Providing end user community functionality for publication and delivery of digital media content

• US 20070133609A1
• Filed: 09/07/2006
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Rachamadugu, Sreenivas, Moore, Richard, Discount, Jonathan, McCausland, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US11/517,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20070133609A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/484
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/3027 used signal is digitally coded

Abstract

An approach provides digital media services. A digital stream is transmitted according to a first resolution over one of a plurality of distribution channels to one or more devices. The digital stream is transmitted according to a second resolution in response to a selection of the digital stream for retrieval by one of the devices, wherein the first resolution is lower than the second resolution.

Claims

1. A method for providing digital media services, the method comprising:

transmitting a digital stream according to a first resolution over one of a plurality of distribution channels to one or more devices; and

transmitting the digital stream according to a second resolution in response to a selection of the digital stream for retrieval by one of the devices, wherein the first resolution is lower than the second resolution.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

switching gradually from the first resolution to the second resolution.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

selectively multiplexing the distribution channels based on a predetermined criterion; and

transmitting the digital media over the multiplexed channel to the one device.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the digital stream represents video content, and the one device is configured to display the video content.

5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising:

providing picture-in-picture control external to the one device for display of the digital media.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the distribution channels are established over a plurality of networks including a data network, a cellular network or a television broadcast network.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the digital media services is a part of a managed network service.

8. A system for providing digital media services, the system comprising:

a media server configured to transmit a digital stream according to a first resolution over one of a plurality of distribution channels to one or more devices,

wherein the media server is further configured to transmit the digital stream according to a second resolution in response to a selection of the digital stream for retrieval by one of the devices, wherein the first resolution is lower than the second resolution.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the first resolution is gradually switched to the second resolution.

10. A system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a multiplexer configured to selectively multiplex the distribution channels based on a predetermined criterion, wherein the digital media is transmitted over the multiplexed channel to the one device.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the digital stream represents video content, and the one device is configured to display the video content.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the media server is configured to provide picture-in-picture control for display of the digital media at the one device.

13. A system according to claim 8, wherein the distribution channels are established over a plurality of networks including a data network, a cellular network or a television broadcast network.

14. A system according to claim 8, wherein the digital media services is a part of a managed network service.

15. An apparatus for providing digital media services, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting a digital stream according to a first resolution over one of a plurality of distribution channels to one or more devices; and

means for transmitting the digital stream according to a second resolution in response to a selection of the digital stream for retrieval by one of the devices, wherein the first resolution is lower than the second resolution.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:

means for switching gradually from the first resolution to the second resolution.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:

means for selectively multiplexing the distribution channels based on a predetermined criterion; and

means for transmitting the digital media over the multiplexed channel to the one device.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the digital stream represents video content, and the one device is configured to display the video content.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising:

means for providing picture-in-picture control external to the one device for display of the digital media.

20. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the distribution channels are established over a plurality of networks including a data network, a cellular network or a television broadcast network.

21. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the digital media services is a part of a managed network service.