Media processing system supporting different media formats via server-based transcoding

• US 8,359,656 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2011
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kellerman, Marcus, Karaoguz, Jeyhan, Bennett, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): REVAK, CHRISTOPHER A
• Application Number:
  US13/074,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20120079600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• 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 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1073 Registration or de-registration
• 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 65/765 intermediate
• 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 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• 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 21/2343 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 21/25833 : 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 21/26266 : 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 21/41265 : 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 21/41422 : located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 : Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• 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 21/4316 : 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 21/43615 : 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 21/43637 : 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 21/44222 : 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 21/47214 : 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 21/4755 : 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 21/4788 : 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 21/4882 : 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 21/6187 : 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 21/6582 : 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 21/814 : 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 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 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A method for processing media content includes receiving, at a second communications device communicatively coupled to a network at a first geographic location, from a first wireless mobile communications device communicatively coupled to the second communications device at the first geographic location, a device profile of the first wireless mobile communications device. The device profile received from the first wireless mobile communications device and media content may be sent to a server communicatively coupled to the network at a second geographic location. Media content may be received from the server, where the media content has been reformatted based on the device profile. The reformatted media content may be transmitted to the first wireless mobile communications device. The received device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device may be stored.

Claims

1. A method for processing media content, comprising:

receiving, at a second communications device communicatively coupled to a network at a first geographic location, from a first wireless mobile communications device communicatively coupled to the second communications device at the first geographic location, a device profile of the first wireless mobile communications device;

sending the device profile, received from the first wireless mobile communications device, and media content to a server communicatively coupled to the network at a second geographic location;

receiving media content from the server that has been reformatted based on the device profile; and

transmitting the reformatted media content to the first wireless mobile communications device.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising storing the received device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device is stored at the first wireless mobile communication device prior to the sending.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising transcoding by the server, the media content from a first type of format to a second type of format, wherein the second type of format is compatible with the first wireless mobile communications device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the server comprises a dedicated format conversion server.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising requesting the media content from the second communications device.

7. The method according to claim 1, comprising updating the device profile.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising communicatively coupling the first wireless mobile communications device to the network via a first headend, and communicatively coupling the second communications device to the network via a second headend.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first wireless mobile communications device, the second communications device and/or the server comprises a software platform that can provide one or more of user-interface functionality, distributed storage functionality and/or networking functionality.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first wireless mobile communications device, the second communications device and/or the server comprises a software platform that can provide one or more of device registration, channel setup, program setup, management and/or security.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first wireless mobile communications device, the second communications device and/or the server is adapted to provide one or more of distributed networking capability, archival functionality, temporary storage capability, storage manager capability and/or digital rights manager capability.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device profile comprises information related to media capabilities of the first wireless mobile communications device.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the first wireless mobile communications device and/or the second communications device comprises a television screen that facilitates viewing and interacting with one or more of a user interface, media, data, and/or services available on the network.

14. A method for reformatting media content, comprising:

sending by a first wireless mobile communications device communicatively coupled to a network at a first geographic location, a device profile to a second communications device communicatively coupled to the network at the first geographic location, and receiving media content from the second communications device, wherein the media content has been reformatted by a server at a second geographic location based on the device profile.

15. The method according to claim 14, comprising storing the device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device is stored at the first wireless mobile communication device prior to the sending.

17. The method according to claim 14, comprising storing the device profile by the second communications device for use in reformatting other media content destined for the first wireless mobile communications device.

18. The method according to claim 14, comprising reformatting the media content from a first type of format to a second type of format, wherein the second type of format is compatible with the first wireless mobile communications device.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein one or more of the server, the first wireless mobile communications device and/or the second communications device comprises a software platform that can provide one or more of user-interface functionality, distributed storage functionality and networking functionality, device registration, channel setup, program setup, management and security, distributed networking capability, archival functionality, temporary storage capability, storage manager capability and/or digital rights manager capability.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the device profile comprises information related to media capabilities of the first wireless mobile communications device, and wherein the device profile is updateable by the first wireless mobile communications device.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein one or more of the server, the first wireless mobile communications device and/or the second communications device comprises a television screen that facilitates viewing and interacting with one or more of a user interface, media, data, and/or services available on the network.

