METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING MEDIA CHANNEL SERVICES

• US 20090144786A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yu, Kevin, Pirani, Akbar, Branam, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,015,302 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/109
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• 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 21/4622 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4858 for modifying screen layout parameters, e.g. fonts, size of the windows
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 Transmission by the client directed to the server

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing media channel services are disclosed. A method includes provisioning an Internet-Protocol (IP)-enabled media channel in response to a request to create a media channel account, which includes creating an account record for the media channel account, assigning a media device identifier to the account record, assigning a network address to the IP-based media channel, and storing the network address in the account record. The method also includes populating a storage system with editable and non-editable content. The editable content is received and controlled by a user of the media channel account via a media device, and the non-editable content is controlled by a network media services application. The method further includes creating and presenting a media channel page that includes the editable and non-editable content in response to a request by the user to initiate a session for the channel.

Claims

1. A method for providing Internet Protocol-enabled media channel services, comprising:

provisioning an Internet-Protocol (IP)-enabled media channel in response to a request to create a media channel account, comprising;

creating an account record for the media channel account,

assigning a media device identifier to the account record, and

assigning a network address to the IP-based media channel account, and storing the network address in the account record;

populating a storage system with editable content and non-editable content, the editable content received and controlled by a user of the media channel account via a media device, and the non-editable content controlled by a network media services application in communication with the storage system; and

creating and presenting a media channel web page that includes the editable and non-editable content from the storage system in response to a request by the user to initiate a session for the IP-enabled media channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein provisioning the IP-enabled media channel further comprises:

assigning a network address to a media recording and transmission device; and

storing the network address in the account record;

wherein the editable content includes content selections received with respect to multiple media recording and transmission devices associated with the account record, the content selections editable by activating or deactivating a network address for a corresponding one of the media recording and transmission devices.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the network media services application executes on a web application server in communication with the storage system, the network media services application including a graphical user interface for receiving a portion of the editable content and for executing user-configured settings with respect to the media channel web page.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving, at the web application server, the media device identifier from the media device in response to the request to create a media channel account or initiate a session, the media device identifier transmitted to the web application server via a terminal server in communication with the media device and the web application server.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the editable content includes formatting, layout, and design options for elements of the media channel web page, and user-selected members of a community authorized to view the media channel web page; and

the non-editable content associated with the network media application includes content status data that distinguishes;

live streaming digital media versus pre-recorded digital media,

on-air versus off-air status of the live streaming digital media, and

subject categories describing content and communities with which the media channel web page is shared.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving at least one of the live streaming digital media and pre-recorded digital media at a media server in communication with the web application server, the live streaming digital media and pre-recorded digital media transmitted to the media device via the media channel web page.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein editable content associated with the media server includes content selections with respect to at least one of:

audio files;

static images;

the live streaming digital media;

the pre-recorded digital media; and

text.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the community is configured by the user as one of:

private;

semi-private; and

public.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the private community comprises a small group of media devices that includes at least one media device, the small group of media devices associated with at least one family member or friend;

and

wherein provisioning the IP-enabled media channel further comprises;

storing a network address of each of the small group of media devices in the account record, and

associating a descriptor with each of the media devices in the small group.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the semi-private community comprises a group of media devices that are associated with a defined community, the defined community comprising at least one of a religious organization, a school, a profit-based business enterprise, a non-profit based organization, a recreational organization, a neighborhood community, and a government agency.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the public community comprises a group of media devices for which no viewing restrictions are imposed.

12. A user interface implemented by a network media services application in response to identifying a media device assigned to a media channel account, the network media services application executing on a computer processing device, the user interface including:

broadcast time options for designating a time span in which live media content recorded by a media recording and transmission device is broadcast;

content descriptor options for describing the live media content;

media channel page layout options for designing a layout of elements displayed on a media channel web page that includes the live media content;

a broadcast start option for initiating broadcast of the live media content;

fields for receiving selections for the broadcast time options, content descriptor options, media channel page layout options, and broadcast start option; and

a display window for displaying the live media content;

wherein the selections are provided to the network media services application, the network media services application applies the selections to the media channel web page, and a broadcast session is activated via the media channel web page.

13. A method for providing media channel management of pre-recorded media content, comprising:

identifying a media device assigned to a media channel account;

presenting, via a user interface;

a content source option for selecting a storage location in which the pre-recorded media content is stored,

content descriptor options for describing the pre-recorded media content,

media channel page layout options for designing a layout of elements displayed on a media channel web page that includes the pre-recorded media content,

a media content sharing option for designating recipients of the pre-recorded media content via the media channel web page,

fields for receiving selections for the content source option, content descriptor options, media channel page layout options, and media content sharing option, and

a display window for displaying the pre-recorded media content;

receiving the selections via the user interface;

applying the selections to the media channel web page; and

activating a broadcast session via the media channel web page.

14. A method for providing a media channel content-based notification, comprising:

receiving an identifier of an entity for which the content-based notification is requested, the content-based notification identifying new or updated media content presented via a media channel;

receiving means for transmitting the content-based notification;

mapping the identifier with a network address and the means for transmitting the content-based notification; and

transmitting the content-based notification to the network address.

15. A method for managing access to an Internet Protocol-enabled media channel, comprising:

identifying a media device identifier in response to a request to create a media channel account for the IP-enabled media channel;

receiving user credentials from the requester and storing the user credentials in an authentication record;

mapping an account record to the authentication record, the authentication record storing the user credentials of the requester, the account record including the media device identifier of a media device associated with the request and a network address for the media channel account; and

activating the IP-enabled media channel for the media channel account.

16. A method for managing viewer access restrictions to an Internet Protocol-enabled media channel, comprising:

identifying a media device identifier for a media device in response to a request to establish viewer restrictions with respect to access of a media channel web page for the IP-enabled media channel;

receiving viewer credentials from the requester and storing the viewer credentials in a viewer restriction record;

mapping an account record associated with the media device identifier of the requester to the viewer restriction record, the account record including the media device identifier and a network address for the IP-enabled media channel; and

activating the IP-enabled media channel for a viewer associated with the viewer restriction record.

17. A method for providing a media channel-based advertising directory, comprising:

receiving an advertisement from an advertising entity, the advertising entity included in a database of advertising entities, the database including contact information for the advertising entities;

creating an advertising directory that includes the database of advertising entities and the advertisement; and

publishing the advertising directory on a dedicated IP-enabled media channel.

18. A method for providing remote controlled management of a media channel recording device, comprising:

assigning a uniform resource locator (URL) to a media recording and transmission device;

storing the URL, along with a descriptor, of the media recording and transmission device in a database;

associating the URL with a media channel account;

providing a user interface screen for manipulating the media recording and transmission device, the user interface including options for;

selecting the media recording and transmission device for broadcast via a media channel;

adjusting a video capture angle of the media recording and transmission device;

selecting a time for broadcasting images captured by the media recording and transmission device; and

activating/de-activating the media recording and transmission device; and

implementing the selected options with respect to the media recording and transmission device via the user interface and the URL.

19. A method for providing targeted advertising services, comprising:

receiving a profile for a target audience from an advertiser;

receiving an advertisement from the advertiser;

searching account records for data matching at least a portion of the profile; and

transmitting an advertisement to media devices in which a data match for corresponding account records is found.

20. A method for implementing an interactive electronic programming guide (EPG), comprising:

identifying a media device identifier for a media device upon which an EPG is active;

receiving a request to modify content in the EPG;

authenticating the requester via the media device identifier and user credentials; and

executing the request in response to a successful authentication.