Content delivery system and method

• US 9,247,001 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2013
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoom Video Communications, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Frank Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Frank C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miah, Razu A
• Application Number:
  US13/848,896
• Publication Number:
  US 20130332565A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1073 Registration or de-registration
• 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 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• 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 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• 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

A content delivery system and method for use with plurality of digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems spanning across one or more network environments. The system and method enable users with freedom of mobility while maintaining access to the user'"'"'s selected content while the user transitions from one device in one location to a different device in a difference location, substantially without interruption and without the need for user action to turn on and off these target data processing systems. The Instant Invention can provide high bandwidth content delivery solutions based upon hardware and software components by activating a Target device while the system is proximate to the Target device and, in one embodiment, automatically redirecting the content while the system is proximate to a new Target device without user intervention. The Target devices include digital multimedia data processing systems and legacy systems including, but not limited to, HDTVs, TV, Personal Computers, digital music systems, printers, radios, and fax machines.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) storing in a storage area of a data processing device an indication of first and second target devices, and selecting content accessible by the data processing device and the data processing device includes a proximity device;

(b) using the proximity device and detecting when the data processing device is proximate to the first target device, transferring the selected content to the first target device while the data processing device is proximate to the first target device;

detecting when the data processing device is no longer proximate to the first target device, suspending the transfer of the selected content; and

(c) after step (b) using the proximity device and detecting when the data processing device is proximate to the second target device, and, while the data processing device is proximate to the second target device, resuming the transfer to the second target device the selected content which have not been transferred to the first target device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of first and second target devices includes characteristics of the first and second target devices and the step of transferring the selected content to the first target device including the step of using at least one characteristic of the first target device;

and the step of resuming the transfer of the selected content to the second target device including the step of using at least one characteristic of the second target device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transferring the selected content to the first target device including at least one of the step of activating and the step of deactivating one component of the first target device;

and the step of transferring the selected content to the second target device including at least one of the step of activating and the step of deactivating one component of the second target device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the selected content to the first target device including the step of rendering the selected content to the first target device;

and the step of resuming the transfer of the selected content to the second target device including the step of rendering the selected content to the second target device.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein at least one of the step of suspending the transfer of the selected content to the first target device and the step of resuming the transfer of the selected content to the second target device occurs without user intervention.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein a portion of the selected content is rendered to the data processing device while the data processing device is proximate to neither the first target device nor the second target device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of suspending the transfer of the selected content includes the step of storing the selected content in a temporary buffer.

8. A method comprising:

(a) storing an indication of a target device in a storage area of a data processing device;

(b) selecting content accessible to the data processing device and communicating the selected content with the data processing device;

(c) detecting, by a proximity device coupled to the data processing device, the data processing device is proximate to the target device while communicating with the selected content, suspending the communication of the selected content with the data processing device and resuming the communication of the selected content with the target device; and

(d) after step (c) detecting, by the proximity device, that the data processing device is no longer proximate to the target device, suspending the communication of the selected content with the target device and resuming the communication of the selected content with the data processing device.

9. the method of claim 8, wherein the indication of the target device includes characteristics of the target device and the step of resuming the communication of the selected content with the target device includes the step of using at least one characteristic of the target device stored in the indication of the target device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of communicating the selected content with the data processing device includes the step of rendering the selected content to the data processing device;

and the step of resuming the communication of the selected content to the target device includes the step of rendering the selected content to the target device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the step of suspending of the communication of the selected content with the data processing device and the step of resuming the communication of the selected content with the target device occurs without user intervention.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of communicating the selected content with the data processing device including the step of storing information to the selected content from the data processing device and the step of resuming the communication of the selected content with the target device including the step of storing information from the target device to the selected content.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of communicating the selected content with the data processing device including the step of storing information to the selected content from the data processing device and the step of resuming of communication of the selected content with the target device including the step of transferring the said stored information to the target device.

14. A content delivery apparatus, comprising:

a data processing device and a target device;

a storage accessible to the data processing device;

selectable contents stored in the storage;

an indication of the target device stored in the storage;

a proximity device coupled to the data processing device;

the data processing device being configured, to respond to a request, by communicating with the selected content;

the data processing device being further configured, while communicating with the selected content, responds to a detection by the proximity device, that the data processing device is proximate to the target device of the indication of the target device, suspends the communication of the selected content with the data processing device, and resumes the communication of the selected content with the target device; and

the data processing device being further configured to respond to a detection by the proximity device, that the data processing device is no longer proximate to the target device, suspends the communication of the selected content with the target device; and

resumes the communication of the selected content with the data processing device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the indication of the target device includes characteristics of the target device and at least one characteristic of the target device stored in the indication of the target device is being used to communicate the selected content with the target devices.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data processing device renders the selected content to the data processing device and the target device renders the selected content received from the data processing device.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one of the data processing device suspends the communication of the selected content and resumes the communication of the selected content with the target device occurs without user intervention.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data processing device stores information to the selected content while communicating with the selected content;

and the data processing device stores information from the target device to the selected content while proximate to the target device.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data processing device stores information to the selected content while communicating with the selected content;

and the data processing device transfers the said stored information to the target device while the data processing device is proximate to the target device.

