System And Method To Acquire, Aggregate, Manage, And Distribute Media

• US 20080168523A1
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyson King
• Original Assignee: Prodea Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: McQuarters, Alvin R., Ramayya, Jude P., Nicholls, Leon E., Masina, Ramprakash, Cowgill, George A., Ansari, Amir, Rose, Marshall T., Clavenna, Robert, Raissyan, Atousa
• Granted Patent: US 7,987,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/131
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2807 Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving network analysis for automatically determining the actual topology of a network H04L41/12; hardware or software tools for network management using graphical user interfaces H04L41/22; address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/80 : Actions related to the user profile or the type of traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/83 : based on usage prediction
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/25 : Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4552 : Lookup mechanisms between a plurality of directories; Synchronisation of directories, e.g. metadirectories
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 : for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/102 : Gateways arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways, H04L12/66
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1108 : Web based protocols, e.g. webRTC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 : Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 : involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 : Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 : using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/325 : in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25 H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/00 : Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] real-time bi-directional transmission of motion video data H04N7/14 ; broadcast or conference over packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 : Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/00 : Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 : of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 : Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/065 : Continuous authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/35 : Protecting application or service provisioning, e.g. securing SIM application provisioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/911 : Bridge, e.g. brouter, bus extender

Abstract

A media content manager residing at a user premises having a tuner coupled to at least one media source operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content. The media content manager also including a media processor coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format, the at least one media stream comprising metadata. Additionally, the media content manages has a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor. Furthermore, the media content manager includes a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format.

Claims

1. A media content manager residing at a user premises, comprising:

a tuner in communication with at least one media source operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content;

a media processor coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format;

a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor; and

a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format.

2. The media content manager of claim 1, further comprising an application service module being remotely managed by the remote service manager via a connection, the application service module residing on a user premises side of a network service provider demarcation.

3. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media processor is further operable to receive metadata associated with the media stream.

4. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media manager is operable to generate data associated with what media stream is played on which media player device.

5. The media content manager of claim 3, wherein the media manager is further operable to associate the media usage data with a specific user.

6. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media player device has a memory, and the media manager is operable to direct the at least one media stream to the selected media player device, and the storage device is operable to store the metadata associated with the at least one media stream and a location pointer indicative of a location in the memory storing the media content of the at least one media stream.

7. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the storage device is operable to store a current pointer indicative of a current location within the at least one media stream being played by the selected media player device.

8. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media manager is operable to direct the at least one media stream to a selected network attached storage device coupled to the media manager.

9. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media manager is operable to direct the at least one media stream to a selected network attached storage device coupled to the media manager, and further direct the at least one media stream stored in the selected network attached storage device to stream to a selected media player device.

10. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media manager is operable to direct the at least one media stream to a set-top box coupled to a media player device.

11. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the selected media player device is selected from the group consisting of a television set, a monitor coupled to a computer, a digital picture frame, a stereo receiver, a gaming console, and a digital jukebox.

12. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the metadata comprises data associated with the at least one media content and are selected from the group consisting of title, location of media, type, size, duration, resolution, genre, content rating, copyright information, language, author/artist/actor/director names, year of publication/release, graphical elements, parental control parameters, user “

tag”

data, and other data downloaded from a global network.

13. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media processor further comprises a decoder operable to decode the media content of the at least one media stream and an encoder operable to encode the media content of the at least one media stream to be played on a selected media player device.

14. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media processor further comprises a decryptor operable to decrypt the media content of the at least one media stream and an encoder operable to encrypt the media content.

15. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media manager is operable to translate the at least one media stream from a first protocol to a second protocol.

16. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media manager is operable to convert the at least one media stream from a first media format to a second media format.

17. The media content manager of claim 2, wherein the media manager enables a user to direct a selected media content to be played on a selected media player device by using the metadata.

18. The media content manager of claim 2, wherein the media manager enables a user to browse and search stored media content based on stored metadata.

19. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media manager enables a user to discover, access and stream media content associated with a remote peer media content manager.

20. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media player device comprises a predictive cache operable to retrieve media content selected in response to media content being queried by a user.

21. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media manager is operable to discover media content stored on external devices coupled to the media content manager via a computer network.

22. The media content manager of claim 1, wherein the media manager is operable to implement digital rights management.

23. A gateway device residing at a user premises, comprising:

an application service module having at least one application;

a user module having a user interface that is associated with the at least one application, wherein the user module enables bi-directional communications with the at least one media player device;

a network module having the connection that enables bi-directional communications with a remote service manager, and an interface boundary between the application service module and the network module forming a network service provider demarcation;

a tuner coupled to at least one media source via the network module and operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content;

a media processor coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format;

a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor via the user module; and

a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format.

24. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the tuner is operable to selectively receive the at least one media stream comprising metadata

25. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the media manager is operable to direct the at least one media stream to the selected media player device having a memory, and the storage device is operable to store the metadata associated with the at least one media stream and a location pointer indicative of a location in the memory storing the media content of the at least one media stream.

26. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the storage device is operable to store a current pointer indicative of a current location within the at least one media stream being played by the selected media player device.

27. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the media manager is operable to direct the at least one media stream to a selected network attached storage device coupled to the media manager.

28. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the media manager is operable to direct the at least one media stream to a selected network attached storage device coupled to the media manager, and further direct the at least one media stream stored in the selected network attached storage device to stream to a selected media player device.

29. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the media manager is operable to direct the at least one media stream to a set-top box coupled to a media player device.

30. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the selected media player device is selected from the group consisting of a television set, a monitor coupled to a computer, a digital picture frame, a stereo receiver, a gaming console, and a digital jukebox.

31. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the metadata comprises data associated with the at least one media content and are selected from the group consisting of title, location of media, type, size, duration, resolution, genre, content rating, copyright information, language, author/artist/actor/director names, year of publication/release, graphical elements, parental control parameters, user “

tag”

data, and other data downloaded from a global network.

32. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the media processor further comprises a decoder operable to decode the media content of the at least one media stream and an encoder operable to encode the media content of the at least one media stream to be played on a selected media player device.

33. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the media processor further comprises a decryptor operable to decrypt the media content of the at least one media stream and an encoder operable to encrypt the media content.

34. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the media manager is operable to perform protocol translation and media format conversion.

35. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the media manager enables a user to direct a selected media content to be played on a selected media player device by using the metadata.

50. The method of claim 35, further comprising enabling a user to browse and search stored media content based on the metadata.

36. A method of aggregating, managing and distributing media content, comprising:

selecting at least one media source and selectively receiving at least one media stream of at least one type of media content;

converting the media stream to a predetermined data format, the at least one media stream comprising metadata;

directing the media stream to a selected one of a plurality of media player devices coupled to the media processor.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

tracking what media stream content is played on which media player device;

associating the media stream played to a particular user; and

generating and storing media usage data.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising transmitting the media usage data to a remote service manager via a gateway device.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

receiving, by the remote service manager, media usage data from a plurality of gateway devices; and

aggregating and analyzing, at the remote service manager, media usage data across the plurality of gateway devices.

40. The method of claim 38, further comprising directing targeted advertisement to a media player device in response to the media usage data.

41. The method of claim 36, further comprising storing the metadata associated with the at least one media stream and a location pointer indicative of a location in the memory storing the media content of the at least one media stream.

42. The method of claim 36, further comprising storing a current pointer indicative of a current location within the at least one media stream being played by the selected media player device.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein directing the media stream comprises directing the at least one media stream to a selected network attached storage device coupled to the media manager.

44. The method of claim 36, wherein directing the media stream comprises directing the at least one media stream to a selected network attached storage device coupled to the media manager, and further directing the at least one media stream stored in the selected network attached storage device to stream to the selected media player device.

45. The method of claim 36, wherein directing the media stream comprises directing the at least one media stream to a set-top box coupled to a media player device.

46. The method of claim 36, wherein directing the media stream comprises directing the media stream to a selected media player device selected from the group consisting of a television set, a monitor coupled to a computer, a digital picture frame, a stereo receiver, a gaming console, and a digital jukebox.

47. The method of claim 36, wherein the metadata comprises data associated with the at least one media content and are selected from the group consisting of title, location of media, type, size, duration, resolution, genre, content rating, copyright information, language, author/artist/actor/director names, year of publication/release, graphical elements, parental control parameters, user “

tag”

data, and other data downloaded from a global network.

48. The method of claim 36, further comprising decoding the media content of the at least one media stream and encoding the media content of the at least one media stream to be played on the selected media player device.

49. The method of claim 36, further comprising enabling a user to direct a selected media content to be played on a selected media player device by using the metadata.

51. The method of claim 36, further comprising enabling a user to discover, access and stream media content associated with a remote peer media content manger.

52. The method of claim 36, further comprising retrieving media content selected in response to media content being queried by a user.

53. The method of claim 36, further comprising discovering media content stored on external devices coupled to the media content manager via a computer network.

54. The method of claim 36, further comprising implementing digital rights management.

55. The method of claim 36, further comprising requesting for the media content in a different format in response to an incapability of converting the media stream to the different format.

56. A computer-readable medium having encoded thereon a method of aggregating, managing and distributing media content, the encoded method comprising:

selecting at least one media source and selectively receiving at least one media stream of at least one type of media content;

converting the media stream to a predetermined data format, the at least one media stream comprising metadata;

directing the media stream to a selected one of a plurality of media player devices coupled to the media processor; and

storing the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format.

57. A system comprising:

a remote service manager;

a gateway device residing at a user premises and coupled to the remote service manager via a network, the gateway device comprises;

an application service module being remotely managed by the remote service manager via a connection, the application service module residing on a user premises side of a network service provider demarcation;

a network module having the connection that enables bi-directional communications with the remote service manager;

a tuner in communication with at least one media source operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content;

a media processor coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format;

a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor; and

a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format.

58. A system, comprising:

a media source having media content and associated metadata;

a media server having access to the media source;

a media player device coupled to the media source, the media player being operable to display media content and metadata to the user; and

a media adaptor coupled to the media server and media player, the media adaptor comprising a predictive cache, the media adaptor operable to receive user queries related to media content at the media source, transmit the user queries to the media server for processing, and the predictive cache being operable to transmit anticipatory queries related to the user queries to the media server, and cache anticipatory search results supplied by the media server.