Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and system for a single broadband portal where all content may be delivered to users of varied electronic devices. An example embodiment (i) provides a user interface for enabling user selection of media contents per varied electronic devices, each varied electronic device having a respective platform, the user interface indicating one or more different possible media contents; (ii) accepts from a user requests for distribution service to any of the varied electronic devices of the user, the requests specifying a user desired media content; (ii) locates the user desired media content from a plurality of storage modules; (iv) transmits the user desired media content to at least one of the varied electronic devices of the user; and (v) tracks the transmission of the user desired media content for billing purposes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    It is well known that content rights holders license their content to different broadcasters and exhibitors. Many times those content rights license holders also license out their rights in parcels across different media platforms such as theatrical, wireless, retail, pay per view, online as well as parceled domestic and international rights. Generally speaking, the term “platform” encompasses the underlying system and standards that are used to provide a particular service. The platform refers to the combination of standards that provide the operating environment for the specific service. The platform may specify an Application Programming Interface (API) that provides functions or conventions by which the application accesses lower-level services. Media platform may be a digitized platform for media that allows real-time and/or delayed delivery of video, audio and/or data to multiple networks such as telco, cable, satellite, digital terrestrial broadcasting and broadband. Delivery can be made via a variety of devices possibly including mobile phones, set-top boxes, PDAs and computers. Often the content can be produced generically, eliminating the need for platform-specific content production tools. 
         [0002]    Currently, several models exist that have distributors of certain media rights exercising the right to distribute licensed content across one or more bargained for media platforms. There are scores of media distributors distributing millions of pieces of content, from ring tones, to films, to television, radio programs to computer software covering both cached programming and live events. Some distributors may be solely focused on distributing a certain type of content for certain devices. For instance, there are some distributors who distribute only ring tones to certain cell phone service providers and only to certain compatible cell phones. There are also many distributors who distribute to multiple formats such as brick and mortar retailers, wireless service providers and digital online distribution services. The range and breadth of distribution reach and content carried, both licensed and unlicensed content, by specific distributors, runs the gamut. 
         [0003]    Conventional models have different distributors parsing out software, free radio, pay radio, pay per view (PPV) or video on demand (VOD), cable &amp; broadcast rights and multimedia online content to different exhibitors and, in some cases, the content originator, distributor and exhibitor may be the same entity. The result is that of the millions of available pieces of available content, only music distributors who sell individual songs aggregate over a million possible content size kind units (skus) for purchase from the tens of millions of existing skus available to the market place for possible purchase. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, this has created a fragmented marketplace where it is currently impossible to go to one source to fill the content needs for all of ones electronic devices. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a single broadband portal where all content may be delivered to users of varied electronic devices. As rights to such content are in the hands of multiple content providers, distributors and exhibitors, there must be a substantial amount of cross licensing and shared distribution to enable one interface to deliver all of this content across multiple formats to multiple devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a multi media on demand service that enables audio only as well as audiovisual programming to be distributed to a wide range of portable devices and billed through a variety of systems. The service centralizes existing on demand services and transacts business with those services as an intermediary delivering a wide range of content to a wide range of devices via numerous device codec (compressor-decompressor, coder-decoder, or compression/decompression encoding) compatibilities built into the system. The service enables premium a la carte ordering for consumers enabling any sort of content to be delivered to fit any desired purpose from viewing full length films to receiving the audio for a ballgame in a crowded establishment where the game is on the establishment television but the audio cannot be heard. 
