Method and system for communicating multimedia content in a unicast, multicast, simulcast or broadcast environment

• US 6,704,576 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2000
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Greenspan, Steven L., Driessen, Peter F., Quackenbush, Schuyler, Brachman, Ronald J., Crandall, Evan S., Weinman, Joseph B. Jr., Kretschmer, Mathias
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tu X
• Application Number:
  US09/671,471
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 455/503, 455/45, 455/3.01, 455/517, 455/456.2, 455/422.1, 455/443, 455/444, 370/432, 370/705
• US Class Current: 455/503
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method in which users may join a communication mode such that the multimedia content received by the user is closely matched to a predefined profile. The content may be transmitted by unicast, multicast or radio broadcast. Moreover, depending on an individual'"'"'s request(s) and that of other users in a network, a user may switch between a radio broadcast, multicast and unicast to meet the user'"'"'s preferences based on a profile. Profile data may include content type, transmission quality, cost considerations, etc. The two-way nature of the system and method also enable a user to request and receive information and complete transactions.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is

established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users;

uniting an additional user with the communication mode that most closely meets the additional user'"'"'s profile data; and

determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one unicast.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one multicast.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one simulcast.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one radio frequency broadcast.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the profile data comprises content that the user wishes to receive.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying content that the user wishes to receive by evaluating a natural language request.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the profile data comprises a preferred range of transmission quality.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing a fee for access.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fee paid by the user influences the content which is transmitted.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the profile data comprises a preferred range of transmission billing rate for receiving content.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising informing a user of content that is available.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the user is informed by a text message.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the user is informed by an audio message.

15. A method for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users;

uniting an additional user with the communication mode that most closely meets the additional user'"'"'s profile data;

determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

calculating whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

calculating whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

allocating additional bandwidth to the communication mode when the additional user is united with the communication mode.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication mode is converted from a unicast to a multicast or simulcast when the additional user is the second user associated with the communication mode.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

calculating whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

calculating whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

uniting a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

establishing a radio frequency broadcast when a predetermined maximum request condition has been met.

21. A method for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users;

releasing a user from the communication mode; and

determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the user is released from the communication mode in response to said user terminating access to said network.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

uniting the released user with another established communication mode in response to the released user'"'"'s profile data.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

reducing bandwidth from the communication mode when the user is released from said communication mode.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the communication mode is converted from a multicast to a unicast when releasing a user results in one remaining user in the communication mode.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

calculating whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

calculating whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

uniting a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

establishing a radio frequency broadcast when a predetermined maximum request condition has been met.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

establishing separate communication modes for each cell when a predetermined threshold content request condition has not been met.

30. A method for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users;

switching a user from one communication mode to another communication mode; and

determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the user is switched to another communication mode in response to said analysis of said user profile data.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the user is switched to another communication mode in response to a communication mode selection made by said user.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the user is switched to another communication mode by immediate automatic access.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the user is switched to another communication mode by seamless automatic access.

35. A method for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users;

transmitting user-specified data to a user; and

determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the user-specified data is information relates to the content transmitted to the user.

37. The method according to claim 35, wherein the user-specified information relates to emergency information that may be of interest to the user.

38. The method according to claim 35, wherein the user-specified information relates to marketing information that may be of interest to the user.

39. A method for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users;

receiving information for execution of at least one transaction; and

determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the executed transaction comprises purchasing a product or service related to the transmitted content.

41. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a first database for storing said content;

a second database for storing user profile data; and

a processor configured for analyzing said user profile data for similarity of said data, identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data, establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users, and determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one unicast.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one multicast.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one simulcast.

45. The system of claim 41, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one radio frequency broadcast.

46. The system of claim 41, wherein the processor is further configured for identifying content that the user wishes to receive by evaluating a natural language request.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein the profile data comprises content that the user wishes to receive.

48. The system of claim 41, further comprising accessing a fee for access.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the fee paid by the user influences the content which is transmitted.

50. The system of claim 41, wherein the profile data comprises a preferred range of transmission quality.

51. The system of claim 41, further comprising informing a user of content that is available.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the user is informed by a text message.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein the user is informed by an audio message.

54. The system of claim 41, wherein the profile data comprises a preferred range of transmission billing rate for receiving content.

55. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a first database for storing said content;

a second database for storing user profile data;

a processor configured for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data, identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data, determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data, and establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

a router configured for uniting an additional user with the communication mode that most closely meets the additional user'"'"'s profile data.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the processor is further configured for allocating additional bandwidth to the communication mode when the additional user is united with the communication mode.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the router further converts the communication mode from a unicast to a multicast when the additional user is a second user associated with the communication mode.

