Method and apparatus for multimedia communications with different user terminals

• US 7,957,733 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovation Sciences, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sellerbid Incorporated (Innovation Sciences, LLC)
• Inventors: Wang, Ning, Wang, Tiejun, Wang, Tiehong, Wang, Ximing, Halal, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan; Huy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hua; Quan M
• Application Number:
  US11/802,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20070287498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,477 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.4, 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/416, 725/62
• US Class Current: 455/426.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• 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: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/289 Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• 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 21/234327 by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 : additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• 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 21/4402 : involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4784 : receiving rewards
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/182 : Network node acting on behalf of an other network entity, e.g. proxy

Abstract

Multimedia communications with cross-layer optimization in multimedia communications with different user terminals. Various optimization for the delivery of multimedia content across different channels are provided concurrently to a plurality of user terminals.

Claims

1. A method for conversion and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the method comprising:

receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a home location and destined for a destination device located within the home location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format;

routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol; and

sending the multimedia content to the destination device, wherein the destination device is a television;

wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device, and

transporting the multimedia content to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for directing the destination device to display the multimedia content in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a virus screening is performed on the multimedia content item.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a security process or error correction process is performed on the multimedia content item.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the source is a mobile terminal and the destination device is a television.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the destination device is recognized to be the television based upon the use of an address corresponding to the television by the mobile terminal.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the television is automatically directed to display the multimedia content at the predetermined tunable channel.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving another multimedia content item originated from another source located within the home location and destined for the destination device located outside the home location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

converting the other multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format; and

routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia content is received from the source in connection with a data package that identifies the destination device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a mapping table maps the identified destination device to an appropriate communications protocol, signal format and address.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to order access to the multimedia content item through a cellular communication with a user initiating the request using a mobile terminal, wherein the source device is a content provider separate from the mobile terminal.

11. A system for conversion and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the system comprising:

means receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a home location and destined for a destination device located within the home location;

means for determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

means for converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format;

means for routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol; and

means for sending the multimedia content to the destination device, wherein the destination device is a television;

wherein sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device, and

transporting the multimedia content to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for directing the destination device to display the multimedia content in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

24. The system of claim 11, wherein a virus screening is performed on the multimedia content item.

25. The system of claim 11, wherein a security process or error correction process is performed on the multimedia content item.

26. The system of claim 11, wherein the source is a mobile terminal.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the destination device is recognized to be the television based upon the use of an address corresponding to the television by the mobile terminal.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the television is automatically directed to display the multimedia content at the predetermined tunable channel.

29. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

means for receiving another multimedia content item originated from another source located within the home location and destined for the destination device located outside the home location;

means for determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

means for converting the other multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format; and

means for routing the other converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol.

30. The system of claim 11, wherein the multimedia content is received from the source in connection with a data package that identifies the destination device.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein a mapping table maps the identified destination device to the communications protocol, signal format and address.

32. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

means for receiving a request to order access to the multimedia content item through a cellular communication with a user initiating the request using a mobile terminal, wherein the source device is a content provider separate from the mobile terminal.

12. A method for bidirectional conversion and routing of content to differing devices, the method comprising:

receiving a first multimedia content item originated from a first device located outside a home location and destined for a second device located within the home location;

converting the first multimedia content item so that it can be played by the second device, wherein converting the first multimedia content item is according to a first signal format used by the second device, and routing the first converted multimedia content item to the second device;

receiving a second multimedia content item originated from a third device located within the home location and destined for a fourth device located outside the home location; and

converting the second multimedia content item so that it can be played by the fourth device, wherein converting the second multimedia content item is according to a second signal format used by the fourth device, the second signal format differing from the first signal format, and routing the second converted multimedia content item to the fourth device,

sending the multimedia content to the fourth device, wherein the fourth device is a television;

wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the fourth device, and

transporting the multimedia content to the fourth device via said predetermined channel,

for directing the fourth device to display the multimedia content in conjunction with a navigational command to the fourth device for the predetermined channel.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a virus screening is performed on the first and second multimedia content items in conjunction with converting the first and second multimedia content items.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein a security process or error correction process is performed on the first and second multimedia content items in conjunction with converting the first and second multimedia content items.

15. A system for bidirectional conversion and routing of content to differing devices, the system comprising:

means for receiving a first multimedia content item originated from a first device located outside a home location and destined for a second device located within the home location;

means for converting the first multimedia content item so that it can be played by the second device, wherein converting the first multimedia content item is according to a first signal format used by the second device, and routing the first converted multimedia content item to the second device;

means for receiving a second multimedia content item originated from a third device located within the home location and destined for a fourth device located outside the home location; and

means for converting the second multimedia content item so that it can be played by the fourth device, wherein converting the second multimedia content item is according to a second signal format used by the fourth device, the second signal format differing from the first signal format, and routing the second converted multimedia content item to the fourth device;

means for sending the multimedia content to the fourth device, wherein the fourth device is a television;

wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the fourth device, and

transporting the multimedia content to the fourth device via said predetermined channel,

for directing the fourth device to display the multimedia content in conjunction with a navigational command to the fourth device for the predetermined channel.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein multimedia content items are simultaneously served to a plurality of user devices.

