METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING AUXILIARY DATA TO DEVICE

• US 20090254632A1
• Filed: 04/06/2009
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Pazos, Carlos Marcelo Dias, Chen, An Mei, Kannan, Prasanna, Balraj, Sajith
• Granted Patent: US 8,886,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/41 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures

Abstract

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for delivering auxiliary data to a wireless or other device. Content, such as audio, video or textual content, can be hosted by a server for delivery to the device. The content can have associated resources, for example icons, barkers, intros, and outros that are associated with television programming or other media content. A metadata document can describe the set of resources or other auxiliary data associated with a service, channel or content by indicating a resource descriptor, and a URL or other associated resource locator information. The metadata document can be encoded in XML or other formats. The device can locate resources that are intended to be delivered with selected content, since links to the resources are integrated in the metadata document. From the resource descriptor, the device can also identify how a particular resource should be utilized for the service, channel or content.

Claims

1. A method of delivering auxiliary data associated with a service, channel or content to a device, comprising:

receiving a request from an operator or media delivery entity to deliver auxiliary data associated with at least one service or content to the device;

associating at least one auxiliary data resource with the at least one service or content via a metadata document, the association in the metadata document comprising at least a resource descriptor and resource locator information;

accessing the at least one auxiliary data resource based on the resource locator information;

identifying the at least one auxiliary data resource based on the resource descriptor information; and

associating the at least one auxiliary data resource with the at least one service or content to deliver the at least one auxiliary data resource to the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the content comprises at least one of video content, audio content, and textual content and the at least one auxiliary data resource comprises at least one of an icon, a barker clip, an intro clip, and an outro clip.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a network-enabled personal digital assistant, and a portable network-enabled media player.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering the at least one auxiliary data resource via a resource message document to the device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the delivery of the at least one auxiliary data resource is performed via at least one of an overhead flow mechanism and a data file delivery mechanism.

9. A system for delivering auxiliary data associated with a service, channel or content to a device, comprising:

an interface to a device; and

a server, communicating with the interface, the server being configured to—

receive a request from an operator or media delivery entity to deliver the at least one auxiliary data resource associated with at least one service or content to the device,

associate at least one auxiliary data resource with the at least one service or content via a metadata document, the association in the metadata document comprising at least a resource descriptor and resource locator information,

access the at least one auxiliary data resource based on the resource locator information,

identify the at least one auxiliary data resources based on the resource descriptor information, and

associate the at least one auxiliary resource with the at least one service or content to deliver the at least one auxiliary data resource to the device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the content comprises at least one of video content, audio content, and textual content and the at least one auxiliary data resources comprises at least one of an icon, a barker clip, an intro clip, and an outro clip.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the interface comprises a wireless interface and the device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a network-enabled personal digital assistant, and a portable network-enabled media player.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the server is further configured to deliver the at least one auxiliary data resource via a resource message document to the device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the delivery of the at least one resource or content is performed via at least one of an overhead flow mechanism and a data file delivery mechanism.

17. A system for delivering content to a device, comprising:

means for interfacing to a device; and

means for serving content, communicating with the means for interfacing, the means for serving content being configured to-

receive a request from an operator or media delivery entity to deliver auxiliary data associated with at least one service or content to the device,

associate at least one auxiliary data resource with the at least one service or content via a metadata document, the association in the metadata document comprising at least a resource descriptor and resource locator information,

access the at least one auxiliary data resource based on the resource locator information,

identify the at least one auxiliary data resources based on the resource descriptor information, and

associate the at least one auxiliary resource with the at least one service or content to deliver auxiliary data to the device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the content comprises at least one of video content, audio content and textual content and the at least one auxiliary data resources comprises at least one of an icon, a barker clip, an intro clip, and an outro clip.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for interfacing comprises means for wirelessly interfacing to the device and the device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a network-enabled personal digital assistant, and a portable network-enabled media player.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for serving content is further configured to deliver the at least one auxiliary data resource via a resource message document to the device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the delivery of the at least one resource or content is performed via at least one of an overhead flow mechanism and a data file delivery mechanism.

25. A computer program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium storing instructions that cause the delivery of auxiliary data associated with a service, channel or content to a device, comprising;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive a request from an operator or media delivery entity to deliver auxiliary data associated with at least one service or content to the device;

at least one instruction for causing ac computer to associate at least one auxiliary data resource with the at least one service or content via a metadata document, the association in the metadata document comprising at least a resource descriptor and resource locator information;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to access the at least one auxiliary data resource based on the resource locator information;

at least on instruction for causing a computer to identify the at least one auxiliary data resources based on the resource descriptor information; and

at least on instruction for causing a computer to associate the at least one auxiliary resource with the at least one service or content to deliver the at least one auxiliary data resource to the device.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the content comprises at least one of video content, audio content, and textual content and the at least one auxiliary data resources comprises at least one of an icon, a barker clip, an intro clip, and an outro clip.

27. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a network-enabled personal digital assistant, and a portable network-enabled media player.

28. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

29. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

30. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.

31. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises at least one instruction for causing a computer to initiate the delivery of the at least one auxiliary data resource via a resource message document to the device.

32. The computer program product of claim 31, wherein the at least one instruction for causing a computer to initiate the delivery of the at least one resource or content comprises at least one instruction for causing a computer to initiate the delivery via at least one of an overhead flow mechanism and a data file delivery mechanism.

