SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURED DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA ASSETS FROM A MEDIA SERVER TO CLIENT DEVICES

• US 20100131675A1
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Yang Pan
• Original Assignee: Yang Pan
• Inventors: Pan, Yang
• Application Number:
  US12/277,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20100131675A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/247
• 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 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4367 Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/835 Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10

Abstract

At least one media server and one media client device form an ad hoc wireless communication link or network. The invention is characterized by a method that a media asset in a compressed format is broadcasted over the network while the media asset in an uncompressed format is being played by the server. In accordance with one embodiment, a media file for a song is being played by a HiFi audio system while the file is compressed to MP3 format and is transmitted to a handheld media player through a wireless link. The compressed file may be transmitted repeatedly during the playback cycle of the server. In accordance with another embodiment, a video file is shown on a television terminal while the file is compressed to the MP4 format by a set top box. The MP4 formatted file is transmitted to an ad hoc wireless network including one or a plurality of handheld media players. In accordance with yet another embodiment, a media file for a movie is divided into multiple data packets and is compressed to MP4 format while the file in an uncompressed format is shown in a movie theater. The compressed data packets are transmitted to handheld media players carried by audiences. In all above mentioned embodiments, the media files may be encrypted based on a public key from a public/private key system before the transmission. The received media asset may be decrypted by using a private key after a purchasing operation is completed. The purchasing may be accomplished via an on-line facility.

Claims

1. A media delivery apparatus, comprising:

a media player for delivering a media asset based upon a data format;

a data compression unit for compressing the media asset; and

a wireless communication unit for transmitting the compressed media asset.

2. The media apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a data encryption unit.

3. The media player as recited in claim 1, comprising:

a processor for controlling operation of the media delivery apparatus;

a file storage system for storing media assets;

a data processing unit for converting digital signals into analog signals; and

a power supply for providing power to the media delivery apparatus.

4. The wireless communication unit as recited in claim 1, including a device or a combination of devices from the following group:

a communication device providing a communication interface conforming to IEEE 802.11 type of standard and its amendments (Bluetooth);

a communication device providing a communication interface conforming to IEEE 802.11b or IEEE. 11 g type of standard and its amendments (WiFi);

a communication device providing a communication interface conforming to IEEE 802.15.4 type of standard and its amendments (Zigbee);

a communication device providing UWB (ultra wide band) communication interface conforming to IEEE 802.15.4a type of standard; and

a communication device providing a visible or an invisible optical communication interface.

5. The media player as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

one or a plurality of speakers; and

/or

a video display device.

6. The media delivery apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the media player including a device selected from a group as follows:

a high fidelity audio system;

a television system with a set top box;

a vehicle media system;

a handheld media player;

an advertisement display panel;

a theater audio/video system; and

a concert audio/video recording and processing system.

7. A method of delivering a media asset from a media server to at least one media client device, comprising:

playing a media asset based upon a data format by employing the media server;

compressing the media asset to a desired format;

transmitting wirelessly the compressed media asset; and

receiving the compressed media asset by the media client device.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the media server including a device selected from a group as follows:

a high fidelity audio system;

a television system with a set top box;

a vehicle media system;

a handheld media player;

an advertisement display panel;

a theater audio/video system; and

a concert audio/video recording and processing system.

9. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the media server further comprising:

a data compression unit;

a data encryption unit; and

a wireless communication unit.

10. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the media server and the media client device are connectable through an visible or an invisible optical link or through a wireless communication interface which conforms to one of the following standards or its amendments:

IEEE 802.11 (Bluetooth);

IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g (WiFi);

IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee); and

IEEE 802.15.4a (UWB).

11. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the media client device including a device selected from a group as follows:

a handheld media player;

a high fidelity audio system; and

a general purpose computer.

12. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein said operation of transmitting including transmitting the compressed media asset repeatedly while the media asset is being played by the media server.

13. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein said operation of transmitting including dividing the compressed and uncompressed media asset into a plurality of data packets and transmitting the compressed data packets sequentially in synchronization of said operation of playing the uncompressed data packets.

14. A method of media client devices receiving a compressed media asset transmitted wirelessly from a media server, wherein the media client device and the media server forming a whole or a part of wireless network, the method comprising:

establishing a wireless communication network between the media server and the media client devices;

receiving a media asset in a compressed format by the client devices from the server while the media asset in an uncompressed format being played by the server.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the media asset is generated through a concert media recording and processing system during a live performance.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising:

encrypting the compressed media asset by the media server;

displaying a message related to the received media asset on a display screen of the client device;

purchasing the media asset through an facility enabled by a communication network;

decrypting the received asset; and

storing the media asset in a file storage system of the media client device.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the operation of encrypting and decrypting is based on a public and private key system and a public key is distributed to the media server and a private key is distributed to the media client devices.

18. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the media client devices including at least a device selected from a group as follows:

a handheld media player;

a high fidelity audio system; and

a general purpose computer.

19. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the method further including switching on a function of the media client devices for receiving the media asset wirelessly through actuating a component of a user input device.

20. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the operation of transmitting the compressed media asset including:

transmitting repeatedly the compressed media asset during a playback cycle of the uncompressed asset by the media server;

or

dividing the compressed and uncompressed media asset into a plurality of data packets and transmitting the compressed data packets in sequential in synchronization with the operation of playing the uncompressed data packets by the server.