Method and apparatus for transcrypting or transcoding content for a terminal within a vehicle

A system 10 for distributing content includes a content provider 12 that provides content through various devices including a satellite 26 or a terrestrial-based system 38. The content provider 12 provides content to a content distribution system 70 within a vehicle 60. The method associated with the system includes generating a request for a list of content from a terminal, providing a list of content to a terminal, selecting a selection from the list of content, transcrypting or transcoding the content, streaming the content corresponding to the selection to the terminal and displaying the content on the terminal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a communication system for distributing content to multiple terminals and, more specifically, to providing transcrypted or transcoded content to multiple terminals within a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In this information age, content providers are increasingly investigating ways in which to provide more content to users. This may be performed by increasing access to users in places where content is not currently available.

Wireless communication systems have become commonplace for use in many types of communication services such as data transfer, voice communications, television services and other data transfer applications.

It is desirable to provide video content in various types of vehicles such as planes, trains, ships, and buses. Many systems have been proposed for providing content to various users within an airplane. Conveniently providing these services to users within a vehicle may make acceptance of these services more widely available.

Airplane content distribution systems exist in which each user may select from number of channels provided throughout the airplane. The system in a sense acts as a head end system. When tuning a channel, a program in progress may be viewed. That is, every user terminal tuned to the channel is viewing the identical portion of the program, show, or movie. In some cases the content may not be in a desirable format.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a convenient method and apparatus for accessing content and distributing content within a vehicle. This may be done so each user has independent control of the content being viewed and the format such as encrypting and encoding is in the desired format.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a system includes generating a request for a list of content from a terminal, providing a list of content to a terminal, selecting a selection from the list of content, transcrypting or transcoding the content, streaming the content corresponding to the selection to the terminal and displaying the content on the terminal.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, a content distribution system for storing content includes a storage device, a server in communication with the storage device communicating content using packetized transport protocol and a first terminal communicating with the server. The first terminal generating a request for a list of content, receiving the list of content from the server and selecting a selection from the list of content. The server or the terminal transcrypts or transcodes the content. The server streams the content corresponding to the selection to the terminal. The terminal the displays the content.

One advantage of the system is that independent control and communication between the central server and various terminals within the vehicle may be performed. Another advantage is that the terminal may be provided with content in a desired format. Also, when a portable device purchases selected content the desired format may be provided by transcrypting or transcoding at the terminal or server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. The following example is set forth with respect to a mobile system for multiple viewers. Although not limited thereto, the teaching of the disclosure may be implemented in various types of vehicles including airplanes, trains, ships, buses, and even smaller vehicles such as vans, SUVs, and recreational vehicles.

For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term module refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a communication system10is illustrated. The communication system10may be a satellite television broadcast system. The communication system includes a content provider12that may, for example, be a head end or the like. The content provider12is illustrated as a single box. In an actual implementation, various numbers of content providers may be distributed across a geographic region. Content provider12receives information from various sources such as the Internet14and a ground- or terrestrial-based network16. The ground-based network16may include optical fibers or a terrestrial-based broadcasting system. Both the Internet14and the ground-based network16provide content to the content provider12and the content provider12generates uplink signals18through an uplink antenna20. The uplink signals18may be communicated to a satellite system22that includes satellites24,26, and28. The satellites24,26, and28each include an antenna system30that is used to generate downlinks to the various vehicles. The content provider12may also terrestrially communicate signals36to a terrestrial antenna38. The terrestrial antenna38, as illustrated, is based on a tower40. The antenna38may also generate signals42that are communicated to vehicles60within the system. A stratospheric platform39may also be used to communicate uplink signals18to the vehicles60.

The content provider12may also be coupled to an airport terminal50that includes an interface52such as a hardwired connector or a wireless interface. The airport terminal50through the connector52may communicate content to a content distribution system within a vehicle when the vehicle is at a gate or loading terminal.

Various vehicles are collectively and interchangeably referred to as vehicles60. The various types of vehicles60may include an airplane62, a train64, a ship66, and a bus68. As mentioned, various other types of vehicles such as a recreational vehicle, an SUV, a van, or other multi-seat vehicle may implement such a system. The present disclosure, however, is particularly suited for commercial-type vehicles. Each of the vehicles includes a content distribution system70. Each content distribution system70may be configured slightly differently due to the peculiarities of each individual vehicle. However, each content distribution system70may be in communication with an antenna72for receiving various content from the various sources including from the satellites24-28. A terrestrial antenna74may be used to receive terrestrial-based signals from the antenna38. An interface76may be used to couple the terrestrial interface52to the content distribution system.

