CN100401281C - Method and system for rendering multimedia in a portable device - Google Patents

Abstract

A multimedia system for rendering multimedia content in a portable device having an embedded processor. The portable device includes one or more rendering resources. A method is provided that performs operations of generating a multimedia object based on the multimedia content, associating a format handler with the multimedia object, and controlling a selected rendering resource using the format handler to render the multimedia content from the multimedia object.

Description

Method and system for rendering multimedia in a portable device

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims priority to co-pending US Provisional Patent Application 60/385,942, filed June 4, 2002, entitled "Mutlimedia Processing." Concurrently, this application also claims priority to a co-pending US Provisional Patent Application, filed April 25, 2003, entitled "Multimedia Processing." The disclosure of the above provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

technical field

The present invention relates generally to multimedia processing, and more particularly to a system for rendering multimedia in a portable device with an embedded controller.

Background technique

Advances in technology have produced smaller and more powerful personal computing devices. For example, there currently exist a wide variety of portable cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and paging devices that are small, lightweight, and easily portable by users. Typically, these devices include embedded controllers with limited memory resources. For example, the amount of available storage is limited by the small size of the device.

However, there is an increasing demand for such devices to handle larger amounts of data and execute more complex programs. For example, users need to remotely access interactive programs such as game programs that require portable devices to quickly and efficiently reproduce multimedia applications and content. For example, a user may wish to use their portable device to watch or listen to multimedia content such as video clips, animations, movies, and audio such as music content provided in MP3 format.

In order to reproduce multimedia content on a portable device, it is necessary to control the reproduction resources of the device. For example, one type of portable device may include a low-resolution display screen or audio speakers, while another type of portable device may include a larger, higher-resolution display screen and two-speaker stereo capability. Therefore, each type of portable device may have a different multimedia rendering resource with which to render multimedia content. Therefore, compatibility issues must be overcome when providing multimedia content for use on various portable devices with different configurations and rendering resources.

One technique for overcoming compatibility issues requires that the multimedia content be in a format that is specifically compatible with the rendering resources available on the portable device. For example, if a content developer wishes to produce video content for use on a particular portable device, the developer needs to tailor the video content to be precisely compatible with the video rendering resources available on the portable device.

Unfortunately, it is expensive and inefficient to create tailored multimedia content for each portable device on which the multimedia content will be rendered. For example, content developers need to modify content for different portable devices, and thereby generate multiple versions of the same content. At the same time, content developers must constantly update their content as new rendering resources become available.

Therefore, there is a need for a system that can render multimedia content on various portable devices without tailoring the content for the different rendering resources available on each device. The system should allow the reproduction of all types of multimedia content at runtime and provide an extensible structure allowing the reproduction of newly developed multimedia formats.

Contents of the invention

In one or more embodiments, a multimedia system for reproducing multimedia content on a portable device is provided, including a method and an apparatus. For example, a portable device may be a cellular telephone with an embedded controller and limited memory resources that executes program instructions for rendering multimedia content using the device's available rendering resources. In one or more implementations, the multimedia system is a small and efficient implementation that uses fewer resources and is particularly suitable for use in portable devices that include embedded controllers with limited memory resources.

In one embodiment, the system includes a set of format handlers for controlling rendering resources of a device. Each format handler is designed to process multimedia content with a specific format, thereby controlling the reproduction resources of the device to reproduce the content. For example, each format handler renders (of a particular format) a multimedia audio or video file (plays and understands it). The format handler determines the resources needed for the content, reads the file, and calls the correct resource. The portable device includes a high-level application programming interface (API) that the format handler uses to perform tasks. Each format handler may be included in the portable device at the time of manufacture as part of the multimedia system, or the format handler may be downloaded dynamically. Accordingly, one or more embodiments of the multimedia system can utilize a set of format handlers to render multimedia content in various portable devices without tailoring the content to the rendering resources available at each device. Additionally, the multimedia system provides an extensible architecture that allows the system to be extended by adding new format handlers for rendering newly developed content types.

The architecture of the multimedia system is beneficial to both multimedia users and developers. For example, it allows developers to write their own format handlers for use on wireless platforms. Also, multimedia users can benefit from the system because it provides a simple interface that allows reproduction of all types of content without knowing the precise configuration of the reproduction device.

