Method and apparatus for interactive content distribution
First Claim
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1. A method of distributing content, the method comprising:
- receiving content from a content provider;
activating a media device when desired content is observed;
assembling a request for the desired content, the request including information identifying the content provider;
communicating the request for the desired content to a media server that extracts the information identifying the content provider, the media server searches a network for the content provider and identifies the content that the content provider was providing when the request was made;
retrieving the desired content; and
providing the desired content to a requesting user.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus for distributing content include receiving content from a content provider. Activating a media device when desired content is being observed. Building a request for the desired content, the request including information identifying the content provider. Communicating the request for the desired content to a media server that extracts the information identifying the content provider, the media server searches a network for the content provider and based identifies the content that the content provider was providing when the request was made. Retrieving the desired content, and providing the desired content to a requesting user.
284 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of distributing content, the method comprising:
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receiving content from a content provider; activating a media device when desired content is observed; assembling a request for the desired content, the request including information identifying the content provider; communicating the request for the desired content to a media server that extracts the information identifying the content provider, the media server searches a network for the content provider and identifies the content that the content provider was providing when the request was made; retrieving the desired content; and providing the desired content to a requesting user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of requesting content, the method comprising:
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observing content provided by a content provider; providing an indication that currently observed content is desired content; providing a request for the desired content, the request comprising information identifying the content provider; communicating the request for the desired content to a media server. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of distributing content, the method comprising:
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receiving a request for desired content from a requesting user, the request comprises information identifying a content provider, extracting the information identifying the content provider; searching a network for the content provider and based on information; identifying the content that the content provider was providing when the request was made; retrieving the desired content; and providing the desired content to the requesting user. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A media device comprising:
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a user interface for entering an indication that currently observed content is desired content; a processor that receives the indication and assembles a request for the desired content, the request including information identifying the content provider; and a communication interface that receives the request from the processor and transmits the request for the desired content to a media server.
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25. A media server comprising:
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a network interface that receives a request for desired content from a requesting user, the request comprises information identifying a content provider, and a processor that examines the received request and extracts the information identifying the content provider, the processor initiating a search of a network for the content provider and based on the information, identifies the content that the content provider was providing when the request was made, the processor retrieves the desired content and provides the desired content to the network interface that transmits the desired content to the requesting user.
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Specification