20. A content delivery apparatus, comprising:

a data processing device and first and second target devices;

a storage accessible to the data processing device;

selectable contents accessible to the data processing device;

an indication of the first and second target devices stored in the storage;

a proximity device coupled to the data processing device;

the data processing device responding to detection, by the proximity device, that the data processing device is proximate to the first target device, and transfers the selected content to the first target device, while the data processing device is proximate to the first target device;

the data processing device further responding to detection, by the proximity device, that the data processing device is no longer proximate to the first target device, and suspends the transfer of the selected content to the first target device; and

the data processing device further responding to detection, by the proximity device, that the data processing device is proximate to the second target device, and resumes the transfer of the selected content, to the second target device, which has not been transferred to the first target device, while the data processing device is proximate to the second target device.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the indication of the first and second target devices includes characteristics of the first and second target devices and at least one characteristic of the first target device is being used to transfer the selected content to the first target devices;

and at least one characteristic of the second target device is being used to transfer the selected content to the second target device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the characteristics of the first and second target devices include activation and deactivation of components of the first and second target devices and the selected content transferred to the first target device by the data processing device includes at least one of activation and deactivation of one component of the first target device;

and the selected content transferred to the second target device by the data processing device includes at least one of activation and deactivation of one component of the second target device.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first target device renders the selected content received from the data processing device;

and the second target device renders the selected content received from the data processing device.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein at least one of the data processing device suspends the transfer of the selected content to the first target device and resumes the transfer of the selected content to the second target device occurs without user intervention.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein no portion of the selected content is rendered to the data processing device while the data processing device is proximate to neither the first target device nor the second target device.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the selected content which has been suspended by the data processing device is stored in a temporary buffer of the data processing device.

27. A method comprising:

(a) storing in a storage area of a data processing device, an indication of a first target device and a second target device;

(b) selecting content accessible to the data processing device;

(c) using a proximity device coupled to the data processing device to detect when the data processing device is proximate to the first target device, communicating the selected content with the first target device while the data processing device is proximate to the first target device;

detecting when the data processing device is no longer proximate to the first target device, suspending the communication of the selected content with the first target device; and

(d) after step (c), using the proximity device to detect when the data processing device is proximate to the second target device, and resuming the communication of the selected content with the second target device while the data processing device is proximate to the second target device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the indication of the first target device and the second target device includes characteristics of the first and second target devices and the step of communicating the selected content with the first target device including the step of using at least one characteristic of the first target device;

and the step of resuming the communication of the selected content to the second target device including the step of using at least one characteristic of the second target device.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of communicating the selected content with the first target device including the step of rendering the selected content to the first target device;

and the step of resuming the communication of the selected content with the second target device including the step of rendering the selected content to the second target device.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein at least one of the step of suspending the communication of the selected content with the first target device and the step of resuming communication of the selected content with the second target device occurs without user intervention.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein no portion of the selected content is rendered to the data processing device while the data processing device is proximate to neither the first target device nor the second target device.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of communicating the selected content with the first target device including the step of storing information from the first target device to the selected content;

and the step of resuming the communication of the selected content with the second target device including the step of storing information from the second target device to the selected content.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of communicating the selected content with the first target device including the step of storing information from the first target device;

and the step of resuming the communication of the selected content with the second target device including the step of transferring the said stored information to the second target device.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the said stored information from the first target device includes at least one characteristic of the first target device.

35. A content delivery apparatus, comprising:

a data processing device and first and second target devices;

a storage accessible to the data processing device;

selectable contents stored in the storage;

an indication of the first and second target devices stored in the storage;

a proximity device coupled to the data processing device;

the data processing device being configured to respond to detection, by the proximity device, that the data processing device is proximate to the first target device, and communicates the selected content with the first target device, while the data processing device is proximate to the first target device;

the data processing device being further configured to respond to detection, by the proximity device, that the data processing device is no longer proximate to the first target device, and suspends the communication of the selected content with the first target device; and

the data processing device being further configured to respond to detection, by the proximity device, that the data processing device is proximate to the second target device, and resumes the communication of the selected content with the second target device, while the data processing device is proximate to the second target device.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the indication of the first and second target devices includes characteristics of the first and second target devices and at least one characteristic of the first target device is being used to communicated the selected content with the first target devices;

and at least one characteristic of the second target device is being used to communicated the selected content with the second target device.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, the first target device renders the selected content received from the data processing device;

and the second target device renders the selected content received from the data processing.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein at least one of the data processing device suspends the communication of the selected content with the first target device and resumes the communication of the selected content with the second target device occurs without user intervention.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein a portion of the selected content is rendered to the data processing device while the data processing device is proximate to neither the first target device nor the second target device.

40. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the data processing device stores information from the first target device to the selected content while the data processor device is proximate to the first target device;

and the data processing device stores information from the second target device to the selected content while the data processing device is proximate to the second target device.

41. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the data processing device stores information from the first target device to the selected content while the data processor device is proximate to the first target device;

and the data processing device transfers the said stored information to the second target device while the data processor device is proximate to the second target device.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the said stored information from the first target device includes at least one characteristic of the first target device.

43. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the selected content which has been suspended by the data processing device is stored in a temporary buffer accessible to the data processing device.