Methods and apparatus for providing virtual content over a network

• US 10,129,576 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2013
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Britt, Glenn, Lajoie, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry, Hunter B
• Application Number:
  US13/773,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20130239134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,091 Days
• Field of Search: 725 28, 725 34, 725 35, 725 61, 725 93- 95
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/1675 Providing digital key or authorisation information for generation or regeneration of the scrambling sequence pseudo-random number generators in general G06F7/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for selecting, purchasing and delivering content to users of a network so that the user has “virtual” ownership of and access to the content, thereby obviating the need for physical media (e.g., DVDs or CDs). In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions or broadcast modes are used to deliver the virtual content stored at the head-end (or hub site) to the requesting owner. The purchased content is associated with one or more users when stored, thereby providing the owner(s) unlimited access thereto, without the costs and effort associated with renting/purchasing and maintaining DVDs. The content may also comprise new release content, which would otherwise not be available over the network at that time but for the purchase and delivery mechanisms of the invention. Various other complementary features for enhancing the user'"'"'s virtual ownership experience are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A computerized method of providing digitally rendered content over a content delivery network to at least one of a plurality of computerized client devices, said computerized method comprising:

receiving, at a network-side computerized storage entity for storage thereon, data indicative of digitally rendered content from a first computerized client device associated with at least one of a plurality of users of said content delivery network;

causing at least a portion of said digitally rendered content to be stored by said computerized network-side storage entity, said computerized network-side storage entity configured to store said at least portion of said digitally rendered content at a storage location specifically associated with said at least one user;

receiving, at an entity of said content delivery network, data representative of a request to download at least said stored portion of said digitally rendered content to a second computerized client device;

determining that said second computerized client device to which said digitally rendered content is requested to be downloaded is associated with said at least one user; and

based at least one said determination that said second computerized client device is associated with said at least one user, causing download of at least said stored portion of said digitally rendered content to said second computerized client device, said causing said download of at least said stored portion of said digitally rendered content to said second computerized client device comprising causing contemporaneous download of at least said stored portion of said digitally rendered content to said first computerized client device.

2. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said second computerized client device comprises a mobile wireless device.

3. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said computerized network-side storage entity comprises a multi-user partitioned storage accessible to a group and said storage location comprises an at least electronically secure storage location configured to frustrate unauthorized copying or reproduction of said digitally rendered content element by other users of said network outside said group.

4. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein said causing said download of said stored at least portion of said digitally rendered content comprises causing download of a copy of said stored at least portion of said digitally rendered content as Internet Protocol (IP)-encapsulated content to said second computerized client device over a data connection having at least one Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirement.

5. A computerized method of managing digital content via a content delivery network, so as to ensure copyright preservation, said computerized method comprising:

forming a digital trusted domain with a first digital data recording device, said first digital data recording device being associated with a first user via at least data maintained by a computerized entity of said content delivery network;

recording a first rendering of a digital content element on said first digital data recording device at a first network location, said recording of said first rendering comprising at least a portion of said digital content element to be stored on at a storage location specifically associated with said first user; and

recording a second rendering of said digital content element on a second digital data recording device at a second network location, said second network location;

(i) being in data communication with said first network location via said content delivery network, and (ii) located at a network location different from that of said first network location, accessibility to said second rendering being provided only to said first user so as to protect one or more copyrights of said digital content element;

wherein said second digital data recording device is within said digital trusted domain and said second rendering is held at said second digital data recording device until a prescribed temporal coordinate when said first user can access said second rendering, said access being made via use of said digital trusted domain to ensure that a copyright of said digital content element is protected.

6. The computerized method of claim 5, wherein:

said first digital data recording device comprises a digital video recorder (DVR);

said first network location comprises a network address associated with a premises of said first user;

said second digital data recording device comprises a network DVR (nDVR); and

said second network location comprises a network address associated with a portion of said content delivery network outside of said premises; and

said access comprises providing said second rendering to a computerized user device associated with said first user.

7. The computerized method of claim 6, wherein said providing said second rendering to said computerized user device comprises causing streaming of said second rendering to said computerized user device from said second digital data recording device, said computerized user device comprising a mobile wireless device.

8. The computerized method of claim 6, wherein said providing said second rendering to said computerized user device comprises causing download of said second rendering to said computerized user device from said second digital data recording device, said computerized user device comprising a mobile wireless device.

