Sharing of audio/visual content with a selected user

A method of sharing audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content is received from an audio/visual content source at an audio/visual content receiver by way of a content channel selection resource of the receiver, and stored therein. A message is transmitted from the receiver to a communication node, wherein the message indicates that the audio/visual content is available for viewing by a selected user. The communication node notifies the selected user of the message by way of a communication device associated with the selected user. In response to receiving a request for the audio/visual content from the communication device, the communication node facilitates a communication connection between the receiver and the communication device. The audio/visual content is transmitted from the receiver to the communication device over the communication connection. At the communication device, the audio/visual content is then presented to the selected user.

BACKGROUND

A popular and effective way of accessing television programming is via a satellite or cable television broadcast receiver or “set-top box” designed to receive television video and audio data from an orbiting satellite or a cable television headend. By employing such a set-top box, a subscriber to a satellite or cable television service provider may receive any of several hundred programming channels providing news, sports, entertainment, and the like for live program viewing. In addition, the set-top box may include a digital video recorder (DVR) for recording programs for subsequent playback at a time more convenient for the subscriber. A DVR often incorporates a magnetic disk drive or similar data storage technology for storing the recorded programs.

To provide the subscriber more remote access to live or recorded programming received by the subscriber's set-top box, Sling Media, Inc. has developed a number of products, such as the Slingbox™, which allow the subscriber to stream programming from the set-top box over an Internet connection to a remote communication/display device, such as a computer, mobile phone, or the like, in the possession of the subscriber. To further enhance this capability, some set-top boxes are being developed which include the functionality of a Slingbox™ to allow the subscriber to retrieve programming directly from the subscriber's set-top box over the Internet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a simplified block diagram of an audio/visual communication network100according to an embodiment of the invention. The video communication network100includes an audio/visual content source101, an audio/visual content receiver102, a communication node104, and a communication device106. The audio/visual communication network100may represent a portion of a satellite television broadcast network, a cable television broadcast network, a computer network (such as the Internet), or any other wired or wireless communication network capable of transmitting and receiving audio/visual content.

WhileFIG. 1only depicts the content source101, the receiver102, the communication node104, and the communication device106, other communication devices, such as routers, repeaters, splitters, and other communication circuitry, may help form the various communication paths illustrated between the components101-106. For example, between each of the receiver102, the communication node104, and the communication device106may be portions of an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet or another wide-area network (WAN). Further, in the case of a satellite television network, the communication path from the audio/visual content source101to the audio/visual content receiver102may include an orbiting satellite employing a number of transponders for receiving data from the audio/visual content source101and relaying that data to the audio/visual content receiver102, as well as other video content receivers not depicted inFIG. 1.

FIG. 2presents a flow diagram of a method200of sharing audio/visual content in the audio/visual communication network100ofFIG. 1according to an embodiment of the invention. However, other audio/visual communication systems other than the specific system100ofFIG. 1may employ the method200ofFIG. 2to similar effect.

In the method200, the audio/visual content receiver102receives audio/visual content116from the audio/visual content source101(operation202). In one implementation, the audio/visual content116is audio and/or video data, such as a radio or television program. Such a program may be, but is not limited to, a movie, sporting event, weekly series episode, news program, or any other type of audio/video program or portion thereof. Further, the receiver102receives the content116by way of a content channel selection resource, such as a tuner (not shown inFIG. 1). The receiver102stores the content116(operation204). A message110is transmitted from the receiver102to the communication node104(operation206). The message indicates that the audio/visual content116is available for viewing by a selected user, wherein the selected user is associated with the communication device106. The communication node104sends a notification112of the message110to the communication device106associated with the selected user (operation208). After receiving a request114for the audio/visual content116from the communication device106, the communication node104facilitates a communication connection between the receiver102and the communication device106(operation210). The content116is then transmitted from the receiver102to the communication device106over the connection (operation212). The communication device106presents the audio/visual content116to the selected user (operation214).

While the operations ofFIG. 2are depicted as being executed in a specific serial fashion, other orders of execution, including concurrent execution of two or more operations, are also possible. In another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium may have encoded thereon instructions for a processor or other control circuitry to direct various components102-106ofFIG. 1to implement the method200.

