Message delivery management method and system

• US 20080295139A1
• Filed: 05/22/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: CVON
• Inventors: Aaltonen, Janne
• Granted Patent: US 8,595,851 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/87
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23605 Creation or processing of packetized elementary streams [PES]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• 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 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26616 for merging a unicast channel into a multicast channel, e.g. in a VOD application, when a client served by unicast channel catches up a multicast channel to save bandwidth data multicast over packet-switching network H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6334 for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key wireless communications network key management H04W12/04; wireless communications network access security H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64315 : DVB-H
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

System and method for managing distribution of content such as television programs to portable multi-media devices which are capable of using such content and communicating includes a broadcast management system arranged to manage delivery of content from content sources to the devices, an account management system arranged to manage requests for use of the content from the devices and manage communications to and from the devices, and a processing system coupled to the account management system and arranged to analyze requests to use content relative to information about users of the devices in order to determine whether delivery of the content to the users can be offset against a preallocated amount of resource usage. If so, a message is delivered to that user'"'"'s device and the device presents the message to the user as a condition for use of the content.

Claims

1. A system for managing distribution of content to at least one portable multi-media device which is capable of accessing the content and communicating, comprising:

an account management system arranged to manage requests for content from the at least one device and manage communications to and from the at least one device; and

a processing system communicatively coupled to said account management system and arranged to analyze requests for content relative to information about a user of each of the at least one device in order to determine whether resource usage associated with delivery of content to each user can be offset by a preallocated amount of resource usage,

responsive to a determination that the resource usage required for said delivery of content can be offset against said preallocated amount of resource usage, the processing system is arranged to determine parameters for delivery of at least one message to that user'"'"'s device and/or presentation of the at least one message at the user'"'"'s device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the content requires a digital rights management (DRM) key to enable use thereof, said account management system being arranged to deliver the DRM key to the at least one device.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one content source arranged to provide the content and generate the DRM key, said account management system being arranged to communicate with said at least one content source and arrange for delivery of the DRM key to the at least one device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said account management system is arranged to deliver the DRM key to the at least one device via a cellular network.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said account management system is arranged to deliver the DRM key to the at least one device only after receiving a request from the user for delivery of a DRM key.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one device is arranged to request delivery of a DRM key from said account management system.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein said account management system is arranged to generate the DRM key.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein said processing system is arranged to effect packaging of the at least one message and a DRM key in a packet and delivery of the packet to the at least one device.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the parameters for delivery of the at least one message to the user'"'"'s device and/or presentation of the at least one message at the user'"'"'s device determined by said processing system include a schedule of times for delivery of the at least one message relative to delivery of the DRM keys to the user'"'"'s device, relative to start of use of the content by the user'"'"'s device, relative to use of the content, or relative to a duration of validity of the DRM keys.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a content management system coupled to said processing system and arranged to enable a content provider to set rules for delivery of messages to each user, said processing system being arranged to determine if a user satisfies rules set by the content providers and when a user satisfies the rules set by a content provider, offsetting the resource usage required to deliver the content to that user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said content management system is arranged to generate an Internet-accessible interface to enable a content provider to set rules for delivery of messages to each user, said interface presenting the content provider with options for setting rules of a message delivery campaign.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said content management system includes a first database for storing messages and set rules provided by content providers and a second database for storing data relating to users, said processing system determining if each user satisfies rules set by any of the content providers by accessing said first and second database.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device is instructed by said processing system to present the at least one message at least one of during or after use of the content.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one device is instructed by said processing system to present said message prior to use of the content.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one content source arranged to provide the content; and

a broadcast management system arranged to manage delivery of the content from said at least one content source to the at least one device.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the content is at least one television program.

17. A system for managing distribution of content to mobile means capable of presenting content and communicating, comprising:

managing means for managing delivery of content to the mobile means and communications to and from the mobile means; and

analyzing means coupled to said managing means for analyzing requests for content relative to information relating to users of the mobile means in order to determine whether resource usage associated with delivery of content to each user can be offset by a preallocated amount of resource usage,

responsive to a determination that the resource usage required for said delivery of content can be offset against said preallocated amount of resource usage, the analyzing means is arranged to determine parameters for delivery of at least one message to that mobile means and/or presentation of the at least one message at the mobile means.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the content requires a digital rights management (DRM) key to enable use thereof, said managing means being arranged to deliver the DRM key to the mobile means.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising content providing means for providing the content and generating the DRM key, said managing means being arranged to communicate with said content providing means and arrange for delivery of the DRM key to the mobile means.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said managing means are arranged to deliver the DRM key to the mobile means via a cellular network.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein said managing means are arranged to deliver the DRM key to the mobile means only after receiving a request from the user for delivery of a DRM key.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the mobile means are arranged to request delivery of a DRM key from said managing means.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein said managing means are arranged to generate the DRM key.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein said analyzing means are arranged to effect packaging of the at least one message and a DRM key in a packet and delivery of the packet to the mobile means.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the parameters for delivery of the at least one message to the mobile means and/or presentation of the at least one message at the mobile means determined by said analyzing means include a schedule of times for delivery of the at least one message relative to delivery of the DRM keys to the mobile means, relative to start of use of the content by the mobile means, relative to use of the content, or relative to a duration of validity of the DRM keys.