In one embodiment, a method of rendering multimedia content in a portable device with an embedded processor is provided. The portable device also includes one or more rendering resources. The method includes: generating a multimedia object according to the multimedia content, associating the format processing program with the multimedia object, and using the format processing program to control selected reproduction resources so as to reproduce the multimedia content from the multimedia object.

In another embodiment, a multimedia system for rendering multimedia content in a portable device with an embedded processor is provided. A portable device includes one or more rendering resources. The multimedia system includes creating media logic that generates multimedia objects from multimedia content at runtime. The system also includes selection logic that associates the format handler with the multimedia object at runtime. The system also includes format processing logic that controls selected rendering resources at runtime to render multimedia content from the multimedia object.

In another embodiment, a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for rendering multimedia content in a portable device having an embedded processor is provided. The portable device also includes one or more rendering resources. The instructions, when executed, perform the following methods, which include: generating a multimedia object from the multimedia content, associating a format handler with the multimedia object, and using the format handler to control a selected rendering resource to render the multimedia content from the multimedia object.

In another embodiment, a multimedia system for rendering multimedia content in a portable device with an embedded processor is provided. The portable device also includes one or more rendering resources. The multimedia system includes means for generating multimedia objects from multimedia content. The system also includes means for associating the format handler with the multimedia object. The system also includes means for controlling the selected rendering resource with the format handler to render multimedia content from the multimedia object.

Other aspects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the brief description of the drawings, the detailed description of the invention and the claims set forth below.

Description of drawings

The foregoing aspects and additional advantages of the embodiments described herein will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a data network comprising a portable wireless device comprising an embedded controller adapted to implement an embodiment of a multimedia system to reproduce multimedia content;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the portable device of FIG. 1 , including an embodiment of a multimedia system operative to reproduce multimedia content;

Figure 3 shows a detailed block diagram of an embodiment of the multimedia system in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a state machine managed by a format handler to render multimedia content; and

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a method for rendering multimedia content in a portable device.

Detailed ways

The following detailed description describes a multimedia system for reproducing multimedia content in a portable device, including methods and apparatuses. In one or more implementations, the portable device has an embedded controller and limited resources (ie, limited storage capacity), and the system, at runtime, renders multimedia content using the device's available rendering resources.

In one or more implementations, the multimedia system interacts with the runtime environment running on the device to simplify device operations, for example, by providing generic calls to device-specific resources. One such operating environment is the Binary Operating Environment for Wireless (BREW ^™ ) software platform developed by Qualcomm Incorporated of San Diego, California. In the following description, it is assumed that the multimedia system is implemented on a portable device executing an execution environment such as the BREW software platform. However, one or more implementations of the multimedia system are suitable for use with other types of execution environments to render multimedia content on portable devices.

Figure 1 shows a data network 100 including a portable wireless device 102 having an embedded controller suitable for implementing one embodiment of a multimedia system for rendering multimedia content. For example, device 102 includes one implementation of multimedia system 104, hereinafter referred to as "IMedia." In network 100 , wireless device 102 communicates with network server 106 via wireless network 108 using wireless communication channel 110 .

In one implementation, device 102 includes a cellular telephone that can transmit and/or receive voice information via wireless network 108 . However, one or more implementations of the multimedia system are suitable for use with other types of portable devices. For example, other suitable portable devices include, but are not limited to, PDAs, email devices, pagers, tablet computers, mobile phones, or any other type of portable device that includes multimedia rendering resources.

Device 102 may also receive multimedia applications or content via wireless network 108 . For example, multimedia applications 112 and 114 may be downloaded onto device 102 from web server 106 . Additionally, multimedia content 116 may also be downloaded to device 102 from web server 106 . It is also possible to download multimedia applications or content onto device 102 from any other network entity connected to wireless network 108 .

In one embodiment, device 102 may also directly interface with a local system, such as local workstation 118 , via direct link 120 . In one embodiment, the local workstation 118 downloads the multimedia application or content onto the device 102 using the direct link 120 . For example, using link 120 , multimedia application 122 is downloaded from workstation 118 onto device 102 .

IMedia system 104 may be downloaded from server 106 onto device 102 and run on device 102 to render multimedia applications or content. In another embodiment, IMedia system 104 may be downloaded from workstation 118 to device 102 via link 120, or installed into the device during manufacture.

