Aspects of digital media content distribution
First Claim
1. A computer-readable medium encoded with computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method for distributing digital media content to a user of a personal electronic device configured for communication via a network, the method comprising:
- Identifying specific digital media content for distribution;
ascertaining a first characteristic associated with the personal electronic device;
ascertaining a second characteristic associated with the communication network;
selecting a format for the specific digital media content based on the first characteristic or the second characteristic or both;
arranging for transcoding the specific digital media content into the selected format;
after the specific digital media content has been transcoded into the selected format, arranging for the personal electronic device to receive the transcoded specific digital media content via the network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for distributing digital media content to personal electronic devices are discussed. Digital media content is collected from a variety of disparate digital media content sources. Specific digital media content is identified and transcoded into a selected format prior to receipt by a particular personal electronic device. The selected format may be based on preferences or characteristics of the personal electronic device or the user thereof, the network, or both. Virtually unlimited subset selection criteria may be used to arranged transcoded digital media content into subsets, which may be temporarily or permanently stored in a single computer or using distributed computing techniques. DRM and identity management techniques can be used in combination with the transcoding and distribution techniques discussed herein to accommodate many business models.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-readable medium encoded with computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method for distributing digital media content to a user of a personal electronic device configured for communication via a network, the method comprising:
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Identifying specific digital media content for distribution;
ascertaining a first characteristic associated with the personal electronic device;
ascertaining a second characteristic associated with the communication network;
selecting a format for the specific digital media content based on the first characteristic or the second characteristic or both;
arranging for transcoding the specific digital media content into the selected format;
after the specific digital media content has been transcoded into the selected format, arranging for the personal electronic device to receive the transcoded specific digital media content via the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for distributing digital media content to a plurality of types of personal electronic devices, each type of personal electronic device configured for communication via at least one network, the system comprising:
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a digital media content distribution manager configured to identify specific digital media content from a source device for distribution to a particular personal electronic device of a particular type operated by a particular user, the particular personal electronic device configured for communication via a particular network, the specific digital media content identified independent of whether the source device is controlled by the particular user;
a digital media content transcoding manager configured to transcode the identified specific digital media content to a selected format, selection of the format based on a first characteristic associated with the particular personal electronic device or the particular type, or a second characteristic associated with the particular network, or both the first characteristic and the second characteristic; and
a communication manager responsive to the digital media content distribution manager and the digital media content transcoding manager, the communication manager configured to after the specific digital media content has been transcoded into the selected format, establish a communication session with the particular personal electronic device via the particular network, and arrange for the particular personal electronic device to receive the digital media content via the particular network. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An apparatus, comprising:
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a communication interface;
a computer-readable storage medium; and
a processor responsive to the computer-readable storage medium, to the communication interface, and to computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions executable by the processor to;
identify specific digital media content for distribution, ascertain a first characteristic associated with a personal electronic device configured for communication via a network, ascertain a second characteristic associated with the network, select a format for the specific digital media content based on the first characteristic or the second characteristic or both, transcode the specific digital media content into the selected format, and after the specific digital media content has been transcoded into the selected format, arrange for the portable electronic device to receive the specific digital media content in the selected format via the network.
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Specification