The content distribution system70provides various types of content including data and television signals to various users within the vehicles60. The content distribution system70may include a wireless distribution system or a wired distribution system. Portions of the system may be wireless while others may be wired. For example, a wired connection may be formed between antenna70,72and the server within the system, while a wireless connection may be used between the terminal and router or switch.

It should be noted that the content distribution system may be loaded with content files while the vehicle is stationary or moving. Also, some content may be loaded while stationary, while other programming is received and stored in real time. That is, live broadcasts may be played in real time and may also be stored.

Referring now toFIG. 2, one embodiment of a content distribution system70is illustrated. In this embodiment, a server100communicates with terminals102A-102F through switches104A and104B. For the purposes of exemplifying an implementation, the terminology of switches and routers are used interchangeably. A network interface106is used to couple the server with switch104B. Switch104B is in communication with network interfaces108A-108C. The network interface106may be incorporated within the server or may be a separate component. Likewise, network interfaces108A-108C may also be separate components or incorporated into the terminals102A-102C, respectively. Network interface107is in communication with switch104A which, in turn, is in communication with switch104C. Switch104C is in communication with terminals102G-102I. Thus, as can be appreciated, various numbers of switches and various numbers of terminals may be incorporated. As shown by switches104A and104C, switches may be cascaded. Although wires are illustrated between the server and the switch and the switch and each individual terminal, some or all of these connections may be wireless. Switches may, thus, be wireless routers rather than a wired router. The terminals may also be the customer's own terminals and may be embodied in a portable user device such as a laptop computer, cellular phone, personal digital assistant, or a portable media player, each having a wireless connection.

The server100also includes content storage112A and112B. The storage may include hard disk drives or various other types of memory. The content stored on the storage112A, B may include various programs, shows, movies and the like. The content may be stored as files and may also include a particular encoding or encrypting scheme. The server100may include content storage112A,112B. The storage112A,112B device may communicate with the server using IDE, SATA, USB, or an IEEE 1394 firewire.

It should be noted that the interconnections between the terminals and the server are two-way. That is, the terminal may generate requests for content lists, requests for enhanced play and other control requests, including purchasing requests. The server generates various types of content. It should be noted that each of the types of communication may be performed using Internet protocol (IP). The communication may take the form of content streams of packets using the Internet protocol. The operation of the system will be further described below.

Referring now toFIG. 3A, another embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated having a first server150A and a second server150B coupled to a common antenna152and a common switch154. The switch154is coupled to a terminal or plurality of terminals156A and156B. Network interfaces158A and158B may be provided at the servers150A and150B, respectively. Likewise, terminals156A and156B may also include network interfaces160A and160B.

Each server may also be coupled to a number of storage devices162A,162B,162C, and162D. As illustrated, server150A is coupled to storage devices162A and162B while server150B is coupled to storage devices162C and162D. Content on the storage devices may be accessible by all terminals of the system.

Although a common antenna152is shown, this antenna may also represent a plurality of antennas. Depending on the satellite desired to be tuned to (based on the channel allocation of the satellite), the server may be connected to the proper antenna. That is, a band of antennas, each tuned to a different satellite, may also be represented by antenna152.

Referring now toFIG. 3B, servers170A and170B have associated storage devices172A and172B. Servers170A and170B are coupled to a common antenna174. Each server170A and170B is coupled to a switch178A and178B. The switches178A, B are used to route communication signals to and from terminals180A-180D. In this embodiment, the routers may also be coupled together. By coupling the routers together, some redundancy may be formed.

It should be noted that the switches154,178A and178B inFIGS. 3A and 3Bmay be implemented as a router and thus the terms are interchangeable.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a simplified diagrammatic view of a system implemented within a seat200is illustrated. In this embodiment, a satellite antenna202is in communication with a server204. Server204has an associated hard drive206. The server204is in communication with a network interface208that is used to transmit and receive signals to a switch210and ultimately to a terminal212. As mentioned above, terminal212is disposed within a seat200. The seat200may be a seat in various types of vehicles including an airplane, a bus, a train, or the like. Details of the seat terminal212will be further described below.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a server300is illustrated in further detail. The servers may be one of the various numbers of servers illustrated inFIGS. 2,3A,3B, and4. The server300includes network interface cards302A-302n. As mentioned above, various numbers of network interface cards302may be provided so that the server300may be used to communicate with various terminals. The network interface cards302A-302nmay be wired interface cards or wireless interface cards so that wireless connections may be formed. Also, wired connections may be formed between the network interface card and the switches or routers while the connection between the switch and the terminals may be wireless.