26. The system of claim 17, further comprising a content managing means coupled to said analyzing means for enabling a content provider to set rules for delivery of messages to each user, said analyzing means being arranged to determine if a user satisfies rules set by the content providers and when a user satisfies the rules set by a content provider, offsetting the resource usage required to deliver the content to that user.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said content managing means comprise interface means for enabling a content provider to set rules for delivery of messages to each user, said interface means presenting content providers with options for setting rules of a message delivery campaign.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein said content managing means include a first database for storing messages and set rules provided by content providers and a second database for storing data relating to users, said analyzing means determining if each user satisfies rules set by any of the content providers by accessing said first and second database.

29. The system of claim 17, wherein the mobile means are instructed by said analyzing means to present the at least one message at least one of during or after use of the content.

30. The system of claim 17, wherein the mobile means are instructed by said analyzing means to present the message prior to use of the content.

31. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

content providing means for providing the content; and

broadcast managing means for managing delivery of the content from said content providing means to the mobile means.

32. The system of claim 17, wherein the content is at least one television program.

33. A method for managing access to content for use on multi-media devices capable of using such content and communicating, the method comprising:

providing the content to users'"'"' devices via a communications network, said provision of content requiring usage of network resources;

receiving requests from users to use the content on their devices;

analyzing data relating to the users and the requested content to determine whether delivery of the content to users via the communications network can be offset by a preallocated amount of resource usage; and

responsive to a determination that said delivery of the content can be offset against the preallocated amount of resource usage,

determining parameters for delivery of at least one message to that user'"'"'s device and/or presentation of the at least one message at the user'"'"'s device; and

delivering the at least one message to that user'"'"'s device in accordance with the parameters or presenting the at least one message to the user in accordance with the parameters.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

requiring a digital rights management (DRM) key to enable use of the content; and

delivering the DRM key to the user'"'"'s device.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of analyzing the data relating to the users and the requested content to determine whether resource usage required for delivery of the content to a user can be offset against the preallocated amount of resource usage is performed only after receiving a request from the user for delivery of a DRM key.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising providing an account management system to manage communications to and from the devices, the account management system analyzing the data relating to the users and the requested content to determine whether delivery of the content to a user can be offset against the preallocated amount of resource usage, and selectively delivering the DRM key from the account management system to a user'"'"'s device on the basis of said determination.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein if the delivery of the content to the user can be offset against said preallocated amount of resource usage, the method further comprises:

generating the DRM key at a content source; and

delivering the DRM key from the content source to the account management system to be delivered by the account management system to the user'"'"'s device.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein if the delivery of the content to the user can be offset against said preallocated amount of resource usage, the method further comprises generating the DRM key at the account management system.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the DRM key is delivered by the account management system via a cellular network.

40. The method of claim 34, further comprising packaging the at least one message and the DRM key in a packet and delivering the packet to the user'"'"'s device.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the parameters for delivery of at least one message to the user'"'"'s device and/or presentation of the at least one message at the user'"'"'s device determined include a schedule of times for delivery of the at least one message relative to delivery of the DRM keys to the user'"'"'s device, relative to start of use of the content by the user'"'"'s device, relative to use of the content, or relative to a duration of validity of the DRM keys.

42. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

enabling content providers to set rules for delivery of messages to the users, wherein

the step of analyzing the data relating to the users and the requested content to determine whether use of the content by users can be offset by the preallocated amount of resource usage comprises determining if a user satisfies rules set by any of the content providers and when a user satisfies the rules set by a content provider, offsetting the delivery of the content to that user against the preallocated amount of resource usage.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

monitoring each content provider'"'"'s preallocated amount of resource usage for delivery of content by users; and

billing the content providers in respect of amounts of resource usage that have been offset against said preallocated amount of resource usage for delivering content to users.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

monitoring each content provider'"'"'s preallocated amount of resource usage for delivery of content by users; and

directing the content providers in respect of amounts of resource usage that have been offset against said preallocated amount of resource usage for delivering content to users.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of enabling content providers to set rules for delivery of messages to the users comprises creating an interface to a content management system which presents content providers with options for setting rules of a message delivery campaign.

46. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

storing messages and set rules provided by content providers in a first database; and

obtaining and storing data relating to the users in a second database;

the step of determining if each user satisfies rules set by any of the content providers comprising accessing the first and second databases to determine which users can receive which messages.

47. The method of claim 33, further comprising delivering the at least one message to the users via the cellular network.

48. The method of claim 33, wherein the parameters for presentation of the at least one message at the user'"'"'s device include prior to use of the content, during use of the content and after use of the content.

49. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

obtaining the content from a content source;

requiring a digital rights management (DRM) key to enable use of the content; and

delivering the DRM key to the user'"'"'s device via a cellular network independent of delivery of the at least one message.

50. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

enabling users to provide feedback in response to the delivered at least one message;

receiving subsequent requests from users for use of additional content by their devices; and

determining conditions for use of the additional content by each user'"'"'s device based on any feedback provided by the user in response to a delivered at least one message, whereby additional content can be used by each user without a message based on user feedback to the delivered at least one message.

51. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of providing content to users'"'"' devices comprises delivering television programs to the users'"'"' devices via a broadcast network.

52. A computer program resident on computer-readable media and arranged to manage access to content for use on multi-media devices capable of using such content and communicating, by

receiving requests from users for use of content by their devices;

analyzing data relating to the users and the requested content to determine whether delivery of the content by a user can be offset against a preallocated amount of resource usage; and

delivering at least one message to that user'"'"'s device if the delivery of the content by a offset against the preallocated amount of resource usage.

53. The computer program of claim 52, wherein the computer program is further arranged to determine a schedule for delivery of messages to the user'"'"'s device.

54. The computer program of claim 52, wherein the computer program is further arranged to determine a schedule for presentation of messages on the user'"'"'s device.

55. The computer program of claim 52, wherein a digital rights management (DRM) key is required to use the content and the computer program is further arranged to process requests from users for delivery of DRM keys and arrange for delivery of DRM keys upon request.

56. The computer program of claim 55, wherein the computer program is further arranged to package the at least one message and the DRM key in a packet and deliver the packet to the user'"'"'s device.

57. The computer program of claim 52, wherein the computer program is further arranged to manage communications to and from the devices via a cellular network.

58. The computer program of claim 52, wherein the computer program is further arranged to generate an interface which enables content providers to set rules for delivery of messages to the users and analyze the data relating to the users and the requested television programs to determine whether use of content by each user can be offset against said preallocated amount of resource usage by determining if users satisfy rules set by any of the content providers.

59. The computer program of claim 58, wherein the computer program is further arranged to monitor each content provider'"'"'s preallocated amount of resource usage for delivery of content by users and bill the content providers in respect of amounts of resource usage that have been offset against said preallocated amount of resource usage for delivering content to users.

60. The computer program of claim 58, wherein the computer program is further arranged to store messages and set rules provided by content providers in a first database and data relating to the users in a second database, and determine if users satisfy rules set by any of the content providers by accessing the first and second databases.

61. A method for managing access to content for use on multi-media devices capable of using such content and communicating, comprising:

operatively coupling the devices to a mobile content system which provides the content to the devices via a broadcast network and processes requests from users for using content on their devices;

operatively coupling the devices to an allocation system which is arranged to allocate a preallocated amount of resource usage for delivery of messages to said devices; and

integrating the mobile content system and the allocation system to require exposure to messages as a condition for use of the content and to enable the resources required for delivering content to the devices to be offset against said preallocated amount of resource usage.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the content is television programs and the mobile content system is a mobile television system.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the integrating step comprises:

analyzing data relating to the users and the requested content to determine whether use of the content by users can be offset against the preallocated amount of resource usage; and

if the use of the content by a user can be offset,

determining a schedule for delivery of messages to the user'"'"'s device and/or a schedule for presentation of messages on the user'"'"'s device; and

delivering at least one message to that user'"'"'s device from the mobile content system.

64. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

requiring a digital rights management (DRM) key to enable use of the content; and

packaging the DRM key with at least one message such that the user must be exposed to the at least one message to access the DRM key.

65. The method of claim 61, further comprising delivering the messages to the users via a cellular network.

66. A system for managing access to content for use on multi-media devices capable of using such content and communicating, comprising:

a mobile content system which processes requests from users for using content at their devices and provides the content to said devices via a broadcast network; and

an allocation system arranged to allocate a preallocated amount of resource usage for delivery of messages to said devices,

said mobile content system and said allocation system being integrated to require exposure to messages as a condition for use of the content and to enable the resources required for delivering content to said devices to be offset by said preallocated amount of resource usage.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the content is television programs and said mobile content system is a mobile television system.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein said mobile content system and said allocation system are integrated by a processing system which is arranged to analyze data relating to the users and the requested content to determine whether use of the content by users can be offset against the preallocated amount of resource usage, and if the use of the content by a user can be offset, determining a schedule for delivery of messages to the user'"'"'s device and/or a schedule for presentation of messages on the user'"'"'s device and delivering at least one message to that user'"'"'s device from said mobile content system.

69. The system of claim 66, wherein said mobile content system is arranged such that a digital rights management (DRM) key is required to enable use of the content, said mobile content system and said allocation system being integrated by packaging the DRM key with at least one message such that the user must be exposed to the at least one message to access the DRM key.

70. A mobile terminal capable of using content, comprising:

means for receiving content requiring a digital rights management (DRM) key to enable use thereof;

means for transmitting a request for a DRM key when use of the content is desired;

means for receiving a DRM key to enable use of the content;

means for receiving at least one message from an entity arranged to provide a preallocated amount of resource usage for use in delivering the content and a schedule for presentation of the at least one message; and

means for presenting the at least one message and the content to the user in accordance with the presentation schedule.