Patent Publication Number: US-2007097893-A1

Title: Method of delivering personalized streaming content via satellite radio

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The disclosures herein relate generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to satellite communication systems that deliver content to subscribers.  
     BACKGROUND  
      In the last century, content delivery systems progressed from the phonograph to the radio and then to the television. Content users first purchased audio content on vinyl phonograph records for a fee per record. More recently, users purchased audio content on a more compact medium, namely the compact disc or CD. Today, content users may purchase high resolution audio content on digital versatile disks, namely DVD-AUDIO disks or discs with other high resolution formats.  
      With the advent of the world wide web, namely the “Web” or Internet, specialized audio content web sites began to sell music and audio books on-line. To purchase audio content in this manner, the user typically logs on to a content provider&#39;s web site. The user then selects the desired content, pays a fee and then downloads the content via the Web. The user stores the downloaded audio content on a media storage system for later use. Typically, the user&#39;s media storage system takes the form of an information handling system (IHS) such as a desktop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or other storage device connected to the Internet. Audio content sold by on-line vendors include both music and audio books. In addition to offering music for download wherein the user stores the music for later use, on-line music vendors also offer music in streaming content form wherein the user listens to the music immediately without first storing the music.  
      Modern satellite system vendors deliver both video and audio content by satellite transmission to ground-based user satellite receivers. Typically the satellite system broadcasts the same encrypted content to all user receivers. However, depending on the user&#39;s fee arrangement, the user&#39;s receiver employs a key to enable it to decrypt more content of the broadcast for a higher monthly fee and less content of the broadcast for a lower monthly fee.  
      What is needed is a method and apparatus that provides a more individualized or personalized content to users of satellite receivers.  
     SUMMARY  
      Accordingly, in one embodiment, a method is disclosed for providing content to a satellite communication receiver. The method includes receiving, by a content provider system, a request for selected content and an ID code associated with a particular satellite communication receiver to receive the selected content. The method also includes providing, by the content provider system, the selected content and ID code to a satellite communication transmitter. The method further includes transmitting, by the satellite communication transmitter, the selected content and ID code via a satellite to the satellite communication receiver. In one embodiment, the satellite communication receiver allows access to the selected content if the ID code received by the satellite communication receiver corresponds to the ID code assigned to that satellite communication receiver.  
      In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for providing content to a satellite communication receiver. The method includes receiving selected content and an ID code, by a satellite communication transmitter, from a content provider system, the ID code being associated with a particular satellite communication receiver. The method also includes transmitting, by the satellite communication transmitter, the selected content and ID code via satellite. The satellite communication receiver receives the selected content and ID code, and allows access to the selected content if the received ID code corresponds to the ID code assigned to that satellite communication receiver.  
      In yet another embodiment, a communication system is disclosed that includes a communication satellite. The system also includes a satellite communication receiver that receives selected content from the satellite. An ID code is associated with the satellite communication receiver. The system further includes a content provider system that receives a request for selected content and the ID code associated with the satellite communication receiver. The system still further includes a satellite communication transmitter, coupled to the content provider system, that receives the selected content and ID code from the content provider system. The satellite communication transmitter transmits the selected content and ID code to the communication satellite. The communication satellite transmits the selected content and ID code to the satellite communication receiver. The satellite communication receiver allows access to the selected content if the ID code it receives corresponds to the ID code of the satellite communication receiver.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The appended drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore do not limit its scope because the inventive concepts lend themselves to other equally effective embodiments.  
       FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of the disclosed content delivery communication system on which the disclosed content delivery methodology is practiced.  
       FIG. 2  shows a flowchart that describes process flow in the disclosed communication system of  FIG. 1 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the disclosed content delivery communication system as communication system  100 . Communication system  100  includes a user or subscriber information handling system (IHS)  105  from which a user/subscriber may order streaming content from a streaming content provider (SCP) system  110 . A network  115 , such as the Internet, couples IHS  105  to SCP system  110  to facilitate the order. When placing an order for selected content, the user of IHS  105  may specify delivery of the selected content either by the Internet or satellite as described below in more detail.  
      The IHS  105  that the user employs to place a content order with SCP system  110  may take the form of a desktop, server, portable, laptop, notebook, or other form factor IHS. For example, IHS  105  may take on other form factors such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, a portable telephone device, a communication device or other devices that include a processor and memory adapted for communication.  
