System and method for regulating the transmission of media data

• US 6,671,807 B1
• Filed: 07/03/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: RealNetworks, Inc.
• Inventors: Barrett, Phillip L., Jaisimha, Mysore Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Darrow, Justin T.
• Application Number:
  US10/189,854
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 713/154, 713/165, 713/167, 713/196, 713/193, 709/201, 709/202, 709/203, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/225, 709/226, 709/228, 709/229, 709/230, 709/231, 709/232, 710/33, 711/163, 711/164, 705/51, 705/56, 705/57, 705/33, 370/232, 370/235
• US Class Current: 713/193
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/43 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/95 Retrieval from the web
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system and method regulate the transmission of media data. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a header portion of a media file is encoded to include an access code. The access code corresponds to one or more permitted methods by which the media file may be transmitted over a network. In one embodiment, a user operates a web browser to access a web page including a hyperlink which references the media file and specifies a desired type of transmission. Desired types of transmission include, for example, streaming transmission and faster than real time reliable download. When the hyperlink is activated, a web server sends a URL referencing the media file to the web browser. The web browser passes the URL to the media player. The media player requests the media file from a media server. The media server transmits the header of the media file, and the media player extracts the access code to determine whether the media file may be transmitted according to the desired type of transmission. If so, the media server transmits the media file using the desired type of transmission, and the media player renders the media data into video, sound or image signals. If the media player receives the media data using a type of transmission that permits storing the media data locally, the media player may transfer the media data to a portable media player.

Claims

1. An access coded media file_stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising:

media data; and

a header including;

access code bits, said access code bits representing a value indicating that the media data may be transmitted in accordance with at least one transmission protocol; and

second data relating to rights of the media data, said access code bits or said second data stored in a second computer-readable medium prior to transmission of said media data.

2. The access coded media file of claim 1 wherein said access code bits represent a value indicating that the media data may not be transmitted in accordance with at least one transmission protocol.

3. The access coded media file of claim 1 wherein said access code bits are encrypted and wherein said value is determined by decrypting said access code bits.

4. The access coded media file of claim 1 wherein said second data relates to copyright rights.

5. The access coded media file of claim 1 wherein said header further comprises author data indicative of an author associated with the media data.

6. The access coded media file of claim 1 wherein said header further comprises title data indicative of a title associated with the media data.

7. The access coded media file of claim 1 wherein said header further comprises encoding type data indicative of an encoding method associated with the media data.

8. The access coded media file of claim 1 wherein said access code bits represent a value indicating that the media data may be transmitted in accordance with at least two transmission protocols.

9. The access coded media file of claim 8 wherein at least one of the at least two transmission protocols is a streaming transmission protocol.

10. The access coded media file of claim 8 wherein at least one of the at least two transmission protocols is a recording protocol.

11. The access coded media file of claim 8 wherein at least one of the at least two transmission protocols is a protocol including storage of the media data in a non-volatile memory.

12. A reference file stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising:

a reference to a media file stored on a computer-readable medium; and

at least one parameter value;

said media file comprising;

media data; and

a header comprising an access value; and

said at least one parameter value and said access value enabling transmission of said media data in accordance with at least one transmission protocol.

13. The reference file of claim 12, wherein said at least one parameter value and said access value disable transmission of said media data in accordance with a transmission protocol other than said at least one transmission protocol.

14. The reference file of claim 13, further comprising a hyperlink wherein said reference to a media file and said at least one parameter value are within said hyperlink.

15. A method of encoding a media file comprising media data, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of at least one desired transmission protocol;

computing an access value;

wherein said access value is used to enable transmission of said media data in accordance with said at least one desired transmission protocols; and

storing said media file, comprising said media data and said access value, on a computer-readable medium.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said at least one desired transmission protocols comprises a streaming transmission protocol.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said access value disables transmission of said media data in accordance with a transmission protocol other than said at least one desired transmission protocol.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said access value enables transmission of said media data in accordance with at least two desired transmission protocol.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein a server uses said access value to transmit said media data in accordance with said at least one desired transmission protocol.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein a server does not use said access value to transmit said media data in accordance with said at least one desired transmission protocol.

21. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions to perform a method of encoding a media file comprising media data, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of at least one desired transmission protocol;

computing an access value;

wherein said access value is used to enable transmission of said media data in accordance with said at least one desired transmission protocols; and

storing said media file, comprising said media data and said access value, on a computer-readable medium.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21 wherein said at least one desired transmission protocols comprises a streaming transmission protocol.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 21 wherein said access value disables transmission of said media data in accordance with a transmission protocol other than said at least one desired transmission protocol.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 21 wherein said access value enables transmission of said media data in accordance with at least two desired transmission protocols.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein a server uses said access value to transmit said media data in accordance with said at least one desired transmission protocol.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein a server does not use said access value to transmit said media data in accordance with said at least one desired transmission protocol.

