Broadcast content via over the top delivery

• US 9,445,138 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• 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): Chokshi, Pinkal R
• Application Number:
  US13/802,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20130276017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 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 a receiver device, comprising;

generating a receiver device key based on information exchanged between the receiver device and a service provider server;

receiving in the receiver device a Designated Market Area (“

DMA”

) record corresponding to a licensed region, wherein the DMA record is a map of the licensed region and the DMA record is received via a URL linking to a location of the DMA record;

determining a current location of the receiver device in a secure computing environment;

determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

decrypting the OTT television content in the secure computing environment at least in part using the DMA record and the receiver device key as inputs to a key hierarchy used to generate decrypted OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

displaying the decrypted OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

comparing a location history log of the receiver device to any DMA records stored in the receiver device;

deleting DMA records which do not correspond to recurring entries on the location history log; and

preferentially retaining DMA records for which the licensed region encompasses recurring entries in the location history log, wherein the location history log is based on one or more of a cell-ID history log, a geographic coordinate history log, or a roaming history log.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the current location of the receiver device is determined, at least in part, using an IP address, a cell ID, a latitude and longitude, a Wi-Fi SSID, or any combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the determination of the current location of the receiver device is performed by the receiver device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the determination of the current location of the receiver device is performed by a server.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a location of the receiver device relative to a boundary of the licensed region by comparing the current location of the receiver device to the DMA record;

determining the proximity of another licensed region to the receiver device based on the location of the receiver device relative to the boundary of the licensed region;

determining whether the proximity of the another licensed region to the receiver device is less than a threshold value; and

requesting another DMA record corresponding to the another licensed region in response to determining the proximity of the another licensed region to the receiver device is less than a threshold value.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a direction of motion of the receiver device;

predicting a next licensed region based on the receiver device'"'"'s current position and direction of motion; and

pre-fetching information about the next licensed region.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the pre-fetched information is one or more of a next DMA ID, next DMA service key, next DMA record, or program data.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving in the receiver device a viewing record request from a proxy server; and

sending a viewing record from the receiver device to the proxy server in response to receiving the viewing record request.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the viewing record is signed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the viewing record is encrypted.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving the viewing record in the proxy server; and

signing and encrypting the viewing record in the proxy server.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving the viewing record in the proxy server;

receiving a plurality of other viewing records in the proxy server;

sorting all received viewing records by service provider; and

providing each service provider its respective viewing records.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each service provider is provided its respective viewing records in multiple files.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the multiple files are signed and encrypted on a per file basis.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein each service provider is provided its respective viewing records in a single file.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the single file includes a separate encryption and signing key pair for the proxy server.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the DMA record corresponds to a subsection of a licensed region;

determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region comprises determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding subsection of the licensed region; and

displaying the OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region comprises displaying the OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding subsection of the licensed region.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the licensed region corresponds to a combination of at least one whole DMA and at least one subsection of another DMA.

19. A receiver device, comprising:

means for generating a receiver device key based on information exchanged with a service provider server;

means for receiving a Designated Market Area (“

DMA”

) record corresponding to a licensed region, wherein the DMA record is a map of the licensed region and the DMA record is received via a URL linking to a location of the DMA record;

means for determining a current location of the receiver device in a secure computing environment;

means for determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

means for decrypting Over the Top (“

OTT”

) television content in the secure computing environment at least in part using the DMA record and the receiver device key as inputs to a key hierarchy used to generate decrypted OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

means for displaying the decrypted OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

means for comparing a location history log of the receiver device to any DMA records stored in the receiver device;

means for deleting DMA records which do not correspond to recurring entries on the location history log; and

means for preferentially retaining DMA records for which the licensed region encompasses recurring entries in the location history log, wherein the location history log is based on one or more of a cell-ID history log, a geographic coordinate history log, or a roaming history log.

20. The receiver device of claim 19, wherein the current location of the receiver device is determined, at least in part, using an IP address, a cell ID, a latitude and longitude, a Wi-Fi SSID, or any combination thereof.

21. The receiver device of claim 19, further comprising:

means for determining a location of the receiver device relative to a boundary of the licensed region by comparing the current location of the receiver device to the DMA record;

means for determining the proximity of another licensed region to the receiver device based on the location of the receiver device relative to the boundary of the licensed region;

means for determining whether the proximity of the another licensed region to the receiver device is less than a threshold value; and

means for requesting another DMA record corresponding to the another licensed region in response to determining the proximity of the another licensed region to the receiver device is less than a threshold value.

22. The receiver device of claim 19, further comprising:

means for determining a direction of motion of the receiver device;

means for predicting a next licensed region based on the receiver device'"'"'s current position and direction of motion; and

means for pre-fetching information about the next licensed region.

23. The receiver device of claim 22, wherein the pre-fetched information is one or more of a next DMA ID, next DMA service key, next DMA record, or program data.

24. The receiver device of claim 19, further comprising:

means for receiving a viewing record request from a proxy server; and

means for sending a viewing record from the receiver device to the proxy server in response to receiving the viewing record request.

25. The receiver device of claim 24, wherein the viewing record is signed.

26. The receiver device of claim 25, wherein the viewing record is encrypted.

27. The receiver device of claim 19, wherein:

the DMA record corresponds to a subsection of a licensed region;

means for determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region comprises means for determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding subsection of the licensed region; and

means for displaying the OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region comprises means for displaying the OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding subsection of the licensed region.

28. The receiver device of claim 19, wherein the licensed region corresponds to a combination of at least one whole DMA and at least one subsection of another DMA.

