Method and system for providing end user community functionality for publication and delivery of digital media content

• US 9,038,108 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: McCausland, Douglas, Horner, David, Discount, Jonathan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tilahun, Alazar
• Application Number:
  US11/479,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20060253542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,245 Days
• Field of Search: 725 37- 61, 725/109, 725/80, 725/81, 725/82, 725/133, 725/141, 725/153, 709/207
• US Class Current: 725/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/567 Integrating service provisioning from a plurality of service providers

Abstract

An approach provides management of digital assets. A digital asset is transmitted to one of a plurality of devices configured to support instant communications. The digital asset can be shared among the devices within the instant communications environment. A portal is provided for users of the devices to manage respective instant communications accounts.

Claims

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

transmitting a digital asset to one of a plurality of devices configured to support instant communications, wherein the digital asset is specified by a playlist that is created by one of the devices, the one device transmitting the playlist to another one of the devices;

facilitating sharing of the digital asset among the devices;

providing a portal for users of the devices to manage respective instant communications accounts.

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

establishing a community for the users by maintaining a list of the associated devices participating in the instant communications.

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

sending requests to the devices for inviting the devices to receive the digital asset, wherein the digital asset includes a video stream and is displayed within an instant communications environment.

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

retrieving the digital asset from a central repository that is managed by a service provider, central repository includes content from a third party content provider.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein one of the devices is configured as editor, the method further comprising:

permitting the one device to edit the digital asset.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the portal permits the users to comment on the digital asset via an e-mail service or a blog service.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the portal is configured to permit provisioning and management of the e-mail service or the blog service.

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

transmitting a plurality of digital assets to one of the devices, the one device being configured to display the digital assets concurrently.

9. A system for providing digital assets, the system comprising:

a server configured to transmit a digital asset to one of a plurality of devices configured to support instant communications, wherein the digital asset is specified by a playlist that is created by one of the devices, the one device transmitting the playlist to another one of the devices;

a community function module configured to facilitate sharing of the digital asset among the devices; and

a portal configured to interface with the devices for users of the devices to manage respective instant communications accounts.

10. A system according to claim 9, further wherein the community function module is configured to establish a community for the users by maintaining a list of the associated devices participating in the instant communications.

11. A system according to claim 9, further comprising:

an invite module configured to send requests to the devices for inviting the devices to receive the digital asset, wherein the digital asset includes a video stream and is displayed within an instant communications environment.

12. A system according to claim 9, further comprising:

a central repository configured to store the digital asset, wherein the central repository includes content from a third party content provider.

13. A system according to claim 9, wherein one of the devices is configured as editor, the system further comprising:

an editor server configured to support editing of the digital asset by the one device.

14. A system according to claim 9, wherein the portal permits the users to comment on the digital asset via an e-mail service or a blog service.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the portal is further configured to permit provisioning and management of the e-mail service or the blog service.

16. A system according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of digital assets are transmitted to one of the devices, the one device being configured to display the digital assets concurrently.

17. A method comprising:

transmitting a digital asset to only one of a plurality of devices configured to support instant communications, wherein the digital asset includes a video stream, and the digital asset is specified by a playlist that is created by one of the devices, the one device transmitting the playlist to another one of the devices;

sharing the digital asset by the one of a plurality of devices with at least one other of the plurality of devices; and

providing a portal for users of the devices to manage respective instant communications accounts.