In one implementation, IMedia system 104 is provided on a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, which is then loaded onto system 118 for transfer to device 102 . In another implementation, the IMedia system 104 can be stored on a computer-readable storage device such as a memory card (not shown), which can then be inserted directly into the device 102 so that the IMedia system 104 can be used on the device. 102 runs. Thus, the device 102 may receive the IMedia system 104 either wirelessly transmitted or wired, or by obtaining the IMedia system 104 directly from a storage device.

The network 100 may also include other types of portable devices, such as other types of wireless or wired portable devices, and these devices may communicate with the server 106 or any other network entities employing various network types and communication structures, including wireless and wired networks, private and public networks, switched and non-switched networks, direct links, and any combination thereof, to download one or more implementations of the IMedia system 104 to render multimedia content.

2 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a portable device 102 including an embodiment of an IMedia system 104 that operates to render multimedia content. Device 102 includes processing logic 202 coupled to internal data bus 204 and stack memory 216 . Also connected to internal data bus 204 are instruction memory 206 , multimedia application/content memory 208 , heap memory 210 , user interface 212 , display logic 216 , audio logic 218 , and input/output (I/O) interface 214 .

During operation of device 102 , processing logic 202 executes program instructions stored in instruction memory 206 to generate runtime environment 220 . The running environment 220 may be a BREW environment or other suitable running environments. To assist in instruction execution, processing logic 202 utilizes stack memory 216 for temporary storage of program data or instructions. For example, processing logic 202 may store constants, variables, program addresses, pointers, instructions, and other items of information in stack memory 216 . In another implementation, processing logic 202 may temporarily store information in heap memory 210 . In fact, heap memory includes any type of memory suitable for storing and retrieving information by processing logic 202 .

In one or more implementations, the processing logic 202 includes a CPU, a gate array, hardware logic, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Accordingly, processing logic 202 typically includes logic to execute machine-readable instructions.

The instruction memory 206 includes RAM, ROM, FLASH, EEROM, or any other suitable type of memory, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the instruction memory 206 is located inside the device 102, while in another embodiment, the instruction memory 206 includes a removable memory card or storage device that is selectively connectable to the device 102 and This is connected to the internal bus 204 . Thus, in practice, instruction memory 206 may include any type of memory capable of storing instructions executable by processing logic 202 .

User interface 212 receives user input, for example, from a keyboard, pointing device, touchpad, or other input mechanism to allow a user to interact with device 102 . Display logic 216 includes logic to output information to a device display. For example, the device may include an LCD, LED, or other type of display resource. Audio logic 218 includes logic to output audio information to a device speaker, a remote speaker or audio system, or other type of sound source. For example, a pair of remote speakers may receive the output of audio logic 218 to reproduce audio information for a device user. Accordingly, display logic 216 and audio logic 218 may include any combination of hardware and/or software to allow device 102 to render visual or audio information to a device user.

I/O interface 214 transmits and receives information between device 102 and external devices, systems and/or networks during operation. For example, in one implementation, I/O interface 214 includes wireless transceiver circuitry (not shown) that operates to transmit and receive information via a wireless data network using, for example, communication link 106 . For example, the transceiver includes circuitry that modulates information received from processing logic 202 and converts the modulated information into a high frequency signal suitable for wireless transmission. Similarly, the transceiver also includes circuitry to convert received high frequency communication signals into signals suitable for demodulation and subsequent processing by processing logic 202 .

In another embodiment, the I/O interface 214 includes a transceiver that operates to send and receive information via a hardwired communication link, such as a telephone line, to communicate with a public network, such as the Internet. Remote systems in the data network communicate.

In another implementation, I/O interface 214 includes circuitry that operates to communicate with a local device, such as local workstation 116 , using link 120 . I/O interface 214 may also include circuitry (eg, serial or parallel port logic) to communicate with a printer or other local computer or device such as a floppy disk or memory card. Accordingly, I/O interface 214 may include any type of hardware, software, or combination thereof that allows device 102 to communicate with other local or remote devices or systems.

During operation of device 102, execution of program instructions by processing logic 202 causes IMedia system 104 to be generated. For example, IMedia instructions that generate IMedia system 104 when executed may be stored in instruction memory 206 . IMedia system 104 interacts with runtime environment 220 to render multimedia applications and content on device 102 . For example, multimedia applications and content may be downloaded onto device 102 via wireless network 108 and stored in memory 208 . In one embodiment, IMedia system 104 acquires multimedia content stored in memory 208 via internal bus 204 and renders the content by interacting with the device's rendering resources (i.e., display logic, audio logic, etc.) Processing is performed to render the content on device 102 . Meanwhile, the IMedia system 104 processes and renders streaming multimedia content at runtime. For example, streaming multimedia content downloaded from network 108 to device 102 is rendered on device 102 using IMedia system 104 .