58. The system of claim 55, wherein the processor is further configured for calculating whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition, and calculating whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the router is further configured for uniting a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

60. The system of claim 55, wherein the processor is further configured for establishing a radio frequency broadcast when a predetermined maximum request condition has been met.

61. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a first database for storing said content;

a second database for storing user profile data; and

a processor configured for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data, identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data, releasing a user from the communication mode, determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data, releasing a user from the communication mode, and establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the user is released from the communication mode in response to said user terminating access to said network.

63. The system of claim 61, further comprising:

a router configured for uniting the released user with another established communication mode in response to the released user'"'"'s profile data.

64. The system of claim 61, wherein the processor is further configured for reducing bandwidth from the communication mode when the user is released from said communication mode.

65. The system of claim 61, wherein the router is further configured for converting the communication mode from a multicast to a unicast when releasing a user results in one remaining user in the communication mode.

66. The system of claim 61, wherein the processor is further configured for calculating whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition, and calculating whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

67. The system of claim 66, further comprising:

a router configured for uniting a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the processor is further configured for establishing a radio frequency broadcast when a predetermined maximum request condition has been met.

69. The system of claim 66, wherein the processor is further configured for establishing a separate communication modes for each cell when a predetermined threshold content request condition has not been met.

70. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a first database for storing said content;

a second database for storing user profile data;

a processor configured for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data, identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data, determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data, and establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

a router configured for switching a user from one communication mode to another communication mode.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein the router is configured for switching the user to another communication mode in response to said analysis of said user profile data.

72. The system of claim 70, wherein the router is configured for switching the user to another communication mode in response to a communication mode selection made by said user.

73. The system of claim 71, wherein the router is configured for switching the user to another communication mode by immediate automatic access.

74. The system of claim 71, wherein the router is configured for switching the user to another communication mode by seamless automatic access.

75. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a first database for storing said content;

a second database for storing user profile data;

a processor configured for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data, identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data, determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data, and establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

a router configured for directing user-specified data to a user.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the user-specified data is information relates to the content transmitted to the user.

77. The system according to claim 75, wherein the user-specified information relates to emergency information that may be of interest to the user.

78. The system according to claim 75, wherein the user-specified information relates to marketing information that may be of interest to the user.

79. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a first database for storing said content;

a second database for storing user profile data; and

a processor configured for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data, identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data, determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data, and establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users and receiving information for execution of at least one transaction.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein the executed transaction comprises purchasing a product or service related to the transmitted content.

81. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

means for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

means for identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

means for determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data; and

means for establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one unicast.

83. The system of claim 81, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one multicast.

84. The system of claim 81, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one simulcast.

85. The system of claim 81, wherein the communication mode comprises at least one radio frequency broadcast.

86. The system of claim 81, wherein the profile data comprises content that the user wishes to receive.

87. The system of claim 81, further comprising means for identifying content that the user wishes to receive by evaluating a natural language request.

88. The system of claim 81, wherein the profile data comprises a preferred range of transmission quality.

89. The system of claim 81, further comprising means for accessing a fee for access.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the fee paid by the user influences the content which is transmitted.

91. The system of claim 81, wherein the profile data comprises a preferred range of transmission billing rate for receiving content.

92. The method of claim 81, further comprising informing a user of content that is available.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the user is informed by a text message.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the user is informed by an audio message.

95. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

means for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

means for identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

means for establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users;

means for determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data; and

means for uniting an additional user with the communication mode that most closely meets the additional user'"'"'s profile data.

96. The system of claim 95, further comprising:

means for allocating additional bandwidth to the communication mode when the additional user is united with the communication mode.

97. The system of claim 95, wherein the communication mode is converted from a unicast to a multicast when the additional user is the second user associated with the communication mode.

98. The system of claim 95, further comprising:

means for calculating whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

means for calculating whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

99. The system of claim 98, further comprising:

means for uniting a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

100. The system of claim 98, further comprising:

means for establishing a radio frequency broadcast when a predetermined maximum request condition has been met.

101. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

means for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

means for identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

means for determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

means for establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

means for releasing a user from the communication mode.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein the user is released from the communication mode in response to said user terminating access to said network.

103. The system of claim 101, further comprising:

means for uniting the released user with another established communication mode in response to the released user'"'"'s profile data.

104. The system of claim 101, further comprising:

means for reducing bandwidth from the communication mode when the user is released from said communication mode.

105. The system of claim 101, wherein the communication mode is converted from a multicast to a unicast when releasing a user results in one remaining user in the communication mode.

106. The system of claim 101, further comprising:

means for calculating whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

means for calculating whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

107. The system of claim 106, further comprising:

means for uniting a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

108. The system of claim 106, further comprising:

means for establishing a radio frequency broadcast when a predetermined maximum request condition has been met.

