Abstract:
Methods and systems for syndicating media with distributed content rights. A system whereby an alternate website can enable media services for their audience by allowing content submitters to directly contribute media files for distribution to a web based media provider while maintaining member rights and member managed distribution channels is presented. In addition, by the use of metadata the media files can be easily referenced, included, and searched on by the alternate website. A method for syndicating media with distributed content rights is also presented.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to electronic media distribution. 
     2. Related Art 
     Electronic media distribution, especially the sharing of video files, may involve websites or software where a user can post and distribute his or her own music and video files. While many media distribution websites place restrictions on the file size, duration, subject matter and format of the uploaded video file, the sites do not generally have sophisticated control systems which allows the media file submitter to control the sharing or distribution of the material. 
     The popularity of media posting and sharing has increased dramatically in recent years, compounding the problem of controlling posted material. As an example, a current popular media distribution website service allows unregistered users to access most any posted video while registered users are permitted to upload an unlimited number of videos. In July 2006 a popular media distribution website revealed that more than 100 million videos were being watched every day, and 2.5 billion videos were watched during the month of June 2006. The website estimated that over 50,000 videos were being added per day in 2006 and that over 6.1 million videos and 50,000 user accounts were active in 2006. Furthermore, the website noted that the number of posted videos increased to over 60 million in less than twelve months during 2007. 
     What are needed, therefore, are systems and/or methods to alleviate the aforementioned deficiencies. Particularly, what is needed is an effective approach to maintain a media file submitter&#39;s rights while allowing the submitter to manage the distribution of one&#39;s media files. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Consistent with the principles of the present invention as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present invention include a media syndication system including a media control system and a provider hosting system. The media syndication system operates using a system of software tokens whereby a submitter of a media file posted on an alternate website may request that the media file be uploaded to a media provider website. The media control system, which can be controlled by the media provider, authorizes the alternate website to upload the submitter&#39;s media file only after the submitter identifies media file details and authorizes the upload. The media control system verifies the receipt of the media file by the media provider website and assigns a unique identifier to the media file. The provider hosting system controls and stores the media file within a media content database. 
     In another embodiment, a submitter of a media file not yet posted to an alternate website may interact with the alternate website wherein the media submitter&#39;s request to upload a media file to the alternate website is redirected, such that the media file is uploaded via the media control system to the media provider website. In this embodiment the alternate website is not required to directly provide media hosting services with the associated bandwidth required to effectively host media files. 
     In another embodiment, a method for receiving media content at a media provider starts by authenticating a media content submitter&#39;s identity. The method continues by receiving a communication from an alternate website containing the identity of the media content submitter, transmitting to the alternate website identification data and identification information of the media content that the submitter is requesting to transfer from the alternate website to the media provider. It continues by authorizing the transfer of the media content from the alternate website to the media provider, authorizing the submitter to initiate the transfer, verifying a request to transfer the media content utilizing software tokens, and receiving the media file from the alternate website. The method concludes by assigning a unique identifier to the received media file. 
     In another embodiment, a method for transferring media content to a media provider involves posting of a media file to an alternate website by a submitter, registration of the submitter on the media provider&#39;s website, deciding that the media file should be transferred from the alternate website to a media provider by the submitter, and initiating the transfer of the media file from the alternate website to the media provide by the submitter. 
     In another embodiment, a method for transferring media content to a media provider involves allowing a submitter to post a media file to an alternate website, acknowledging a submitter&#39;s request to transfer a media file from the alternate website to the media provider, sending the media submitter&#39;s identity to the media provider from the alternate website, receiving a software token sent from a media provider by the alternate website where the token contains the alternate website&#39;s identification information and details of the media file that the submitter is attempting to transfer, and transferring the media file to the media provider from the alternate website. 
     In this way a media file submitter may control their rights while also managing the distribution of media files. In addition, as the distribution request utilizes a series of software tokens to verify identification of the submitter, media files, and alternate website, and confirmation of the intent of the media submitter to transfer the media file, the process is managed in a secure manner. 
     Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a system diagram depicting an implementation of a system for syndicating media with distributed content rights, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting an implementation of a system for syndicating media with distributed content rights where a media submitter&#39;s media file resides on an alternate website, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting an implementation of a system for syndicating media with distributed content rights where a media submitter&#39;s media file does not reside on an alternate website, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting a method for syndicating media with distributed content rights where a media submitter&#39;s media file resides on an alternate website, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart depicting a method for syndicating media with distributed content rights where a media submitter&#39;s media file does not reside on an alternate website, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to the syndication of media files. In embodiments of this invention, the media file submitter retains control and distribution by a system of authorizing software tokens which verify identification information and the distribution approval process. 
