Methods and systems for playing media
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for securely playing a media stream, the method comprising, on a client computer:
- communicating with an administration server to authenticate the client computer for communication, via a communications network, with one or more servers of a set of servers, the set of servers including the administration server, a control server and a media server, wherein the administration server, the control server and the media server are different servers;
upon authentication, receiving a security token for use in requesting streaming media;
displaying a list of user-selectable media streams available for playing, wherein the list is obtained from a server of the set of servers;
detecting a selection of a media stream from the displayed list of user-selectable media streams; and
in response to detecting the selection of the selected media stream;
transmitting, to the control server, a request for respective information enabling the client computer to request the selected media stream, wherein the request for the respective information includes the security token;
receiving, from the control server, the respective information;
transmitting, to the media server, a request for delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer, wherein the request is based at least in part on the respective information and includes the security token;
receiving, from the media server, the selected media stream;
transmitting, to a server of the set of servers, information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer so as to enable remote logging of information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer; and
playing the selected media stream at the client computer.
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Abstract
A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.
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Citations
67 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for securely playing a media stream, the method comprising, on a client computer:
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communicating with an administration server to authenticate the client computer for communication, via a communications network, with one or more servers of a set of servers, the set of servers including the administration server, a control server and a media server, wherein the administration server, the control server and the media server are different servers; upon authentication, receiving a security token for use in requesting streaming media; displaying a list of user-selectable media streams available for playing, wherein the list is obtained from a server of the set of servers; detecting a selection of a media stream from the displayed list of user-selectable media streams; and in response to detecting the selection of the selected media stream; transmitting, to the control server, a request for respective information enabling the client computer to request the selected media stream, wherein the request for the respective information includes the security token; receiving, from the control server, the respective information; transmitting, to the media server, a request for delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer, wherein the request is based at least in part on the respective information and includes the security token; receiving, from the media server, the selected media stream; transmitting, to a server of the set of servers, information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer so as to enable remote logging of information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer; and playing the selected media stream at the client computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a client computer, cause the client computer to securely play a media stream, the instructions comprising instructions for:
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communicating with an administration server to authenticate the client computer for communication, via a communications network, with one or more servers of a set of servers, the set of servers including the administration server, a control server and a media server, wherein the administration server, the control server and the media server are different servers; upon authentication, receiving a security token for use in requesting streaming media; displaying a list of user-selectable media streams available for playing, wherein the list is obtained from a server of the set of servers; detecting a selection of a media stream from the displayed list of user-selectable media streams; and in response to detecting the selection of the selected media stream; transmitting, to the control server, a request for respective information enabling the client computer to request the selected media stream, wherein the request for the respective information includes the security token; receiving, from the control server, the respective information; transmitting, to the media server, a request for delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer, wherein the request is based at least in part on the respective information and includes the security token; receiving, from the media server, the selected media stream; transmitting, to a server of the set of servers, information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer so as to enable remote logging of information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer; and playing the selected media stream at the client computer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 36, 37, 48, 49, 50)
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27. A system for securely playing media, the system comprising, on a client computer:
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a user input device; an audio output device; a video output device; a communications interface configured to be coupled to a communications network; a processor coupled to the user input device, the audio and video output devices, and the communications interface; and memory storing one or more programs, the programs including instructions executable by the processor for; communicating with an administration server to authenticate the client computer for communication, via a communications network, with one or more servers of a set of servers, the set of servers including the administration server, a control server and a media server, wherein the administration server, the control server and the media server are different servers; upon authentication, receiving a security token for use in requesting streaming media; displaying via the audio output device and/or the video output device a list of user-selectable media streams available for playing, wherein the list is obtained from a server of the set of servers; detecting via the user input device a selection of a media stream from the displayed list of user-selectable media streams; and in response to detecting the selection of the selected media stream; transmitting, to the control server, a request for respective information enabling the client computer to request the selected media stream, wherein the request for the respective information includes the security token; receiving, from the control server, the respective information; transmitting, to the media server, a request for delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer, wherein the request is based at least in part on the respective information and includes the security token; receiving, from the media server, the selected media stream; transmitting, to a server of the set of servers, information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer so as to enable remote logging of information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer; and playing the selected media stream via the audio output device and/or the video output device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 38, 39, 51, 52, 53)
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30. A network for securely playing media comprising:
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at least one server configured for converting audio or visual information into one or more media streams of addressed digital packets that comply with the specifications of a network communication protocol; at least one media server configured for delivering the one or more media streams via a communications network to at least one client computer; at least one server configured for monitoring the delivery of the one or more media streams; at least one server configured for logging information related to the delivery of the one or more media streams; at least one client computer comprising; an input device; an audio output device; a video output device; a communications interface configured to be coupled to a communications network; and a processor coupled to the input device, the audio and video output devices, and the communications interface; and memory storing one or more programs, the programs including instructions executable by the processor for; communicating with an administration server to authenticate the client computer for communication, via a communications network, with one or more servers of a set of servers, the set of servers including the administration server, a control server and a media server, wherein the administration server, the control server and the media server are different servers; upon authentication, receiving a security token for use in requesting streaming media; displaying via the audio output device and/or the video output device a list of user-selectable media streams available for playing, wherein the list is obtained from a server of the set of servers; detecting a selection of a media stream from the list displayed of user-selectable media streams; in response to detecting the selection of the selected media stream; transmitting, to the control server, a request for respective information enabling the client computer to request the selected media stream, wherein the request for the respective information includes the security token; receiving, from the control server, the respective information; transmitting, to the media server, a request for delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer, wherein the request is based at least in part on the respective information and includes the security token; receiving, from the media server, the selected media stream; transmitting, to a server of the set of servers, information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer so as to enable remote logging of information related to delivery of the selected media stream to the client computer; and playing the selected media stream via the audio output device and/or the video output device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification