System and method to acquire, aggregate, manage, and distribute media
First Claim
1. A media content manager residing at a user premises, comprising:
- a network module in communication with a wide area network and a local area network and operable to communicate through the wide area network with a first media source and through the local area network with a second media source, the network module further operable to communicate through at least one of the wide area network and the local area network with at least one media player device, an application service provider, and a service management center;
a tuner in communication with the network module and operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content from at least one of the first and second media sources;
a media processor including a media memory coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format;
a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor, the media manager further operable to scan for media content and retrieve associated metadata stored on the first and second media sources and build a metadata database that allows the media content manager and the selected media player to access the media content stored on the first and second media sources;
a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format;
a platform manager operable to monitor operational characteristics including the availability of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device;
a resource manager operable to monitor utilization loads on the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device; and
an application service enforcement manager controlled by the application service provider through the service management center, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager and operable to provide policy and usage rules of an application service from the application service provider that is executed at the user premises independent of the application service logic executing on the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager establishing an application service provider demarcation point that extends into the user premise past a wide area network demarcation point at the user premises thereby allowing the application service provider to provide the application service that is executed at the user premise instead of the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determining that the at least one media stream is associated with the application service and whether the selected media player is authorized to use the application service based upon the selected media player'"'"'s capability of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream, usage rights of the selected media player, and the monitored operational characteristics and utilization load of at least one of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager preventing the at least one media stream from being directed to the selected media player when the platform manager determines that the selected media player is unauthorized,wherein if the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determines that the selected media player is incapable of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream then the media content manager utilizes the metadata database to identify a network location of the one of the first and second media sources that sent the at least one media stream and request a different format for the at least one media stream from the one of the first and second media sources that sent the at least one media stream that is compatible with the media player.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A media content manager residing at a user premises having a tuner coupled to at least one media source operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content. The media content manager also including a media processor coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format, the at least one media stream comprising metadata. Additionally, the media content manages has a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor. Furthermore, the media content manager includes a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format.
190 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A media content manager residing at a user premises, comprising:
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a network module in communication with a wide area network and a local area network and operable to communicate through the wide area network with a first media source and through the local area network with a second media source, the network module further operable to communicate through at least one of the wide area network and the local area network with at least one media player device, an application service provider, and a service management center; a tuner in communication with the network module and operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content from at least one of the first and second media sources; a media processor including a media memory coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format; a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor, the media manager further operable to scan for media content and retrieve associated metadata stored on the first and second media sources and build a metadata database that allows the media content manager and the selected media player to access the media content stored on the first and second media sources; a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format; a platform manager operable to monitor operational characteristics including the availability of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device; a resource manager operable to monitor utilization loads on the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device; and an application service enforcement manager controlled by the application service provider through the service management center, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager and operable to provide policy and usage rules of an application service from the application service provider that is executed at the user premises independent of the application service logic executing on the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager establishing an application service provider demarcation point that extends into the user premise past a wide area network demarcation point at the user premises thereby allowing the application service provider to provide the application service that is executed at the user premise instead of the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determining that the at least one media stream is associated with the application service and whether the selected media player is authorized to use the application service based upon the selected media player'"'"'s capability of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream, usage rights of the selected media player, and the monitored operational characteristics and utilization load of at least one of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager preventing the at least one media stream from being directed to the selected media player when the platform manager determines that the selected media player is unauthorized, wherein if the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determines that the selected media player is incapable of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream then the media content manager utilizes the metadata database to identify a network location of the one of the first and second media sources that sent the at least one media stream and request a different format for the at least one media stream from the one of the first and second media sources that sent the at least one media stream that is compatible with the media player. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A gateway device residing at a user premises, comprising:
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an application service module having at least one application; a user module having a user interface that is associated with the at least one application, wherein the user module enables bi-directional communications with the at least one media player device; a network module in communication with a wide area network and a local area network and operable to communicate through the wide area network with a first media source and through the local area network with a second media source, the network module further operable to communicate through at least one of the wide area network and the local area network with at least one media player device, an application service provider, and a service management center; a tuner coupled to the network module and operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content from at least one of the first and second media sources; a media processor including a media memory coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format; a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor via the user module, the media manager further operable to scan for media content and retrieve associated metadata stored on the first and second media sources and build a metadata database that allows the media content manager and the selected media player to access the media content stored on the first and second media sources; a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data forma; a platform manager operable to monitor operational characteristics including the availability of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device; a resource manager operable to monitor utilization loads on the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device; and