Each server300includes a controller304. The controller304may have various types of software and hardware therein. The controller may be microprocessor-based. The software and/or hardware may form various modules. Various modules may also be formed by integrated circuits or custom integrated circuits.

The controller304includes a transcoding module308. The transcoding module308is used to change the format of the signals within storage device310. Transcoding may be performed so that content may be distributed in the desired form. A request for a particular coding format or scheme may be requested at the user terminal. The content received from the antenna may have one particular coding scheme such as MPEG2, while it may be desirable to output a different coding scheme such as MPEG4 or a Real Video® stream. As will be described below, transcoding may be performed for all of the signals received or may be performed on an individual basis when a particular piece of content is purchased as will be described below.

Transcrypting module312may be used to transcrypt the content before communicating the content to the individual terminals. The transcrypting module312may include encrypted packets in a first encryption scheme that are converted to a second encrypted scheme with a different key. This module will be further described below inFIG. 9. The server may keep track of the keys on the system.

The controller304may also include an antenna control module314. The antenna control module314may be used to change the position of the antenna based upon the desired tuning of the terminals. For example, the antenna control module314may control a single antenna or multiple antennas so that the desired satellites with the desired channels may be received. The antenna control module314may simultaneously control the various antennas of the system.

A purchasing module316may also be incorporated in the controller304. The purchasing module304may collect and obtain authorizations to charge the users of the various terminals for purchasing content from the system. The purchasing module316may communicate credit card numbers or store credit card numbers in a central database until a landline may be used to connect to the system and download the information.

A tuner module318is used to select various live TV channels available. The tuner module318and the control module314may act together to receive various content. The tuner module318may also be used to tune to channels for receiving and downloading content.

A demodulator module320may be used to demodulate the incoming signal from the various sources.

A digital rights management module322may be used to provide digital rights management to the system. The digital rights management module322may be used to limit the rights of content purchase by the various users of the terminals within the vehicle. For example, digital rights may only include a certain number of times that a particular piece of content may be played back. Further, digital rights may also include other variations including the expiration after a predetermined period of time, or the like.

The controller304may also include a playback control module324. The playback control module324is used to control the various playbacks for the various terminals of the various content from the storage device310. As will be described below, the playback at each of the terminals may be independently controlled. That is, the same content may be distributed to various users at different times.

A repackaging module326may also be included within controller304. The repackaging module326may remove or change a packet type from a first packet type to a second packet type. That is, the data is removed from the data packet and re-packetized into a second type of packet.

A list module328may be included within the controller304. The list module328obtains a list of the content currently available in the storage device310when queried by a terminal. The list module328may continually update the list based on content received while the vehicle is in motion through another content signal. That is, various material may be stored within the storage device310as the vehicle is in motion. Thus, the list module continually updates the list of available material for providing to a terminal upon a query. A first list may be generated at the request of a first terminal and a second list may be generated at the request of a second terminal. When the second list is generated it may be at a later time and, therefore, contain different selections within the list.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a seat200and terminal212ofFIG. 4are illustrated in further detail. The terminal212may include a display400therein. The display400may also be a separate device while the terminal only contains control electronics. As illustrated, the terminal400is integral with the controller402of the terminal. The terminal212may include a wireless interface403or a port404for communicating with an external portable device. As will be further described below, the terminal212may be used to download or store various content on a portable user electronic device406such as a laptop computer, cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, or a portable media player. The interface403may also be used to transmit content to the portable device for playback. That is, the portable device screen display may be used instead of, or in addition to, display400. The interface may be a wired interface or wireless interface. For a wired interface, the port404may be a USB interface. Wireless interface403may, for example, be a Bluetooth interface or various other types of wireless interfaces, including an RF interface or an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n connection. The portable user device406may communicate various information to the server. This may be performed directly or through the terminal. For example, playback resolution, playback bit rate, aspect ratio and digital rights management (DRM) type. If connected to the terminal, the terminal212may only serve as a proxy server.

