Asymmetric content delivery of media content
First Claim
1. A method executable by a remote media player device that communicates on a network and that is operable by a user, the method comprising:
- receiving a selection of a media program available from a content source on the network that is to be played back for the user by the remote media player device, wherein the selected media program is represented by a media stream originating from the content source that is viewable using the remote media player device;
establishing a first connection via the network between the remote media player device and a home device that is associated with the user and that is trusted by the content source, wherein the home device is separate from the content source;
establishing a second connection via the network between the remote media player device and the content source, wherein the second connection is separate from the first connection but uses the same network;
transmitting, by the remote media player device, a first request via the first connection to the home device that is trusted by the content source that identifies a first portion of the media stream representing the selected media program, wherein the home device responds to the first request received from the remote media player device by obtaining the identified first portion of the selected media program from the content source on behalf of the remote media player device;
transmitting, by the remote media player device, a second request to the content source via the second connection, wherein the second request identifies a second portion of the media stream representing the selected media program that is different from the first portion;
receiving, by the remote media player device, the first portion of the media stream, wherein the first portion is obtained from the content source on behalf of the remote media player by the home device that is trusted by the content source and is delivered from the home device to the remote media player device via the first connection;
receiving, by the remote media player, the second portion of the media stream directly from the content source via the second connection; and
reassembling, by the remote media player device, the first and second portions of the media stream representing the selected media stream for playback of the selected media stream to the user so that the selected media stream played back by the remote media player device is constructed from both the first portion received via the home device that is trusted by the content source and the second portion that is received directly from the content source.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, devices and methods are provided to support efficient and secure delivery of a media stream or content file to a mobile phone, tablet, computer or other remote device. Most of the media stream'"'"'s content is received directly from a content source for efficient bandwidth allocation, but at least a portion of the stream is delivered from a set top box, television receiver, or other home device that is located at the customer'"'"'s premises to preserve the security of the stream. The portion that is delivered from the home device may be a key portion of the stream that is essential to the playback of media stream.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method executable by a remote media player device that communicates on a network and that is operable by a user, the method comprising:
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receiving a selection of a media program available from a content source on the network that is to be played back for the user by the remote media player device, wherein the selected media program is represented by a media stream originating from the content source that is viewable using the remote media player device; establishing a first connection via the network between the remote media player device and a home device that is associated with the user and that is trusted by the content source, wherein the home device is separate from the content source; establishing a second connection via the network between the remote media player device and the content source, wherein the second connection is separate from the first connection but uses the same network; transmitting, by the remote media player device, a first request via the first connection to the home device that is trusted by the content source that identifies a first portion of the media stream representing the selected media program, wherein the home device responds to the first request received from the remote media player device by obtaining the identified first portion of the selected media program from the content source on behalf of the remote media player device; transmitting, by the remote media player device, a second request to the content source via the second connection, wherein the second request identifies a second portion of the media stream representing the selected media program that is different from the first portion; receiving, by the remote media player device, the first portion of the media stream, wherein the first portion is obtained from the content source on behalf of the remote media player by the home device that is trusted by the content source and is delivered from the home device to the remote media player device via the first connection; receiving, by the remote media player, the second portion of the media stream directly from the content source via the second connection; and reassembling, by the remote media player device, the first and second portions of the media stream representing the selected media stream for playback of the selected media stream to the user so that the selected media stream played back by the remote media player device is constructed from both the first portion received via the home device that is trusted by the content source and the second portion that is received directly from the content source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A remote media player device comprising:
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an interface to a network; and a processor that; receives a selection of a media program available from a content source on the network that is to be played back for a user of the remote media player, wherein the selected media program is represented by a media stream originating from the content source that is viewable using the remote media player device; establishes a first connection via the interface, wherein the first connection is established via the network between the remote media player device and a home device that is associated with the user and that is trusted by the content source, wherein the home device is separate from the content source; establishes a second connection via the interface that is separate from the first connection, wherein the second connection is established between the remote media player device and the content source via the same network as the first connection; transmits a first request via the first connection to the home device that is trusted by the content source that identifies a first portion of the media stream representing the selected media program, wherein the home device responds to the first request received from the remote media player device by obtaining the identified first portion of the selected media program from the content source on behalf of the remote media player device; transmits a second request to the content source via the second connection, wherein the second request identifies a second portion of the media stream representing the selected media program that is different from the first portion; receives the requested first portion of the media stream from the content source via the first connection, wherein the first portion is obtained from the content source on behalf of the remote media player by the home device that is trusted by the content source and is delivered from the home device to the remote media player via the first connection; receives the second portion of the media stream directly from the content source via the second connection; and reassembles the first and second portions of the media stream for playback of the media stream to the user so that the media stream played back by the remote media player device is constructed from both the first portion received from the content source via the home device that is trusted by the content source and the second portion received directly from the content source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method executable by a content source to provide a media stream to a remote device over a network for playback to a user, the method comprising:
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receiving a request for the media stream from the remote device at the content source via the network; in response to the request, the content source establishing a first connection via the network with a home device that is associated with the user and that is trusted by the content source, and also establishing a second connection via the network directly with the remote device; in response to subsequent requests received via the first and second connections, the content source simultaneously providing a first portion of the media stream representing the requested media program to the home device that is trusted by the content source via the first connection and a second portion of the media stream representing the requested media program directly to the remote device via the second connection, wherein the home device forwards the first portion of the media stream to the remote device so that the remote device is able to reassemble the media stream from the first and second portions for playback to the user so that the media stream played back by the remote media player device is constructed from both the first portion received from the content source via the home device that is trusted by the content source and the second portion received directly from the content source. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification