a network including a plurality of consumer electronic media devices, said method comprising the steps of:a) providing a resource manager for manging resources within said network; b) receiving a request for a media service, said request identifying a source consumer electronic media device and a destination consumer electronic media device that are necessary for performing said media service; c) based on said request, said resource manager determining whether said source consumer electronic media device and said destination consumer electronic device are available for performing said media service; d) said resource manager determining whether a routing path between said source and said destination consumer electronic media devices has sufficient bandwidth for performing said media service; and e) provided said source electronic media device and said destination electronic media device are available and provided said routing path has sufficient bandwidth, said resource manager transmitting control signals to cause said plurality of consumer electronic media devices to provide said media service.