Management of multimedia display content in a media exchange network

• US 7,424,535 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Karaoguz, Jeyhan, Bennett, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WANG, LIANG CHE A
• Application Number:
  US10/675,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20040117853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,806 Days
• Field of Search: 709/212, 709/217, 709/219, 709/223, 709/226, 709/230, 725/86, 725/91, 725/96, 725/100, 725/103, 348/207.1
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• 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 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23106 involving caching operations prefetching while addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means within memory systems or architectures G06F12/0862; caching at an intermediate stage in a data network H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 : involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 : Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 : Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 : involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 : involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 : involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• 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 21/2668 : Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 : Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 : Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• 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 21/4135 : external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• 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 21/41422 : located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4182 : for identification purposes, e.g. storing user identification data, preferences, personal settings or data restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code in combination with an additional device, e.g. dongle or smart card G06F21/123
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 : Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 : Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 : Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 : Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• 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 21/43632 : involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440281 : by altering the temporal resolution, e.g. by frame skipping television signal recording using magnetic recording on tape for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/442 : Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/29; arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information H04H60/35; monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; monitoring in wireless networks H04W24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 : Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 : for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 : for providing answers, e.g. voting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 : using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4856 : for language selection, e.g. for the menu or subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 : involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 : using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/637 : Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6402 : Address allocation for clients address allocation in data networks H04L61/50
• 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: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6583 : Acknowledgement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 : comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 : involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 : between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A system and method for managing multimedia display content in a communication network is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may support the selection, scheduling, and delivery of media from a set top box at a first location to a multimedia display at a second location, using a communication network. The selection and scheduling may be performed via a user interface having at least one view comprising a representation of at least one media channel. The media delivered may comprise at least one of audio, a still picture, video, real time video, and data. The multimedia display may comprise a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, “electronic paper”, or a light emitting diode (LED) display. The multimedia display may be communicatively coupled to a set top box at the second location via a wireless link, and may comprise at least one sensor for detecting conditions such as, for example, the movement of a viewer. The display may change if the sensor detects the condition.

Claims

1. A system supporting the management of multimedia display content in a communication network, the system comprising:

a television, at a first location, supporting the consumption of media;

a first storage for storing media, at the first location, and having a first network address with respect to a first user at the first location;

a first set top box, at the first location, communicatively coupling the first storage to the communication network;

a user interface displayed on the television, at the first location, having at least one view comprising a representation of media available for consumption, the user interface supporting the selection and scheduling of media for delivery to a second location, wherein the first location is different than the second location;

a second set top box, at the second location;

at least one multimedia display, at the second location, communicatively coupled to the second set top box, and having a second network address with respect to a second user at the second location, wherein the second user is known to the first user; and

server software that maintains a user defined association of the first and second network addresses, that receives a request identifying one of the first and second associated network addresses, and that responds by identifying the other of the associated first and second network addresses to support delivery of media from the first set top box to the at least one multimedia display for consumption.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, real time video, and/or data.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein consumption comprises one or more of playing digitized audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, and/or displaying data.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the associated first and second network addresses are one of an internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, or an electronic serial number (ESN).

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication network is the Internet.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one multimedia display comprises one or more of a monochrome or color liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, “

electronic paper”

, a projection display, and/or a light emitting diode (LED) display.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one multimedia display is communicatively coupled using a wireless link.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the wireless link is compatible with one or more of an IEEE 802.11b or related wireless network standard, a Bluetooth-based wireless network protocol, and/or an infrared communication protocol.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one multimedia display comprises:

at least one sensor for detecting a condition, at the first home; and

the detection of the condition resulting in a change in the media displayed.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one sensor comprises one or more of a visible light motion detector, passive infrared (PIR) motion detector, an ultrasonic motion detector, and/or a microwave motion detector.

