U.S. patent application number 11/782558 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for method and system for utilizing multiple content delivery networks for distributing content.
This patent application is currently assigned to The DIRECTV Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ranny Q. Sue.
Application Number | 20090031367 11/782558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40296529 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090031367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sue; Ranny Q. |
January 29, 2009 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UTILIZING MULTIPLE CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORKS
FOR DISTRIBUTING CONTENT
Abstract
A system 100 includes a content management system 221 having a
first set of business rules for a first content including a first
target and a second set of business rules for a second content
including a second target. The system 100 also includes a workflow
system 220 in communication with the content management system 221
and receives the first target and the second target. The work flow
system obtains first content with a first business rule
identification and second content with a second business rule
identification. The content management system 221 associates the
first content with the first set of business rules and associates
the second content with the second set of business rules. A
processing system 290, 272 processes the first content to form
first processed content in response to the first business rules and
processing the second content to form second processed content in
response to the second business rules. A content repository 274
stores the first processed content and the second processed
content.
Inventors: |
Sue; Ranny Q.; (Laguna
Niguel, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.;PATENT DOCKET ADMINISTRATION
CA / LA1 / A109, 2230 E. IMPERIAL HIGHWAY
EL SEGUNDO
CA
90245
US
|
Assignee: |
The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
El Segundo
CA
|
Family ID: |
40296529 |
Appl. No.: |
11/782558 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/26241 20130101;
H04N 21/6125 20130101; H04N 21/2385 20130101; H04N 7/17318
20130101; H04N 21/6143 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/87 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: providing a first set of business rules for
a first content including a first target; providing a second set of
business rules for a second content including a second target;
providing the first target and the second target to a work flow
system; from a work flow system, obtaining first content and first
business rule identification and second content with a second
business rule identification; associating the first content with
the first business rules; associating the second content with the
second business rules; processing the first content to form first
processed content in response to the first business rules; storing
the first processed content in a content repository; processing the
second content to form second processed content in response to the
second business rules; and storing the second processed content in
a content repository.
2. A methods as recited in claim 1 further comprising forming a
first content list at a web portal having the first processed
content as an element of the list.
3. A methods as recited in claim 1 further comprising forming a
second list and communicating the second list to a user device.
4. A methods as recited in claim 1 further comprising forming a
second list and communicating the second list to a user device
through a satellite.
5. A methods as recited in claim 1 further comprising forming a
second list and communicating the second list to a user device
through a terrestrial network.
6. A methods as recited in claim 1 further comprising forming a
second list and communicating the second list to a user device
through a wireless network.
7. A methods as recited in claim 1 further comprising forming a
second list and communicating the second list to a user device
through a satellite and forming a program guide portion from the
second list.
8. A methods as recited in claim 1 further comprising selecting a
selection from the guide portion; and communicating content to a
user device in response to the selection.
9. A methods as recited in claim 1 wherein processing the first
content comprises applying digital rights management.
10. A methods as recited in claim 1 wherein processing the second
content comprises applying encryption.
11. A methods as recited in claim 1 wherein processing the first
content comprises applying digital rights management and wherein
processing the second content comprises applying encryption.
12. A methods as recited in claim 1 wherein processing the second
content comprises applying encryption corresponding to a
target.
13. A system comprising: a content management system having a first
set of business rules for a first content including a first target
and a second set of business rules for a second content including a
second target; a workflow system in communication with the content
management system receiving the first target and the second target,
said work flow system obtaining first content and first business
rule identification and second content with a second business rule
identification; said content management system associating the
first content with the first set of business rules and associating
the second content with the second set of business rules; a
processing system processing the first content to form first
processed content in response to the first business rules and
processing the second content to form second processed content in
response to the second business rules; a content repository storing
the first processed content and the second processed content.
14. A system as recited in claim 13 further comprising a web portal
providing a first content list having the first processed content
as an element of the list.
