Method and apparatus for distributing media in a pay per play architecture with remote playback within an enterprise

• US 20050283791A1
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digital Networks North America, Inc. (DEI Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: McCarthy, Tom, Goodwin, Mark, Parekh, Jateen
• Granted Patent: US 9,160,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23473 by pre-encrypting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44055 by partially decrypting, e.g. decrypting a video stream that has been partially encrypted
• 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 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

Systems and methods for rendering media content are provided. Systems of the invention can comprise a first platform for accessing, storing and distributing media content, wherein the media content comprises an unrenderable state when received by the first platform; a second platform communicatively coupled with the first platform for rendering the stored media content; the first and second platforms cooperatively providing an interface for purchasing a right to render stored or accessible media content at least one time; and at least one of the first platform and the second platform being operable to convert the stored or accessible media content to a renderable state upon the purchase of the right to render, wherein the first and second platforms are communicatively coupled to the Internet. Systems are preferably operably connected to the Internet and can provide access to content sources local to and remote from the system of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for rendering media content in an enterprise comprising:

a first platform for accessing, storing and distributing media content from one or more content sources, wherein the media content comprises an unrenderable state when received by the first platform;

a second platform communicatively coupled with the first platform for storing and rendering the media content stored on the first and second platform;

the first and second platforms cooperatively providing an interface to access media content from content providers and to purchase a right to render stored or accessible media content at least one time; and

at least one of the first platform and the second platform being operable to convert the stored or accessible media content to a renderable state upon the purchase of the right to render,

wherein the first and second platforms are communicatively coupled to the Internet.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a distribution server operably connected to at least one of the first and second platforms and to at least one content source, the distribution server being operable to receive requests for content and to responsively retrieve content from the content sources.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a distribution server operably connected to at least one of the first and second platforms and to at least one content source, the distribution server being operable to track parameters selected from the group consisting of tracking the usage of the media content, tracking the payment for the media content, and tracking the commerce of the media content.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the distribution server is located on-site, at the enterprise.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the distribution server is located on-site, at the enterprise.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the distribution server is located off-site, away from the enterprise, operably connected to the Internet.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the distribution server is located off-site, away from the enterprise, operably connected to the Internet.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the media content sources are selected from the group consisting of a content provider operatively connected to the Internet, an alternate first platform operatively connected to said first platform, an alternate first platform operatively connected to the Internet, a second platform operatively connected to the first platform and a second platform operatively connected to the Internet.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the unrenderable state comprises a first level of encryption that protects the media content from unauthorized rendering.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the media content is contained in a broadcast signal and the unrenderable state comprises a second level of encryption that protects the media content from unauthorized reception and storage.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the broadcast is one of an over-the-air broadcast, a cable broadcast, an Internet broadcast and a satellite broadcast.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first platform comprises a dedicated media storage and serving device comprising:

a storage device for retaining the media content;

a registry including one or more parameters corresponding with functional attributes of the second platform;

a network interface communicatively coupled to at least one of a media content source and to the second platform; and

a media content manager that provides for the purchase of the right to render the media content, management of rendering of the media content including enforcing digital rights associated with the media content, and controlling rendering of the media content in accordance with terms of the purchase.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the first platform comprises:

a decryptor for decrypting the media content prior to, at least one of rendering the media content with the first platform, and communication of the media content to the second platform; and

a transcoder for translating the media from a first format to a second format, the first platform being further operable to render content from the second format.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first platform further comprises an encryptor for encrypting the media content prior to communicating the media content to the second platform;

and wherein the second platform further comprises a decryptor for decrypting the media content as encrypted by the first platform.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the first platform comprises:

a discovery service operable to search for content and to download content based on a user profile.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the second platform comprises:

a media rendering device;

a local discovery service that communicates with the first platform to determine composition of the media content;

a media communication interface for communicating with the first platform;

a guide renderer for displaying a list of titles corresponding with portions of the media content that the media rendering device can render; and

a decoder that converts the media content from an encoded format to a format that corresponds with the media rendering device.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the media content is received via one or more of the Internet, an over-the-air transmission, a cable television transmission, a digital satellite system transmission, and an optical storage media.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the second platform comprises a digital video recorder.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the second platform comprises an audio/video device comprising a decoder for converting the media content from an encoded format to a decoded, renderable format.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the first platform receives information from the Internet comprising an electronic program guide, wherein the information from the Internet is communicated to the second platform.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the operative connection comprises a packet-based data network.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the operative connection comprises a wireless connection.