     While specific configurations, arrangements, and steps are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the pertinent art(s) will recognize that other configurations, arrangements, and steps may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the pertinent art(s) that this invention may also be employed in a variety of other applications. 
     It is noted that references in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to incorporate such a feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art with access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the invention would be of significant utility. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a system  100  for managing the syndication of a media file  112  under the control of a media submitter  110 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The term “file” as used herein refers to a group of data, including but not limited to audio and video files created using standard encoders, such as MPEG, Flash, etc. System  100  contains two primary components, a media control system  120  and a media provider hosting system  130 . In an embodiment the media submitter  110  would post media file  112  on one or more alternate websites such as  140 ,  150 , and  160 . The media file would then be stored by each of the receiving alternate websites on each respective alternate website&#39;s media depository system, illustrated as depositories  142 ,  152 , and  162 . 
     However, the media submitter  110 , at some point in time, may decide to post a copy of the media file  112  that resides on one or more of the alternate websites, to a media provider hosting system  130 . Rather than having the media submitter  110  upload the media file  112  to the media provider hosting system  130 , the media submitter  110  may request that one or more of the alternate websites  140 ,  150 , and/or  160  that already has received a copy of media submitter&#39;s media file  112 , be the entity that is responsible for transferring a copy of the media file  112 . The media file  112  would be transferred from the alternate website media depository system  142 ,  152 , and  162  to the media provider hosting system  130  and subsequently to the provider hosting system&#39;s own managed media content system  132  under the administration of the media control system  120 . The managed media system  132  may be some type of database. As referred to herein, a database can be a table, list, or any other collection or organization of information known to one of skill in the art, whether represented, for example, as a flat file or a set of relational tables, lists, or records. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the media control system  120  administers the process by which the media submitter&#39;s media file  112  is uploaded from an alternate website to the provider hosting system&#39;s managed media content database  132 . In this embodiment the media file resides at the alternate website and is then uploaded to the media provider. In other embodiments described below, the media file is uploaded by the media submitter to the media provider and does not reside at an alternate website. To ensure security, identification information concerning the media file  112  and the media submitter  110 , is embedded within the transferred media file  112  by the use of metadata. The media control system  120  uses a series of software tokens to verify the identity of the media submitter  110  that is requesting the transfer of a media file, as well as the identity of the transferring alternate website to ensure the that both the media submitter  110  and alternate website  140  are who they say they are. Software tokens, as used here and elsewhere in the system and method of the invention, are blocks of data that are used to authenticate a sending party to a receiving party, and/or to verify that some event has taken place. Data contained in the token may include, for example, an identifier of the sender. In an embodiment of the invention, this data is encrypted using a key that is privately held by the sender. This encryption represents a signature, in that only the holder of the key can perform this encryption. The receiving party can then decrypt the token to verify that the sender is who he claims to be, and that the communication is legitimate. 
     In this manner, after the media submitter  110  requests the transfer of a media file  110 , and the media control system  120  verifies the identity of the media submitter  110  and the alternate website  140 , then the media control system  120  authorizes the media submitter  110  to initiate the transfer. Once the transfer of the media file  112  to the provider hosting system&#39;s managed media content database  132  is completed, the media control system  120  assigns the transferred media file  112  a unique identifier. 
     An alternate website  140 ,  150 , and/or  160  also has the ability to search the managed media content  132  of the media provider. As an example, such a search may be accomplished through the use of an API on the media provider hosting system  130 . As another example, the media provider hosting system providing could provide direct access of the managed media content  132  to an alternate website  140 . 
     An alternate website  140  would be able to search the managed media content  132  by one or more of a variety of criteria including a uniquely assigned alternate website identifier, a media submitter&#39;s identification, a media file&#39;s title, a media file&#39;s description, and a media file&#39;s assigned category. An alternate website  140  would also have the option to define and encode multiple customized data fields associated with a media file and then have the option to search by those customized fields. 