As a result of the method200, the receiver102, by way of the communication node104, may share the audio/visual content116stored in the receiver102with other communication devices106operated by one or more users specifically selected by a user of the receiver102when the content116becomes available. Other advantages may be recognized from the various implementations of the invention discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 3is a block diagram of an audio/visual communication network300according to another embodiment of the invention. The network300includes an audio/video content source301, an audio/video content receiver302, a communication node304, and a communication device306. As with the video communication network100ofFIG. 1, the network300ofFIG. 3may form part of a satellite or cable television broadcast network, or any other type of communication network capable of transmitting audio and/or video data from the content source301to the receiver302. Further, while only one content source301and receiver302are shown, other implementations may employ multiple content sources301, receivers302, communication nodes304, and communication devices306within the network300.

The audio/video content source301is configured to deliver audio/video content316to the audio/video content receiver302. In the environment of a satellite broadcast television network, the audio/video content source301may be a satellite uplink center that transmits multiple channels of programming by way of transponders aboard one or more orbiting satellites in geosynchronous orbit. In another example in which the communication network300is a cable broadcast television network, the content source301may be a cable headend system. In yet another embodiment, the content source301may be a television station transmitting television signals by way of a terrestrial television transmitter. Other networks, such as wide-area and local-area computer networks, may incorporate an analogous content source301in other implementations.

The audio/video content receiver302is configured to receive the audio/video content316from the content source301and store the content316.FIG. 4presents a block diagram of the receiver302according to one example. Examples of the receiver302may include cable, satellite, or terrestrial television set-top boxes, digital video recorders (DVRs), and the like. The receiver302in this case includes an audio/video content interface402, data storage404, an output interface405, a communication interface406, a user interface408, and control circuitry410. The audio/video content interface402is configured to receive the audio/video content316from the audio/video content source301. In one embodiment, the audio/video content interface402receives the content316and converts the content316to a form more usable for processing within the audio/video content receiver302. Such conversion may include frequency down-conversion, amplification, reformatting, and other functions. In the case of a satellite audio/video communication network300, the audio/video content interface402may be coupled with or include a hyperboloid antenna combined with a low-noise block-converter/feedhorn (LNBF), which collects and amplifies the incoming signals carrying the content316, and down-converts the signals from microwave frequencies to intermediate frequencies. As presented inFIG. 4, the audio/video content interface402also includes at least one content channel selection resource, such as a tuner or similar circuitry, for selecting one or more audio/video programming channels being transmitted from the satellite, descrambler circuitry for descrambling the content316, and other circuitry. Also, the audio/video content may be a program from a broadcast channel or network, a video-on-demand (VOD) program, a pay-per-view (PPV) event, or another type of program. In another embodiment, the content channel selection resource may receive the content316by way of a computer network connection, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) connection carrying one or more logical channels of audio/video content.

The resulting content316is then forwarded to the data storage404of the receiver302for recording thereon. The data storage404, under the direction of the control circuitry410, provides DVR functionality for the audio/video content receiver302. The data storage404may be include any type of data storage medium, including solid state memory, such as static and/or dynamic random access memory (RAM) or flash memory; and direct access memory, such as magnetic and optical disk drives.

The output interface405is configured to decode and/or convert the audio/video content316stored in the data storage404and deliver the content316, or portions thereof, as presented audio/video content418to an output or display device420, such as a television, video monitor, audio receiver, or the like, for presentation to the subscriber. For example, the video portion of the presented audio/video content418may be delivered by way of a modulated video cable connection, a composite or component video RCA-style (Radio Corporation of America) connection, and a Digital Video Interface (DVI) or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connection. The audio portion may be transported over a monaural or stereo audio RCA-style connection, or over an HDMI connection. Other audio/video formats and related connections may be employed in other embodiments.

The communication interface406is configured to communicate with both the communication node304and the communication device306ofFIG. 3by way of a communication network, such as the Internet or another wide-area network (WAN), or a local-area network (LAN). The communication interface406may support communication over other forms of wired or wireless communication networks in other examples. The communication interface406includes any hardware and/or software, such as a network interface card or similar component and associated software, necessary to provide the communications over the chosen network.

