Content delivery system and method

• US 8,412,798 B1
• Filed: 01/14/2011
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoom Video Communications, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Frank Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Frank C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F
• Assistant Examiner(s): MIAH, RAZU A
• Application Number:
  US12/930,727
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709217-282
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1073 Registration or de-registration
• 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 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• 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 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• 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 21/4622 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 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A content delivery system and method for use with plurality of digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems spanning across one or more network environments. The system and method enable users with freedom of mobility while maintaining access to the user'"'"'s selected content while the user transitions from one device in one location to a different device in a difference location, substantially without interruption and without the need for user action to turn on and off these target data processing systems. The Instant Invention can provide high bandwidth content delivery solutions based upon hardware and software components by activating a Target device while the system is proximate to the Target device and, in one embodiment, automatically redirecting the content while the system is proximate to a new Target device without user intervention. The Target devices include digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems including, but not limited to, HDTVs, TV, Personal Computers, digital music systems, printers, radios, and fax machines.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) selecting content stored on a data processing device;

(b) maintaining a map of the portions of the selected content which have been delivered and those portions of the selected content which have not been delivered;

(c) transporting the data processing device with the selected content at a first time and detecting in a first location, a first target device located proximate to the data processing device using the data processing device;

(d) in response of detecting the first target device, delivering the selected content to only the first target device and updating the map of the portions of the content have been delivered to the first target device only while the data processing device is proximate to the first target device in the first location using the data processing device and suspending the delivery of the selected content when the data processing device is transported away from the first location and upon detecting the data processing device is no longer proximate to the first target device at a second time;

(e) after step (d), transporting the data processing device to a second location, detecting a second target device using the data processing device while the data processing device is proximate to the second target device in the second location and in response of detecting the second target device using the map to deliver only to the second target device the portions of the selected content which have not been delivered to the first target device while the data processing device is proximate to the first location; and

(f) after step (e), detecting when the data processing device is no longer proximate to the second target device and transporting the data processing device proximate to the first location and detecting that the data processing device is proximate to the first target device again and, as a result, in response of detecting the first target device using the map to deliver only to the first target device the portions of the selected content which have not been delivered to at least one of the first target device and the second target device.

2. The method including the steps of claim 1, and further including the step of detecting when the data processing device is no longer proximate to the second target device after step (e) and later transporting the data processing device proximate to a third target device and detecting a third target device which is proximate to the data processing device at a location different from the second location and in response of detecting the third target device using the map to deliver only to the third target device the portions of the selected content which have not been delivered to at least one of the first target device and the second target device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the content to be stored on the data processing device is pushed from a remote source to the data processing device and thereafter the data processing device pushing the selected content to at least one of the first target device and the second target device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the content to be stored on the data processing device is pushed from a remote source to the data processing device and thereafter the selected content is pulled by at least one of the first target device and the second from the data processing device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the content to be stored on the data processing device is pulled by the data processing device from a remote source and thereafter the data processing device pushes the selected content to at least one of the first target device and the second device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the content to be stored on the data processing device is pulled by the data processing device from a remote source and thereafter the selected content is pulled by at least one of the first target device and the second device from the data processing device.

7. A method comprising:

(a) selecting content stored on a data processing device;

(b) maintaining a map of the portions of the selected content which have been performed and those portions of the selected content which have not been performed;

(c) transporting the data processing device and detecting at a first time in a first location, a first target device located proximate to the data processing device using the data processing device;

(d) in response to detecting the first target device, delivering the selected content only to the first target device and updating the map of the portions of the selected content have been performed by the first target device only while the data processing device is proximate to the first target device in the first location and suspending the delivery of the selected content when the data processing device is transported away from the first location and upon detecting the data processing device is no longer proximate to the first target device at a second time;

(e) after step (d), transporting the data processing device to a second location after the second time, detecting a second target device while the data processing device is proximate to the second target device in the second location and, in response of detecting the second target device using the map to deliver the portions of the selected content to the second target device which have not been performed by the first target device while the data processing device is proximate to the first location; and

(f) after step (e), detecting when the data processing device is no longer proximate to the second target device and transporting and detecting that the data processing device is proximate to the first target device again and, as a result, using the map to only deliver to the first target device the portions of the selected content which have not been performed by at least one of the first target device and the second target device.

8. The method including the steps of claim 7 and further including the step of detecting when the data processing device is no longer proximate to the second target device after step (e) and later transporting and detecting a third target device which is then proximate to the data processing device and, in response of detecting the third target device, using the map to deliver to the third target device the portions of the selected content which have not been performed by at least one of the first target device and the second target device by using the map.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the content to be stored on the data processing device is pushed from a remote source to the data processing device and thereafter the selected content is pulled by at least one of the first target device and the second from the data processing device.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the content to be stored on the data processing device is pushed by the data processing device from a remote source and thereafter the data processing device pushes the selected content to at least one of the first target device and the second device.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the content to be stored on the data processing device is pulled by the data processing device from a remote source and thereafter the data processing device pushes the selected content to at least one of the first target device and the second device.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the content to be stored on the data processing device is pulled by the data processing device from a remote source and thereafter the selected content is pulled by at least one of the first target device and the second device from the data processing device.