109. The system of claim 106, further comprising:

means for establishing separate communication modes for each cell when a predetermined threshold content request condition has not been met.

110. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

means for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

means for identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

means for determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

means for establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

means for switching a user from one communication mode to another communication mode.

111. The system of claim 110, wherein the user is switched to another communication mode in response to said analysis of said user profile data.

112. The system of claim 110, wherein the user is switched to another communication mode in response to a communication mode selection made by said user.

113. The system of claim 111, wherein the user is switched to another communication mode by immediate automatic access.

114. The system of claim 111, wherein the user is switched to another communication mode by seamless automatic access.

115. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

means for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

means for identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

means for determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

means for establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

means for transmitting user-specified data to a user.

116. The system of claim 115, wherein the user-specified data is information relates to the content transmitted to the user.

117. The system according to claim 115, wherein the user-specified information relates to emergency information that may be of interest to the user.

118. The system according to claim 115, wherein the user-specified information relates to marketing information that may be of interest to the user.

119. A system for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

means for analyzing user profile data for similarity of said data;

means for identifying a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

means for determining whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

means for establishing at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

means for receiving information for execution of at least one transaction.

120. The system of claim 119, wherein the executed transaction comprises purchasing a product or service related to the transmitted content.

121. Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data; and

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users.

122. Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

code to unite an additional user with the communication mode that most closely meets the additional user'"'"'s profile data.

123. The computer executable software code of claim 122, further comprising:

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

124. The computer executable code of claim 123, further comprising:

code to unite a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

125. Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

code to release a user from the communication mode.

126. The computer executable software code of claim 125, further comprising:

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

127. The computer executable software code of claim 126, further comprising:

code to unite a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

128. The computer executable software code of claim 126, further comprising:

code to establishing a radio frequency broadcast when a predetermined maximum request condition has been met.

129. The computer executable software code of claim 126, further comprising:

establishing separate communication modes for each cell when a predetermined threshold content request condition has not been met.

130. Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

code to switch a user from one communication mode to another communication mode.

131. A computer readable medium having computer executable software code stored thereon, the code for transmitting content over a network, the code comprising:

code to analyze to user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify to a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data; and

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users.

132. A computer readable medium having computer executable software code stored thereon, the code for transmitting content over a network, the code comprising:

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

code to unite an additional user with the communication mode that most closely meets the additional user'"'"'s profile data.

133. The computer readable medium of claim 132, further comprising:

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

134. The computer readable medium claim 133, further comprising:

code to unite a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

135. A computer readable medium having computer executable software code stored thereon, the code for transmitting content over a network, the code comprising:

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

code to release a user from the communication mode.

136. The computer readable medium of claim 135, further comprising:

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

137. The computer readable medium of claim 136, further comprising:

code to unite a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

138. The computer readable medium of claim 136, further comprising:

code to establish a radio frequency broadcast when a predetermined maximum request condition has been met.

139. The computer readable medium of claim 136, further comprising:

code to establish separate communication modes for each cell when a predetermined threshold content request condition has not been met.

140. A computer readable medium having computer executable software code stored thereon, the code for transmitting content over a network, the code comprising:

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

code to switch a user from one communication mode to another communication mode.

141. A programmed computer for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a memory having at least one region for storing executable program code; and

a processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, wherein the program code includes;

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data; and

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users.

142. A programmed computer for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a memory having at least one region for storing executable program code; and

a processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, wherein the program code includes;

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

code to unite an additional user with the communication mode that most closely meets the additional user'"'"'s profile data.

143. The programmed computer of claim 142, further comprising:

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

144. The programmed computer of claim 143, further comprising:

code to unite a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

145. A programmed computer for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a memory having at least one region for storing executable program code; and

a processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, wherein the program code includes;

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

code to release a user from the communication mode.

146. The programmed computer of claim 145, further comprising:

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a predetermined threshold content request condition; and

code to calculate whether the number of said users has met a maximum request condition.

147. The programmed computer of claim 146, further comprising:

code to unite a plurality of adjacent cells when a predetermined threshold content request condition is met and a predetermined maximum request condition has not been met.

148. The programmed computer of claim 146, further comprising:

code to establish a radio frequency broadcast when a predetermined maximum request condition has been met.

149. The programmed computer of claim 146, further comprising:

code to establish separate communication modes for each cell when a predetermined threshold content request condition has not been met.

150. A programmed computer for transmitting content over a network, comprising:

a memory having at least one region for storing executable program code; and

a processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, wherein the program code includes;

code to analyze user profile data for similarity of said data;

code to identify a number of users within a cell that have similar profile data;

code to determine whether users from adjacent cells are receiving similar content in response to similar user profile data;

code to establish at least one communication mode, wherein the communication mode is established based on the number of users and the user'"'"'s profile data of said users; and

code to switch a user from one communication mode to another communication mode.