System and method for networked media access

• US 7,725,494 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rogers, Ian, New, Matthew D., Brown, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stevens, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/361,191
• Publication Number:
  US 20060195513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,551 Days
• Field of Search: 707/5, 707/100, 707/102, 707/104.1, 709/3, 709/203
• US Class Current: 707/802
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/273 Asynchronous replication or reconciliation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3344 using natural language analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4393 Multimedia presentations, e.g. slide shows, multimedia albums
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/637 Administration of user profiles, e.g. generation, initialization, adaptation or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• 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 21/6236 between heterogeneous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/0038 System on Chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/01 Automatic library building
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2113 Multi-level security, e.g. mandatory access control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/386 using messaging services or messaging apps using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS G06Q20/3255
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 : Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 : Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 : applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 : Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0263 : Rule management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 : Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 : Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• 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 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• 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 21/2541 : 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 21/4126 : The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• 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 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• 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 21/47214 : 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 21/4788 : 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 21/4825 : using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 : Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/913 : Multimedia

Abstract

A method, system, and media management application for providing a user access to a media file from multiple locations on a network. In one aspect, a user communicates a desire to access a media file at a future time and is able to access the bookmarked media file from various locations on a network at any future time. In one aspect, the media file is available from multiple locations on the network and in different media formats.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first communication indicative of a user'"'"'s desire to access a media file at a future time, said first communication facilitating identifying said media file in a media library associated with a user profile, said media file being available from multiple locations on a network and in different media formats;

storing information associated with said user and said media file in association with said user profile, wherein access to said user profile requires said user to log in via a network to associate the user login with the user profile;

receiving from said user a second communication indicative of said user'"'"'s desire to experience said media file at a device by selecting said identified media file from said media library;

determining, based upon said second communication and said device, a location from said multiple locations from which to provide said desired media file to said user and a media format in which to provide said desired media file; and

making said desired media file available to be experienced by said user from said location and in said media format.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein one of said multiple locations comprises a user'"'"'s local media file library.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein one of said multiple locations comprises a media file service.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein one of said multiple locations comprises another users media file library.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said network comprises the internet.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising verifying said user'"'"'s rights to access said media file.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said information comprises a location of said media file.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said information comprises a universal resource identifier.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said information comprises a pointer to said media file.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said media format comprises a tethered download.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said media format comprises a streaming media file.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said media format comprises a media file download.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said location and said media format are determined by the steps of:

determining whether said media file is available as a local media file on a local processor associated with said user, and if said media file is available then said location comprises said local processor and said media format comprises a local media file;

determining, if said media file is not available from said local processor as a local media file, whether said media file is available from a server as a download, and if said media file is available from said server as a download then said location comprises said server and said media format comprises a media file download; and

determining, if said media file is not available from said server as a download, whether said media file is available from said server as a streamed media file, and if said media file is available as a streamed media file, then said location comprises said server and said media format comprises a streamed media file.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said download is a tethered download.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said server is located on said network.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said server is located on the internet.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file comprises a video file.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said media file comprises an audio file.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein said first communication comprises said user adding said media file to said user'"'"'s local media file library.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said media file is added from a media service.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said media file is added from a compact disk.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein said media file is added from a portable media player.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein said second communication comprises said user playing said media file.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein said information comprises a unique identifier associated with said user.

25. A system comprising:

a processor;

a first communication component implemented at least in pan on said processor for receiving a first communication indicative of a user'"'"'s desire to access a media file at a future time, said first communication facilitating identifying said media file in a media library associated with a user profile, said media file being available from multiple locations on a network and in different media formats;

a storage, maintaining the user profile, for storing information associated with a user and said media file in association with said user profile;

a second communication component for receiving from said user, a second communication indicative of said user'"'"'s desire to experience said media file at a device;

a decision component for determining, based upon said second communication and said device, a location from said multiple locations from which to provide said desired media file to said user and a media format in which to provide said desired media file; and

a delivery component for making said desired media file available to be experienced by said user from said location and in said media format.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein said components comprise software components.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein one of said multiple locations comprises a user'"'"'s local media file library.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein one of said multiple locations comprises a media file service.

29. The system of claim 25 wherein one of said multiple locations comprises another user'"'"'s media file library.

30. The system of claim 25 wherein said network comprises the internet.

31. The system of claim 25 further comprising a verification component for verifying said user'"'"'s rights to access said media file.

32. The system of claim 25 wherein said information comprises a location of said media file.

33. The system of claim 25 wherein said information comprises a universal resource identifier.

34. The system of claim 25 wherein said information comprises a pointer to said media file.

35. The system of claim 25 wherein said media format comprises a tethered download.

36. The system of claim 25 wherein said media format comprises a streaming media file.

37. The system of claim 25 wherein said media format comprises a media file download.

38. The system of claim 25 wherein said location and said media format is determined by the steps of:

determining whether said media file is available as a local media file on a local processor associated with said user, and if said media file is available then said location comprises said local processor and said media format comprises a local media file;

determining, if said media file is not available from said local processor as a local media file, whether said media file is available from a server as a download, and if said media file is available from said server as a download then said location comprises said server and said media format comprises a media file download; and

determining, if said media file is not available from said server as a download, whether said media file is available from said server as a streamed media file, and if said media file is available as a streamed media file, then said location comprises said server and said media format comprises a streamed media file.