9. The computerized method of claim 5, further comprising enabling said first user to add metadata to at least said portion of said digital content element after storage thereof at said storage location, said metadata being associated with one or more classifications of at least one or more genres relating to at least said portion of said digital content element.

10. Computerized network apparatus configured for delivery of digitally rendered content over a managed network to at least one of a plurality of computerized client devices, said computerized network apparatus comprising:

server apparatus comprising;

processor apparatus;

first network interface apparatus in data communication with said processor apparatus configured to receive data representative of a request to store at least a portion of digitally rendered content, said request originated from a first computerized client device;

storage apparatus in data communication with said processor apparatus, said storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program configured to, when executed on said processor apparatus;

store at least said portion of said digitally rendered content at a storage location specifically associated with said at least one common user;

receive data representative of a request to download at least said portion of said received digitally rendered content to a second computerized client device;

determine that said second computerized client device and said first computerized device are associated with at least one common user; and

based at least one said determination that said second computerized client device is associated with said at least one user, cause contemporaneous download of said at least portion of said digitally rendered content to said first computerized client device and said second computerized client device from said storage location.

11. The computerized network apparatus of claim 10, wherein said determination that said second computerized client device and said first computerized device are associated with said at least one common user comprises a computerized query of data records, said data records comprising data associating one or more computerized client devices to individual ones of one or more subscribers, said one or more computerized client devices comprising said first and second computerized client device, said one or more subscribers comprising said at least one common user.

12. The computerized network apparatus of claim 10, wherein said storage location comprises an electronically secure storage location of a multi-user partitioned network storage apparatus accessible to a group, said secure storage location configured to frustrate unauthorized copying or reproduction of said digitally rendered content by other users of said managed network outside said group.

13. The computerized network apparatus of claim 10, wherein said contemporaneous download of said stored at least portion of said digitally rendered content comprises causation download of a copy of said at least portion of said digitally rendered content as Internet Protocol (IP)-encapsulated content to said second computerized client device over a data connection having at least one Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirement.

14. The computerized network apparatus of claim 10, wherein said storage location comprises a storage location disposed on computerized equipment located within a premises that receives services managed by an operator of said managed network.

15. The computerized network apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to, when executed on said processor apparatus:

receive data relating to an update to said digitally rendered content;

store said data relating to said update at said storage location;

receive data indicative of a preference from said at least one common user; and

based at least in part on said data indicative of said preference, selectively deliver to said second computerized client device at least one of;

(i) a portion of said digitally rendered content having said update incorporated therein, (ii) a copy of said digitally rendered content having said update incorporated therein.

16. Computer readable apparatus comprising a non-transitory storage medium, said non-transitory medium comprising at least one computer program having a plurality of instructions, said instructions configured to, when executed on a processing apparatus:

receive data indicative of a request for digitally rendered content from a first computerized client device over a managed content delivery network;

store said digitally rendered content at a digital data storage location specifically associated with at least one user of said first computerized client device;

receive data representative of a request to download at least portion of said digitally rendered content to a second computerized client device; and

based at least on a determination that said at least one user of said first computerized client device is also associated with said second computerized client device, cause contemporaneous download of at least said portion of said digitally rendered content from said digital data storage location to both said first computerized client device and said second computerized client device.

17. The computer readable apparatus of claim 16, wherein said digital data storage location comprises an at least electronically secure digital data storage location of a multi-user partitioned storage apparatus, said storage apparatus accessible to a group, said at least electronically secure digital data storage location configured to frustrate unauthorized access to said digitally rendered content by other users of said managed network.

18. The computer readable apparatus of claim 16, wherein said contemporaneous download of said stored at least portion of said digitally rendered content comprises causing download of a copy of said at least portion of said digitally rendered content as Internet Protocol (IP)-encapsulated content to said second computerized client device over a data transport having at least one Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirement.

19. The computer readable apparatus of claim 16, wherein said determination that said at least one user of said first computerized client device is also associated with said second computerized client device comprises a computerized query of data records, said data records comprising data associating one or more computerized client devices to individual ones of one or more subscriber accounts, said one or more computerized client devices comprising said first and second computerized client device, said one or more subscriber accounts associated with said at least one user.

20. The computer readable apparatus of claim 16, wherein said portion of said digitally rendered content stored at said digital data storage location comprises user-generated content.

21. The computer readable apparatus of claim 16, wherein said instructions are further configured to, when executed on said processing apparatus:

enable said at least one user to add metadata to said digitally rendered content stored in said digital data storage location, said metadata being associated with one or more classifications of at least one or more genres relating to said digitally rendered content.

