Broadcast content via over the top delivery

• US 9,241,178 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2015
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Walker, Gordon Kent, Lo, Charles N., Wang, Jun, Zeilingold, Daphna, Barone, Joseph P., Tiongson, Ed O.
• Primary Examiner(s): HANCE, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US14/678,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20150215655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 291 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] H04L51/04; selective video distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/24 Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth, upstream requests monitoring of server performance or load G06F11/34; arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2402 Monitoring of the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. bandwidth available traffic monitoring in data switching networks H04L43/00; monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• 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 21/25891 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 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing 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 21/4532 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 21/6405 Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6408 Unicasting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/647 Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load, bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless real-time session protocols H04L65/1101
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64707 for transferring content from a first network to a second network, e.g. between IP and wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64723 Monitoring of network processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of network load traffic related reporting in data switching networks H04L43/062
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64738 : Monitoring network characteristics, e.g. bandwidth, congestion level data switched network analysis H04L41/14; monitoring functioning in data switched networks H04L43/0817; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/654 : Transmission by server directed to the client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 : by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 : Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 : for social networking applications

Abstract

Systems, methods, and receiver devices enable broadcasters with restricted content license areas (e.g., Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”) to distribute content via Over the Top (“OTT”) IP networks. Embodiments enable client reporting and authentication as well as broadcast content encryption. In an embodiment, information from the client may be reported back to the broadcasters, such as a view history/use report. In an embodiment, hand off between DMAs may be enabled. In an embodiment, local advertisement insertion in network content may be enabled. Embodiments may enable Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network (“MBSFN”) operation across DMA boundaries.

Claims

1. A method for delivering Over the Top (“

OTT”

) television content to one or more receiver devices, comprising;

broadcasting the OTT television content including Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (“

DASH”

) media segments to the one or more receiver devices;

determining a network traffic level for the OTT television content including DASH media segments in a Designated Market Area (“

DMA”

);

determining whether the network traffic level for the OTT television content including DASH media segments in the DMA exceeds a traffic level threshold; and

switching from the broadcasting to evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (“

eMBMS”

) for delivery of the OTT television content including DASH media segments in response to determining that the network traffic level for the OTT television content including DASH media segments in the DMA exceeds the traffic level threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Networks (“

MBSFNs”

) to turn on based at least in part on a distribution of the one or more receiver devices within the DMA.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Networks (“

MBSFNs”

) to turn on based at least in part on a list of MBSFNs associated with the DMA.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein broadcasting the OTT television content to the one or more receiver devices further comprises broadcasting a unique ID associated with the broadcaster of the OTT television content.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the unique ID is the broadcaster'"'"'s Federal Communications Commission (“

FCC”

) ID.

6. A server, comprising:

a network interface configured to communicate with a communication network; and

a processor coupled to the network interface, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

broadcasting Over the Top (“

OTT”

) television content including Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (“

DASH”

) media segments to one or more receiver devices via the network interface;

determining a network traffic level for the OTT television content including DASH media segments in a Designated Market Area (“

DMA”

);

determining whether the network traffic level for the OTT television content including DASH media segments in the DMA exceeds a traffic level threshold; and

switching from the broadcasting to evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (“

eMBMS”

) for the delivery of the OTT television content including DASH media segments in response to determining that the network traffic level for the OTT television content including DASH media segments in the DMA exceeds the traffic level threshold.

7. The server of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining the Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Networks (“

MBSFNs”

) to turn on based at least in part on a distribution of the one or more receiver devices within the DMA.

8. The server of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining the Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Networks (“

MBSFNs”

) to turn on based at least in part on a list of MBSFNs associated with the DMA.

9. The server of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that broadcasting the OTT television content to the one or more receiver devices further comprise broadcasting a unique ID associated with the broadcaster of the OTT television content.

10. The server of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the unique ID is the broadcaster'"'"'s Federal Communications Commission (“

FCC”

) ID.

11. A non-transitory server readable medium having stored thereon server-executable instructions configured to cause a server to perform operations comprising:

broadcasting Over the Top (“

OTT”

) television content including Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (“

DASH”

) media segments to one or more receiver devices;

determining a network traffic level for the OTT television content including DASH media segments in a Designated Market Area (“

DMA”

);

determining whether the network traffic level for the OTT television content including DASH media segments in the DMA exceeds a traffic level threshold; and

switching from the broadcasting to evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (“

eMBMS”

) for the delivery of the OTT television content including DASH media segments in response to determining that the network traffic level for the OTT television content including DASH media segments in the DMA exceeds the traffic level threshold.

12. The non-transitory server readable medium of claim 11, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations further comprising:

determining the Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Networks (“

MBSFNs”

) to turn on based at least in part on a distribution of the one or more receiver devices within the DMA.

13. The non-transitory server readable medium of claim 11, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations further comprising:

determining the Multicast/Broadcast Single Frequency Networks (“

MBSFNs”

) to turn on based at least in part on a list of MBSFNs associated with the DMA.

14. The non-transitory server readable medium of claim 11, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations such that broadcasting the OTT television content to the one or more receiver devices further comprise broadcasting a unique ID associated with the broadcaster of the OTT television content.

15. The non-transitory server readable medium of claim 14, wherein the stored server-executable instructions are configured to cause a server to perform operations such that the unique ID is the broadcaster'"'"'s Federal Communications Commission (“

FCC”

) ID.