33. A method of receiving auxiliary data associated with a service, channel or content in a device, comprising:

initiating the delivery of at least one service or content to the device;

initiating an association of at least one auxiliary data resource with the at least one service or content via a metadata document, the metadata document comprising at least a resource descriptor and resource locator information; and

receiving the at least one service or content with the least one auxiliary data resource in the device.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the initiating comprises initiating the delivery based on at least one of a request transmitted from the device to a delivery server to deliver the content and initiating the delivery from a server to the device via a predetermined broadcast.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the content comprises at least one of video content, audio content, and textual content and the at least one auxiliary data resources comprises at least one of an icon, a barker clip, an intro clip, and an outro clip.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a network-enabled personal digital assistant, and a portable network-enabled media player.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein the receiving the at least one resource or content comprises receiving via at least one of an overhead delivery mechanism and a data file delivery mechanism.

41. A device, the device being configured to receive auxiliary data associated with a service, channel or content, comprising:

an interface to a delivery server; and

a processor, communicating with the interface, the processor being configured to—

transmit a request to the delivery server to initiate the delivery of at least one service or content to the device, the at least one service or content being associated with at least one auxiliary data resource via a metadata document, the metadata document comprising at least a resource descriptor and resource locator information; and

receiving the at least one service or content with the least one auxiliary data resource in the device.

42. The device of claim 41, wherein the content comprises at least one of video content, audio content, and textual content and the at least one auxiliary data resources comprises at least one of an icon, a barker clip, an intro clip, and an outro clip.

43. The device of claim 41, wherein the interface comprises a wireless interface and the device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a network-enabled personal digital assistant, and a portable network-enabled media player.

44. The device of claim 41, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

45. The device of claim 41, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

46. The device of claim 41, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.

47. The device of claim 41, wherein the receiving by the processor of the at least one resource or content comprises receiving via at least one of an overhead delivery mechanism and a data file delivery mechanism

48. A device, the device being configured to receive content, comprising:

means for interfacing to means for serving content; and

means for processing, communicating with the means for interfacing, the means for processing being configured to-

transmit a request to the delivery server to initiate the delivery of at least one service or content to the device, the at least one service or content being associated with at least one auxiliary data resource via a metadata document, the metadata document comprising at least a resource descriptor and resource locator information; and

receiving the at least one service or content with the least one auxiliary data resource in the device.

49. The device of claim 48, wherein the content comprises at least one of video content, audio content and textual content and the at least one auxiliary data resources comprises at least one of an icon, a barker clip, an intro clip, and an outro clip.

50. The device of claim 48, wherein the means for interfacing comprises means for wirelessly interfacing to means for serving content and the device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a network-enabled personal digital assistant, and a portable network-enabled media player.

51. The device of claim 48, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

52. The device of claim 48, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

53. The device of claim 48, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.

54. The device of claim 48, wherein the receiving the at least one resource or content by the means for processing comprises receiving via at least one of an overhead delivery mechanism and a data file delivery mechanism

55. A computer program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium storing instructions that cause the receipt of content in a device, comprising;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to initiate the delivery of at least one service or content to the device;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to initiate an association of at least one auxiliary data resource with the at least one service or content via a metadata document, the metadata document comprising at least a resource descriptor and resource locator information; and

at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive the at least one service or content with the least one auxiliary data resource in the device.

56. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein the initiating comprises at least one of initiating the delivery based on a request transmitted from the device to a delivery server to deliver the content and initiating the delivery from a server via a predetermined broadcast.

57. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein the content comprises at least one of video content, audio content and textual content and the at least one auxiliary data resources comprises at least one of an icon, a barker clip, an intro clip, and an outro clip.

58. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein the device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a network-enabled personal digital assistant, and a portable network-enabled media player.

59. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

60. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

61. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.

62. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein the at least one instruction for causing a computer to initiate the receipt of the at least one resource or content comprises at least one instruction for causing a computer to initiate the receipt via at least one of an overhead delivery mechanism and a data file delivery mechanism.

63. A method of generating a metadata document associated with a service, channel or content for delivery to a device, comprising:

associating at least one auxiliary data resource with at least one service or content identified in the metadata document;

storing a resource descriptor describing a type of the at least one resource in the metadata document; and

storing resource locator information encoding a location of the at least one auxiliary resource in the metadata document to associate the at least one auxiliary resource with the at least one service or content for delivery to a device.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the content comprises at least one of video content, audio content and textual content and the at least one auxiliary data resource comprises at least one of an icon, a barker clip, an intro clip, and an outro clip.

65. The method of claim 63, wherein the device comprises at least one of a cellular telephone, a network-enabled personal digital assistant, and a portable network-enabled media player.

66. The method of claim 63, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

67. The method of claim 63, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.

69. A metadata document associated with a service, channel or content for delivery to a device, the metadata document being generated by a method comprising:

associating at least one auxiliary data resource with the at least one service identified in the metadata document;

storing a resource descriptor describing a type of the at least one resource in the metadata document; and

storing resource locator information encoding a location of the at least one resource in the metadata document to associate the at least one auxiliary data resource with the at least one service or content for delivery to a device.

70. The metadata document of claim 69, wherein the metadata document comprises an XML (extensible markup language) document.

71. The metadata document of claim 69, wherein the resource locator information comprises at least one URL (uniform resource locator) identifying a location of the associated resource.

72. The metadata document of claim 69, wherein the resource locator information comprises multiple alternative pathways to access the associated resource.