22. The computer readable apparatus of claim 16, wherein said instructions are further configured to, when executed on said processing apparatus:

receive an updated version of said digitally rendered content;

identify one or more differences between said received digitally rendered content and said received updated version of said digitally rendered content; and

cause only portions of said updated version of said digitally rendered content associated with said one or more differences to be stored at said digital data storage location.

23. The computer readable apparatus of claim 22, wherein said instructions are further configured to, when executed on said processing apparatus:

query a database to determine whether a subscription level for said at least one user is sufficient to enable said at least one user to download a complete updated version of said digitally rendered content on an Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled device associated with said at least one user, said complete updated version comprising additions to said received digitally rendered content, said additions relating to said stored portions of said updated version of said digitally rendered content associated with said one or more differences.

24. The computer readable apparatus of claim 16, wherein said instructions are further configured to, when executed on said processing apparatus:

enable said first computerized client device to add metadata to said digitally rendered content after storage thereof at said digital data storage location, said metadata being associated with one or more classifications of at least one or more genres relating to at least said portion of said digitally rendered content.

25. Computerized network server apparatus configured for management of digital content via a content delivery network, said management to at least ensure preservation of one or more copyrights associated with said digital content, said computerized network server apparatus comprising:

processor apparatus;

storage apparatus in data communication with said processor apparatus, said storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program configured to, when executed on said processor apparatus;

form a trusted digital domain with a first digital data recording device, said first digital data recording device being associated with a first user or user account via at least data maintained by an entity of said content delivery network;

store a first rendering of a digital content element at a storage location specifically associated with said first user or user account on a first digital data recording device, said first digital data recording device disposed at a first network location; and

store a second rendering of said digital content element on a second digital data recording device, said second digital data recording device disposed at a second network location, said second network location being both (i) located at a network location different from said first network location and (ii) in data communication with said first network location via said content delivery network, said second rendering being made accessible only to said first user so as to protect one or more copyrights of said digital content;

wherein said second digital data recording device is within said trusted digital domain and said second rendering is held at said second digital data recording device until a prescribed temporal coordinate when said first user can access said second rendering, said access being made via use of said trusted digital domain.

26. The computerized network apparatus of claim 25, wherein said content delivery network comprises a managed network having a network operator and a plurality of users associated with said managed network, said plurality of users comprising a plurality of subscribers who are bound to said network operator pursuant to respective subscription agreements and having at least one account, said first user or account comprising one of said plurality of subscribers or an account associated therewith.

27. The computerized network apparatus of claim 25, wherein said first digital data recording device comprises a digital video recorder (DVR), and said first network location comprises a premises of said first user;

and wherein said second digital data recording device a network DVR (nDVR), and said second network location comprises a portion of said content delivery network outside of said premises.

28. The computerized network apparatus of claim 25, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to, when executed on said processor apparatus:

receive data representative of a request for access to said second rendering from a computerized device that is located at a network location different from both said first network location and said second network location; and

provide said second rendering to said computerized device.

29. The computerized network apparatus of claim 25, wherein said storage of said first rendering of said digital content element comprises recordation of said first rendering of said digital content element after said digital content element has been received at said first network location from said content delivery network.

30. Computer readable apparatus comprising a non-transitory storage medium, said non-transitory medium comprising at least one computer program having a plurality of instructions, said instructions configured to, when executed on a processing apparatus:

form a trusted domain with a first digital data recording device, said first digital data recording device being associated with a first user or user account via at least data maintained by a computerized entity of a content delivery network;

record a first rendering of a digital content element on a first digital data recording device, said first digital data recording device disposed at a first network location, said recordation comprising storage of said first rendering at a storage location specifically associated with said first user or user account; and

record a second rendering of said digital content element on a second digital data recording device, said second digital data recording device disposed at a second network location, said second network location being (i) located at a network location different from said first network location and (ii) in data communication with said first network location via said content delivery network, said second rendering being made accessible only to said first user so as to protect one or more copyrights of said digital content;

wherein said second digital data recording device is within said trusted domain and said second rendering is held at said second digital data recording device until a prescribed temporal coordinate when said first user can access said second rendering, said access being made via use of said trusted domain.

31. The computer readable apparatus of claim 30, wherein said instructions are configured to, when executed on said processing apparatus:

receive data representative of a request at said content delivery network from a computerized client device associated with said first user to download said second rendering; and

cause download of said stored at least portion of said content said second rendering to said computerized client device.