Apparatus and method for delivering media content

• US 9,100,458 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2008
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mehta, Neerav, Bajpay, Paritosh, Macauda, Michele
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista
• Assistant Examiner(s): FORMAN, JAMES Q
• Application Number:
  US12/208,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20100063989A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,518 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• 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 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• 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 21/41407 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 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6137 involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile communication device, having a controller to capture media content and transmit the media content to a media server with a request for distribution of the media content to one or more targeted recipients according to a user profile associated with the mobile communication device that is stored in the media server, where a format of the media content is adjusted by the media server based at least in part on the user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions which when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving media content from a first communication device, wherein the media content is recorded and transmitted by the first communication device responsive to selection of a first function of the first communication device;

receiving a request to distribute the media content from the first communication device;

facilitating establishment of a communication link with a plurality of targeted devices associated with a plurality of targeted recipients of the media content according to a user profile associated with the first communication device, wherein the user profile specifies the plurality of targeted devices;

transmitting a first text message to the plurality of targeted devices to offer delivery of the media content to the plurality of targeted devices, wherein the text message comprises a title of the media content;

determining whether a first targeted recipient of a first targeted device of the plurality of targeted devices has accepted delivery of the media content;

responsive to determining that the first targeted recipient has not accepted delivery, transmitting a notification to a second communication device that is associated with the first targeted recipient; and

responsive to determining that the first targeted recipient has accepted delivery, providing the media content to the first targeted device.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the user profile associated with the first device further comprises a delivery format associated with the first targeted device, and further comprising computer instructions to cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

adjusting a format of the media content that is provided to the targeted device according to the delivery format.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 2, comprising computer instructions to cause the processor to perform operations comprising updating the delivery format based upon an input into the first communication device.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, comprising computer instructions to cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

storing the media content.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, comprising computer instructions to cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

storing the user profile associated with the first communication device; and

transmitting opt-in or opt-out messages to the plurality of targeted devices so that each of the plurality of targeted recipients can accept or decline the media content.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, comprising computer instructions to cause the processor to perform operations comprising determining the first targeted device based upon an input into the first communication device.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the user profile is a group profile associated with the first communication device and the plurality of targeted devices.

8. A server, comprising:

a memory to store computer instructions; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor, responsive to executing the computer instructions, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving media content from a first communication device, wherein the media content is recorded and transmitted by the first communication device responsive to selection of a first function of the first communication device;

receiving a request to distribute the media content from the first communication device;

facilitating establishment of a communication link with a plurality of targeted devices associated with a plurality of targeted recipients of the media content according to a user profile associated with the first communication device, wherein the user profile specifies the plurality of targeted devices;

transmitting a first text message to the plurality of targeted devices to offer delivery of the media content to the plurality of targeted devices, wherein the text message comprises a title of the media content;

determining whether a first targeted recipient of a first targeted device of the plurality of targeted devices has accepted delivery of the media content;

responsive to determining that the first targeted recipient has not accepted delivery, transmitting a notification to a second communication device that is associated with the first targeted recipient; and

responsive to determining that the first targeted recipient has accepted delivery, providing the media content to the first targeted device.

9. The server of claim 8, wherein the computer instructions cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

transmitting opt-in or opt-out messages to the targeted device.

10. The server of claim 9, wherein the computer instructions cause the processor to perform operations comprising storing the user profile.

11. The server of claim 9, wherein the computer instructions cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

storing the media content; and

providing access to the media content according to the user profile.

12. The server of claim 8, wherein the computer instructions cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

determining a desired format for the media content based on a user profile associated with the first communication device; and

adjusting a format of the media content based on the desired format.

13. The server of claim 12, wherein the computer instructions cause the processor to perform operations comprising overriding the determination of the desired format based upon an input into the first communication device.

14. A method comprising:

receiving, by a system comprising a processor, media content from a first communication device, wherein the media content is recorded and transmitted by the first communication device responsive to selection of a first function of the first communication device;

receiving, by the system, a request to distribute the media content from the first communication device;

facilitating, by the system, establishment of a communication link with a plurality of targeted devices associated with a plurality of targeted recipients of the media content according to a user profile associated with the first communication device, wherein the user profile specifies the plurality of targeted devices;

transmitting, by the system, a first text message to the plurality of targeted devices to offer delivery of the media content to the plurality of targeted devices, wherein the text message comprises a title of the media content;

determining, by the system, whether a first targeted recipient of a first targeted device of the plurality of targeted devices has accepted delivery of the media content;

responsive, by the system, to determining that the first targeted recipient has not accepted delivery, transmitting a notification to a second communication device that is associated with the first targeted recipient; and

responsive, by the system, to determining that the first targeted recipient has accepted delivery, providing the media content to the first targeted device.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising capturing, by the system, the media content at a first communication device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the user profile is a group profile associated with the first communication device.

17. The method of claim 14, comprising transmitting, by the system, opt-in or opt-out messages to the targeted device of the targeted recipient.