17. A method for conversion and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the method comprising:

receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a home location and destined for a destination device located within the home location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format;

routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol,

wherein the multimedia content item is a first multimedia content item;

receiving requests to order access to the first multimedia content item and a second multimedia content item;

identifying a first source corresponding to the first multimedia content item and a second source corresponding to the second multimedia content item;

separately initiating communications with the first source and the second source to fulfill the requests to order access to the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item;

receiving the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item from the first source and the second source; and

converting the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item for reproduction by a destination device and routing the converted multimedia content items to the destination device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first source and the second source implement different communications protocols.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the requests are received through a cellular communication with a user initiating the requests using a mobile terminal.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first multimedia content item is received from a cellular base station using a cellular communication channel and the second multimedia content item is received from a service provider using a leased line.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the destination device is a television.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the received requests for the first and second multimedia content include an identification of the destination device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein a mapping table maps the identified destination device to the communications protocol, the signal format and the address for the destination device.

33. A system for bidirectional conversion and routing of content to differing devices, the system comprising:

means receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a home location and destined for a destination device located within the home location;

means for determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

means for converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format;

means for routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol,

wherein the multimedia content item is a first multimedia content item;

means for receiving a request to order access to the first multimedia content item and a second multimedia content item;

means for identifying a first source corresponding to the first multimedia content item and a second source corresponding to the second multimedia content item;

means for separately initiating communications with the first source and the second source to fulfill the request to order access to the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item;

means for receiving the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item from the first source and the second source; and

means for converting the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item for reproduction by a destination device and routing the converted multimedia content items to the destination device.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the first source and the second source implement different communications protocols.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the requests are received through a cellular communication with a user initiating the requests using a mobile terminal.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the first multimedia content item is received from a cellular base station using a cellular communication channel and the second multimedia content item is received from a service provider using a leased line.

37. The system of claim 33, wherein the destination device is a television.

38. The system of claim 33, wherein the received requests for the first and second multimedia content include an identification of the destination device.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein a mapping table maps the identified destination device to the communications protocol, the signal format and the address for the destination device.

40. A computer program product for conversion and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon, the program code being executable to perform operations comprising:

receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a home location and destined for a destination device located within the home location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format;

routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol; and

sending the multimedia content to the destination device, wherein the destination device is a television;

wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device, and

transporting the multimedia content to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for directing the destination device to display the multimedia content in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

41. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a virus screening is performed on the multimedia content item.

42. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein a security process or error correction process is performed on the multimedia content item.

43. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the source is a mobile terminal.

44. The computer program product of claim 43, wherein the destination device is recognized to be the television based upon the use of an address corresponding to the television by the mobile terminal.

45. The computer program product of claim 43, wherein the television is automatically directed to display the multimedia content at the predetermined tunable channel.

46. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving another multimedia content item originated from another source located within the home location and destined for the destination device located outside the home location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

converting the other multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format; and

routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol.

47. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the multimedia content is received from the source in connection with a data package that identifies the destination device.

48. The computer program product of claim 46, wherein a mapping table maps the identified destination device to an appropriate communications protocol, signal format and address.

49. The computer program product of claim 40, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving a request to order access to the multimedia content item through a cellular communication with a user initiating the request using a mobile terminal, wherein the source device is a content provider separate from the mobile terminal.

50. A computer program product for conversion and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon, the program code being executable to perform operations comprising:

receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a home location and destined for a destination device located within the home location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format; and

routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol,

wherein the multimedia content item is a first multimedia content item;

receiving requests to order access to the first multimedia content item and a second multimedia content item;

identifying a first source corresponding to the first multimedia content item and a second source corresponding to the second multimedia content item;

separately initiating communications with the first source and the second source to fulfill the requests to order access to the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item;

receiving the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item from the first source and the second source; and

converting the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item for reproduction by a destination device and routing the converted multimedia content items to the destination device.

51. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the first source and the second source implement different communications protocols.

52. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the requests are received through a cellular communication with a user initiating the requests using a mobile terminal.

53. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the first multimedia content item is received from a cellular base station using a cellular communication channel and the second multimedia content item is received from a service provider using a leased line.

54. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the destination device is a television.

55. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the received requests for the first and second multimedia content include an identification of the destination device.

56. The computer program product of claim 55, wherein a mapping table maps the identified destination device to the communications protocol, the signal format and the address for the destination device.

57. An apparatus for conversion and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the apparatus comprising:

a processor, and

a non-transitory computer readable memory, the memory storing program code executable by the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a home location and destined for a destination device located within the home location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format;

routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol; and

sending the multimedia content item to the destination device, wherein the destination device is a television.

wherein the sending comprises;

establishing a predetermined channel operatively in communication with the destination device, and

transporting the multimedia content to the destination device via said predetermined channel,

for directing the destination device to display the multimedia content in conjunction with a navigational command to the destination device for the predetermined channel.

58. An apparatus for conversion and routing of content to devices that employ differing communication protocols, the apparatus comprising:

a processor, and

a non-transitory computer readable memory, the memory storing program code executable by the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving a multimedia content item originated from a source located outside a home location and destined for a destination device located within the home location;

determining a communications protocol, a signal format and an address for the destination device;

converting the multimedia content item for reproduction according to the determined signal format;

routing the converted multimedia content item to the destination device using the determined address and communications protocol,

wherein the multimedia content item is a first multimedia content item;

receiving requests to order access to the first multimedia content item and a second multimedia content item;

identifying a first source corresponding to the first multimedia content item and a second source corresponding to the second multimedia content item;

separately initiating communications with the first source and the second source to fulfill the requests to order access to the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item;

receiving the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item from the first source and the second source; and

converting the first multimedia content item and the second multimedia content item for reproduction by a destination device and routing the converted multimedia content items to the destination device.