39. The system of claim 38 wherein said download is a tethered download.

40. The system of claim 38 wherein said server is located on said network.

41. The system of claim 38 wherein said server is located on the internet.

42. The system of claim 25 wherein said location and said media format comprises:

a local processor associated with said user and a local media file, respectively, if said media file is available as a local media file on said user'"'"'s local processor.

43. The system of claim 25 wherein said location and said media format comprises:

a server and as a download, respectively, if said media file is available as download from said server.

44. The system of claim 25 wherein said location and said media format comprises:

a server and a streamed media file, respectively, if said media file is available as a streamed media file from said server.

45. The system of claim 25 wherein said location and said media format comprises:

another user'"'"'s local processor and a streamed media file, respectively, if said media file is available as a streamed media file from said another user'"'"'s local processor.

46. The system of claim 25 wherein said media file comprises a video file.

47. The system of claim 25 wherein said media file comprises an audio file.

48. The system of claim 25 wherein said first communication comprises said user adding said media file to said user'"'"'s local media file library.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein said media file is added from a media service.

50. The system of claim 48 wherein said media file is added from a compact disk.

51. The system of claim 48 wherein said media file is added from a portable media player.

52. The system of claim 25 wherein said second communication comprises said user playing said media file.

53. The system of claim 25 wherein said information comprises a unique identifier associated with said user.

54. A computer readable storage medium tangibly comprising application code that when executed on a computing device is configured to:

generate a user interface that displays a listing of media files;

receive, through said user interface, a first communication indicative of a user'"'"'s desire to access at least one of said media files at a future time, said first communication facilitating identifying said at least one of said media files in a media library associated with a user profile, said media file being available from multiple locations on a network and in different media formats;

send, to a storage, information associated with said user and said media file for storage in association with said user profile, wherein access to said user profile requires said user to log in via a server to associate the user login with the user profile;

receive, through said user interface, a second communication indicative of said user'"'"'s desire to experience said media file at a device; and

receive, from said storage, a media file identifier associated with said media file so that it may be experienced by said user, said media file being provided from a location from said multiple locations, based upon said second communication and said device, and said media file being in one of said different media formats.

55. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein one of said multiple locations comprises a user'"'"'s local media file library.

56. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein one of said multiple locations comprises a media file service.

57. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein one of said multiple locations comprises another user'"'"'s media file library.

58. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said network comprises the internet.

59. The storage medium of claim 54 further comprising a verification component for verifying rights associated with said user to access said media file.

60. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said information comprises a location of said media file.

61. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said information comprises a universal resource identifier.

62. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said information comprises a pointer to said media file.

63. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said media format comprises a tethered download.

64. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said media format comprises a streaming media file.

65. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said media format comprises a media file download.

66. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said location and said media format is determined by the steps of:

determining whether said media file is available as a local media file on a local processor associated with said user, and if said media file is available then said location comprises said local processor and said media format comprises a local media file;

determining, if said media file is not available from said local processor as a local media file, whether said media file is available from a server as a download, and if said media file is available from said server as a download then said location comprises said server and said media format comprises a media file download; and

determining, if said media file is not available from said server, whether said media file is available from said server as a streamed media file, and if said media file is available as a streamed media file, then said location comprises said server and said media format comprises a streamed media file.

67. The storage medium of claim 66 wherein said download is a tethered download.

68. The storage medium of claim 66 wherein said server is located on said network.

69. The storage medium of claim 66 wherein said server is located on the internet.

70. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said location and said media format comprises:

a local processor associated with said user and a local media file, respectively, if said media file is available as a local media file on said user'"'"'s local processor.

71. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said location and said media format comprises:

a server and as a download, respectively, if said media file is available as download from said server.

72. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said location and said media format comprises:

a sewer and a streamed media file, respectively, if said media file is available as a streamed media file from said server.

73. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said location and said media format comprises:

another user'"'"'s local processor and a streamed media file, respectively, if said media file is available as a streamed media file from said another user'"'"'s local processor.

74. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said media file comprises a video file.

75. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said media file comprises an audio file.

76. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said first communication comprises said user adding said media file to said user'"'"'s local media file library.

77. The storage medium of claim 76 wherein said media file is added from a media service.

78. The storage medium of claim 76 wherein said media file is added from a compact disk.

79. The storage medium of claim 76 wherein said media file is added from a portable media player.

80. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said second communication comprises said user playing said media file.

81. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said information comprises a unique identifier associated with said user.

82. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said media file identifier comprises a location of said media file.

83. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said media file identifier comprises a universal resource identifier.

84. The storage medium of claim 54 wherein said media file identifier comprises a pointer to said media file.