      Streaming content provider (SCP) system  110  queries the user of user IHS  105  to specify either Internet delivery or satellite delivery of the content the user selects. If the user specifies delivery of the selected content via the Internet, then after accepting the user&#39;s payment for the particular selected content item, streaming content provider (SCP) system  110  transmits the selected content to the user&#39;s IHS  105  via the Internet  115 . In an alternative embodiment, SCP system  110  does not require payment for the selected content item. IHS  105  then downloads the selected content. However, if the user specifies delivery of the selected content via satellite, then SCP system  110  sends the selected content to satellite radio provider (SRP) system  120 . In response, SRP system  120  sends the selected content via a satellite  125  orbiting the Earth to the user or subscriber&#39;s satellite receiver  130 , as described in more detail below. Satellite  125  may be a communication satellite orbiting the Earth in a geosynchronous or other orbit. Satellite  125  may also be a lighter than air vehicle such as a balloon, dirigible or Zeppelin floating in a substantially stationary position above the surface of the Earth.  
      The selected content that the user orders from content provider  110  may take many forms. For example, the selected content may take the form streaming content such as music files in formats such as WAV, MP3, MP4, AIFF, WMA as well as other formats. The selected content may take the form of audible books, video works or audio/video selections as well.  
      SCP system  110  includes a web site system  135  that interfaces with the Internet  115 . Web site system  135  provides an interface to users or subscribers who desire to register with SCP system  110  to select and place orders for content. Web site system  135  establishes a user ID and password for the user. Web site system  135  couples to a content server  140  that functions as a library or repository of content from which the user may select. The user selects content from content server  140  and pays for the selected content via a Web transaction carried out by Web site system  135 . In one embodiment, the user does not pay SCP system  110  for the content. In an alternative embodiment, the user pays satellite radio provider system  120  for content and the satellite provider provides compensation to the streaming content provider for use of its content. During the transaction, the user chooses delivery of the selected content via the Web or via satellite. If the user chooses satellite delivery, content server  140  sends the selected content to a satellite radio server  145  in satellite radio provider (SRP) system  120 . The selected content sent to satellite radio server  145  may be audio content, video content or audio/video content. Content server  140  may send the selected content to SRP system  120  via the Internet or other network connection or by other means such as providing a CD ROM, DVD or Flash memory that contains content.  
      At some point in time, the user of IHS  105  subscribes or otherwise contracts with the satellite service provider that controls and operates SRP system  120 . The user of IHS  105  employs a satellite receiver  130  to receive content from satellite radio provider (SRP) system  120  in one embodiment. SRP system  120  assigns a unique ID code, also called an access code, to satellite receiver  130 . When the user of a particular satellite receiver  130  employs IHS  105  to register with SCP system  110 , the user supplies the unique ID code of receiver  130  to SCP system  110 . Such a unique code may include a descriptor that uniquely identifies satellite receiver  130 . The user then selects a particular content item via IHS  105 . In response, SCP system  110  sends the selected content item and the ID code of the particular associated satellite receiver  130  to satellite radio server  145 . Alternatively, instead of placing an order via the Internet, the user may place a phone call to streaming content provider system  110  to select content and provide the user&#39;s satellite receiver ID code. In one embodiment, the user may specify the periodic frequency of transmission of the selected content to the user&#39;s receiver, for example, daily, weekly or other frequency. Is another embodiment, the user may also specify transmission at a particular time.  
      As noted above, if during the registration and content selection process with SCP system  110  the user chooses satellite delivery of content rather than Web delivery of content, then content server  140  sends the selected content to a satellite radio server  145  in satellite radio provider (SRP) system  120 . Along with the selected content, content server  140  also sends to satellite radio server  145  the unique ID code of the satellite receiver  130  of the user who requested the selected content. Satellite radio server  145  stores a list  160  of all authorized satellite receivers  130 . More specifically, list  160  includes the ID codes of all satellite receivers  130  that SRP system  120  authorizes to receive transmissions from SRP system  120 . List  160  includes a subset list of those satellite receivers  130  authorized to receive selected content that streaming content provider (SCP) system  110  sends to satellite radio provider (SRP) system. Satellite radio server  145  periodically reviews list  160  and periodically transmits selected content and the corresponding ID code to satellite receivers for a predetermined period of time, or a specified period of time, for example an hour, a day, a week or a month. In other words, satellite radio server  145  transmits and then periodically retransmits the selected content via satellite to the corresponding authorized satellite receiver  130 . SRP system  120  thus provides satellite receiver  130  with multiple opportunities to receive transmissions of the selected content.  