The controller402of terminal212may include a transcrypting module408that is used to transcrypt the data in a similar manner to that described above inFIG. 5. The controller402may also include a transcoding module410that also acts in a similar manner to the transcoding module308described above. The controller402may also include a network interface card412, a memory414, and a control interface416for coupling to a control device418. The control device418may be integral with the terminal212or may be a separate component such as a remote control. The control device418may include buttons420for entering various numerical or alphanumerical characters. The control device418may also include playback or modified playback buttons including a rewind button424, a forwarding button426, a play button428, and a select button430. The control device418may also include a credit card reader434. The credit card reader434may be used in purchasing content from the server. In purchasing, the credit card reader434or buttons420may be used to enter a credit card number or other identifier so that the proper user may be billed for the content.

As illustrated, the control device418is illustrated in the seat200. The control device418may be wired to the controller420. The control device418may also be a wireless device and act as a remote control that may be removed from the seatback. The control device418may also be permanently mounted within the seatback or permanently coupled to the terminal212. The control device418may also be a touchscreen panel combined with the display device400. As is illustrated, a second control device418′ is illustrated to highlight the fact that the control device418′ may be a remote control device wirelessly coupled to the terminal212.

Referring now toFIG. 7, as mentioned above, the communications preferably take place using a packetized transport protocol such as the Internet protocol. In Internet protocol a packet500includes a header portion510and a data portion512. The header portion510may include a destination identifier514and a source identifier516. In a communication from a terminal, the source identifier516may identify the terminal from which the request for information was transmitted and the destination identifier514may identify the particular server that the terminal requires to obtain the particular information. In a communication from a server, the destination identifier516may identify the terminal to which the information is destined. The destination identifier may also be a group identifier such that any terminal that joins a particular group can identify data packets addressed to that specific group.

The data portion512may be various types of data portions including a list or portions of content. The list or content may be segmented into various segments for delivery to the various terminals. When using a modified playback mode, the data portions may change so that the modified playback mode may be achieved.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a transcoding module308is illustrated in further detail. A transcoding module308may be used to transcode packets550,552, and554into different coding schemes. As illustrated, the packets550-554are in an MPEG2 format. The transcoding module308may, for example, convert packets550-554into packets560,562, and564that are in an MPEG4 format. The packets550-554may also be converted into packets570,572, and574. Packets570-574may be in a Real Video® stream. Of course, various types of conversions into various types of formats may also be performed.

Referring now toFIG. 9, transcrypting module312is illustrated in further detail. In this embodiment, a plurality of packets602,604, and606are encrypted using algorithm E1with a first content key K1. The transcrypting module312decrypts the encrypted packets602,604, and606to form decrypted data packets612,614, and616, respectively. A second algorithm E2and key K2is used to encrypt the packets612-616into packets622,624, and626. Transcrypting may be performed before streaming the content from the server. Symmetric, asymmetric and combinations of these algorithms can be used.

Referring now toFIG. 10, repackaging module316ofFIG. 5is illustrated in further detail. In this embodiment, packets650,652, and654are configured under a first packet type. The repackaging module316removed the packaging from the packets and provides data portions660,662, and664. The repackaging module316then reformats the data660-664into a second packet type670,672, and674.

The present disclosure may be used to more conveniently connect and allow use of various content from a server to various user terminals.

Referring now toFIG. 11, a first method in the operation of the system is illustrated. In step800, the antenna or antennas associated with the system is tuned to the content. This may entail tuning one antenna to one satellite, while another antenna is tuned to another satellite. The tuning may also be performed by tuning to a terrestrial-based antenna such as the antenna38illustrated inFIG. 1. In step802, content is received. The content may be received and decoded in step804. In step806, the content may be decrypted. In step808, the content may be repackaged as described above. In step810, the content may be stored on the storage devices associated with the server. The content may also be streamed live to the various terminals. The content may also be streamed on a delayed basis from the server.

In step812, a request for content list is generated at the seat terminal. In step814, the request for the content list is communicated to the server. This may be routed through various switches and routers as mentioned above. The communication may also be formed using Internet protocol. In step816, a content list is generated. The content list may be generated using the content list module318illustrated inFIG. 5. In step318, the content list is communicated to the terminal. Again, the content list itself may also be distributed using Internet protocol. The list may be communicated through the various routers and switches described above.

In step820, the terminal receives the content list and selects content from the list to form a content selection request. The content may be selected in various manners, including using the control device418. The control device418may move an on-screen selector device and a selection may be provided through the use of the select button or switch430illustrated inFIG. 6. A numerical selection may also be provided by using the number pad420. It should be noted that the list may be different for later received list requests depending on newly received content.

