Content portal for media distribution

• US 20090089184A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Boush, Carlton R.
• Application Number:
  US11/904,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20090089184A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• 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: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions

Abstract

A system and method for distribution of media content. A distribution agreement is established with content providers. The distribution agreement authorizes the content providers to communicate media content to a content portal with a commission paid to the content portal. An authorization to distribute the media content is granted to the content providers in response to establishing the distribution agreement. A menu of the available media content is sent to users. The menu lists all of the media content available and a current price updated in real-time based on information from the content providers. A request is received for the media content from the users. The requested media is distributed to the users. An invoice for the users is updated based on the current price of the media content as ordered. The revenue, minus the commission, associated with the invoice is received for payment to the content providers.

Claims

1. A method for distribution of media content, said method comprising:

establishing a distribution agreement with a plurality of content providers, wherein the distribution agreement authorizes the plurality of content providers to communicate the media content to a content portal with a commission paid to the content portal;

granting an authorization to distribute the media content to the plurality of content providers in response to establishing the distribution agreement;

communicating a menu of the media content available to one or more users, wherein the menu lists all of the media content available and a current price updated in real-time based on information from the plurality of content providers;

receiving a request for the media content from the one or more users;

distributing the media content requested to the one or more users;

updating an invoice for each of the one or more users based on the current price of the media content at the time the request was made; and

receiving revenue associated with the invoice for a payment to the plurality of content providers, minus the commission.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the distribution agreement is established through a web portal with any party that applies to be a content provider.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the commission is a flat fee commission charged equally to the plurality of content providers.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the current price is set at the sole discretion of the plurality of content providers.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein distributing further comprises:

sending a digital rights management (DRM) key to a user configured to establish how the media content is used by a user.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the DRM key establishes parameters under which the media content may be viewed.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

searching the media content based on criteria specified by the one or more users.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

configuring the menu based on the criteria.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein distributing further comprises:

distributing the media content based on a user profile and preferences.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

distributing the revenue, minus the commission, to the plurality of content providers; and

retaining the commission as payment for distributing the media content.

11. A portal for distributing media content, said portal comprising:

a content aggregator for receiving media content and information about delivery of the media content from a plurality of content providers, wherein the plurality of content providers establishes a distribution agreement with an operator of the portal before the media content may be received;

a pricing database in communication with the content aggregator configured to display a current price for the media content, wherein the current price is updated in real-time at the discretion of the plurality of content providers;

a billing system configured to initiate billing of a plurality of users for media content ordered based on the current price and further configured to initiate payment of the plurality of content providers for revenue generated from the current price, minus a commission; and

a menu system configured to display a menu listing available media content available from the plurality of content providers providing details about the media content including the current price.

12. The portal according to claim 11, wherein the portal is one or more servers, and wherein the content aggregator, pricing database, billing system, and menu system are software modules stored within the one or more servers executed to manage distribution of the media content.

13. The portal according to claim 11, wherein the billing system bills only the plurality of users for the media content requested based on a time period for billing.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the menu system further comprises:

a searching tool configured to receive user input for searching available media content, wherein the searching tool sends the menu for display to a user based on the user input.

15. The portal according to claim 11, wherein a user may subscribe to a channel, series of events, or other programming of the media content.

16. The portal according to claim 11, wherein the portal receives user input for selecting the media content and establishing profiles and preferences through a set-top box.

17. A content portal comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are configured to establish a distribution agreement with a plurality of content providers, wherein the distribution agreement authorizes the plurality of content providers to communicate the media content to a content portal with a commission of revenue paid to the content portal;

grant an authorization to distribute the media content to the plurality of content providers in response to establishing the distribution agreement;

communicate a menu of the media content available to one or more users, wherein the menu lists the media content available and a current price that is updated in real-time at the sole discretion of the plurality of content providers;

receive a request for the media content from the one or more users;

distribute the media content requested to the one or more users; and

update an invoice for each of the one or more users based on the current price of the media content at the time the request was made.

18. The content portal according to claim 17, wherein the content portal is communication with one or more set-top boxes configured to receive requests for media content from a plurality of devices in communication with the set-top box and distributing the media content for each of the plurality of devices based on the requests.

19. The content portal according to claim 17, wherein the content portal sends the media content to a set-top box through a network connection using Internet Protocol television standards, wherein the set-top box includes a digital video recorder for storing the media content.

20. The content portal according to claim 17, wherein the set of instructions further retains the commission for distributing the media content to the one or more users.