27. A method for regulating the transmission of media data, the method comprising:

transmitting a request corresponding to a media file;

said media file comprising said media data and an access value;

said access value indicating at least one permitted transmission protocol;

receiving said access value;

determining whether said access value permits at least one requested transmission protocol;

transmitting a request to transmit said media data;

said request related to said access value; and

receiving said media data.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said determining whether said access value permits at least one requested transmission protocol comprises:

receiving at least one parameter value;

said at least one parameter indicative of at least one requested transmission protocol; and

determining whether said at least one requested transmission protocol is in accordance with said access value.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said determining whether said at least one requested transmission protocol is in accordance with said access value comprises:

decrypting at least a portion of a header of said media file, said header comprising encrypted access code bits indicative of said access value; and

comparing said access value to a value corresponding to said at least one requested transmission protocol.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein said access value is indicative of at least one unpermitted transmission protocol.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said at least one unpermitted transmission protocol comprises a recording protocol.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein said at least one unpermitted transmission protocol comprises a protocol including storage of the media data in a non-volatile memory.

33. The method of claim 27 wherein said access value is indicative of at least two unpermitted transmission protocols.

34. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions to perform a method for regulating the transmission of media data, the method comprising:

transmitting a request corresponding to a media file;

said media file comprising said media data and an access value;

said access value indicating at least one permitted transmission protocol;

receiving said access value;

determining whether said access value permits at least one requested transmission protocol;

transmitting a request to transmit said media data;

said request related to said access value; and

receiving said media data.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said determining whether said access value permits at least one requested transmission protocol comprises:

receiving at least one parameter value;

said at least one parameter is indicative of at least one requested transmission protocol; and

determining whether said at least one requested transmission protocol is in accordance with said access value.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said determining whether said at least one requested transmission protocol is in accordance with said access value comprises:

decrypting at least a portion of a header of said media file, said header comprising encrypted access code bits indicative of said access value; and

comparing said access value to a value corresponding to said at least one requested transmission protocol.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said access value is indicative of at least one unpermitted transmission protocol.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein said at least one unpermitted transmission protocol comprises a recording protocol.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein said at least one unpermitted transmission protocol comprises a protocol including storage of the media data in a non-volatile memory.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said access value is indicative of at least two unpermitted transmission protocols.

41. A method for regulating the transmission of media data, the method comprising:

receiving a request corresponding to a media file;

said media file comprising said media data and an access value;

said access value indicative of at least one permitted transmission protocol;

acquiring said access value from said media file;

transmitting said access value;

receiving a request to transmit said media data;

said request related to said access value; and

transmitting said media data.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

transmitting at least one parameter value;

said at least one parameter indicative of at least one requested transmission protocol.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein said access value is indicative of at least one unpermitted transmission protocol.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein said access value is indicative of at least two permitted transmission protocols.

45. The method of claim 41 wherein said access value is indicative of at least two unpermitted transmission protocols.

46. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions to perform a method for regulating the transmission of media data, the method comprising:

receiving a request corresponding to a media file;

said media file comprising said media data and an access value;

said access value indicating at least one permitted transmission protocol;

acquiring said access value from said media file;

transmitting said access value;

receiving a request to transmit said media data;

said request related to said access value; and

transmitting said media data.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 46 wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting at least one parameter value;

said at least one parameter indicative of at least one requested transmission protocol.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 46 wherein said access value is indicative of at least one unpermitted transmission protocol.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 48 wherein said access value is indicative of at least two permitted transmission protocols.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 46 wherein said access value is indicative of at least two unpermitted transmission protocols.

51. A media file stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising:

media data; and

a header comprising access bits;

said access bits enabling transmission of said media data in accordance with at least two permitted transmission protocols.

52. The media file of claim 51 wherein at least one of the at least two permitted transmission protocols is a streaming transmission protocol.

53. The media file of claim 51 wherein at least one of the at least two permitted transmission protocols is a recording protocol.

54. The media file of claim 51 wherein at least one of the at least two permitted transmission protocols is a protocol including storage of the media data in a non-volatile memory.

55. The media file of claim 51 wherein said access bits disable transmission of said media data in accordance with at least one unpermitted transmission protocol.

56. The media file of claim 55 wherein said at least one unpermitted transmission protocol comprises a recording protocol.

57. The media file of claim 55 wherein said at least one unpermitted transmission protocol comprises a protocol including storage of the media data in a non-volatile memory.

58. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions to perform a method for receiving media data, the method comprising:

receiving media data transmitted in accordance with a first transmission protocol;

said media data originating from a media file comprising said media data and code bits indicative of said first transmission protocol.

59. The computer-readable medium of claim 58 wherein said code bits are indicative of said first transmission protocol and a second transmission protocol.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 58 wherein the code bits are stored in a header.

61. A media file stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising:

media data; and

a first code wherein said code comprises bits representing a value indicating that the media data may be transmitted in accordance with at least one transmission protocol.

62. The access coded media file of claim 61 additionally comprising a second code relates that relates to copyright rights.

63. The access coded media file of claim 61 wherein said first code is located in a header.

64. A system for generating a data stream wherein the system comprises instructions to perform a method for transmitting media data, the method comprising the steps of:

forming the data stream using media data, said media data originating from a media file comprising said media data and code bits indicative of a first transmission protocol, wherein the data stream is formed in accordance with a second transmission protocol; and

transmitting the data stream in accordance with said second transmission protocol.

65. The system of claim 64 wherein said code bits are indicative of said first transmission protocol and said second transmission protocol.

66. The system of claim 64 wherein the code bits are stored in a header.

67. The system of claim 64 wherein the first transmission protocol and the second transmission protocol are the same.

68. The system of claim 64 wherein the first transmission protocol and the second transmission protocol are different.