22. A method for processing media content, comprising:

receiving at a second communications device communicatively coupled to the network at a first geographic location, from a first wireless mobile communications device communicatively coupled to the second communications device at the first geographic location, a device profile of the first wireless mobile communications device;

sending a request for media content to a server communicatively coupled to the network at a second geographic location;

receiving the requested media content from the server;

reformatting the received media content based on the device profile; and

transmitting the reformatted media content to the first wireless mobile communications device.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second communications device comprises a set-top box (STB).

24. The method according to claim 22, comprising storing by the second communications device, the device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device after the receiving.

25. The method according to claim 22, comprising storing the device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device at the first wireless mobile communication device prior to the receiving.

26. The method according to claim 22, comprising transcoding the media content from a first type of format to a second type of format, wherein the second type of format is compatible with the first wireless mobile communications device.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the server comprises a dedicated format conversion server.

28. The method according to claim 22, comprising requesting by the first wireless mobile communications device, the media content from the second communications device.

29. The method according to claim 22, comprising updating the device profile.

30. The method according to claim 22, communicatively coupling the first wireless mobile communications device to the network via a first headend, and communicatively coupling the second communications device to the network via a second headend.

31. The method according to claim 22, wherein one or more of the first wireless mobile communications device, the second communications device and/or the server comprises a software platform that can provide one or more of user-interface functionality, distributed storage functionality and/or networking functionality.

32. The method according to claim 22, wherein one or more of the first wireless mobile communications device, the second communications device and/or the server comprises a software platform that can provide one or more of device registration, channel setup, program setup, management and/or security.

33. The method according to claim 22, wherein one or more of the first wireless mobile communications device, the second communications device and/or the server is adapted to provide one or more of distributed networking capability, archival functionality, temporary storage capability, storage manager capability and/or digital rights manager capability.

34. The method according to claim 22, wherein the device profile comprises information related to media capabilities of the first wireless mobile communications device.

35. The method according to claim 22, wherein one or both of the first wireless mobile communications device and/or the second communications device comprises a television screen that facilitates viewing and interacting with one or more of a user interface, media, data, and/or services available on the network.

36. A method for reformatting media content, comprising:

sending by a first wireless mobile communications device communicatively coupled to a network at a first geographic location, a device profile to a second communications device communicatively coupled to the network at the first geographic location, and receiving media content from the second communications device, wherein the media content has been reformatted, based on the device profile, by the second communications device after receipt of the media content by the second communications device via the network from a server at a second geographic location.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the second communications device comprises a set-top box (STB).

38. The method according to claim 36, wherein the second communications device stores the device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device.

39. The method according to claim 36, comprising storing the device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device at the first wireless mobile communication device.

40. The method according to claim 36, comprising storing the device profile by the second communications device, for use in reformatting other media content destined for the first wireless mobile communications device.

41. The method according to claim 36, comprising reformatting by the second communications device, the media content from a first type of format to a second type of format, wherein the second type of format is compatible with the first wireless mobile communications device.

42. The method according to claim 36, wherein one or more of the server, the first wireless mobile communications device and/or the second communications device comprises a software platform that can provide one or more of user-interface functionality, distributed storage functionality and networking functionality, device registration, channel setup, program setup, management and security, distributed networking capability, archival functionality, temporary storage capability, storage manager capability and/or digital rights manager capability.

43. The method according to claim 36, wherein the device profile comprises information related to media capabilities of the first wireless mobile communications device, and wherein the device profile is updateable by the first wireless mobile communications device.

44. The method according to claim 36, wherein one or more of the server, the first wireless mobile communications device and/or the second communications device comprises a television screen that facilitates viewing and interacting with one or more of a user interface, media, data, and/or services available on the network.