15. A system as recited in claim 13 further comprising a
communication means communicating a second list having the second
processed content to a user device.
16. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the communication means
comprises a satellite.
17. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the communication means
comprises a terrestrial network.
18. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the communication means
comprises a wireless network.
19. A system as recited in claim 13 further comprising a satellite
and program guide module forming a guide list and communicating the
second list to a user device.
20. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the content management
system receives a selection from the guide list and communicates
content to a user device through a content deliver network in
response to the selection.
21. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the processing system
comprises a digital rights management module.
22. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the processing system
comprises an encryption module.
23. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the processing system
comprises a digital rights management module and an encryption
module.
24. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein the processing system
applies encryption corresponding to a target.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a content processing and
delivery system and, more specifically, to a system for processing
different types of content for different types of user devices with
different delivery networks using different business rules.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0003] Satellite television has become increasingly popular due to
the wide variety of content and the quality of content available. A
satellite television system typically includes a set top box that
is used to receive the satellite signals and decode the satellite
signals for use on a television. The set top box typically has a
memory associated therewith. The memory may include a digital video
recorder or the like as well as the operating code for the set top
box.
[0004] Satellite television systems typically broadcast content to
a number of users simultaneously in a system. Satellite television
systems also offer subscription or pay-per-view access to broadcast
content. Access is provided using signals broadcast over the
satellite. Once access is provided the user can access the
particular content. The broadcasting of a large selection of
channels and pay-per-view programs uses a considerable amount of
satellite resources.
[0005] Content providers are increasingly trying to determine
additional ways to provide content to users. Some content may be
desired by a small number of customers. In such a case using
valuable satellite resources at peak viewing times may not be cost
effective. Less popular content may be broadcast by satellite at
less popular viewing times, or may be available for downloading on
demand via a broadband connection. Such content may be received and
stored by a digital video recorder for later viewing.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure provides a system that is capable of
supporting many types of devices and various types of processing to
accommodate the various types of devices.
[0007] In one aspect of the disclosure, a method includes providing
a first set of business rules for a first content including a first
target, providing a second set of business rules for a second
content including a second target, providing the first target and
the second target to a work flow system, from a work flow system
and obtaining first content and first business rule identification
and second content with a second business rule identification. The
method further includes associating the first content with the
first business rules, associating the second content with the
second business rules, processing the first content to form first
processed content in response to the first business rules, storing
the first processed content in a content repository, processing the
second content to form second processed content in response to the
second business rules and storing the second processed content in a
content repository.
[0008] In a further aspect of the disclosure, a system includes a
content management system having a first set of business rules for
a first content including a first target and a second set of
business rules for a second content including a second target. The
system also includes a workflow system in communication with the
content management system receiving the first target and the second
target. The work flow system obtains first content with a first
business rule identification and second content with a second
business rule identification. The content management system
associates the first content with the first set of business rules
and associates the second content with the second set of business
rules. A processing system processes the first content to form
first processed content in response to the first business rules and
processing the second content to form second processed content in
response to the second business rules. A content repository stores
the first processed content and the second processed content.
[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the
description and specific examples are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication system
according to the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2a is a detailed block diagrammatic view of the content
processing system of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 2b is a detailed block diagrammatic view of an
alternative the content processing system of FIG. 1 for web based
devices.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagrammatic view of the fixed
user device of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIGS. 4a and 4b are representational views of packets formed
according to the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for publishing
and purging content.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a state diagram for publishing and purging
content.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a first method for
operating the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a second method for
operating the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or
uses. 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.
[0021] The following system is described with respect to a
satellite system and a broadband system. The broadband distribution
system may be implemented in a cable or telephone-type system. An
optical fiber may also be used in the broadband system. Wireless
distribution may also be used in the broadband distribution
system.