29. A receiver device, comprising:

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

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

generating a receiver device key based on information exchanged with a service provider server;

receiving via the communication network interface a Designated Market Area (“

DMA”

) record corresponding to a licensed region, wherein the DMA record is a map of the licensed region and the DMA record is received via a URL linking to a location of the DMA record;

determining a current location of the receiver device in a secure computing environment;

determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

decrypting Over the Top (“

OTT”

) television content in the secure computing environment at least in part using the DMA record and the receiver device key as inputs to a key hierarchy used to generate decrypted OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

displaying the decrypted OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

comparing a location history log of the receiver device to any DMA records stored in the receiver device;

deleting DMA records which do not correspond to recurring entries on the location history log; and

preferentially retaining DMA records for which the licensed region encompasses recurring entries in the location history log, wherein the location history log is based on one or more of a cell-ID history log, a geographic coordinate history log, or a roaming history log.

30. The receiver device of claim 29, wherein the current location of the receiver device is determined, at least in part, using an IP address, a cell ID, a latitude and longitude, a Wi-Fi SSID, or any combination thereof.

31. The receiver device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining a location of the receiver device relative to a boundary of the licensed region by comparing the current location of the receiver device to the DMA record;

determining the proximity of another licensed region to the receiver device based on the location of the receiver device relative to the boundary of the licensed region;

determining whether the proximity of the another licensed region to the receiver device is less than a threshold value; and

requesting another DMA record corresponding to the another licensed region in response to determining the proximity of the another licensed region to the receiver device is less than a threshold value.

32. The receiver device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining a direction of motion of the receiver device;

predicting a next licensed region based on the receiver device'"'"'s current position and direction of motion; and

pre-fetching information about the next licensed region.

33. The receiver device of claim 32, wherein the pre-fetched information is one or more of a next DMA ID, next DMA service key, next DMA record, or program data.

34. The receiver device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving, via the communication network interface, a viewing record request from a proxy server; and

sending, via the communication network interface, a viewing record from the receiver device to the proxy server in response to receiving the viewing record request.

35. The receiver device of claim 34, wherein the viewing record is signed.

36. The receiver device of claim 35, wherein the viewing record is encrypted.

37. The receiver device of claim 29, wherein the DMA record corresponds to a subsection of a licensed region, and

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that:

determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region comprises determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding subsection of the licensed region; and

displaying the OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region comprises displaying the OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding subsection of the licensed region.

38. The receiver device of claim 29, wherein the licensed region corresponds to a combination of at least one whole DMA and at least one subsection of another DMA.

39. A non-transitory processor readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations comprising:

generating a receiver device key based on information exchanged with a service provider server;

receiving a Designated Market Area (“

DMA”

) record corresponding to a licensed region, wherein the DMA record is a map of the licensed region and the DMA record is received via a URL linking to a location of the DMA record;

determining a current location of the receiver device in a secure computing environment;

determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

decrypting Over the Top (“

OTT”

) television content in the secure computing environment at least in part using the DMA record and the receiver device key as inputs to a key hierarchy used to generate decrypted OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

displaying the decrypted OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region;

comparing a location history log of the receiver device to any DMA records stored in the receiver device;

deleting DMA records which do not correspond to recurring entries on the location history log; and

preferentially retaining DMA records for which the licensed region encompasses recurring entries in the location history log, wherein the location history log is based on one or more of a cell-ID history log, a geographic coordinate history log, or a roaming history log.

40. The non-transitory processor readable storage medium of claim 39, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations such that the current location of the receiver device is determined, at least in part, using an IP address, a cell ID, a latitude and longitude, a Wi-Fi SSID, or any combination thereof.

41. The non-transitory processor readable storage medium of claim 39, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations further comprising:

determining a location of the receiver device relative to a boundary of the licensed region by comparing the current location of the receiver device to the DMA record;

determining the proximity of another licensed region to the receiver device based on the location of the receiver device relative to the boundary of the licensed region;

determining whether the proximity of the another licensed region to the receiver device is less than a threshold value; and

requesting another DMA record corresponding to the another licensed region in response to determining the proximity of the another licensed region to the receiver device is less than a threshold value.

42. The non-transitory processor readable storage medium of claim 39, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations further comprising:

determining a direction of motion of the receiver device;

predicting a next licensed region based on the receiver device'"'"'s current position and direction of motion; and

pre-fetching information about the next licensed region.

43. The non-transitory processor readable storage medium of claim 42, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations such that the pre-fetched information is one or more of a next DMA ID, next DMA service key, next DMA record, or program data.

44. The non-transitory processor readable storage medium of claim 39, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a viewing record request from a proxy server; and

sending a viewing record from the receiver device to the proxy server in response to receiving the viewing record request.

45. The non-transitory processor readable storage medium of claim 44, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations such that the viewing record is signed.

46. The non-transitory processor readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations such that the viewing record is encrypted.

47. The non-transitory processor readable storage medium of claim 39, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations such that:

the DMA record corresponds to a subsection of a licensed region, and

determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region comprises determining, based on the current location of the receiver device and the DMA record, whether the receiver device is located within the corresponding subsection of the licensed region; and

displaying the OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding licensed region comprises displaying the OTT television content in response to determining that the receiver device is located within the corresponding subsection of the licensed region.

48. The non-transitory processor readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause a receiver device processor to perform operations such that the licensed region corresponds to a combination of at least one whole DMA and at least one subsection of another DMA.