Optimally adapting multimedia content for mobile subscriber device playback

• US 8,782,281 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synamedia Limited
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mail, David, Solow, Hillel, Waisbard, Erez, Seldin, Anatoly, Bogot, Carmi
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAO, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US10/589,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20070204064A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,403 Days
• Field of Search: 709/246
• US Class Current: 709/246
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0879 Manual configuration through operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0886 Fully automatic configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/756 adapting media to device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• 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 21/25833 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 21/41407 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 21/4627 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 21/8352 involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58

Abstract

A multimedia content distribution method including a) storing an item of a multimedia content, b) firstly transcoding the content for playback on a first multimedia device, c) generating a content ID of the firstly transcoded content, d) storing the content ID of the firstly transcoded content in association with the stored content, e) accessing the stored content using the content ID of the firstly transcoded content, and f) secondly transcoding the stored content for playback on a second multimedia device.

Claims

1. A method for distributing multimedia content, the method comprising:

storing an item of multimedia content as stored multimedia content together with an original content ID that uniquely identifies the item of multimedia content;

firstly transcoding said stored multimedia content for playback on a first multimedia device, thereby producing a firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content;

generating a firstly transcoded content ID of said firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content, wherein said generating a firstly transcoded content ID comprises;

(a) applying either of the following to said firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content, and producing a result;

a predefined hashing method; and

a predefined fingerprinting method; and

(b) using said result as said firstly transcoded content ID;

storing said firstly transcoded content ID of said firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content, in association with said stored multimedia content and the original content ID;

receiving, from the first multimedia device, an instruction to forward said item of multimedia content to a second multimedia device, said instruction comprising the firstly transcoded content ID, and the instruction not including the item of multimedia content;

performing the following in response to said instruction;

(a) accessing said stored multimedia content using said firstly transcoded content ID; and

(b) secondly transcoding said stored multimedia content for playback on said second multimedia device, thereby producing a secondly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content;

identifying any rights associated with providing said content to any of said multimedia devices;

generating at least one entitlement as a function of said rights; and

providing said content to any of said multimedia devices in accordance with said entitlement.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said storing an item of multimedia content comprises storing said item of multimedia content in its original form.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said storing an item of multimedia content comprises storing said item of multimedia content such that said content may be partly or wholly reconstituted.

4. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising receiving said original content ID from a provider of said content.

5. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising generating said original content ID by applying either of a predefined hashing method and a predefined fingerprinting method to said content and using either of the resulting hash and fingerprint as said original content ID.

6. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising associating said original content ID with different transcoded versions of said content.

7. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising sending a notification to said first multimedia device indicating that said content is available for download to said multimedia device.

8. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising delivering said firstly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content to said first multimedia device in an MMS message.

9. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising delivering said firstly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content to said first multimedia device together with any of said content IDs.

10. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising protecting any of said transcoded content with a content protection key (CPK).

11. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising:

determining if said item of multimedia content is protected;

if said item of multimedia content is protected, determining if said item of multimedia content may be forwarded to said second multimedia device as indicated by any rights associated with either of said item of multimedia content and the first multimedia device; and

if said item of multimedia content may be forwarded, protecting and forwarding said secondly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content to said second multimedia device.

12. A method according to claim 11 and further comprising protecting said secondly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content with a content protection key (CPK) associated with said secondly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein said determining step comprises determining that said item of multimedia content is protected by identifying a content protection key (CPK) stored in association with the firstly transcoded content ID.

14. A multimedia content distribution system comprising:

a server;

a relay;

a transcoder; and

a DRM server,

wherein at least one of a group consisting of said server, relay, transcoder, and DRM server, is implemented at least partially in hardware;

wherein said server, relay, transcoder, and DRM server are individually or cooperatively operative to;

store an item of a multimedia content as stored multimedia content together with an original content ID that uniquely identifies the item of multimedia content;

firstly transcode said stored multimedia content for playback on a first multimedia device, thereby producing a firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content;

generate a firstly transcoded content ID of said firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content, wherein said generating a firstly transcoded content ID comprises;