an application service enforcement manager controlled by the application service provider through the service management center, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager and operable to provide policy and usage rules of an application service from the application service provider that is executed at the user premises independent of the application service logic executing on the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager establishing an application service provider demarcation point that extends into the user premise past a wide area network demarcation point at the user premises thereby allowing the application service provider to provide the application service that is executed at the user premise instead of the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determining that the at least one media stream is associated with the application service and whether the selected media player is authorized to use the application service based upon the selected media player'"'"'s capability of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream, usage rights of the selected media player, and the monitored operational characteristics and utilization load of at least one of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager preventing the at least one media stream from being directed to the selected media player when the platform manager determines that the selected media player is unauthorized, wherein if the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determines that the selected media player is incapable of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream then the media content manager utilizes the metadata database to identify a network location of the one of the first and second media sources that sent the at least one media stream and request a different format for the at least one media stream from the one of the first and second media sources that sent the at least one media stream that is compatible with the media player. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of aggregating, managing and distributing media content, comprising:
providing a media content manager residing at a user premises, the media content manager operable to communicate through at least one of the wide area network and the local area network with at least one media source, at least one media player device, an application service provider, and a service management center, wherein the media content manager is controlled by the application service provider through the service management center, the media content manager providing policy and usage rules of an application service from the application service provider that is executed at the user premises independent of the application service logic executing on the application service provider'"'"'s network, the media content manager establishing an application service provider demarcation point that extends into the user premise past a wide area network demarcation point at the user premises thereby allowing the application service provider to provide the application service that is executed at the user premise instead of the application service provider'"'"'s network, the media content manager operable for; scanning for media content and retrieving associated metadata stored on the at least one media source; compiling a metadata database using the scanned metadata, the metadata identifying a network location of the at least one media source; selecting the at least one media source and selectively receiving at least one media stream of at least one type of media content; converting the at least one media stream to a predetermined data format; storing the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format; monitoring operational characteristics of the media content manager including the availability of the media content manager'"'"'s connection to the wide area network and local area network, the media content manager'"'"'s storage, and the media content manager'"'"'s processor; monitoring utilization loads of the media content manager'"'"'s connection to the wide area network and local area network, the media content manager'"'"'s storage, and the media content manager'"'"'s processor; determining whether the at least one media stream is associated with the application service; selecting one of a plurality of media player devices coupled to the media content manager for directing the at least one media stream towards; determining whether the selected media player is authorized to use the application service based upon the selected media player'"'"'s capability of executing the predetermined data format of the media stream, usage rights of the selected media player, and the monitored operational characteristics and utilization load of at least one of the media content manager'"'"'s connection to the wide area network and local area network, the media content manager'"'"'s storage, and the media content manager'"'"'s processor, wherein if the media content manager determines that the selected media player is incapable of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream then the media content manager utilizes the metadata database to identify a network location of the at least one media source that sent the at least one media stream and requests a different format for the at least one media stream from the at least one media source that is compatible with the media player; and directing the at least one media stream to the selected one of the plurality of media player devices coupled to the media content manager if the selected media player is authorized and preventing the at least one media stream from being directed to the selected media player when the selected media player is unauthorized. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A media content manager residing at a user premises, the media content manager operable to communicate through at least one of the wide area network and the local area network with at least one media source, at least one media player device, an application service provider, and a service management center, wherein the media content manager is controlled by the application service provider through the service management center, the media content manager providing policy and usage rules of an application service from the application service provider that is executed at the user premises independent of the application service logic executing on the application service provider'"'"'s network, the media content manager establishing an application service provider demarcation point that extends into the user premise past a wide area network demarcation point at the user premises thereby allowing the application service provider to provide the application service that is executed at the user premise instead of the application service provider'"'"'s network, the media content manager having a non-transitory computer-readable medium having encoded thereon a method of aggregating, managing and distributing media content, the encoded method comprising:
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scanning for media content and retrieving associated metadata stored on the at least one media source; compiling a metadata database using the scanned metadata, the metadata identifying a network location of the at least one media source; selecting the at least one media source and selectively receiving at least one media stream of at least one type of media content; converting the at least one media stream to a predetermined data format; monitoring operational characteristics of the media content manager including the availability of the media content manager'"'"'s connection to the wide area network and local area network, the media content manager'"'"'s storage, and the media content manager'"'"'s processor; monitoring utilization loads of the media content manager'"'"'s connection to the wide area network and local area network, the media content manager'"'"'s storage, and the media content manager'"'"'s processor; determining whether the at least one media stream is associated with the application service; selecting one of a plurality of media player devices coupled to the media content manager for directing the at least one media stream towards; determining whether the selected media player is authorized to use the application service based upon the selected media player'"'"'s capability of executing the predetermined data format of the media stream, usage rights of the selected media player, and the monitored operational characteristics and utilization load of at least one of the media content manager'"'"'s connection to the wide area network and local area network, the media content manager'"'"'s storage, and the media content manager'"'"'s processor, wherein if the media content manager determines that the selected media player is incapable of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream then the media content manager utilizes the metadata database to identify a network location of the at least one media source that sent the at least one media stream and requests a different format for the at least one media stream from the at least one media source that is compatible with the media player; directing the at least one media stream to the selected one of the plurality of media player devices coupled to the media content manager if the selected media player is authorized and preventing the at least one media stream from being directed to the selected media player when the selected media player is unauthorized; and storing the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format.
