SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESSLY BROADCASTING CONTENT FROM A CORE FOR RECEIPT BY A MOBILE CLIENT

• US 20130232276A1
• Filed: 08/31/2012
• Published: 09/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ABSi Corporation
• Original Assignee: ABSi Corporation
• Inventors: Bjornsson, Sigfus, SHIN, John
• Application Number:
  US13/600,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20130232276A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• 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 21/26266 for determining content or additional data repetition rate, e.g. of a file in a DVB carousel according to its importance arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/16
• 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 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

A system and method for providing content over a network. In particular, the system and method is capable of providing content, such as broadband streaming multimedia and Internet Protocol (IP) data, to network devices, including mobile devices, with interactive functionality. The network employs at least one core and a plurality of clients. The core and clients each comprise a plurality of modules that cooperatively communicate with each other to monitor and control the delivery of content and to allow for interactive functionality by a user.

Claims

1. A network core for delivering content, comprising:

a request handler configured to receive a request for content wirelessly transmitted by a mobile client and establish a delivery schedule of the content;

a content preparation unit configured to format the requested content for transmission;

a carousel configured to receive the formatted requested content and schedule delivery of the formatted requested content in accordance with the delivery schedule; and

a delivery system configured to receive the formatted requested content from the carousel in accordance with the delivery schedule and wirelessly broadcast the formatted requested content for receipt by the mobile client in accordance with the delivery schedule.

2. A network core as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the carousel is configured to store the formatted requested content among a hierarchical collection of categories.

3. A network core as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

each of the categories have at least one of the following characteristics;

a size different from that of the other categories, and a transmission interval different from that of the other categories.

4. A network core as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the carousel is configured to mix those of the categories having a particular transmission frequency into an output stream provided to the delivery system.

5. A network core as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the carousel is configured to output content belonging to at least one of the categories once every carousel cycle and to output content belonging to at least one other of the categories once every plurality of carousel cycles.

6. A network core as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the delivery schedule includes information describing the whereabouts of the contents in the network, how to access such content and frequency of updates of the content.

7. A network core as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a location at which the formatted requested content is present in the carousel is adjusted based on a popularity of the requested content as determined based on request statistics.

8. A method for operating a network core to deliver content, the method comprising:

operating the network core to receive a request for content wirelessly transmitted by a mobile client and establish a delivery schedule of the content;

operating the network core to format the requested content for transmission;

operating a carousel in the network core to receive the formatted requested content and schedule delivery of the formatted requested content in accordance with the delivery schedule; and

operating a delivery system in the network core to receive the formatted requested content from the carousel in accordance with the delivery schedule and wirelessly broadcast the formatted requested content for receipt by the mobile client in accordance with the delivery schedule.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the carousel operating includes operating the carousel to store the formatted requested content among a hierarchical collection of categories.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

each of the categories have at least one of the following characteristics;

a size different from that of the other categories, and a transmission interval different from that of the other categories.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the carousel operating includes mixing those of the categories having a particular transmission frequency into an output stream provided to the delivery system.

12. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the carousel operating includes operating the carousel to output content belonging to at least one of the categories once every carousel cycle and to output content belonging to at least one other of the categories once every plurality of carousel cycles.

13. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the delivery schedule includes information describing the whereabouts of the contents in the network, how to access such content and frequency of updates of the content.

14. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

a location at which the formatted requested content is present in the carousel is adjusted based on a popularity of the requested content as determined based on request statistics.

15. A network core for delivering content, comprising:

a request handler configured to receive a request for content from at least one mobile client, establish a delivery schedule of said content based on statistics pertaining to a number of requests for the content, and provide a content access key to the mobile client in response to the request; and

delivery system configured to wirelessly broadcast the requested content in accordance with the delivery schedule established by the request handler, for access by the mobile client using the content access key.

16. A network core as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

the delivery schedule includes information describing the whereabouts of the contents in the network, how to access such content and frequency of updates of the content.

17. A network core as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

a carousel configured to receive the formatted requested content and schedule delivery of the formatted requested content in accordance with the delivery schedule.

18. A network core as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

a location at which the formatted requested content is present in the carousel is adjusted based on a popularity of the requested content as determined based on request statistics.

19. A network core as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

the carousel is configured to store the formatted requested content among a hierarchical collection of categories.

20. A network core as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

the delivery system is configured to receive the requested content from the carousel in accordance with the delivery schedule.