The selection request is communicated to the server in step822. The selection request may also use Internet protocol. In step824, packets or content stream including the content are generated at the server and routed through routers or switches to the terminal. The content packets correspond to the selection from steps820and822. In step826, the content selection is displayed on the display400. A content stream for a second terminal using the same content may be generated in a similar manner. The streams may be started at different times. The different streams may be completely independent.

Referring now toFIG. 12, the content distribution system70may also be used to play back information in a modified mode or using a modified playback function. In step850, the normal playback mode for the content is selected. Continuing with the description described above, the playback mode may be a normal playback mode in a single or regular playback speed. Content for the playback are provided using Internet protocol from the server and assembled for playback in the terminal. In step852, the control device associated with the terminal may be used to generate a modified playback request. In step854, the modified playback request is communicated to the server. The modified playback function request may take the form of an Internet protocol packet. In step856, an IP packet for use modified playback function is generated. That is, the data in the packet is changed according to the function. Various functions include a fast-forward function or a rewind function. Also, fast-forwarding in multiples or rewinding in multiples may also be used.

In step858, the content under modified playback mode is displayed on the display of the terminal. It should be noted that the display of the content in the modified mode does not affect any other terminal or any other stream. Thus, each of the playback modes of the various terminals and the content of the playback modes is independent. Therefore, each user associated with the terminal may have a different experience even if using the same content file stored on the server. That is, various portions of the content may be accessed by various terminals at different times within the content file. Thus, a unique viewing experience may be achieved by each of the terminals. The position within the content may thus be changed at will without regard to other content streams for other terminals.

Referring now toFIG. 13, when using or viewing the content, the content may not be fully viewed in its entirety. That is, a movie or the like may not be fully completed before reaching a destination. Therefore, the present system may also allow purchasing to take place. Thus, the content may be removed from the vehicle on a portable device. In step900, the purchasing event may take place during playback of content. Also, the purchasing event may also take place when a content list is communicated to a terminal in step902. A “purchase” button on the control device may also be used to purchase a selection. In step904, a purchasing option may be communicated using the control device. This may be done using the Internet protocol. The playback content may be performed by selecting a particular screen option or entering a particular code. In step906, an Internet protocol communication is communicated to the server that the particular content is desired to be purchased. In step908, a purchasing mode is entered at the server. In step910, the purchase method is input at the terminal. The purchase method may include entering a seat number so the credit card used in the purchasing of the seat may be billed. Further, a credit card number may be billed by entering the number on the key pad of the control device or using the credit card reader associated therewith. In step912, once the purchasing has been authorized, the portable device may be coupled to the terminal. The portable device that is desired to receive the content may be coupled wirelessly or by a wired connection. For example, a USB connection or the like may be used to communicate the content.

Digital rights may also be associated with the content. The digital rights may be determined at the server in step914. The digital rights associated with a file may be determined based upon the content type. For example, movies may include more limited rights whereas live television programming may have unlimited rights. In step916, content is provided to the portable device. In step918, the digital rights associated with the portable device are also provided. As mentioned above, the digital rights may limit the amount of copies, the numbers of playbacks associated with the particular content, or the time limit for the content. In step920, the content is played back under the digital rights scheme set forth for the file. If the rights are expired, the playback of the content may be disabled.

Referring now toFIG. 14, the system may also be used to transcode or transcrypt content. The transcryption may occur either at the terminal or at the server. In step950, content is requested from the server. In step952, a particular format for the content may also be requested. The particular format for the content may also be automatically determined through some query or negotiation process when connecting the portable device with the terminal. This content may be a selection box during the purchase of content. In step954, the content may be communicated to the terminal. In step956, the content may be transcoded or transcrypted (or both) as described above. Referring back to step952, if the content is to be transcrypted or transcoded at the server, step958is performed. In step960, content is communicated to the terminal once it is transcoded or transcrypted at the server. It should be noted that in steps958and956, both transcryption and transcoding may take place. Also, either transcoding or transcrypting may take place. In a commercial embodiment, it may be more desirable to transcrypt at the server so the keys may be more easily tracked.

Step962is performed after steps960and956. In step962, the content is displayed on the terminal or it is communicated to the portable device. Both the displaying of the content and communicating to the portable device may also take place. The downloading of the content may also take place in a rapid mode so the rapid storing of the content may take place. In step964, the content is stored in the portable device for later playback.