Multicasting method and apparatus

• US 6,119,163 A
• Filed: 11/08/1999
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Two-Way Media Ltd
• Original Assignee: Netcast Communications Corp.
• Inventors: Monteiro, Antonio M, Butterworth, James F
• Primary Examiner(s): Peeso, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US09/435,732
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 709/227, 709/238, 709/250
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1818 Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1854 with non-centralised forwarding system, e.g. chaincast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1863 comprising mechanisms for improved reliability, e.g. status reports arrangements for detecting or preventing errors by carrying supervisory signal the return channel H04L1/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5626 Network management, e.g. Intelligent nets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5642 Multicast/broadcast/point-multipoint, e.g. VOD
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0864 Round trip delays
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0815 providing single-sign-on or federations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/752 adapting media to network capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 : intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 : Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 : using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 : Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 : Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• 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 21/4621 : Controlling the complexity of the content stream or additional data, e.g. lowering the resolution or bit-rate of the video stream for a mobile client with a small screen arrangements for using the results of monitoring on user's side in broadcast systems H04H60/65; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6405 : Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 : Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting message packets over a communications network comprising the steps of:

converting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information into at least one stream of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol,

for each stream, routing such stream to one or more users,

controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and

including in at least one stream of packets at least some advertising information that is varied depending on the identity of the user to whom the at least one stream of packets is delivered.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the advertising information is varied depending on the user'"'"'s demographic group.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of monitoring the reception of packets by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of packets were received by which users, and wherein the advertising information is varied based on the step of monitoring.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the advertising information is varied based on records that are accumulated that indicate which users have received which packets.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the advertising information is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual information before such stream is converted into a stream of packets.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the advertising information is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual information at a location remote from the user.

7. The method of claim 1 where in the advertising information content is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual packets at the user.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein records are accumulated that indicate how many users received specific advertising information.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one stream of packets comprises copyrighted selections and records are accumulated that indicate which users received specific copyrighted selections.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one stream of packets comprises audio and/or visual selections and records are accumulated that indicate which users listened to and/or viewed the entire selection.

11. A method for transmitting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information over a communications network to one or more users comprising the steps of:

controlling the routing of the stream of information through the network in response to selection signals received from the users,

including in at least one stream of information at least some advertising information that is varied depending on the identity of the user to whom the advertising information is provided.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the advertising information is varied depending on the user'"'"'s demographic group.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of monitoring the reception of streams of information by the users and accumulating records that indicate which streams of information were received by which users, and wherein the advertising information is varied based on the step of monitoring.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the advertising information is varied based on records that are accumulated that indicate which users have received which streams of information.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the advertising information is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual information before such stream is converted into a stream of packets.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the advertising information is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual information at a location remote from the user.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the advertising information is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual information at the user.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein records are accumulated that indicate how many users received specific advertising information.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one stream of information comprises copyrighted selections and records are accumulated that indicate which users received specific selections.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one stream of information comprises audio and/or visual selections and the records that are accumulated indicate which users listened to and/or viewed the entire selection.

21. A communication system comprising:

means for converting at least one stream of audio and/or visual information into a stream of addressed digital packets complying with the specifications of a network communication protocol,

means for routing such stream via a communication network to selected users,

means for controlling the routing of the stream of packets in response to selection signals received from the users, and

means for including in the stream of packets at least some advertising information that is varied depending on the identity of the user to whom the advertising information is sent.

22. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the advertising information is varied depending on the user'"'"'s demographic group.

23. The communication system of claim 21, further comprising means for monitoring the reception of streams of information by the users and for accumulating records that indicate which streams of information were received by which users, and wherein the advertising information is varied based on the step of monitoring.

24. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the advertising information is varied based on records that are accumulated that indicate which users have received which streams of information.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the advertising information is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual information before such stream is converted into a stream of packets.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the advertising information is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual information at a location remote from the user.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein the advertising information content is inserted into the stream of audio and/or visual packets at the user.

28. The method of claim 21 wherein records are accumulated that indicate how many users received specific advertising information.

29. The method of claim 21 wherein at least one stream of information comprises copyrighted selections and records are accumulated that indicate which users received specific selections.

30. The method of claim 21 wherein at least one stream of information comprises audio and/or visual selections and the records that are accumulated indicate which users listened to and/or viewed the entire selection.