23. The system of claim 1, further comprising a rendering controller that provides for modifying the manner in which the media content is rendered, wherein the rendering controller is implemented with at least one of the first platform and the second platform.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the rendering controller provides for:

stopping rendering of the media content;

pausing rendering of the media content;

returning to a previously rendered point of the media content and resumption of rendering from the previously rendered point;

resuming rendering of the media content after stopping or pausing; and

skipping portions of the media content and resuming rendering of the media content from a point that occurs later in the media content.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the media content is selected from the group consisting of audio content, video content and combined audio/video content.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the content received from a media source comprises a first layer of encryption to protect the received content from unauthorized rendering and a second layer of encryption to prevent unauthorized reception and retention of the received content.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the media content received from a media source is stored on the first platform in a compressed format.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the compressed format comprises a format in accordance with one of the MPEG-1 standard, the MPEG-2 standard and the MPEG-4 standard.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the compressed format comprises a compressed audio format in accordance with layer 3 of the MPEG-1 standard.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the first platform comprises:

a digital video recorder having a storage device for retaining, at least a portion, of the media content;

a personal computer operatively coupled with the digital video recorder, wherein the personal computer provides for;

the purchase of the right to render the media content;

management of rendering of the media content including;

enforcing digital rights associated with the media content; and

controlling rendering of the media content in correspondence with terms of the purchase.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the media content includes meta-data describing the media content.

32. The system of claim 1, further comprising a billing system, operably connected to the first or second platform.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the billing system is operable to track parameters selected from the group consisting of tracking the usage of the media content, tracking the payment for the media content, and tracking the commerce of the media content.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the billing system is located on-site, at the enterprise.

35. The system of claim 32 wherein the billing system is located off-site, away from the enterprise, operably connected to the Internet.

36. The system of claim 1, further comprising an user profile server that stores the user profiles of the system'"'"'s users, operably connected to the first or second platform.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein the user profile server is operable to track parameters selected from the group consisting of tracking the usage of media content, tracking the payment for PPPlay media content, and tracking the commerce of media content by a specific user and update the specific user'"'"'s user profile accordingly.

38. The system of claim 36 comprising a user profile that includes meta-data describing a user'"'"'s media preferences wherein the user profile meta-data and the media content meta-data are compared to determine whether any piece of media content is compatible with the user profile.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein media content that is determined to be compatible with the user profile is displayed for use and purchase by the user.

40. The system of claim 38 wherein media content that is determined to be incompatible with the user profile is not displayed for use and purchase by the user.

41. The system of claim 36 wherein the first platform is operable to read a user profile from the user profile server and receive media content compatible with the user profile.

42. The system of claim 36 wherein the second platform is operable to read a user profile from the user profile server and receive media content compatible with the user profile.

43. The system of claim 36 wherein the user profile server is located on-site, at the enterprise.

44. The system of claim 36 wherein the user profile server is located off-site, away from the enterprise, operably connected to the Internet.

45. The system of claim 1, further comprising an advertising server, operably connected to the first or second platform.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the advertising server is operable to provide advertising content to system users.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the advertising server is operable to provide custom tailored advertising content to specific system users.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the user profile meta-data enables the projection of a user'"'"'s advertising preferences.

49. The system of claim 45, wherein advertising content that is determined to be compatible with the user profile is displayed for viewing by the user.

50. The system of claim 45 wherein the advertising server is operable to track the usage of advertising content.

51. The system of claim 45 wherein the advertising server is located on-site, at the enterprise.

52. The system of claim 45 wherein the advertising server is located off-site, away from the enterprise, operably connected to the Internet.

53. A system for rendering media content comprising:

a media server operatively connected to the Internet comprising;

a device for receiving unrenderable media content from one or more content sources selected from the group consisting of a content provider operatively connected to the Internet, one or more alternate media servers operatively connected to said media server, an alternate media server operatively connected to the Internet, a media client operatively connected to the media server and a media client operatively connected to the Internet;

a storage device for retaining the media content;

a content management sub-system that provides for purchase of the right to render the media content at least one time by converting the content to a renderable format, management of the rendering of the media content including enforcing digital rights associated with the media content, and controlling rendering of the media content in correspondence with terms of the purchase; and

a media client that is operatively coupled with, and discoverable by, the media server, wherein the client device comprises;

a rendering device;

a decoder for translating the media content from a first format to a second format, wherein the media content is communicated to the rendering device in the second format for playback;

a discovery sub-system that determines a subset of content playable by the rendering device within the unrenderable content contained on the media server; and

a content guide display that lists the subset of content;

a user profile server that is operatively coupled with, and discoverable by, the media server and media client,

wherein the media server and the media client are operatively connected to the user profile server and can request user profile-compatible media content from one or more content sources to be stored on the media server or media client for use or purchase by the user whose user profile was utilized for the user profile-compatible media content request.

