Session manager

• US 8,924,996 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2011
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Shafiee, Mohammad Reza
• Primary Examiner(s): Singh, Gurkanwaljit
• Application Number:
  US13/291,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20130117120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 725/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/48 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; 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 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• 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 21/6334 for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key wireless communications network key management H04W12/04; wireless communications network access security H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/654 Transmission by server directed to the client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• 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 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A method may include receiving a request, from a user device, associated with accessing a multi-media asset/content, identifying a location associated with the user device and identifying a profile for a subscriber associated with the user device. The method may also include determining whether the multi-media asset/content is available, identifying, based on the location, a content distribution network or network device to deliver the first multi-media asset/content, and identifying, based on the profile, advertisements associated with the multi-media content or asset. The method may further include inserting the identified advertisements into the multi-media asset/content and providing, via the identified content distribution network or network device, the multi-media asset/content to the user device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

receiving a request, from a user device, for accessing a first multi-media asset or content;

identifying a location associated with the user device;

identifying a profile for a subscriber associated with the user device;

determining whether the first multi-media asset or content is available in a format compatible with the user device;

identifying, based on the location and in response to determining that the first multi-media asset or content is available in a format compatible with the user device, a content distribution network or network device from a plurality of content distribution networks or network devices to deliver the first multi-media asset or content to the user device;

identifying, based on the profile, advertisements associated with the first multi-media asset or content;

inserting the identified advertisements into the first multi-media asset or content;

providing a uniform resource locator (URL) and an authorization token to the user device, wherein the URL is associated with the identified content distribution network or network device and the authorization token allows the user device to receive the first multi-media asset or content via the identified content distribution network or network device;

receiving, from the user device, the authorization token at the identified content distribution network or network device;

determining, based on the authorization token, whether to provide the first multi-media asset or content to the user device; and

providing, via the identified content distribution network or network device, the first multi-media asset or content to the user device in response to determining to provide the first multi-media asset or content.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the identifying a location associated with the user device comprises at least one of:

identifying a geographic region code (GRC), a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) state or region code, a content distribution network coverage area, or an advertisement zone.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the identifying advertisements associated with the first multi-media asset or content comprises:

identifying advertisements based on at least one of the GRC, the FIPS state or region code, the content distribution network coverage area, or the advertisement zone.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying, prior to providing the first multi-media asset or content, a bookmark associated with the first multi-media asset or content, wherein the bookmark identifies a point at which a previous providing of the first multi-media asset or content to the user device was stopped;

providing the bookmark to the user device with the URL and the authorization token;

receiving, from the user device, the bookmark at the identified content distribution network or network device; and

providing the first multi-media asset or content to the user device beginning at a point corresponding to the bookmark.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising:

providing, to the user device, a user interface identifying a plurality of multi-media assets or content.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving, via the user interface, a selection from the user device identifying the first multi-media asset or content; and

identifying a content type associated with the first multi-media asset or content that is compatible with the user device.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first multi-media asset or content comprises broadcast content or a video on demand content, the method further comprising:

streaming the broadcast content to the user device or downloading the video on demand content to the user device via the identified content distribution network or network device.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the identifying a content distribution network or network device comprises:

identifying an optimal content distribution network or network device to provide the first multi-media asset or content, based on the location associated with the user device and the profile for the subscriber, wherein the profile identifies a type associated with the user device.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the identifying an optimal content distribution network or network device further comprises selecting the optimal content distribution network or network device based on at least one of:

quality of service factors associated with providing the first multi-media asset or content,

network performance factors associated with providing the first multi-media asset or content, or

a preference associated with a media retailer associated with the first multi-media asset or content.

10. A system, comprising:

a memory configured to store information identifying a plurality of stored media files; and

at least one processing device configured to;

receive a request, from a user device, associated with accessing a first one of the stored media files,

identify a location associated with the user device,

identify a profile for a subscriber associated with the user device,

determine whether the first media file is available in a format compatible with the user device,

identify, based on the location and in response to determining that the first media file is available in a format compatible with the user device, a content distribution network or network device from a plurality of content distribution networks or network devices to deliver the first media file to the user device,

provide a uniform resource locator (URL) and an authorization token to the user device, wherein the URL is associated with the identified content distribution network or network device and the authorization token allows the user device to receive the first media file via the identified content distribution network or network device,

receive, from the user device, the authorization token,

determine, based on the authorization token, whether to provide the first media file, and

provide, via the identified content distribution network or network device, the first media file to the user device in response to determining to provide the first media file.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to:

identify, based on the profile, advertisements associated with the first media file, and

insert the identified advertisements into the first media file.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein when identifying a location associated with the user device, the at least one processing device is further configured to:

identify a geographic region code (GRC), a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) state or region code, a content distribution network coverage area, or an advertisement zone, and

wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to;

identify advertisements to insert in the first media file based on at least one of the GRC, the FIPS state or region code, the content distribution network coverage area, or the advertisement zone.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to:

identify, prior to providing the first media file, a bookmark associated with the first media file,

provide the bookmark to the user device with the URL and the authorization token,

receive, from the user device, the bookmark at the identified content distribution network or network device, and

provide the first media file to the user device beginning at a point corresponding to the bookmark.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein when identifying the content distribution network or network device, the at least one processing device is configured to:

identify an optimal content distribution network or network device to provide the first media file, based on the location associated with the user device and the profile for the subscriber, wherein the profile identifies a type associated with the user device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein when identifying an optimal content distribution network or network device, the at least one processing device is further configured to:

determine quality of service parameters associated with the plurality of content distribution networks or network devices,

identify a preference associated with a retailer associated with the first media file, and

select the content distribution network or network device based on the determined quality of service parameters and the identified preference.

16. A method, comprising:

receiving a request, from a user device, associated with accessing a first media asset;

identifying a location associated with the user device;

identifying a profile for a subscriber associated with the user device;

determining whether the first media asset is available;

identifying, based on the location, determining that the first media asset is available and a type associated with the first media asset, a network device from a plurality of network devices to deliver the first media asset to the user device;

identifying, based on the location associated with the user device and the profile for the subscriber, advertisements associated with the first media asset;

inserting the identified advertisements into the first media asset;

providing a uniform resource locator (URL) and an authorization token to the user device, wherein the URL is associated with the identified network device;

receiving, from the user device, the authorization token at the identified network device;

determining, based on the authorization token, whether to provide the first media asset to the user device;

providing, via the identified network device, the first media asset to the user device in response to determining to provide the first media asset;

identifying, prior to providing the first media asset and from the profile for the subscriber associated with the user device, a bookmark associated with the first media asset;

providing the bookmark to the user device with the URL and the authorization token; and

receiving, from the user device, the bookmark at the identified network device, and wherein providing the first media asset comprises;

providing the first media asset to the user device beginning at a point corresponding to the bookmark.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the identifying a location associated with the user device comprises:

identifying a geographic region code (GRC), a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) state or region code, a content distribution network coverage area, or an advertisement zone, wherein the method further comprises;

identifying advertisements to insert in the first media asset based on at least one of the GRC, the FIPS state or region code, the content distribution network coverage area, or the advertisement zone.