Multimedia network system with content importation, content exportation, and integrated content management

• US 9,047,289 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2012
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philip Drope
• Original Assignee: Digital Media Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Drope, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Russell, Wanda Z
• Application Number:
  US13/477,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20120233652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 370/400, 709/227, 375/259
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1062 Editing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1075 Editing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0435 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply symmetric encryption, i.e. same key used for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for symmetric key encryption H04L9/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0825 using asymmetric-key encryption or public key infrastructure [PKI], e.g. key signature or public key certificates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0891 Revocation or update of secret information, e.g. encryption key update or rekeying
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/14 using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• 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 21/25816 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 21/25875 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 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• 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 21/4227 : Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 : involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4408 : involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 : using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861
• 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 21/6175 : involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63345 : by transmitting keys key distribution for secret or secure communication H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63775 : for uploading keys, e.g. for a client to communicate its public key to the server key management H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• 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

This system provides wired and/or wireless access throughout a multimedia network built on a distributed architecture which can be transparent to the user. This multimedia network includes content which is imported or generated within the network. The system allows for the content provider to determine the license status of content and update the license status of content which was previously provided by that provider. The external content can be accessed in real time or downloaded and stored within the system for later access at the convenience of the user. The usage of some content is controlled by the use of encryption and other protection methods. The system allows for storage of live video by storing the digitized video and allowing the user to control how, when and where the content is viewed. The system makes available multiple multimedia services to all users in the network or connected via the internet.

Claims

1. A multimedia system, comprising:

an external content server;

a first client device configured to directly communicate with said external content server via a wide area network, said first client device configured to receive multimedia content that is being streamed from said external content server;

a multimedia server configured to communicate via a local area network with said first client device, said multimedia server configured to receive said multimedia content that is being streamed to said first client device;

a second client device configured to communicate with said multimedia server via said wide area network and said local area network, said second client device configured to request access to said multimedia content that is being streamed to said multimedia server from said first client device;

said multimedia server configured to receive an instruction via at least one of;

said wide area network and said local area network from said second client device requesting access to said multimedia content being streamed from said first client device;

said multimedia server configured to encode said multimedia content and create a compressed multimedia stream, and adjust an encoder setting based upon variations in an available bandwidth of the at least one of;

said wide area network and said local area network, said compressed multimedia stream being stored in a buffer located on said multimedia server; and

said multimedia server configured to stream said compressed multimedia stream stored in said buffer to said second client device.

2. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said wide area network is the internet.

3. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a computer.

4. The multimedia system of claim 3, wherein said computer is a tablet computer.

5. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

6. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a telephone.

7. The multimedia system of claim 6, wherein said telephone is a cellular telephone.

8. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a television.

9. The multimedia system of claim 8, wherein said television is an internet-enabled television.

10. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a radio receiver.

11. The multimedia system of claim 10, wherein said radio receiver is an internet-enabled radio receiver.

12. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a game console box.

13. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box.

14. The multimedia system of claim 13, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

15. The multimedia system of claim 13, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

16. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a digital video disk (DVD) player.

17. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a digital video recorder (DVR).

18. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a computer.

19. The multimedia system of claim 18, wherein said computer is a tablet computer.

20. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

21. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a telephone.

22. The multimedia system of claim 21, wherein said telephone is a cellular telephone.

23. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a television.

24. The multimedia system of claim 23, wherein said television is an internet-enabled television.

25. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a radio receiver.

26. The multimedia system of claim 25, wherein said radio receiver is an internet-enabled radio receiver.

27. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a game console box.

28. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a set-top box.

29. The multimedia system of claim 28, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

30. The multimedia system of claim 28, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

31. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a digital video disk (DVD) player.

32. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a digital video recorder (DVR).

33. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is an amplifier.

34. The multimedia system of claim 33, wherein said amplifier is an audio amplifier.

35. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device and said second client device are both computers.

36. The multimedia system of claim 35, wherein at least one of said computers is a tablet computer.

37. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device and said second client device are both personal digital assistants (PDAs).

38. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device and said second client device are both telephones.

39. The multimedia system of claim 38, wherein at least one of said telephones is a cellular telephone.

40. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device and said second client device are both televisions.

41. The multimedia system of claim 40, wherein at least one of said televisions is an internet-enabled television.

42. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device and said second client device are both set-top boxes.

43. The multimedia system of claim 42, wherein at least one of said set-top boxes is a cable set-top box.

44. The multimedia system of claim 42, wherein at least one of said set-top boxes is a satellite receiver set-top box.

45. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device and said second client device are both radio receivers.

46. The multimedia system of claim 45, wherein at least one of said radio receivers is an internet-enabled radio receiver.

47. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device and said second client device are both digital video recorders (DVRs).

48. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a telephone and said second client device is a television.

49. The multimedia system of claim 48, wherein said telephone is a cellular telephone.

50. The multimedia system of claim 48, wherein said television is an internet-enabled television.

51. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a game console box and said second client device is a television.

52. The multimedia system of claim 51, wherein said television is an internet-enabled television.

53. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box and said second client device is a television.

54. The multimedia system of claim 53, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

55. The multimedia system of claim 53, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

56. The multimedia system of claim 53, wherein said television is an internet-enabled television.

57. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a digital video disk (DVD) player and said second client device is a television.

58. The multimedia system of claim 57, wherein said television is an internet-enabled television.

59. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a digital video recorder (DVR) and said second client device is a television.

60. The multimedia system of claim 59, wherein said television is an internet-enabled television.

61. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a computer and said second client device is a television.