54. A method for rendering media content on a pay-per-play basis comprising:

reading a user profile from a user profile server of a guest who may utilize unrenderable PPPlay media content;

querying one or more content sources selected from the group consisting of a content provider operatively connected to the Internet, a local media servers, a media server operatively connected to the Internet, a local media client and a media client operatively connected to the Internet for unrenderable PPPlay media content the is compatible with the user profile;

displaying a content guide comprising a listing describing the available unrenderable PPPlay media content;

receiving a request to purchase a rendering right for the unrenderable PPPlay media content, the request being generated from the content guide;

removing a first level of content unrenderability;

rendering the media content at least one time, wherein at least a part of the media content is rendered on a second device.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising removing a second level of content unrenderability after receiving the media content and prior to storing the media content.

56. The method of claim 54, further comprising decoding and decompressing the media content prior to rendering the media content.

57. The method of claim 54, further comprising transcoding the media content from a first format to a second format prior to rendering the content, such that the transcoded media content is renderable by a selected rendering device.

58. The method of claim 54, further comprising, prior to rendering the media content:

removing the first level of content unrenderability with the first device;

encrypting the media content with the first device;

communicating the media content from the first device to the second device as an encrypted media stream; and

decrypting the encrypted media stream with the second device.

59. A method for recording renderable media content for time-shifting on a system of the invention comprising:

allowing a user to specify criteria for recording renderable media content on a second platform and media client;

recording the selected shows, and

updating a content registry on the first platform and second platform to reflect the recorded media content.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the user specified criteria may be selected from one or more of renderable media content names, director names, actor/actress names, show class, keywords, and rating information.

61. The method of claim 59 wherein the user specified criteria includes user provided preference rating information of previously utilized renderable media content.

62. The method of claim 59 further comprising allowing the user to review and edit renderable media content selected for recording.

63. The method of claim 59 wherein the criteria for recording renderable media content is presented to the user in a list for selection and editing.

64. The method of claim 59 further comprising allowing a user to preview and edit a list of renderable media content selected for recording.

65. The method of claim 59 further comprising recording from a default channel when there is no renderable media content selected for recording.

66. The method of claim 59 wherein recording selected renderable media content comprises recording onto a randomly accessible recording media.

67. The method of claim 59 wherein the recorded renderable media content is stored so that it is available when the guest next stays at an enterprise utilizing the systems of the invention.

68. A method for recording renderable media content for time-shifting on a system of the invention comprising:

reading a guest'"'"'s user profile from a user profile server to specify criteria for recording renderable media content on a media device;

recording one or more user profile-compatible shows, and

updating a content registry on the first platform and second platform to reflect the recorded media content.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein user profile meta-data is compared to one or more of renderable media content names, director names, actor/actress names, show class, keywords, and rating information.

70. The method of claim 68 wherein user profile meta-data includes preference rating information from previously utilized renderable media content.

71. The method of claim 68 further comprising allowing the user to review and edit renderable media content selected for recording according to the user profile.

72. The method of claim 68 wherein the user profile meta-data utilized for recording of renderable media content is presented to the user in a list for editing.

73. The method of claim 68 further comprising allowing a user to preview and edit a list of renderable media content selected for recording according to the user profile.

74. The method of claim 68 further comprising recording from user profile-compatible default channel.

75. The method of claim 68 wherein recording user profile-compatible renderable media content comprises recording onto a randomly accessible recording media.

76. The method of claim 68 wherein the recorded, user profile-compatible renderable media content is stored so that it is available when the guest next stays at an enterprise utilizing the systems of the invention.

77. A method for providing media content to a media device using a computer network, comprising:

receiving a request on a media device from a user or user profile to obtain media content;

contacting one or more content sources selected from the group consisting of a content provider operatively connected to the Internet, a local media servers, a media server operatively connected to the Internet, a local media client and a media client operatively connected to the Internet with the request for media content;

providing a unique identifier to the content source;

receiving media content.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the computer network is the Internet.