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57. A system comprising:
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a remote service manager; gateway device residing at a user premises and coupled to the remote service manager via a wide area network, the gateway device comprises; an application service module being remotely managed by the remote service manager via the wide area network, the application service module residing on the user premises side of a wide area network demarcation; a network module in communication with the wide area network and a local area network and operable to communicate through the wide area network with a first media source and through the local area network with a second media source, the network module further operable to communicate through at least one of the wide area network and the local area network with at least one media player device, an application service provider, and the remote service manager; a tuner in communication with the network module and operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content from at least one of the first and second media sources; a media processor including a media memory coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format; a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor, the media manager further operable to scan for media content and retrieve associated metadata stored on the first and second media sources and build a metadata database that allows the media content manager and the selected media player to access the media content stored on the first and second media sources; a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format; a platform manager operable to monitor operational characteristics including the availability of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device; a resource manager operable to monitor utilization loads on the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device; and an application service enforcement manager controlled by the application service provider through the remote service manager, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager and operable to provide policy and usage rules of an application service from the application service provider that is executed at the user premises independent of the application service logic executing on the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager establishing an application service provider demarcation point that extends into the user premise past the wide area network demarcation point at the user premises thereby allowing the application service provider to provide the application service that is executed at the user premise instead of the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determining that the at least one media stream is associated with the application service and whether the selected media player is authorized to use the application service based upon the selected media player'"'"'s capability of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream, usage rights of the selected media player, and the monitored operational characteristics and utilization load of at least one of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager preventing the at least one media stream from being directed to the selected media player when the platform manager determines that the selected media player is unauthorized, wherein if the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determines that the selected media player is incapable of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream then the media content manager utilizes the metadata database to identify a network location of the one of the first and second media sources that sent the at least one media stream and request a different format for the at least one media stream from the one of the first and second media sources that sent the at least one media stream that is compatible with the media player.
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58. A system, comprising:
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a media source having media content and associated metadata; a media server having; a network module in communication with a wide area network and a local area network and operable to communicate through at least one of the wide area network and the local area network with the media source, media player device, an application service provider, and a service management center; a tuner in communication with the network module and operable to selectively receive at least one media stream of at least one type of media content from the media source; a media processor including a media memory coupled to the tuner and operable to receive the at least one media stream and convert the media stream to a predetermined data format; a media manager coupled to the media processor and operable to receive the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format and direct the media stream to a selected media player device coupled to the media processor, the media manager further operable to scan for media content and retrieve the associated metadata stored on media source and build a metadata database that allows the media content manager and the selected media player to access the media content stored on the media source; a storage device coupled to the media manager and operable to receive and store the at least one media stream in the predetermined data format; a platform manager operable to monitor operational characteristics including the availability of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device; a resource manager operable to monitor utilization loads on the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device; and an application service enforcement manager controlled by the application service provider through the service management center, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager and operable to provide policy and usage rules of an application service from the application service provider that is executed at the user premises independent of the application service logic executing on the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager establishing an application service provider demarcation point that extends into the user premise past a wide area network demarcation point at the user premises thereby allowing the application service provider to provide the application service that is executed at the user premise instead of the application service provider'"'"'s network, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determining that the at least one media stream is associated with the application service and whether the selected media player is authorized to use the application service based upon the selected media player'"'"'s capability of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream, usage rights of the selected media player, and the monitored operational characteristics and utilization load of at least one of the network module including the wide area network and local area network, the tuner, media processor including media memory, media manager, and storage device, the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager preventing the at least one media stream from being directed to the selected media player when the platform manager determines that the selected media player is unauthorized, wherein if the application service enforcement manager in communication with the platform manager and resource manager determines that the selected media player is incapable of executing the predetermined data format of the at least one media stream then the media content manager utilizes the metadata database to identify a network location of the media source and request a different format for the at least one media stream from the media source that is compatible with the media player. the selected media player device coupled to the media source, the media player being operable to display media content and metadata to the user; and a media adaptor coupled to the media server and media player, the media adaptor comprising a predictive cache, the media adaptor operable to receive user queries related to media content at the media source, transmit the user queries to the media server for processing, and the predictive cache being operable to transmit anticipatory queries related to the user queries to the media server, and cache anticipatory search results supplied by the media server.
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Specification