13. A content delivery system comprising:

(a) A data processing system including a map showing those portions of the selected content which have been delivered and those portions of the selected content which have not been delivered;

(b) A proximity device within the data processing system which detects a first target device at a first location only while the data processing system is proximate to the first target device at a first time;

the proximity device also detects a second target device at a second location and at a second time only while the data processing system is transported away from the first target device and is transported at the second time proximate to the second target device; and

(c) A communication device within the data processing system which delivers portions of a selected content to the first target device and update the map of the portions of the selected content have been delivered only while the data processing system is proximate to the first target device at the first location and at the first time;

the communication device also delivers the selected content to the second target device which have not been delivered to the first target device only while the data processing system is proximate to the second target device at the second location and at the second time; and

at a third time, the communication device also delivering to the first target device the selected content which has not been performed by at least one of the first target device and second target device only while the data processing system is proximate to the first target device.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication system includes a mechanism to receive content without a receiving device first initiating a request for the said content and a mechanism to transfer selected content based on a request for the said content from the target device.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication system includes a mechanism to receive content without a receiving device first initiating a request for the said content and a mechanism to initiate a transmission of selected content without first receiving a request for the said content from the target device.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication system includes a mechanism to receive selected content based on a request for the said content from the data processing system and a mechanism to transfer selected content based on a request for the said content from the target device.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication system includes a mechanism to receive selected content based on a request for the said content from the data processing system and a mechanism to initiate a transmission of selected content without first receiving a request for the said content from the target device.

18. A content delivery system comprising:

(a) A data processing system including a map showing those portions of the selected content which have been performed and those portions of the selected content which have not been performed;

(b) A proximity device within the data processing system which identifies and activates a first target device at a first location and at a first time only while the data processing system is proximate to the first target device;

the proximity device also identifies and activates a second target device at a second location and at a second time only while the data processing system is transported away from the first target device and is transported at the second time proximate to the second target device; and

(c) A communication device within the data processing system which delivers portions of a selected content to the first target device and update the map of the portions of the selected content have been delivered and performed only while the data processing system is proximate to the first target device at the first location and at the first time;

the communication device also delivering the selected content to the second target device which have not been performed to the first target device only while the data processing system is proximate to the second target device at the second location and the second time; and

at a third time, the communication device also delivering to the first target device the selected content which has not been performed by at least one of the first target device and second target device only while the data processing system is proximate to the first target device.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the communication system includes a mechanism to receive content without a receiving device first initiating a request for the said content and a mechanism to transfer selected content based on a request for the said content from the target device.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the communication system includes a mechanism to receive content without a receiving device first initiating a request for the said content and a mechanism to initiate a transmission of selected content without first receiving a request for the said content from the target device.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the communication system includes a mechanism to receive selected content based on a request for the said content from the data processing system and a mechanism to transfer selected content based on a request for the said content from the target device.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the communication system includes a mechanism to receive selected content based on an instruction for sending the said content from the data processing system and a mechanism to initiate a transmission of selected content without first receiving a request for the said content from the target device.

23. A method of delivering content from a user-associated transportable data processing device comprising the steps of:

(a) storing content on a first storage area of the user-associated transportable data processing device;

(b) transporting the user-associated transportable data processing device to a first location proximate to a first target device at a first time;

(c) in response to detecting the user-associated transportable data processing device being proximate to the first target device, delivering the content from the user-associated transportable data processing device to the first target device while the user-associated transportable data processing device is proximate to the first target device;

(d) transporting the user-associated transportable data processing device away from the first location proximate to the first target device at a second time, and in response to detecting the presence of the first target device is no longer proximate to the user-associated transportable data processing device, suspending the delivery of content from the user-associated data processing device to the first target device and marking the content which is not delivered;

(e) transporting the user-associated transportable data processing device to a second location proximate to a second target device after the second time and in response to detecting user-associated transportable data processing device being proximate to the second target device, resuming delivering of the marked content from the user-associated transportable data processing device to the second target device while the user-associated transportable data processing device is proximate to the second target device; and

(f) after step (e), transporting the user-associated transportable data processing device to the first location proximate to the first target device at a third time and in response to detecting user-associated transportable data processing device being proximate to the first target device, resuming delivering of the marked content from the user-associated transportable data processing device to the first target device while the user-associated transportable data processing device is again proximate to the first target device.