Method and system for integrating instant messaging, streaming audio and audio playback

Abstract

A method and system are provided for integrating a streaming audio server application, an instant messaging client application, and a media player application. The instant messaging client application may be utilized to engage in an instant messaging session with other users. The instant messaging client application can notify participating users that an audio stream is available from the media player application. The streaming audio server obtains a selection via the instant messenger and then streams the audio track to the requester. The streaming audio server may also be utilized to provide a streaming audio radio station at a client computer.

1 . A method for integrating audio playback, streaming audio, and instant messaging in a client computer system, comprising:
 receiving at an instant messaging server computer an indication that a client computer has an audio stream available for playback; and   transmitting a notification from said instant messaging server computer to one or more other client computers that said audio stream is available from said client computer for playback.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said indication is received from an instant messaging client application executing on said client computer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said notification is transmitted to one or more instant messaging client applications executing on said one or more other client computers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising updating an entry in a public directory to indicate that said audio stream is available from said client computer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising updating a markup language page to indicate that said audio stream is available from said client computer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 receiving at said instant messaging server computer an indication that said client computer does not have an audio stream available for playback; and   in response to said indication, transmitting a notification from said instant messaging server computer to one or more other client computers that said audio stream is not available from said client computer for playback.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising updating an entry in a public directory to indicate that said audio stream is not available from said client computer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising updating a markup language page to indicate that said audio stream is not available from said client computer. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of integrating audio playback, streaming audio, and instant messaging in a client computer system, the method comprising:
 receiving at an instant messaging server computer an indication that a client computer has an audio stream available for playback, wherein said indication is received from an instant messaging client application executing on the client computer; and   transmitting a notification from said instant messaging server computer to one or more other client computers that said audio stream is available from said client computer for playback.   
     
     
         10 . A system for integrating audio playback, streaming audio, and instant messaging, comprising:
 an instant messaging server computer comprising an instant messaging server application, and   a plurality of client computers each including a media playback application, a streaming audio server application, and an instant messaging client application, and wherein said instant messaging server application is operative to facilitate an instant messaging session between two or more of said plurality of client computers, to receive indications that audio streams are available from any of said plurality of client computers participating in said instant messaging session, and to notify each of said client computers participating In said instant messaging session that other of said client computers have available audio streams, and wherein said media playback application is operative to providing an indication that a stream is available when audio is played back, said instant messaging client application is operative to transmit a notification to said instant messaging server application program that an audio stream is available, and said streaming audio server application is operative to stream audio in response to receiving requests from one or more of said plurality of client computers.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said instant messaging client application is further operative to receive an indication that an audio stream is available from one or more of said plurality of client computers and to display in indication that said audio stream is available. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said instant messaging client application is further operative to receive an indication that a streaming audio radio station is available from one or more of said plurality of client computers and to display in indication that said streaming audio radio station is available. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said media player applications is operative to randomly playback audio streams available from said plurality of client computers participating in said instant messaging session. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said media player applications is operative to alternately playback audio streams available from said plurality of client computers participating in said instant messaging session. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said media player application is operative to provide meta-data regarding a currently playing audio stream.