         [0007]    In a preferred embodiment is a method and system that (i) provides a user interface for enabling user selection of media contents per varied electronic devices, each varied electronic device having a respective platform, the user interface indicating one or more different possible media contents; (ii) accepts from a user requests for distribution service to any of the varied electronic devices of the user, the requests specifying a user desired media content; (ii) locates the user desired media content from a plurality of storage modules; (iv) transmits the user desired media content to at least one of the varied electronic devices of the user; and (v) tracks the transmission of the user desired media content for billing purposes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary architecture of a system embodying the present invention along with a range of devices and delivery options to deliver media contents. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a compatibility grid of the present invention that denotes what kind of content may be delivered to specific devices. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a simulcast network menu displayed on a digital music player by the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a simulcast network menu displayed on a computer by the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a simulcast network menu displayed on a cellular phone by the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6 . is a schematic view of a simulcast network menu &amp; a sub menu displayed on a television by the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a flow chat detailing the compensation model of a simulcast network system of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a computer environment in which the principles of the present invention may be implemented. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the internal structure of a computer from the  FIG. 8  computer environment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates the basic architecture of the system  100  employing an embodiment of the present invention for delivering media of live or cached content when utilizing a digital simulcast network. The system  100 , in one embodiment of the present invention, contemplates the cohesive delivery of multiple media formats to multiple hardware devices. An exemplary system  100  may include a range of electronic devices having different platforms such as cell phones  105   a , digital music players (iPods)  105   b , computers  105   c , televisions  105   d , and other different delivery methods  105   e , server  105 , storage module  125 , and third party module  150 . The other different delivery methods  105   e  may be in different codecs designed &amp; programmed for compatibility with different devices. The server  115  may include a system management  120 , a compatibility system  160 , registration/ordering system  165  and a general user interface  170 . The storage module  125  may include a billing system  130 , a tracking system  135 , data storage  140 , aid software processor  145 . 
         [0020]    The system  100  is capable of delivering a wide range of content being available for selection by users of multiple hardware devices  105   a - 105   e . An end user (not shown) utilizing one of the electronic devices  105   a - 105   e  having different platforms may send a signal  110  requesting the centralized general user interface  170 . The centralized general user interface  170  is linked to a registration/ordering system  165  that enables content to be delivered in multiple formats to electronic devices  105   a - 105   e . The compatibility to deliver to the electronic devices  105   a - 105   e  is pre-programmed using the devices API instructions or custom delivery design programming via the hardware devices design elements and installed media player or via the downloading of a separate player application and general user interface software application. 
         [0021]    The variety of media content available for selection via the general user interface  170  for the network may include music, ring tones, feature films, live and cached television programs, software programs and applications, radio programs and other textual, graphical, audio, video and audiovisual content. The general user interface  170  may also be custom branded for distribution, hardware or content partners. The individual electronic devices  105   a - 105   e  may run software interfaces that are programmed to work with the capabilities of the device. For instance, if certain portable devices do not play video content, then only textual and audio content options will appear on the interface, which may be updated later via download to accommodate an upgraded device that now accepts video. Different interfaces will also require different download options via a menu selection to download the right interface for the right device. Specific interfaces may suit the screen size, functionality, technical and billing demands of the device, network partners and software and content partners. The interface and content download system is also be configured for specific device requirements utilizing the specifications made available by the device API&#39;s and compatible software formats such as Pocket PC and Symbian among many others. 
         [0022]    Once a request is made for the media content on the general user interface  170 , the registration/ordering system  165  verifies the user&#39;s account. The compatibility system  160  determines if the media content requested by the end user is compatible with one of the end user&#39;s electronic devices  105   a - 105   e . Some media content will not be available because the electronic devices  105   a - 105   e  do not support such media content. 
         [0023]    The system management  120  enables delivery of the media content and also handle system requests for general user interface downloads or updates (not shown). 
         [0024]    The media content may be delivered by the server system  115  via the storage module  125  or via an arrangement with third party content providers  150 . The third party content providers  150  may be rights holders contracting with a company, such as Simulcast Network System  100  to provide content to the system  100  in the form of live content as well as cached content and updates. Once the content has been legally contracted for inclusion in the Simulcast Network System  100 , the media content is then integrated into the system storage module  125 . This includes registration of the content and numbering of the content within the billing system  130  for billing, corresponding tracking system  135  for tracking usage, and storage  140  of the physical content and digitization processes. The software system  145  may also provide software optimization, updates, and downloads. 
         [0025]    The media content may be billed and delivered by the billing system  130  as part of the storage module  125  or by an intermediary billing and delivery systems (not shown) instituted by third parties  150  either directly involved in the content, hardware or distribution of certain items serviced by the system  100 . The delivery and billing may also be handled by certain third parties  150  with no relationship to any item of content, devices or distribution directly involved in the system  100 . 