     In another embodiment a media submitter  110  would interact with one or more alternate websites such as  140 ,  150 , and  160 , wherein the media submitter would be prompted by the alternate website  140  to upload a media file  112 . However, in this embodiment the media file  112  is not uploaded to the alternate website  140 . 
     In this embodiment the alternate website does not host the media file  112  but instead redirects the uploading of the media file  112  to the media provider hosting system  130  and subsequently to the provider hosting system&#39;s managed media content system  132  under the administration of the media control system  120 . In this manner, as an example, the alternate website  140  can offer and promote the uploading and syndication of media files but does not have to directly control and administer the process and resources necessary to host and share such media files. 
     In another embodiment a media submitter  110  would interact with one or more alternate websites such as  140 ,  150 , and  160 , wherein the media submitter would be prompted by the alternate website  140  to upload a media file  112 . In this embodiment, as in the prior embodiment, the media file  112  is not uploaded to the alternate website  140 . The media file  112  is uploaded to the media provider; the file  112  is not being transferred to the alternate website  140  before being resent to the media provider hosting system  130 . 
     However, in this embodiment the media submitter  110  would be redirected to the media provider&#39;s hosting system  130  whereby the media submitter  110  would be under the control of the media control system  120 . In this manner, as an example, the alternate website  140  can promote the uploading and syndication of media files by redirecting users to the media provider&#39;s website. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a process  200  in which a media submitter initiates and executes an authorized copying and posting of a media file from an alternate website to a media provider hosting system  130 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The process starts at step  202 . In step  210  a media submitter submits a request to an alternate website to upload a particular media file to a media provider. However, the media provider, via the media control system  120 , must recognize the alternate website and as such requires that the alternate website, in step  220 , apply to the media control system for developer status. This step allows the media provider to qualify and otherwise evaluate an alternate website according to criteria developed by the media provider as to whether the media provider will accept requests to upload media files from the alternate website. The process of granting an alternate website developer status is not automatic, but is under the discretion of the media provider. 
     Once the alternate website is approved and granted developer status then the media submitter in step  230  may request that the alternate website upload a media file to the media provider. However, just as the alternate website must be recognized and registered with the media provider, so to must the media submitter. Thus, in step  240  the media submitter is queried by the media provider as to whether the media submitter is a member of the media provider website. If the media submitter is not a member then the media submitter in step  244  is directed to the media control system in order to become a member of the media provider website and services before being allowed to request a transfer of any media files. Once the media submitter is a member of the media provider website and services, the media submitter&#39;s identity is verified by the media provider through the acceptance of a software token, where the software token is provided by the media submitter directly to the media provider. Once a media submitter&#39;s membership is verified, in step  242  the media control system forwards a software authorization token to the alternate website from which the media submitter has requested the media file be transferred. This authorization token identifies the alternate website and the media submitter as being authorized to transfer media files to the media provider. Communications, including those with a media submitter, media control system, alternate website, and media provider may be performed using an encrypted or signed protocol for increased security. In embodiments of the invention, the alternate website would need to generate, or otherwise obtain, appropriate software in order to implement these steps. 
     In step  250  the media submitter then selects the media file to upload to the media provider by identifying media file content details to the alternate website. These details are of such specificity that the alternate website can identify the requested media file. Once the desired media file is identified, in step  260  the media submitter initiates the transfer of the media file from the alternate website to the media provider using additional logic, such as an API module given by the media provider, wherein the media submitter would interact to provide the required information concerning the identification of the media file and the desired media provider. Receipt of the media file is verified in step  270  through a token authentication process between the alternate website and the media control system. The media file is then assigned a unique identifier by the media control system in step  280  and allowed to be posted to the media provider website. The flowchart concludes with step  282 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a process  300  in which a media submitter initiates and executes an authorized copying and posting of a media file from the media submitter to a media provider hosting system  130 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The process starts at step  302 . In step  310  a media submitter indicates to an alternate website that the media submitter desires to upload a particular media file to a media provider. However, the media provider, via the media control system  120 , must recognize the alternate website and as such requires that the alternate website, in step  320 , apply to the media control system for developer status. This step allows the media provider to qualify and otherwise evaluate an alternate website according to criteria developed by the media provider as to whether the media provider will accept requests to redirect the uploading of a media submitter&#39;s media files directly to the media provider. The process of granting an alternate website developer status is not automatic, but is under the discretion of the media provider. 
