Method and system for delivery of digital media experience via common instant communication clients

• US 20070089151A1
• Filed: 09/07/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Rachamadugu, Sreenivas, Moore, Richard, Discount, Jonathan, McCausland, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US11/517,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20070089151A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/132
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/322 used signal is digitally coded
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/845 Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/854 Content authoring

Abstract

An approach provides delivery of digital media. One of a plurality of distribution channels is assigned to transport the digital media to an instant communications process. The digital media is transmitted to the instant communications process over the assigned distribution channel.

Claims

1. A method for providing digital media, the method comprising:

assigning one of a plurality of distribution channels to transport the digital media to an instant communications process; and

transmitting the digital media to the instant communications process over the assigned distribution channel.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the instant communications process is among a plurality of instant communication processes, the method firther comprising:

establishing a video conferencing session for the instant communication processes.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

delivering a plurality of digital media to a set top box over another one of the distribution channels, wherein the set top box is configured to display a menu of icons representing the corresponding plurality of digital media.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of digital media include a plurality of video streams, the icons displaying the video streams for selection by a user of the set top box.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the icons include thumbnails of the video streams.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the set top box is configured to receive an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) signal.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the one distribution channel is associated with a first transport network, and another one of the distribution channels is associated with a second transport network that is different from the first transport network.

8. An apparatus for providing digital media, the apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to assign one of a plurality of distribution channels to transport the digital media to an instant communications process; and

a communication interface configured to transmit the digital media to the instant communications process over the assigned distribution channel.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the instant communications process is among a plurality of instant communication processes, and a video conferencing session is established for the instant communication processes.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:

another communication interface configured to deliver a plurality of digital media to a set top box over another one of the distribution channels, wherein the set top box is configured to display a menu of icons representing the corresponding plurality of digital media.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of digital media include a plurality of video streams, the icons displaying the video streams for selection by a user of the set top box.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the icons include thumbnails of the video streams.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the set top box is configured to receive an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) signal.

14. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the one distribution channel is associated with a first transport network, and another one of the distribution channels is associated with a second transport network that is different from the first transport network.

15. A system for providing digital media, the system comprising:

means for assigning one of a plurality of distribution channels to transport the digital media to an instant communications process; and

means for transmitting the digital media to the instant communications process over the assigned distribution channel.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the instant communications process is among a plurality of instant communication processes, the system further comprising:

means for establishing a video conferencing session for the instant communication processes.

17. A system according to claim 15, further comprising:

means for delivering a plurality of digital media to a set top box over another one of the distribution channels, wherein the set top box is configured to display a menu of icons representing the corresponding plurality of digital media.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of digital media include a plurality of video streams, the icons displaying the video streams for selection by a user of the set top box.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the icons include thumbnails of the video streams.

20. A system according to claim 17, wherein the set top box is configured to receive an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) signal.

21. A system according to claim 15, wherein the one distribution channel is associated with a first transport network, and another one of the distribution channels is associated with a second transport network that is different from the first transport network.