         [0026]    The content may be delivered to multiple electronic devices  105   a - 105   e  platforms for broadband television viewing and/or online viewing, as well as for download to cinema quality digital video projection systems and the like. In certain circumstances, multiple electronic devices  105   a - 105   e  may share or work in tandem with the downloading and delivery processes as well as the content exhibition. One such example of this would be a laptop or desktop that downloads the content and then passes that content to a digital projection system or a television or other display monitor for exhibition. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary compatibility grid  200  that denotes what kind of content  205  may be delivered to specific electronic devices  210 . The content  205  may include song (digital, audio or music)  240 , film video  245 , ringtone  250 , software  260 , image  265 , television  270 , live event  275 , and radio  280 . The device  210  may include personal computer  215 , cellular telephones  220  and  225 , personal computer broadband  230 , and cable broadband  235 . Note that the type of device  210  and content  205  listed here are only examples and should not be read as limitations of the present invention. One type of electronic devices  210  may be cellular mobile telephones. There are hundreds of cellular telephones, such as Verizon Motorola V3 Razr  220  and Cingular Motorola V3 Razr  225 , alone that can be on this compatibility grid  200  and then those phones may be further sorted by respective wireless providers hardware &amp; system specifications and operating system. Consequently, some content, such as video content  240 , will not be available for delivery via the system  100  to devices that do not support video playback or do not have the storage, memory or the technical specifications to play certain content from the system. The compatibility grid  200  may be utilized in the storage  140  of  FIG. 1  to confirm or deny content requests, both to deploy available appropriate content menus for devices and to regulate and confirm that requested content  205  will be possible to transmit, play or be available for storage on a specific devices  210 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates one version of an electronic device, such as one version of a digital music player  105   b , with wireless communication abilities, similar but broader in wireless coverage ability to the Nike iPod for example, displaying a General User Interface (GUI)  170  of the present invention that allows the user to access the remote simulcast network servers  115 . Just as the Nike iPod allows for users to receive specialized information about their current running times and pace, by integrating the GUI  170  and data signal sending capacity signal  110  into the digital music player  105   b , the user can have the ability to select specific content for delivery to the player  105   b . The media content may be delivered directly from the server  115  to the player  105   b  or from the server  115  to an intermediary FTP site  320  that communicates to the player  105   b.    
         [0029]    Because the player  105   b  is currently configured as a ‘one-way’ device, i.e. content cannot be downloaded to the device and then stored on a separate device, the user may, depending on the rights associated with the specific content involved in delivery to the device, be given the right to simultaneously download the content to an FTP site  320  that can immediately or sometime later be accessed for downloading signal  325  to a personal computer  330  or other storage medium (not shown). In certain circumstances the user may only authorize direct download to a third party device (not shown) or storage medium (not shown), choosing to not download to the instant device  105   b . The download to the third party device (not shown) in all instances may be done instantaneously or the download may be cached for later retrieval via password protected access via a website  335 , via an FTP site  320  or via a link delivered via email  340  or instant message  345 . Other download methods may also be suitable. 
         [0030]    The categories for content to be made available on the present invention simulcast network  100  may be displayed on the instant device  105   b  through interface  170 . In the illustrated example, a main menu offers content categories such as Live Events  350  encompassing such offerings as news programs, sports programs, entertainment events, parades and other special events may be one selectable main category. A Music/film  355  menu item encompasses live and cached performances of audio and video from artists performing at large and small venues from across the world or via the delivery of cached musical content. A Television show  360  menu item enables either live or cached episodes to be delivered to the devices including any broadcast programming or broadband materials made available to the network including, but not limited to, clips from sources like Youtube.com and other web sites that make content available for streaming or download. Further, software  365  may be one of the menu items available for download in the system through the menu items. Software  365  may be downloaded centrally or from individual producers, distributors or aggregators like download.com, although the origin point of the content may be invisible to the user who sees a GUI  170  branded to the device or service, content choices, prices, billing options and delivery point options. Radio programming  370  may also be a menu item available similar in design to the software menu item  365  and corresponding downloads. 