      To actually transmit the selected content item and corresponding ID code to satellite receivers  130 , satellite radio server  145  sends the selected content item and the ID code of the requesting satellite receiver  130  to satellite transmitter  165 . Satellite transmitter  165 , typically located at a ground station located on Earth, then employs satellite antenna  170  to send the selected content item and ID code to the requesting satellite receiver  130  via satellite transmit antenna  170  and the satellite  125 .  
      Satellite receiver  130  receives satellite signals from satellite  125  via satellite receive antenna  180  and checks the received signals to determine if receiver  130  is authorized to access the selected content item contained therein. More particularly, in one embodiment, satellite receiver  130  checks to see if its receiver ID code matches the receiver ID code received with the selected content item. If the two ID codes match, then satellite receiver  130  decrypts or otherwise accesses and stores the selected content item in non-volatile memory  185  for later playback through audio speaker  187 . Satellite receiver  130  includes controls  189  and a display  190  to facilitate the playing or playback of the selected content item. More particularly, controls  189  includes controls for manipulating the selected content such as stop, play, pause, fast forward, rewind, delete selected content to free memory  185  and receive next selected content item, for example. In the present embodiment, satellite receiver  130  stores the selected content item in memory  185  for later use. If the selected content item includes audio content, then the user employs controls  189  to play the content item through speaker  187  at a later time. However, if the selected content item is an audio-video content item, then the user employs controls  189  to play the audio portion of the content through speaker  187  and display  190  to play the video portion of the content. Alternatively, satellite receiver  130  may stream the selected content item directly to speaker  187  and display  190  immediately upon reception if the user so selects via controls  189 .  
      In another embodiment, system  100  provides a second layer of encryption beyond any encryption that SCP  110  and SRP  120  may employ using the ID code of satellite receiver  130  as a key. For example, satellite receiver  130  may include a menu option that appears on display  190  to allow the user to select a user key by using controls  189 . The user sends the user-specified key to streaming content provider (SCP) system  110  when selecting content from SCP system  110 . SCP system  110  employs the user-specified key to encrypt the selected content that SCP system  110  sends to SRP system  120 . Again, this encryption with the user-specified key is in addition to any other encryption provided by SCP system  110  or SRP system  120  and any intervening or external relay stations. Upon receiving the selected content, receiver  130  uses the user-specified key associated with that receiver  130  to decrypt the encrypted content.  
      In one embodiment, satellite radio provider (SRP) system  120  includes an SRP web site system  135  coupled to satellite radio server  145 . In such an embodiment, a user or subscriber of a satellite receiver such as receiver  130  may access the SRP system  120  via IHS  105  and the Internet  115  to register for content directly from the satellite radio provider rather than from the streaming content provider of SCP system  110 . In this embodiment, server  145  stores a library of audio, video or audio/video content that the user of satellite receiver  130  may request for satellite delivery.  
      In one embodiment, the streaming content provider associated with streaming content provider system  110  and the satellite radio provider associated with satellite radio provider system  120  are different business entities. Streaming content provider system  110  and satellite radio provider system  120  may be located in different physical locations. Alternatively, streaming content provider system  110  and satellite radio provider system  120  may be substantially co-located. As used herein, the term satellite radio provider may include providers of audio, video and audio/video content.  
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart that depicts process flow in the operation of content delivery communication system  100 . In one embodiment, a satellite radio user or subscriber subscribes to a satellite radio service as per block  200 . For example, a user may acquire a satellite radio receiver  130  by paying a fee as per block  202 . A user employs IHS  105  to log on to SRP web site  135  to register satellite radio receiver  130 . The user may contract with the satellite radio provider for satellite radio service for a monthly or yearly fixed fee, in one embodiment. SRP web site  135  then sends a unique access ID code over Internet  115  to the user&#39;s IHS  105  as per block  204 . The user then enters this ID code into satellite receiver  130 . In another embodiment, a user pays a third-party to provide a satellite receiver  130  with the unique ID code already programmed therein. In yet another embodiment, the user may place a phone call to the satellite radio provider to set up an account with a monthly, yearly or other billing arrangement. In return, the satellite radio provider then pre-programs a satellite receiver  130  with a unique ID code and sends the pre-programmed satellite receiver  130  to the user. In still another embodiment, over the air programming via satellite may provide a newly registered satellite receiver  130  with a unique ID code.  
      The user then employs IHS  105  to access the web site  135  of the streaming content provider system  110  via Internet connection  115  as per block  206 . The user reviews the library in content server  140  and selects a content item as per block  208 . The user may authorize payment of a fee to the streaming content provider via the Internet or Web connection as per block  210 . If desired, the user may perform this transaction over a telephone connection with the content provider rather than an Internet connection. The user then makes a decision and instructs content provider system  110  to deliver content either via the Internet/Web or via satellite radio as per decision block  212 . If the user selects an Internet/Web connection as the content delivery vehicle, then process flow continues to block  214  at which streaming content provider (SCP) system  110  sends the selected content item directly to user IHS  105  via the Internet  115 . The user IHS  105  then stores and/or plays the selected content item as per block  216  and the process ends at block  219 . If the user desires, the user may at any time return to block  208  and order more content.  