The user interface408is configured to receiving user commands and other input, such as a user selection318discussed below. The user interface408may provide either or both of a control panel connection located directly on a surface of the receiver302, and a remote control interface. The remote control interface may receive commands from a remote control device422by way of commands transmitted over a radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) frequency band. Different communication methods, such as those employing optical or acoustic transmission of remote commands, may be used in other implementations.

The control circuitry410is configured to control and interact with the audio/video content interface402, the data storage404, the output interface405, the communication interface406, and the user interface408, based in part upon the commands and other input received by way of the user interface408to render the audio/video content316stored in the data storage404available to a selected remote user. The control circuitry410may include one or more processors, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, or digital signal processor (DSP), configured to execute instructions directing the processor to perform the functions discussed in greater detail below. The control circuitry518may also include memory or data storage adapted to contain such instructions. In another implementation, the control circuitry518may be strictly hardware-based logic, or may include a combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software elements.

FIG. 5depicts the communication node304ofFIG. 3in one implementation. The communication node304may be viewed as a communication server that facilitates the transmitting of the audio/video content316from the receiver302to the communication device306based on data held within the node204. InFIG. 5, the node304includes data storage504, a communication interface506, and control circuitry510, each of which may be similar in construction to the data storage404, the communication interface406, and the control circuitry410of the receiver302, respectively, as described above in conjunction withFIG. 4.

In one example, the communication interface506exchanges various communications, such as the communications308-314noted inFIG. 3, with the receiver302and the communication device306. The data storage504stores the data mentioned above to facilitate the connection of the receiver302with the communication device306to transfer the audio/video content316therebetween. The control circuitry510controls and communicates with the communication interface506and the data storage504, generates and processes various communications involving the node304, and maintains the data held in the data storage504, as is described in greater detail below.

FIG. 6provides a view of the communication device306ofFIG. 3in one implementation. In this case, the communication device306includes an output interface605, a communication interface606, a user interface608, and control circuitry610, similar to the corresponding components described above in connection with the receiver302ofFIG. 3. Optionally, the communication device306may include an audio/video content interface602similar to the content interface402of the receiver302, whereby the communication device306may receive satellite, cable, or other signals carrying audio/video content601. Also possibly included in the communication device306is data storage604for storing the content601received via the content interface602, similar to the data storage404of the receiver302.

As with the output interface405of the receiver302, the output interface605of the communication device306is configured to decode and/or otherwise process audio/video content618to an output device614, such as a television, video monitor, audio receiver, and the like. In one implementation, the output device614may be incorporated within the communication device306.

Thus, depending on the combination of components included within the communication device306, the device306may acquire any number of identifiable forms. For example, the inclusion of the audio/video content interface602may produce an audio/video receiver, such as a cable or satellite television set-top box (similar to the audio/video content receiver302ofFIG. 3), serving as the communication device306. The addition of the data storage404may further provide DVR functionality for the receiver. Other embodiments in which the content interface402is absent may also serve as the communication device306, such as a laptop or desktop computer system. Further, incorporating the output device614within the communication device306may be common for mobile communication devices, such as cellular phones, serving as the communication device306. Many other types of communication devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), capable of communicating by way of the communication interface606, either in wired or wireless fashion, may by employed as the communication device306as described hereinafter.

In operation, the audio/video communication network300allows a user of the audio/video content receiver302to select specific “remote users”, such as the user of the communication device306, as well as users of other communication devices not shown inFIG. 3, to access audio/video content316stored in the data storage404of the audio/video content receiver302. As mentioned above, this ability may be facilitated by data maintained within the data storage504of the communication node304. In one example, the user of the receiver302and the user of the communication device306(as well as other users) may each provide data to the communication node or server304for storage and subsequent processing. Such data may be initially provided as part of a registration process for each of the users. Further, this registration may result in an “account” or other data structure identified with the associated user. This account may include identifying information for the user and any device (such as the receiver302or the communication device306) associated with that user, user preference information, and information associating the account user with other users, termed hereinafter as “friends” of the user associated with the account. The account registration308for the user of the receiver302, as well as the account registration309for the user of the registration device306, are depicted inFIG. 3.

