Apparatus and method for delivering media content

• US 9,635,411 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2015
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• 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): Louie, Oscar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Forman, James
• Application Number:
  US14/752,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20150304699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• 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, from a first communication device, media content that is recorded at the first communication device;

selecting a targeted device of a targeted recipient responsive to the receiving of the media content, wherein the selecting of the targeted device is according to a user profile that is associated with the first communication device;

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

determining whether the targeted recipient of the targeted device has accepted delivery of the media content;

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

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

2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the user profile associated with the first communication device further comprises a delivery format associated with the targeted device, and wherein the operations further comprise 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, wherein the operations further comprise updating the delivery format based upon an input into the first communication device.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises facilitating establishment of a communication link with the targeted device according to the user profile that is associated with the first communication device.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:

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

transmitting an opt-in message or an opt-out message to the targeted device so that the targeted recipient can accept or decline the media content.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise determining the 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 that is associated with the first communication device and the targeted device.

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;

recording media content at a first communication device;

transmitting the media content to a server, wherein the media content is transmitted responsive to a selection of a first function of the first communication device; and

transmitting, to the server, a request to distribute the media content, wherein the server transmits a first text message to a targeted device that is associated with a targeted recipient of the media content according to a user profile that is associated with the first communication device to offer delivery of the media content to the targeted device, wherein the text message comprises a title of the media content, wherein the server determines whether the targeted recipient of the targeted device has accepted delivery of the media content, wherein the server transmits a notification to a second communication device that is associated with the targeted recipient if the targeted recipient has not accepted delivery, and wherein the server provides the media content to the targeted device if the targeted recipient has accepted delivery.

9. The server of claim 8, wherein the server transmits an opt-in message or an opt-out message to the targeted device.

10. The server of claim 8, wherein the server selects the targeted device according to the user profile.

11. The server of claim 8, wherein the server stores the media content, and wherein the server provides access to the media content according to the user profile.

12. The server of claim 8, wherein the server determines a desired format for the media content based on a user profile associated with the first communication device, and wherein the server adjusts a format of the media content based on the desired format.

13. The server of claim 12, wherein the server overrides the determination of the desired format based upon an input into the first communication device.

14. A method comprising:

receiving, by a server, media content from a first communication device, wherein the media content is recorded at the first communication device;

selecting, by the server, a targeted device of a targeted recipient responsive to the receiving of the media content, wherein the selecting of the targeted device is according to a user profile that is associated with the first communication device;

transmitting, by the server, a first text message to the targeted device to offer delivery of the media content to the targeted device, wherein the text message comprises a title of the media content;

determining, by the server, whether the targeted recipient of the targeted device has accepted delivery of the media content;

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

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

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user profile associated with the first communication device further comprises a delivery format associated with the targeted device, and further comprising adjusting a format of the media content that is provided to the targeted device according to the delivery format.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising updating the delivery format based upon an input into the first communication device.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising facilitating establishment of a communication link with the targeted device according to the user profile that is associated with the first communication device.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

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

transmitting an opt-in message or an opt-out message to the targeted device so that the targeted recipient can accept or decline the media content.