     Once the alternate website is approved and granted developer status then the media submitter in step  330  may request that the media submitter&#39;s media file be uploaded to the media provider. However, just as the alternate website must be recognized and registered with the media provider, so too must the media submitter. Thus, in step  340  the media submitter is queried by the media provider as to whether the media submitter is a member of the media provider website. If the media submitter is not a member then the media submitter in step  344  is directed to the media control system in order to become a member of the media provider website and services before being allowed to upload any media files. Once the media submitter is a member of the media provider website and services, the media submitter&#39;s identity is verified by the media provider through the acceptance of a software token, where the software token is provided by the media submitter directly to the media provider. Communications, including those with a media submitter, media control system, alternate website, and media provider may be performed using an encrypted or signed protocol for increased security. In embodiments of the invention, the alternate website would need to generate, or otherwise obtain, appropriate software in order to implement these steps. 
     In step  350  the media submitter then selects the media file to upload to the media provider by identifying media file content details to the alternate website. These details are of such specificity that the alternate website can identify the requested media file. Once the desired media file is identified, in step  360  the media submitter initiates the transfer of the media file from the media submitter to the media provider using additional logic, such as an API module given by the media provider, wherein the media submitter would interact to provide the required information concerning the identification of the media file and the desired media provider. Receipt of the media file is verified in step  370  through a token authentication process between the alternate website and the media control system. The media file is then assigned a unique identifier by the media control system in step  380  and allowed to be posted to the media provider website. The flowchart concludes with step  382 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting a method  400  for the syndication of owned media files, wherein a media submitter&#39;s media file resides on an alternate website, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Method  400  begins at step  402 . In step  404 , a media submitter&#39;s identity is authenticated by the media control system, establishing that the media provider control system recognizes the media submitter as an authorized user of the media provider&#39;s services. In step  406  the media submitter, who is using the services of an alternate website where the media submitter has a media file posted, is requesting that the file be transferred to the media provider. Step  406  represents the alternate website&#39;s action to communicate to the media control system the identity of the media submitter and identification of the media file. In step  408  the media control system responds to the alternate website with identification information regarding the alternate website and identification information concerning the requested media file. In step  410  the media control system authorizes the transfer of the media file from the alternate website to the media provider. However, the media control system, in step  412 , waits for the media submitter to initiate the transfer of the media file before the media control system will accept the media file from the alternate website. This is accomplished in step  414  when the media submitter authorizes the transfer of the media file. In step  416  the media control system verifies that the request to transfer the file is valid by the use of software tokens. Once verified, in step  418  the alternate website will transfer the media file to the media provider. When the media file is received, in step  420  the media control system assigns a unique identifier to the received media file. In step  422 , once the media file is received and given the unique identifier number, then the alternate website has the ability to search the media provider&#39;s media content by various characteristics, including the media submitter&#39;s identity, the alternate website&#39;s identity, and media file attributes. Method  400  ends at step  424 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart depicting a method  500  for the syndication of owned media files wherein a media submitter&#39;s media file does not reside on an alternate website, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Method  500  begins at step  502 . In step  504 , a media submitter&#39;s identity is authenticated by the media control system, establishing that the media provider control system recognizes the media submitter as an authorized user of the media provider&#39;s services. In step  506  the media submitter, who is using the services of an alternate website, is requesting that a media file of the media submitter be transferred to the media provider. Step  506  represents the alternate website&#39;s action to communicate to the media control system the identity of the media submitter and identification of the media file. In step  508  the media control system responds to the alternate website with identification information regarding the alternate website and identification information concerning the media file. In step  510  the media control system authorizes the transfer of the media file from the media submitter to the media provider. However, the media control system, in step  512 , waits for the media submitter to initiate the transfer of the media file before the media control system will accept the media file from the media submitter. This is accomplished in step  514  when the media submitter authorizes the transfer of the media file. In step  516  the media control system verifies that the request to transfer the file is valid by the use of software tokens. When the media file is received, in step  518  the media control system assigns a unique identifier to the received media file. In step  520 , once the media file is received and given the unique identifier number, then the alternate website has the ability to search the media provider&#39;s media content by various characteristics, including the media submitter&#39;s identity, the alternate website&#39;s identity, and media file attributes. Method  500  ends at step  522 . 
     The processes of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5  can be implemented in software, firmware, or hardware, or using any combination thereof. If programmable logic is used, such logic can execute on a commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. 
     It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way. 
     The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.