Multi-access content server with security management for IPTV

• US 20080134277A1
• Filed: 11/30/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TiVo Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tucker, Curtis
• Granted Patent: US 8,683,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/133
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• 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 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A system and method for distributing content over multiple networks may include at least two encoders configured to encode the content in formats for play on devices having different formats. A metadata management unit may be configured to apply information associated with the content to the content in the form of metadata. A content management server may be in communication with the encoders and be configured to receive and store the content. A conditional access digital rights management server may be in communication with the content management server and be configured to authenticate a user. A middleware server may be in communication with the content management server and be configured to manage a program guide accessible to users to view and select content to play on a device. Devices of different formats may be configured to access the content management server and select content to play via the program guide.

Claims

1. A system for distributing content over multiple networks, said system comprising:

a receiver configured to receive content from a content source;

a plurality of encoders, at least two of the encoders configured to encode the content in formats for play on devices having different formats;

a metadata management unit configured to apply information associated with the content to the content in the form of metadata;

a content management server in communication with said plurality of encoders and configured to receive and store the content;

a conditional access digital rights management server in communication with said content management server and configured to authenticate a user attempting to access the content;

a middleware server in communication with said content management server and configured to manage a program guide accessible to users to view and select content to play on a device; and

a plurality of devices configured for different formats and configured to access the content management server via at least one network and select content to play via the program guide.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the content management server is a video on-demand server and the content is stored programming available for selection by a user.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the encoders includes (i) a television video encoder configured to encode the content in a format available to be played on a television and (ii) a wireless device video encoder configured to encode the content in a format available to be played on a wireless device.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the wireless device is a mobile telephone.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the encoders further compress the content using the same compression technique.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the compression technique is H.264.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the devices include a television associated with a set top box.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one database managed by said content management server, said at least one database configured to store the same content in different formats.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an input/output unit in communication with at least one network and configured to receive requests from users for content via the at least one network and communicate the encoded content via the at least one network to the users.

10. A method for distributing content, said method comprising:

receiving raw content;

encoding the raw content into at least two different formats for play on devices having different respective formats;

applying information associated with the content to the encoded content for display to a user;

storing the encoded content in a different format;

managing the stored encoded content in the different formats;

authenticating a user attempting to access the encoded content in the different formats;

managing a program guide accessible to users to view and select content to play on a device; and

distributing the encoded content to a device in response to a selection by a user via the program guide.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein storing the encoding content includes storing movies available by selection by a user.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein encoding includes encoding the raw content into a format available to be played on a television in a format available to be played on a wireless device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein encoding includes encoding the raw content into a raw format to be played on a mobile telephone.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising compressing the encoded content in different formats using the same compression technique.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein compressing includes compressing using the H.264 compression technique.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein distributing includes distributing the encoded content to a set top box associated with a television.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein storing includes storing the encoded content in at least one database configured to store the same content in different formats.

18. The method according to claim 10, further comprising receiving a request from users for content via at least one network and distributing the encoded content via the at least one network to the users.