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

• US 9,219,729 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2010
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philip Drope
• Original Assignee: Digital Media Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Drope, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): SWEET, LONNIE V
• Application Number:
  US12/959,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20110113122A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,845 Days
• 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 management system, comprising:

a local multimedia client device communicatively connected to a local area network and a wide area network;

a remote multimedia client device communicatively connected to the wide area network;

an external content provider server device communicatively connected to the wide area network; and

a multimedia server device communicatively connected to the local area network and the wide area network;

the local multimedia client device being configured to;

communicate with the multimedia server device via the local area network;

select an uncompressed video stream being streamed to the multimedia server device via the local area network; and

send a command via the local area network to the multimedia server device requesting access to the uncompressed video stream being streamed to the multimedia server device via the local area network;

the remote multimedia client device being configured to;

communicate with the multimedia server device via the wide area network;

select the uncompressed video stream being streamed to the multimedia server device via the local area network; and

send a second command via the wide area network to the multimedia server device requesting access to the uncompressed video stream being streamed to the multimedia server device via the local area network;

the external content provider server device being configured to;

authenticate, via the wide area network, at least one user associated with the local multimedia client device or the remote multimedia client device; and

send, via the wide area network, a multimedia server device location to the local multimedia client device or the remote multimedia client device, thereby enabling the local multimedia client device or the remote multimedia client device to request access to the uncompressed video stream;

the multimedia server device being configured to;

receive the uncompressed video stream requested by the local multimedia client device or the remote multimedia client from a source located on the local area network;

encode the uncompressed video stream requested by the local multimedia client device or the remote multimedia client device to create a compressed video stream;

store the compressed video stream in a buffer located on the multimedia server device;

stream the compressed video stream stored in the buffer to the local multimedia client device via the local area network in response to the local multimedia client device requesting access; and

stream the compressed video stream stored in the buffer to the remote multimedia client device via the wide area network in response to the remote multimedia client device requesting access.

2. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the source comprises at least one of:

a digital video recorder, a satellite television receiver, a cable television receiver, a television, a digital camera, a computer, a content storage device, a radio receiver, a telephony device, a cellular phone, and a digital versatile disc player.

3. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the multimedia server device is further configured to generate a program guide for display on the remote multimedia client device and the local multimedia client device based upon a location of the multimedia server device.

4. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the uncompressed video stream is received as broadcast television content.

5. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the uncompressed video stream is received via a source on the network.

6. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein uncompressed video stream is received in a television broadcast format.

7. The multimedia management system of claim 6, wherein the multimedia server device is configured to transcode the uncompressed video stream from the television broadcast format to a video streaming format that is compatible with transmission on the network as a compressed video stream for playback on the remote multimedia client device.

8. The multimedia management system of claim 6, wherein the multimedia server device is configured to transcode the uncompressed video stream from the television broadcast format to a video streaming format that is compatible with transmission on the network as a compressed video stream for playback on the local multimedia client device.

9. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the at least some communication between the multimedia server device and the remote multimedia client device is encrypted.

10. The multimedia management system of claim 9, wherein at least some of the encryption employs a public key-private key encryption method.

11. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the local multimedia client device comprises at least one of:

a digital video recorder, a satellite television receiver, a cable television receiver, a television, a game console box, a computer, a content storage device, a radio receiver, a telephony device, a cellular phone, and a digital versatile disc player.

12. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the multimedia server device is further configured to provide via the wide area network or the local area network, a schedule of programming information that identifies the source of the uncompressed video stream to the remote multimedia client device.

13. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the multimedia server device is further configured to provide via the wide area network or the local area network, a schedule of programming information that identifies the source of the uncompressed video stream to the local multimedia client device.

14. The multimedia management system of claim 1, further comprising a web server configured to provide a schedule of programming information identifying the uncompressed video stream to be selected.

21. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the remote multimedia client device comprises at least one of:

a digital video recorder, a satellite television receiver, a cable television receiver, a television, a game console box, a computer, a content storage device, a radio receiver, a telephony device, a cellular phone, and a digital versatile disc player.

15. A method, comprising:

detecting, by a multimedia server device, an uncompressed video stream in a local area network;

selecting, by the multimedia server device, the uncompressed video stream in the local area network;

compressing, by the multimedia server device, the uncompressed video stream into a compressed video stream;

storing, by the multimedia server device, the compressed video stream in a buffer located on the multimedia server device;

authenticating, by an external content server device, at least one user associated with a local multimedia client device or a remote multimedia client device;

sending, by the external content server device, a multimedia server device location to the local multimedia client device or the remote multimedia client device, thereby enabling the local multimedia client device or the remote multimedia client device to request access to the uncompressed video stream;

requesting, by the remote multimedia client device, that the multimedia server device send the compressed video stream to the remote multimedia client device via a wide area network;

streaming, by the multimedia server device, the compressed video stream to the remote multimedia client device via the wide area network;

requesting, by the local multimedia client device, that the multimedia server device send the compressed video stream to the local multimedia client device via the local area network; and

streaming, from the multimedia server device, the compressed video stream to the local multimedia client device via the local area network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a source of the uncompressed video stream on the local area network comprises at least one of:

a digital video recorder, a satellite television receiver, a cable television receiver, a television, a digital camera, a computer, a content storage device, a radio receiver, a telephony device, a cellular phone, and a digital versatile disc player.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein at least some communication between the multimedia server device and the remote multimedia client is encrypted device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least some of the encryption employs a public key-private key encryption method.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the remote multimedia client device comprises at least one of:

a digital video recorder, a satellite television receiver, a cable television receiver, a television, a game console box, a computer, a content storage device, a radio receiver, a telephony device, a cellular phone, and a digital versatile disc player.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the local multimedia client device comprises at least one of:

a digital video recorder, a satellite television receiver, a cable television receiver, a television, a game console box, a computer, a content storage device, a radio receiver, a telephony device, a cellular phone, and a digital versatile disc player.