62. The multimedia system of claim 61, wherein said computer is a tablet computer.

63. The multimedia system of claim 61, wherein said television is an internet-enabled television.

64. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a telephone and said second client device is a computer.

65. The multimedia system of claim 64, wherein said telephone is a cellular telephone.

66. The multimedia system of claim 64, wherein said computer is a tablet computer.

67. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a game console box and said second client device is a computer.

68. The multimedia system of claim 67, wherein said computer is a tablet computer.

69. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box and said second client device is a computer.

70. The multimedia system of claim 69, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

71. The multimedia system of claim 69, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

72. The multimedia system of claim 69, wherein said computer is a tablet computer.

73. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a digital video disk (DVD) player and said second client device is a computer.

74. The multimedia system of claim 73, wherein said computer is a tablet computer.

75. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a digital video recorder (DVR) and said second client device is a computer.

76. The multimedia system of claim 75, wherein said computer is a tablet computer.

77. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a telephone and said second client device is a cellular telephone.

78. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a game console box and said second client device is a cellular telephone.

79. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box and said second client device is a telephone.

80. The multimedia system of claim 79, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

81. The multimedia system of claim 79, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

82. The multimedia system of claim 79, wherein said telephone is a cellular telephone.

83. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box and said second client device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

84. The multimedia system of claim 83, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

85. The multimedia system of claim 83, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

86. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box and said second client device is a digital video disk (DVD) player.

87. The multimedia system of claim 86, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

88. The multimedia system of claim 86, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

89. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box and said second client device is a digital video recorder (DVR).

90. The multimedia system of claim 89, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

91. The multimedia system of claim 89, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

92. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box and said second client device is a radio receiver.

93. The multimedia system of claim 92, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

94. The multimedia system of claim 92, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

95. The multimedia system of claim 92, wherein said radio receiver is an internet-enabled radio receiver.

96. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box and said second client device is a game console box.

97. The multimedia system of claim 96, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

98. The multimedia system of claim 96, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

99. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a set-top box and said second client device is an amplifier.

100. The multimedia system of claim 99, wherein said set-top box is a cable set-top box.

101. The multimedia system of claim 99, wherein said set-top box is a satellite receiver set-top box.

102. The multimedia system of claim 99, wherein said amplifier is an audio amplifier.

103. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a digital video disk (DVD) player and said second client device is a cellular telephone.

104. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a digital video recorder (DVR) and said second client device is a cellular telephone.

105. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said multimedia content is video.

106. The multimedia system of claim 105, wherein said video is real-time video.

107. The multimedia system of claim 105, wherein said video is previously recorded video.

108. The multimedia system of claim 105, wherein said video is a movie.

109. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said multimedia content is an electronic game.

110. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said multimedia content is copyright protected multimedia content.

111. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein at least some communication between said first client device and said content server is encrypted.

112. The multimedia system of claim 111, wherein said encryption is symmetrical encryption.

113. The multimedia system of claim 111, wherein said encryption is asymmetrical encryption.

114. The multimedia system of claim 113, wherein said asymmetrical encryption employs a public key-private key encryption method.

115. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein at least some communication between said first client device and said multimedia server is encrypted.

116. The multimedia system of claim 115, wherein said encryption is symmetrical encryption.

117. The multimedia system of claim 115, wherein said encryption is asymmetrical encryption.

118. The multimedia system of claim 117, wherein said asymmetrical encryption employs a public key-private key encryption method.

119. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein at least some communication between said second client device and said multimedia server is encrypted.

120. The multimedia system of claim 119, wherein said encryption is symmetrical encryption.

121. The multimedia system of claim 119, wherein said encryption is asymmetrical encryption.

122. The multimedia system of claim 121, wherein said asymmetrical encryption employs a public key-private key encryption method.

123. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said multimedia server is communicatively coupled to a wide area network.

124. The multimedia system of claim 123, wherein said wide area network is a wireless wide area network.

125. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is communicatively coupled to both a wide area network and a local area network.

126. The multimedia system of claim 125, wherein said wide area network is a wireless wide area network.

127. The multimedia system of claim 125, wherein said local area network is a wireless local area network.

128. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said multimedia server is communicatively coupled to both a wide area network and a local area network.

129. The multimedia system of claim 128, wherein said wide area network is a wireless wide area network.

130. The multimedia system of claim 128, wherein said local area network is a wireless local area network.

131. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is communicatively coupled to a wide area network.

132. The multimedia system of claim 131, wherein said wide area network is a wireless wide area network.

133. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device and said second client device are both communicatively coupled to a wide area network.

134. The multimedia system of claim 133, wherein at least one of said first client device and said second client device is communicatively coupled to a wireless wide area network.

135. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device requests access to multimedia content that is being streamed to said first client device.

136. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device requests access to multimedia content that is being streamed to said multimedia server.

137. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device and said multimedia server are both located in a same physical enclosure.

138. The multimedia system of claim 137 wherein said first client device is a radio receiver.

139. The multimedia system of claim 138, wherein said radio receiver is an internet-enabled radio receiver.

140. The multimedia system of claim 137, wherein said first client device is an internet-enabled radio receiver and said second client device includes an audio amplifier.

141. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said first client device is a digital media player.

142. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is a digital media player.

143. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein said second client device is communicatively coupled to a local area network.

144. The multimedia system of claim 143, wherein said local area network is a wireless local area network.

145. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the encoder setting comprises at least one of:

a bit rate, a resolution or a frame rate.