FIG. 7graphically depicts one example of account data for several users as stored in the data storage504of the communication node304. Shown therein is a receiver user account701associated with the user or subscriber of the audio/video content receiver302. In one example, the receiver user account701is created when the receiver302is initially placed into service, causing the receiver302to communicate with the communication node304by way of the account registration308. The receiver account701may include a number of data items to be stored in association with the account701. For example, the receiver302may transmit a receiver identifier (ID)704uniquely identifying the receiver302to the communication node304for storing in the receiver account701. In one implementation, the communication node304may associate the receiver ID704with a communication network address, such as an IP address, for communicating with the receiver302. Since such an address may change dynamically, the receiver ID704may serve as a stable reference address by which other communication devices, such as the communication device306ofFIG. 3, may access the receiver302. In another arrangement, the receiver ID704may be the communication network address of the receiver302.

Another datum that may be stored in the receiver user account701is a password706that, in conjunction with the receiver ID704, allows the user of the receiver302to engage in remote access to programming stored in the receiver302from a computer, cellular phone, or other remote communication device via the communication interface406of the receiver302. In one example, such capability is provided by way of the receiver302incorporating Slingbox™ functionality, as set forth above. The user may specify such a password by way of the user interface408of the receiver302.

Further, the receiver user account701may include a list708of other “remote” users, or “friends” A-N, to whom the user of the receiver302may allow access to audio/video content316stored in the receiver302. In one embodiment, each of the friends A-N has their own user account702A-702N, as shown inFIG. 7, with the communication node generating each of the accounts702in response to a registration309associated with that user. As with the password706, such a list708may be generated via the user interface408of the receiver302.

As a result of generating the friends list708, the communication node304may then forward to each of the user accounts702A-702N indicated in the friends list708the receiver ID704and the password706stored in the receiver user account701. As indicated below, each of the users represented by the user accounts702A-702N may then access audio/video content316stored in the receiver302under the permission of the user of the receiver302. In another example, each of the friend accounts702A-702N may include a pointer or similar reference to the receiver ID704and the password706stored in the receiver user account701.

In another implementation, each of the password706and the friends list708of the receiver account702may be specified by the user of the receiver302by way of a device other than the receiver302. For example, the receiver user account701may be accessed by the user of the receiver302via an Internet browser employed on a computer, PDA, cellular phone, or other communication device providing access to the Internet. In that case, the communication node304may subsequently relay or “push” the resulting information in the receiver user account701to the receiver302. Similarly, each of the friend user accounts702A-702N may be updated in like manner.

When the user of the audio/video content receiver302commands the receiver302to record particular audio/video content316by way of the user interface408of the receiver302, the user may further indicate a set of “sharing permissions”. These permissions indicate which users identified in the friends list708are permitted or selected to access the content316stored in the receiver302for playback on the communication devices306associated with those users. In one implementation, the user of the receiver302may further specify restrictions under which the selected users may view the content316. The restrictions may include, but are not limited to, the number of times the selected user may view the content316, and at which times of the day or week the selected user may access the content316. Other information, such as textual information provided by the user of the receiver302, may also be entered in connection with the recording of the content316. In another arrangement, the user of the receiver302may enter the command to record the content316, along with any permission, restriction, and other information related to the recording, by way of another device, such as a computer or communication device running an Internet browser, accessing the receiver user account302. In that case, the communication node304may relay some or all of the information entered regarding the recording to the receiver302.

Once the recording of the particular audio/video content316at the receiver302is complete, the receiver302may then transmit a message310to the communication node304indicating the availability of the content316at the receiver302, the identity of the selected users permitted to access the content316, and possibly any restrictions or other information entered by the user of the receiver302in conjunction with the recording of the content316.

In response to the message310, the communication node304informs each of the users in the friends list708selected for permission to view the recorded content316of the availability of the content316. In one implementation, the communication node304indicates this fact in the user account702of each user permitted to access the content316stored in the receiver302. Each of these user accounts702may also include any restrictions and other related information associated with the content316. As a result, when a selected user subsequently accesses his or her associated user account702, such as by way of an Internet browser of the communication device306, the communication node304transmits a notification312of the available content316, possibly along with viewing restrictions and other related information, to the communication device306. In another example, in which the communication device306is configured as a receiver similar to that of the receiver302, the communication node304may push or relay the notification312to the device306so the user of the device306may view the notification312without explicitly accessing the user's account702.