         [0031]    Rather than just providing a place for two or three kinds of media content, the invention GUI  170  and simulcast and cached media delivery system  100  provide a place for any kind of media to be downloaded or streamed with compensation models in place to reimburse rights holders and channel owners, either via advertising revenue sharing, user payments or a combination thereof. In addition to the foregoing categories of content, a user can make their own content stored on their hard drive at home, such as the personal computer  330  or other storage facility available for download (not shown) to a device  105   b  within the digital simulcast network  100  infrastructure. This may be done via the user hosting the users own content on their own FTP site  320 . FTP site  320  host content may then be served from a selectable menu item, my content  375 , on the GUI  170  and either delivered directly to the device  105   b , or correctly formatted for the device  105   b  by a simulcast network central server  115  formatting tool (compatibility system  160 ) and then sent via the data sending signal  110  to the device  105   b.    
         [0032]    After a user selects the general category of content on the GUI  170 , the user is then presented with corresponding sub-lists and lists of specific named (titled) content to narrow the content choices to the one(s) the user wants. The sub-lists are navigable via finger button scroll or manual scroll which may be circular or wound vertically or the like, depending on the device. Information regarding the user selection and related information may be used in a search mechanism to make recommendations for content based upon prior selections by the user, or based on relations to similar preferences by the community. In some circumstances, content may be presented in a premium access position within the GUI  170  based upon a marketing relationship. 
         [0033]    When the user selects or identifies through GUI  170 , desired administrative server (part of the system management  120 ), responds with a data signal  110  indicating to the user with download options and specifications as well as billing terms and acceptance queries. If the user consents to the billing terms then the administrative server  120  directs the content server (of storage module  125 ) to deliver the user selected content to the desired destination(s) for delivery that coincides with the right to do so by the content provider. The continuity of such delivery is made capable by the present invention interoperability of server  115  and device  105   b  design. 
         [0034]    Delivery of content from the server system  115  by the present invention may be accomplished directly via data signal  110  to a device  105   b  or through a requesting intermediary  395  such as a cable multiple system operators (MSO) or other third parties  150  or downloading signal  325 . Content delivery from the server system  115  may also be conditioned based upon the needs of the receiving device  105   b . File quality for a phone will be less than that of a computer screen, which will be less than that of a television. Bach device may have respective specific delivery parameters that may be prepared and delivered by the server system  115 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  illustrates the GUI  170  with the addition of the MY Content  375  menu option discussed in  FIG. 3 , as displayed on a personal computer screen  105   c . The menu allows for a simple scroll down  420  and click to select original menu options such as radio shows  370 , music or film  355 , TV shows  360 , software programs  365 , live entertainment  350  and the users own original content under the header of My Content  375 . User selection of one of these main menu subject headings leads to a submenu  450  of specific content choices in the category of the user selected main Menu subject header  350 ,  355 ,  360 ,  365 ,  370  and  375 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cellular telephone  105   a  in the present invention with GUT  170  main menu display and scrolling function  420 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates a television  105   d  with the GUI  170  main menu display, scroll down navigation  420  and along three possible delivery points. Contents delivery in the television  105   d  environment menu include (a) cable MSO  620  delivery most likely over a high speed digital cable line (not shown), (b) a direct satellite connection (not shown) or a third party satellite connection  630  service, such as DirecTV, and (c) a global computer network  625 . Each of these connections may require a larger program data file to be delivered or transmitted to the television  105   d  than if the data file was intended for a portable device such as iPod, a digital music player  105   b , or cellular phone  105   a . By way of example, a full movie file for the iPod Video portable device is 1.1 gigabytes, while a digital versatile disc (DVD) that plays on a television set is approximately 5.5 gigabytes or larger for a long movie or for a high definition volumetric display (HDVD) that displays an HDVD quality film on the TV. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  illustrates the compensation model  700  for the invention system  100 . Content owners  705  and distributors  715  provide the content for the system  100  including content that may be owned and controlled by the system operators themselves. The content becomes available with any specific usage rules agreed by the system and the content rights holder(s) under the System portal  720 . The users  725  agree to participate in the service, billing, and/or tracking of user activity is generated as the service system is utilized at  730  by the user  725 . Revenue and/or profits collected (generated) by the system may then be divided among a number of stakeholders including sub-distributors such as networks, marketing partners, advertising agencies, advertisers or cable MSO&#39;s denoted in the Figure as Other  735 . Other parties that may be compensated include content owners  740 , primary distributors  745  and portal, bandwidth, satellite or website portal owners  750 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  illustrates a computer network or similar digital processing environment in which the present invention may be implemented. 