It should be noted that the configuration of device 102 is only one suitable for implementing one embodiment of IMedia system 104 for rendering multimedia applications and content. It is also possible to implement the IMedia system 104 using other devices or device configurations within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of one embodiment of the IMedia system 104 for use in the device 102 . Device 102 includes native hardware 302 including processing logic 202 therein, and device 102 may optionally include a multimedia processor 304 specially designed for processing multimedia information. Without further description, it is assumed that native hardware 302 includes logic for operating the device's rendering resources (ie, display logic 216, etc.), and that processing logic 202 and multimedia processor 304 are executable to control these resources.

Device 102 also includes native multimedia software 306 , which includes audio 1308 , audio 2 310 , and video 312 modules. These modules represent low-level software modules for communicating directly with native hardware 302 in order to control selected rendering resources. For example, video module 312 communicates with multimedia processor 304 to control video rendering resources. Although one implementation is shown, fewer or more multimedia software modules 306 are possible and can communicate with all types of native hardware 302 . Accordingly, other native hardware 302 and software 306 configurations are possible within the scope of the present invention.

During operation, device 102 executes program instructions to generate runtime environment 220, which in one embodiment is a BREW environment. It is then possible to execute the IMedia instructions to generate the IMedia system 104 for rendering multimedia content together with the runtime environment. For example, IMedia instructions may be downloaded to the device via wireless network 108 and stored in instruction memory 206 .

The IMedia system 104 abstracts multimedia content processing at runtime and defines a framework for multimedia interfaces at runtime. In one embodiment, the IMedia system 104 provides the following features at runtime:

1. Provides universal and easy access to device multimedia features and capabilities.

2. Shield the multimedia API and resource management of the complex application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) layer.

3. Provide building blocks for developing complex multimedia applications.

4. Selectively export media types based on file extensions, file content, or signatures in files.

IMedia system 104 includes create media tools 324 , media data structures 326 , and format handlers 314 , 316 , 318 , and 320 . Also shown is an IMedia abstraction 328 that is part of the IMedia system 104 and represents the basic IMedia objects that are created during the IMedia system 104 run. A detailed description of the components of the IMedia system is provided below. IMedia abstraction

The IMedia abstraction 328 is an abstract interface capable of registering and handling multimedia content types. The IMedia abstraction 328 maintains references to the media data in the media data structure 326 .

media data structure

Media data structures 326 encapsulate media data sources or sinks at runtime. This allows IMedia system 104 to stream media data from various data sources or to various destinations. In one embodiment, the media data structure 326 is formed from data structure logic including processing logic 202 that executes program instructions to generate the media data structure 326 in the memory 210 .

Create media tools

Create Media Tool 324 performs several functions. First, create media tool 324 receives a multimedia application or content for rendering at runtime. For example, a multimedia application or content may be stored in memory 208 and the content includes function calls to create media tool 324 . Next, create media tool 324 processes the multimedia content to create IMedia object 328 from the information contained in media data structure 326 . After creating the IMedia object, the create media tool sets the media data and puts the IMedia object in a ready state. In one embodiment, create media tool 324 is formed from create media logic comprising processing logic 202 executing program instructions to create IMedia object 328 in memory 210 and perform the functions of create media tool described above.

In one embodiment, create media tool 324 includes selection logic that includes processing logic 202 that executes program instructions to select a format handler to associate with IMedia object 328 and perform the other functions described above. For example, the selection logic evaluates the media content-related data structures 326 to determine which format handler to select.

format handler

In one embodiment, IMedia system 104 includes a set of Format Handlers (FH). For example, IMedia system 104 includes MIDI 314, MP3 316, MPEG4 318, and ADCPM 320 format handlers. These format handlers provide the interface 322 between the IMedia object 328 and the multimedia rendering hardware and software of the device 102 . In one embodiment, the format handler interprets the common instruction set so that multimedia applications or content can utilize the same instructions to instruct the format handler to perform similar tasks such as play, stop, rewind, and the like. Any number of format handlers may be used, and new format handlers may be added in order to render new types of multimedia content. In one embodiment, the formatter is formed from formatter logic, wherein the formatter logic includes processing logic 202 that executes program instructions to perform the functions of the formatter described above.