12. A system supporting the management of multimedia display content in a communication network, the system comprising:

a television, at a first location, supporting the consumption of media;

a storage for storing media having a first network address, the storage communicatively coupled to the television display;

a set top box at the first location, communicatively coupling the storage to the communication network;

a user interface displayed on the television, at the first location, having at least one view comprising a representation of media available for consumption, the user interface supporting the selection and scheduling of media for delivery at a second location, wherein the first location is different than the second location;

at least one multimedia display having a second network address, at the second location, communicatively coupled to the set top box; and

software that receives a request and that responds by coordinating delivery of media from the set top box at the first location, to the at least one multimedia display at the second location for consumption, the software maintaining a user defined association of the first and second network addresses, receiving a request identifying one of the first and second associated network addresses, and responding by identifying the other of the associated first and second network addresses to support delivery of media from the set top box to the at least one multimedia display for consumption.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, real time video, and/or data.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein consumption comprises one or more of playing digitized audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, and/or displaying data.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one multimedia display comprises one or more of a monochrome or color liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, “

electronic paper”

, a projection display, and/or a light emitting diode (LED) display.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one multimedia display is communicatively coupled using a wireless link.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the wireless link is compatible with one or more of an IEEE 802.11b or related wireless network standard, a Bluetooth-based wireless network protocol, and/or an infrared communication protocol.

19. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one multimedia display comprises:

at least one sensor for detecting a condition, at the first home; and

the detection of the condition resulting in a change in the media displayed.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the at least one sensor comprises one or more of a visible light motion detector, passive infrared (PIR) motion detector, an ultrasonic motion detector, and/or a microwave motion detector.

21. A method of supporting the management of multimedia display content in a communication network, the method comprising:

receiving input from a user via a user interface having at least one view comprising a representation of at least one user defined media channel supporting consumption of media;

causing display of the user interface on a television at a first location, the user interface supporting the selection and scheduling of media for delivery to a second location;

scheduling media for delivery from the first location to the second location based on input from the user at the second location, wherein the first location is different than the second location;

delivering media from the first location to the second location, via the communication network, if media is scheduled for delivery; and

refraining from delivering media from the first location to the second location, via the communication network, if media is not scheduled for delivery.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the delivery comprises:

authenticating the first location to the second location;

sending a request to transfer media, from the first location to the second location;

receiving a response, at the first location from the second location;

transferring the media, from the first location to the second location, if the response is an acceptance of the transfer of media; and

refraining from transferring the media, from the first location to the second location, if the response is not an acceptance of the transfer of media.

25. A system supporting the management of multimedia display content in a communication network, the system comprising:

set top box circuitry, in a set top box at a first location, communicatively coupled to support the management of display of media content at a second location;

a user interface displayed on a first television, at the first location, having at least one view comprising a representation of media available for consumption, the user interface supporting the selection and scheduling of media for delivery to the second location, wherein the first location is different than the second location; and

software that maintains a user defined association of first and second network addresses with respect to first and second users, respectively, at first and second locations, respectively, wherein the first and second users are known to one another, wherein the first location is different than the second location, wherein the software receives a request identifying one of the first or second associated network address, and that responds by identifying the other of the associated first or second network addresses to support delivery of media content from the first set top box at the first location to at least one multimedia display at the second location for consumption.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, real time video, and/or data.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein consumption comprises one or more of playing digitized audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, and/or displaying data.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the associated first and second network addresses are one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, or an electronic serial number (ESN).

29. The system of claim 25 wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.

30. The system of claim 25 wherein the communication network is the Internet.

31. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one multimedia display comprises one or more of a monochrome or color liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, “

electronic paper”

, a projection display, and/or a light emitting diode (LED) display.

32. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one multimedia display is communicatively coupled using a wireless link.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein the wireless link is compatible with one or more of an IEEE 802.11b or related wireless network standard, a Bluetooth-based wireless network protocol, and/or an infrared communication protocol.

34. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one multimedia display comprises:

at least one sensor for detecting a condition, at the first home; and

the detection of the condition resulting in a change in the media displayed.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the at least one sensor comprises one or more of a visible light motion detector, passive infrared (PIR) motion detector, an ultrasonic motion detector, and/or a microwave motion detector.