         [0040]    Client computer(s)/devices  50  and server computer(s)  60  provide processing, storage, and input/output devices executing application programs and the like. Client computer(s)/devices  50  can also be linked through communications network  70  to other computing devices, including other client devices/processes  50  and server computer(s)  60 . Communications network  70  can be part of a remote access network, a global network (e.g., the Internet), a worldwide collection of computers, Local area or Wide area networks, and gateways that currently use respective protocols (TCP/IP, Bluetooth, etc.) to communicate with one another. Other electronic device/computer network architectures are suitable. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of the internal structure of a computer (e.g., client processor/device  50  or server computers  60 ) in the computer system of  FIG. 8 . Each computer  50 ,  60  contains system bus  79 , where a bus is a set of hardware lines used for data transfer among the components of a computer or processing system. Bus  79  is essentially a shared conduit that connects different elements of a computer system (e.g., processor, disk storage, memory, input/output ports, network ports, etc.) that enables the transfer of information between the elements. Attached to system bus  79  is I/O device interface  82  for connecting various input and output devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, displays, printers, speakers, etc.) to the computer  50 ,  60 . Network interface  86  allows the computer to connect to various other devices attached to a network (e.g., network  70  of  FIG. 8 ). Memory  90  provides volatile storage for computer software instructions  92  and data  94  used to implement an embodiment of the present invention (e.g. server  115  elements, storage module  125  and GUI  170  detailed above). Disk storage  95  provides non-volatile storage for computer software instructions  92  and data  94  used to implement an embodiment of the present invention. Central processor unit  84  is also attached to system bus  79  and provides for the execution of computer instructions. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the processor routines  92  and data  94  are a computer program product (generally referenced  92 ), including a computer readable medium (e.g., a removable storage medium such as one or more DVD-ROM&#39;s, CD-ROM&#39;s, diskettes, tapes, etc.) that provides at least a portion of the software instructions for the invention system. Computer program product  92  can be installed by any suitable software installation procedure, as is well known in the art. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the software instructions may also be downloaded over a cable, communication and/or wireless connection. In other embodiments, the invention programs are a computer program propagated signal product  107  embodied on a propagated signal on a propagation medium (e.g., a radio wave, an infrared wave, a laser wave, a sound wave, or an electrical wave propagated over a global network such as the Internet, or other network(s)). Such carrier medium or signals provide at least a portion of the software instructions for the present invention routines/program  92 . 
         [0043]    In alternate embodiments, the propagated signal is an analog carrier wave or digital signal carried on the propagated medium. For example, the propagated signal may be a digitized signal propagated over a global network (e.g., the Internet), a telecommunications network, or other network. In one embodiment, the propagated signal is a signal that is transmitted over the propagation medium over a period of time, such as the instructions for a software application sent in packets over a network over a period of milliseconds, seconds, minutes, or longer. In another embodiment, the computer readable medium of computer program product  92  is a propagation medium that the computer system  50  may receive and read, such as by receiving the propagation medium and identifying a propagated signal embodied in the propagation medium, as described above for computer program propagated signal product. 
         [0044]    Generally speaking, the term “carrier medium” or transient carrier encompasses the foregoing transient signals, propagated signals, propagated medium, storage medium and the like. 
         [0045]    Further, the present invention may be implemented in a variety of computer architectures. The computer network of  FIGS. 8 and 9  are for purposes of illustration and not limitation of the present invention. 
         [0046]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 
         [0047]    For example, the present invention provides a universal GUI  170  useable across different devices  105  and device platforms. It is understood that many different devices may be accommodated by the present inventions. Further it is understood that other forms of contents may be employed. Many other methods and systems for delivery of contents are also contemplated herein, the foregoing being for purpose of illustration and not limitation.