Distributed storage network architecture using user devices

• US 20030158958A1
• Filed: 02/20/2002
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.), Warner-Lambert Company (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Chiu, Tom S.
• Application Number:
  US10/081,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20030158958A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91335 the copy protection signal being a watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91364 the video signal being scrambled
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4335 Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; unloading stored programs G06F9/445; storage management in file systems G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8358 involving watermark protecting executable software by watermarking G06F21/16; image watermarking in general G06T1/0021; watermarks inserted in still images for transmission purposes H04N1/32144; inserting watermarks during video coding H04N19/467
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

An electronic content delivery system uses a network of end-user devices around a hub. Each end-user device has storage capability. Content is stored in a distributed fashion on the network of these end-user devices for being made available to individual ones of these devices in a P2P fashion so as to cut download time and reduce transmission errors. The system enables digital rights management of the content.

Claims

1. A method of processing content information at a second CE (consumer electronics) device, the method comprising:

receiving authorization for the processing by the second CE device of, at least part of, the content information stored at a first CE device, the first CE device coupled to the second CE device via a peer-to-peer network of respective CE devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing of, at least part of, the content information comprises at least one of:

receiving the content information from the first CE device at the second CE device;

storing the content information at the second CE device; and

playing out the content information from the second CE device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the authorization is requested from one of:

an entitlement manager remote to the second CE device; and

a conditional access module local to the second CE device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the network comprises at least one hub.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the content information originates from an MSO (Media Service Operator).

6. A second CE device for use in a method of processing content information at the second CE (consumer electronics) device, the method comprising

receiving authorization for processing by the second device of, at least part of, the content information stored at a first CE device, the first CE device coupled to the second CE device via a peer-to-peer network of respective CE devices;

and wherein the second CE device comprises;

a storage unit for storing content information that is under control of a conditional access manager;

means for receiving an authorization from the manager to process the content information; and

means for receiving content information from the first CE device coupled to the second CE device via the peer-to-peer network of respective devices.

7. An EPG (Electronic Program Guide) on first content information available to a second CE device, the EPG comprising:

first data on the first content information, the first content information stored at a first CE device, the first CE device being coupled to the second CE device via a peer-to-peer network of respective CE devices.

8. The EPG of claim 7 also on second content information, the EPG comprising:

second data on the second content information, the second content information residing outside the peer-to-peer network.

9. The EPG of claim 7, wherein the first data is updated upon a change of content information, which is available to the second device, and that is stored at a first CE device.

10. The EPG of claim 7, wherein the first data comprises data on conditional access.

11. A method of enabling an end-user to select content information, using a first CE device that is part of a peer-to-peer network of CE devices in a data network, the method comprising:

giving the end-user an incentive to select content information available at a second CE device in the peer-to-peer network in the data network over content information available from a source, other than one of the CE devices, in the data network.

12. A method of enabling an end-user to share content information, using a first CE device that is part of a peer-to-peer network of CE devices in a data network, the method comprising:

giving the end-user an incentive to make content information available to a second CE device in the peer-to-peer network in the data network.