Apparatus, method and system for self service digital media broadcast

• US 20050289630A1
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TelVue Corporation
• Original Assignee: Princeton Server Group, LLC
• Inventors: Lerman, Jesse, Andrews, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/149,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20050289630A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/116
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23608 Remultiplexing multiplex streams, e.g. involving modifying time stamps or remapping the packet identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23617 by inserting additional data into a data carousel, e.g. inserting software modules into a DVB carousel arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2368 Multiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6112 involving terrestrial transmission, e.g. DVB-T
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82

Abstract

A method and apparatus to facilitate the automated management and broadcast of digital media content at a digital distribution facility, resulting in a hosted broadcast capability. The system includes an automated interface for scheduling the use of a digital media content distribution facility, including buying or selling of digital media broadcast capacity and satellite, terrestrial and cable-based digital content delivery services. The scheduling and sale may occur via a website that presents Content Originating Customers (COC) with a graphic representation of available broadcast capability, and allows the customer to interactively buy or bid for use of that capability.

Claims

1. A method of providing a hosted broadcast, comprising the steps of:

providing a host facility comprising at least one digital storage unit and at least one digital broadcast stream;

uploading at least one digital file to said host facility, from a site remote from said host facility, via a communications network;

storing said digital file, in its entirety, on said digital storage unit;

selecting, by a user remote from said host facility, a broadcast time slot;

associating said stored digital file with said selected broadcast time slot; and

broadcasting, subsequent to said step of storing, said at least one digital file via said at least one digital broadcast stream in said broadcast time slot, thereby providing said hosted broadcast.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said host facility is a satellite ground station and wherein said digital broadcast stream is a satellite digital broadcast stream

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising auctioning, via an online auction, said provision of a hosted broadcast in said broadcast time slot.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said step of auctioning further comprises specifying an amount of advertising time available for use by a hosted broadcast provider during said hosted broadcast.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of auctioning further comprises specifying an amount of popup advertising time allowed in said hosted broadcast;

and specifying a popup coverage percentage representing the maximum area of a screen that a pop-up advertisement may cover in said hosted broadcast.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said step of auctioning further comprises specifying a predetermined range of bit-rates for said hosted broadcast, said range indicating a minimum acceptable bit rate for broadcast, and a maximum bit rate usable if spare bandwidth is available.

7. The method of claim 1 further including specifying a predetermined range of bit rates for said hosted broadcast, and wherein said step of broadcasting further comprises the step of transrating said broadcast of said at least one digital file so as to better match an available bandwidth of said digital broadcast stream for said digital file.

8. The method of claim 7 further including a step of optimizing said step of transrating to maximize the total revenue produced from said hosted broadcast.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of encrypting said digital file;

selling a decryption key to at least one content receiver; and

varying said available bandwidth capacity for said digital file dependent on a number of said decryption keys sold.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of varying said available bandwidth is dependent on a number of said decryption keys sold subsequent to a start time of said hosted satellite broadcast.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said digital broadcast stream supports packets having a packet identification (PID);

and further comprising selecting a unique broadcast PID, or a channel identifier associated with said unique broadcast PID, by said user remote from said broadcast host facility.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said steps of selecting said broadcast time slot and selecting said unique broadcast PID, or said channel identifier associated with said unique broadcast PID, occur as transactions on a website.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said website comprises a graphic display showing the availability of said broadcast time slots listed by said unique broadcast PIDs, or by said channel identifier.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of graphically displaying said associations of said stored digital file and said broadcast time slots on a website.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising associating a unique broadcast PID, or a channel identifier associated with said unique broadcast PID, with said stored digital file;

associating a content description with said stored digital file;

graphically displaying said associated unique broadcast PID or said channel identifier on said website; and

displaying said content description on said website.

16. An apparatus for providing a hosted broadcast, comprising:

a host facility comprising at a digital storage unit and least one digital broadcast stream;

at least one digital file, uploading to said host faculty from a site remote from said host facility via a terrestrial communications network and stored, in its entirety, on said digital storage unit;

a broadcast time slot, selected by a user remote from said host facility, associated with said stored digital file, specifying a time at which said at least one, stored, digital file is broadcast via said at least one digital broadcast stream, thereby providing said hosted broadcast.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said host facility is a satellite ground station and wherein said digital broadcast stream is a satellite digital broadcast stream

18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising an online auction, wherein bids for the provision of said hosted broadcast in said broadcast time slot comprises specifying an amount of advertising time available for use by a hosted broadcast provider during said hosted broadcast;

specifying time slots in which advertisements may be displayed;

specifying an amount of popup advertising time allowed in said hosted broadcast; and

specifying a popup coverage percentage representing the maximum area of a screen that a pop-up advertisement may cover in said hosted broadcast.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said bids further comprises specifying a predetermined range of bit-rates for said hosted broadcast, said range indicating a minimum acceptable bit rate for broadcast, and a maximum bit rate usable if spare bandwidth is available.

20. A system for providing a hosted broadcast, comprising:

hosting means comprising means for storing a digital file, in its entirety, said digital file having been uploaded from a site remote from said host facility via a terrestrial communications network, and at least one means for providing digital broadcast stream; and

scheduling means for associating a broadcast time slot, selected by a user remote from said host facility, with said stored digital file, said broadcast time slot specifying a time at which said at least one, stored, digital file is broadcast via said at least one means for providing a digital broadcast stream, thereby providing said hosted broadcast.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said hosting means is a satellite ground station and wherein said digital broadcast stream is a satellite digital broadcast stream

22. The system of claim 21 further comprising an online auction means for processing bids for the provision of said hosted broadcast in said broadcast time slot.

23. The system of claim 22 further comprising bid means for specifying an amount of advertising time available for use by a hosted broadcast provider during said hosted broadcast;

bid means specifying an amount of popup advertising time allowed in said hosted broadcast; and

bid means for specifying a popup coverage percentage representing the maximum area of a screen that a pop-up advertisement may cover in said hosted broadcast.

24. The system of claim 22 further comprising bid means for specifying a predetermined range of bit-rates for said hosted broadcast, said range indicating a minimum acceptable bit rate for broadcast, and a maximum bit rate usable if spare bandwidth is available.