      Alternatively, if the user selects satellite radio at decision block  212  as the content delivery vehicle, then as part of the registration process the user provides his or her satellite receiver&#39;s unique ID code to content provider system  110  as per block  220 . For example, user system  105  sends the satellite receiver ID code of the user to content provider system  110 . Content provider system  110  subsequently sends the selected content item and the ID code of the associated satellite receiver  130  to satellite radio provider (SRP) system  120  as per block  222 . Satellite radio provider system (SRP)  120  performs a format conversion on the selected content item. For example SRP system  120  packetizes the selected content item as per block  224 . SRP system  120  then sends the packetized selected content item and the ID code of receiver  130  to satellite transmitter  165  which transmits the content item and ID code to a universe of satellite receivers, of which satellite receiver  130  is one, as per block  226 . SRP system  120  continues to transmit the content item and ID code periodically for a predetermined contracted amount of time. SCP system  110  and SRP system  120  may use the ID code to encrypt the content item. SRP system  120  also transmits delivery channel information via satellite  125  as per block  228 . Each satellite receiver performs a test to determine if it is authorized to access the selected content item. More particularly, satellite receiver  130  performs a test to determine if the ID code it receives from SRP system  120  matches this satellite receiver&#39;s own ID code as per decision block  230 . If the received ID code does not match the ID code of a particular satellite receiver, then the process ends at block  232 . However, if the ID code of a particular satellite receiver  130  matches the received ID code, then process flow continues to block  234 . At block  234 , the authorized satellite receiver  130  having the correct ID code tunes to the particular satellite delivery channel identified in the previous transmission of delivery channel information in block  228 .  
      The authorized satellite receiver  130  conducts a test to determine if non-volatile memory  185  currently exhibits sufficient free memory space to store the selected content item as per decision block  236 . If memory  185  includes insufficient space for storage of the complete content item, then satellite receiver  130  receives the selected content item and memory  185  stores a portion of the content item up to the amount of memory space available as per block  238 . Process flow continues back to the input of decision block  236  that waits for memory  185  to exhibit sufficient space to store the entire received content item or the remaining portion of the content item. Since SRP system  120  transmits the selected content item periodically during the contracted amount of time, memory  185  may store remaining portions of the selected content item received during later transmissions and receptions of the selected content item. Storage of the received selected content item completes in block  240 . Upon such completion of reception and storage, satellite receiver  130  sets a ready flag therein to note completion of reception as per block  242 . Satellite receiver  130  displays ready flag information on display  190  to let the user know that receiver  130  completed storage of the selected content item also as per block  240 . The displayed ready flag information notifies the user that the selected content item is ready for use. The display flag may indicate receipt of the full transmission of the selected content item or a usable portion thereof. The user then accesses the stored content as per block  244 . If the stored content is audio content, then the user may manipulate controls  189  to cause the audio content to play through loudspeaker  187 . If the stored content is audio-video content, then the user may manipulate controls  189  to cause the audio-video content to play on display  190  and through loudspeaker  187 . The user then makes a decision to end the process or continue ordering more content as per decision block  246 . If the user elects to stop ordering content then the process ends as per block  248 . The user may play the recorded content at a later time. However, if the user elects to order more content, then the user may contact content provider system via user IHS  105 , via phone or other communication mechanism. The user orders the new selected content at block  208  and pays the requisite fee at block  210 . Then the process continues as before as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
      The foregoing discloses a methodology and system for ordering, requesting and delivering content via satellite radio. In one embodiment, the user orders or requests content from a content provider system that sends the content ordered by the user to a satellite provider system that transmits the ordered content to the user&#39;s satellite receiver. In this manner, the system supplies the user with personalized content.  
      Modifications and alternative embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description of the invention. Accordingly, this description teaches the manner of carrying out the invention and is intended to be construed as illustrative only. Portions of the disclosed technology may be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, or a combination thereof. The forms of the invention shown and described constitute the present embodiments. Persons skilled in the art may make various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts. For example, persons skilled in the art may substitute equivalent elements for the elements illustrated and described here. Moreover, persons skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention may use certain features of the invention independently of the use of other features, without departing from the scope of the invention.