In one embodiment, the common instruction set instructs the format handler to render multimedia content and provides mechanisms for passing parameters and status. Examples of instructions included in the common instruction set are as follows:

1.IMedia_SetMediaParm(); set the parameters of FH

2.IMedia_GetMediaParm(); Get parameters from FH

3.IMedia_SetMediaData(); set media data

4.IMedia_GetMediaData(); get media data

5.IMedia_GetClassID(); get class ID

6.IMedia_GetState(); get state

7.IMedia_RegisterNotify(); Register callback to FH

8.IMedia_Play(); Send a play command to FH

9.IMedia_Stop(); Send a stop command to FH

10.IMedia_SetRect(); set video parameters

For example, an IMedia object may include an IMedia_SetMediaParm() instruction to instruct the format handler to set a specific parameter, setting, or variable related to the format handler. For example, with the IMedia_SetMediaParm() command, parameters related to a format handler designed to reproduce MPEG video can be set. In other embodiments, the format-specific handler may also interpret additional instructions (not shown), which may be included in the IMedia object 328, and use the additional instructions to control specific functions of the controlled resource.

In one embodiment, the format handler is software that runs on the portable device as part of the IMedia system 104 . In another embodiment, the format handler may be a combination of hardware and software. In addition, format handlers can be added to the IMedia system as they become available, making the IMedia system extensible and capable of rendering new types of multimedia content as it becomes available.

During runtime, a format handler registers itself (its MIME type) with the runtime environment, and a multimedia application can detect a format handler by querying the MIME type or enumerating the list of format handlers supported (registered) by the system. Each format handler provides a selection of features, which include but are not limited to:

1. Provide an application programming interface (API) that:

a. Perform playback and recording of multimedia content, including control functions such as search, pause, and restart;

b. Set and/or obtain audio and video control parameters;

c. Handle asynchronous events from the IMedia object.

2. Send an asynchronous media event via the registered callback function.

3. Manage device multimedia reproduction resources.

4. Manage state machines that can be extended by exporting classes.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a state machine 400 managed by a format handler, such as format handler 318, to render multimedia content. The initial state of the format handler is idle 402 . Once the format handler is associated with the IMedia object, the state of the format handler goes to Prepare 404 . From the prepare state 404, the format handler may enter the play state 406 or the record state 408 according to commands related to the multimedia content. The format handler may transition from the play state 406 and the record state 408 to the play paused state 410 or the record paused state 412 . It is also possible to restart the corresponding playback state 406 and recording state 408 from these states. The format handler can also stop 414 and then return to the ready state 404 .

Thus, using the state machine 400, each format handler is able to control the rendering resources of the device in order to render the multimedia application or content (IMedia object) associated with that format handler. In another embodiment, the format processing program can also implement a state machine different from the state machine shown in FIG. 4 . Additionally, in other embodiments, additional states can be defined that can be used during the rendering process.

FIG. 5 shows an implementation of a method 500 for rendering multimedia content in a portable device.

In block 502, a multimedia application or content is created using an IMedia construct such that it can be rendered on a portable device. For example, an application developer uses create media tool 324 to create an IMedia object. The number of IMedia objects and capabilities such as simultaneous playback or recording are device-dependent. All IMedia objects follow the basic state machine shown in Figure 4. In one embodiment, an IMedia object can be created and used using the following steps.

1. Create and initialize a media data structure based on a media data source/sink. Define AEEMediaData as follows:

typedef struct

{

AEECLSID clsData; //Type of media data

void*pData;//Context-sensitive data (see table)

unit32dwSize;//Context-sensitive data (see table)

}AEEMediaData;

2. Initialize the members of the above structure based on the information in the table below.

clsStream pData dwSize note MMD_FILE_NAME file name 0 for playback and recording. The file is not opened by IMedia, but the file name is passed to the API of the ASIC layer, and the file is opened by the API. MMD_BUFFER buffer pointer buffer size for playback and recording. The buffer must contain complete media data. MMS_Source ISource Total data size or 0 real-time stream processing

In block 504, the multimedia content is downloaded to the portable device for rendering. For example, applications or content may be downloaded to the device via the wireless data network 108 . The content may be reproduced as streaming content, or stored in memory and reproduced at a later time.