If the user of the communication device306decides at some point thereafter to view the content316available at the receiver302, the user may command the device306by way of its user interface608to issue a request314for the recorded content316to the communication node304. In one example, the user issues the request314by accessing the user's account702by way of an Internet browser resident on the communication device306and indicating the request314during that access. In another implementation, such as when the communication device306is an audio/video content receiver similar to the receiver302, the user may request the content316by way of a graphical user interface or similar means provided by the device306without explicitly accessing the user's account702on the communication node304. In turn, the communication device306may then issue the request314to the communication node304.

In response to the request314, the communication node304facilitates the communication connection between the receiver302and the communication device306for transmission of the audio/video content316. More specifically, the communication node304may utilize the receiver ID704and the associated password706stored in the account702of the user issuing the request314to locate and gain access to the receiver302. The communication node304may then initiate streaming of the content316from the receiver302for ultimate delivery to the communication device306. For example, if the user is accessing the user's account702by way of an Internet browser running on the communication device306, the communication node304may receive the content316being transmitted from the receiver302, and forward that content316to the communication device306. In another implementation, such as if the user is employing an audio/video receiver as the communication device306, the communication node304may facilitate a “peer-to-peer” connection between the receiver302and the communication node306so that the content316may be transmitted directly from the receiver302to the communication device306without routing the content316through the node304. In other examples, the communication node304may either receive the content316and forward the content316to the communication device306, or facilitate a more direct peer-to-peer connection between the receiver302and the device306, regardless of the nature of the device306.

In one arrangement, the communication node304may enforce any access restrictions regarding when or how often the user of the communication device306may receive the audio/video content316from the receiver302, as specified by the user of the receiver302. In other embodiments, either the receiver302or the communication device306may provide such restriction enforcement.

Additionally, the transmission of the audio/video content316stored in the data storage404of the receiver302may be subject to any parental controls or other viewing or access control information maintained by the selected user, such as by way of the user's account702. For example, if the user is employing an Internet browser to access the user's account702to request the content316, the communication node304may determine that the content316is to be blocked unless the user enters a specific password or code known only to that user. The user may have specified such access control information during a previous access of the user's account702by way of the communication device306or another communication device. In another example, the communication device306, such as a receiver similar to the receiver302that enforces the access control features, may prevent the receipt of the content316, or may prevent the initial request314by the user, if the user does not enter the specific password or code by way of the user interface608of the communication device306.

In some arrangements, the communication device306may be prevented from storing the received audio/video content316for playback multiple times by the device306. Further, the communication device306may be prevented from transmitting that content316to other communication devices (not shown inFIG. 3). These prevention techniques may be enforced by software employed by the communication device306to access the user's account702or to receive the content316from the receiver302.

If the content316stored in the receiver302was made available to the selected users, and the content316is subsequently deleted, the receiver302may provide an indication to the communication node304of the deletion. In response, the communication node304may then indicate this fact to the user accounts702of the selected users. In the case of the communication device306serving as an audio/video content receiver similar to the receiver302, the communication node304may push the indication signifying the deletion of the content316to the device306.

At least some embodiments as described herein facilitate controlled sharing of audio/visual content with only those remote users specifically selected by the initiating user, thus helping prevent widespread distribution of copyrighted or otherwise protected content while retaining the ability to share such content with family, friends, and acquaintances. Further, such sharing is assisted by automated use of identifying information, passwords, and the like to allow a friend to access the receiver storing the content without explicitly specifying that information. Also, the content being shared may be prevented from being subsequently stored on other devices, or from being shared with other users not specified by the user of the receiver storing the content. Additionally, restrictions regarding access to the content may be specified and enforced by the user of the receiver storing the content, the user of the communication device receiving the content, or both.

While several embodiments of the invention have been discussed herein, other implementations encompassed by the scope of the invention are possible. For example, while various embodiments have been described primarily within the context of satellite and cable television broadcast networks, other communication networks not strictly involving the distribution of audio/video programming, such as the Internet and other wide-area networks (WANs), local-area networks (LANs), wired or wireless communication networks, and the like, may benefit from application of the various concepts presented herein. In addition, aspects of one embodiment disclosed herein may be combined with those of alternative embodiments to create further implementations of the present invention. Thus, while the present invention has been described in the context of specific embodiments, such descriptions are provided for illustration and not limitation. Accordingly, the proper scope of the present invention is delimited only by the following claims and their equivalents.