(a) applying either of the following to said firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content, and producing a result;

a predefined hashing method; and

a predefined fingerprinting method; and

(b) using said result as said firstly transcoded content ID;

store said firstly transcoded content ID of said firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content, in association with said stored multimedia content;

receive an instruction, from the first multimedia device, to forward said item of multimedia content to a second multimedia device, said instruction comprising the firstly transcoded content ID, and the instruction not including the item of multimedia content;

perform the following in response to said instruction;

(a) access said stored multimedia content using said firstly transcoded content ID; and

(b) secondly transcode said stored multimedia content for playback on said second multimedia device, thereby producing a secondly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content;

identify any rights associated with providing said content to any of said multimedia devices;

generate at least one entitlement as a function of said rights; and

provide said content to any of said multimedia devices in accordance with said entitlement.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein any of said server, relay, transcoder, and DRM server are individually or cooperatively operative to track to whom said content is sent and with what rights.

16. A system according to claim 14 wherein said DRM server acts as either of a probe and a proxy between any of said server, said relay, and said transcoder.

17. A system for distributing multimedia content, the system comprising:

means for storing an item of a multimedia content as stored multimedia content together with an original content ID that uniquely identifies the item of multimedia content;

means for firstly transcoding said stored multimedia content for playback on a first multimedia device, thereby producing a firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content;

means for generating a firstly transcoded content ID of said firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content, wherein said means for generating a firstly transcoded content ID comprises;

(a) means for applying either of the following to said firstly transcoded version of said stored multimedia content, and producing a result;

a predefined hashing method; and

a predefined fingerprinting method; and

(b) means for using said result as said firstly transcoded content ID;

means for storing said firstly transcoded content ID of said firstly transcoded version of said multimedia content, in association with said stored multimedia content;

means for receiving, from the first multimedia device, an instruction to forward said item of multimedia content to a second multimedia device, said instruction comprising the firstly transcoded content ID, and the instruction not including the item of multimedia content;

means for performing the following in response to said instruction;

(a) accessing said stored multimedia content using said firstly transcoded content ID; and

(b) secondly transcoding said stored multimedia content for playback on said second multimedia device, thereby producing a secondly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content;

means for identifying any rights associated with providing said content to any of said multimedia devices;

means for generating at least one entitlement as a function of said rights; and

means for providing said content to any of said multimedia devices in accordance with said entitlement.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein said means for storing an item of multimedia content is operative to store said item of multimedia content in its original form.

19. A system according to claim 17 wherein said means for storing an item of multimedia content is operative to store said item of multimedia content such that said content may be partly or wholly reconstituted.

20. A system according to claim 17 and further comprising means for receiving said original content ID from a provider of said content.

21. A system according to claim 17 and further comprising means for generating said original content ID by applying either of a predefined hashing system and a predefined fingerprinting system to said content and using either of the resulting hash and fingerprint as said original content ID.

22. A system according to claim 17 and further comprising means for associating said original content ID with different transcoded versions of said content.

23. A system according to claim 17 and further comprising means for sending a notification to said first multimedia device indicating that said content is available for download to said multimedia device.

24. A system according to claim 17 and further comprising means for delivering said firstly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content to said first multimedia device in an MMS message.

25. A system according to claim 17 and further comprising means for delivering said firstly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content to said first multimedia device together with any of said content IDs.

26. A system according to claim 17 and further comprising means for protecting any of said transcoded content with a content protection key (CPK).

27. A system according to claim 17 and further comprising:

means for determining if said item of multimedia content is protected;

means, responsive to said item of multimedia content being protected, for determining if said item of multimedia content may be forwarded to said second multimedia device as indicated by any rights associated with either of said item of multimedia content and the first multimedia device; and

means, responsive to said item of multimedia content being forwardable, for protecting and forwarding said secondly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content to said second multimedia device.

28. A system according to claim 27 and further comprising means for protecting said secondly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content with a content protection key (CPK) associated with said secondly transcoded version of the stored multimedia content.

29. A system according to claim 27 wherein said means for determining is operative to determine that said item of multimedia content is protected by identifying a content protection key (CPK) stored in association with the firstly transcoded content ID.