In block 506, a media data structure is created and initialized based on the characteristics of the media source or sink included in the received content. For example, a media data structure is stored in media data structure 326 . In one embodiment, the media type is derived based on the file extension, file content, or signature included in the file.

In block 508, an IMedia object is created using the associated data structures. For example, an IMedia object is created using the create media tool 324 . In the ready state 404 the IMedia object is returned.

In block 510, an optional step is performed to register a notification function if desired to receive asynchronous events from the IMedia object.

In block 512, the IMedia object is associated with the format handler and the multimedia application or content is rendered on the portable device. For example, a format handler may provide any functionality of state machine 400 for rendering multimedia content.

In block 514, after the content has been rendered and the IMedia object is no longer needed, the object is released.

Implementation example

The following is an example implementation showing how to create an IMedia object in one implementation. This example includes references to the corresponding blocks of the method shown in FIG. 5 and assumes that the execution environment used by the portable device 102 is the BREW environment. Thus, "CApp" is an instance of the BREW applet global structure.

static void App_PlayMedia(CApp*pme)

{

int nRet;

AEEMediaData md;

//Create the media data structure (box 506 in Figure 5)

md.clsData = MMD_FILE_NAME;

md.pData = (void*) "media/midi_fmtl.mid";

md.dwSize = 0;

//Create an IMedia object and enter the ready state (box 508 in Figure 5)

nRet=AEEMediaUtil_CreateMedia(pme->a.pIShell, &md, pme->m_pIMedia);

//If successful, App_MediaNotify () is registered as the registration callback function of the IMedia event (block 510 in Figure 5)

if (SUCCESS != nRet)

DisplayErrorDlg(pme, IDS_ERR_CREATEMEDIA);

else if(SUCCESS!=IMEDAI_RegisterNotify(pme->pIMedia,

App_mediaNotify, pme))

DisplayErrorDlg(pme, IDS_ERR_REGISTERNOTIFY);

else if(SUCCESS!=IMEDIA_Play(pme->m_pIMedia))//Start playback (box 512 in Figure 5)

DisplayErrorDlg(pme, IDS_ERR_PLAY);

In one or more embodiments encompassed by the present invention, a multimedia system including methods and apparatus operates to render multimedia applications and content on a portable device with limited resources of an embedded controller. Therefore, although one or more implementations of the method and apparatus have been illustrated and indicated herein, it should be understood that various changes can be made to the various implementations without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (6)

1. A method for rendering multimedia content in a portable device having an embedded processor for controlling multimedia content rendering resources for processing data, the multimedia content having an associated multimedia type, the The portable device also includes one or more rendering resources, and the method includes: Changing a multimedia object according to the multimedia content, the multimedia object has an interface including a playback method; Associating the multimedia object with a handler in the format handler, the format handler is selected from a plurality of format handlers respectively associated with a specific multimedia type and supporting at least one playback function; and Invoking the play method of the multimedia object to render multimedia content, the play method utilizing the play function of the format handler to control selected rendering resources of the device to render multimedia content from a multimedia object. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a multimedia data structure from the multimedia content. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said playback method utilizing said playback function of said format handler to control the selected reproduction resource of said device comprises: implement a state machine in the format handler to control selected rendering resources; and The multimedia content is rendered using a state machine in the format handler. 4. A multimedia system for rendering multimedia content in a portable device for processing data having an embedded processor for controlling multimedia content rendering resources, the multimedia content having an associated multimedia type, The portable device also includes one or more rendering resources, and the multimedia system includes: means for changing a multimedia object according to multimedia content, the multimedia object has an interface including a playback method; means for associating the multimedia object with a handler in a format handler selected from a plurality of format handlers respectively associated with a specific multimedia type and supporting at least one playback function; and means for invoking said play method of said multimedia object to reproduce multimedia content, said play method utilizing said play function of said format handler to control a selected reproduction resource of said device to reproduce multimedia from a multimedia object content. 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising: means for generating the multimedia data structure from the multimedia content. 6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the means for invoking the playback method of the multimedia object to reproduce the multimedia content comprises: means for implementing a state machine in the format handler to control selected rendering resources; and Means for rendering multimedia content using a state machine in a format handler.

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