[0022] While the following disclosure is made with respect to
example DIRECTV.RTM. broadcast services and systems, it should be
understood that many other delivery systems are readily applicable
to disclosed systems and methods. Such systems include other
wireless distribution systems, wired or cable distribution systems,
cable television distribution systems, Ultra High Frequency
(UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) radio frequency systems or other
terrestrial broadcast systems (e.g., Multi-channel Multi-point
Distribution System (MMDS), Local Multi-point Distribution System
(LMDS), etc.), Internet-based distribution systems, cellular
distribution systems, power-line broadcast systems, any
point-to-point and/or multicast Internet Protocol (IP) delivery
network, and fiber optic networks. Further, the different functions
collectively allocated among a head end (HE), integrated
receiver/decoders (IRDs) and a content delivery network (CDN) as
described below can be reallocated as desired without departing
from the intended scope of the present patent.
[0023] Further, while the following disclosure is made with respect
to the delivery of video (e.g., television (TV), movies, music
videos, etc.), it should be understood that the systems and methods
disclosed herein could also be used for delivery of any media
content type, for example, audio, music, data files, web pages,
etc. Additionally, throughout this disclosure reference is made to
data, information, programs, movies, assets, video data, etc.,
however, it will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill
in the art that these terms are substantially equivalent in
reference to the example systems and/or methods disclosed herein.
As used herein, the term title will be used to refer to, for
example, a movie itself and not the name of the movie.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, a communication system 100 includes
a content processing system 102 that is used as a processing and
transmission source, a plurality of content providers, one of which
is shown at reference numeral 104 and a first satellite 106. A
second satellite 108 may also be incorporated into the system. The
satellites 106, 108 may be used to communicate different types of
information or different portions of various contents from the
content processing system 102. The system 100 also includes a
plurality of fixed user devices 110 such as integrated
receiver/decoders (IRDs). Wireless communications are exchanged
between the content processing system 102 and the fixed user
devices 110 through one or more of the satellites 106, 108. The
wireless communications may take place at any suitable frequency,
such as, for example, Ka band and/or Ku-band frequencies.
[0025] A mobile user device 112 may also be incorporated into the
system. The mobile user device 112 may include, but is not limited
to, a cell phone 114, a personal digital assistant 116, a portable
media player 118, a laptop computer 120, or a vehicle-based device
122. It should be noted that several mobile devices 112 and several
fixed user devices 110 may be used in the communication system 100.
The mobile devices 112 may each have a separate antenna generally
represented by antenna 124. The mobile devices may be web-based
devices using WiFi, WiMax, cellular broadband or wireless broadband
systems.
[0026] In addition to communication via the satellites 106, 108,
various types of information such as security information,
encryption-decryption information, content, or content portions may
be communicated terrestrially. Various communication means such as
a communication network 132 include, but are not limited to, the
public switched telephone network (PSTN), a terrestrial wireless
system, a broadband system, stratospheric platform, an optical
fiber, or the like may be used to terrestrially communicate with
the fixed user device 110 or the mobile user device 112. To
illustrate the terrestrial wireless capability an antenna 134 is
illustrated for wireless terrestrial communication to the mobile
user device 112.
[0027] Information or content provided to content processing system
102 from the media source 104 may be transmitted, for example, via
an uplink antenna 138 to the satellite(s) 106,108, one or more of
which may be a geosynchronous or geo-stationary satellite, that, in
turn, rebroadcast the information over broad geographical areas on
the earth that include the user devices 110, 112. The satellites
may have inter-satellite links 107 that allow the satellites to
communicate signals therebetween. Among other things, the example
content processing system 102 of FIG. 1 provides program material
or content to the user devices 110, 112 and coordinates with the
user devices 110, 112 to offer subscribers pay-per-view (PPV)
program services and broadband services, including billing and
associated decryption of video programs. Non-PPV (e.g. free or
subscription) programming may also be received. To receive the
information rebroadcast by satellites 106, 108, each for user
device 110 is communicatively coupled to a receiver or downlink
antenna 140.
[0028] Lists of available content may also be communicated by way
of the communication network 132 or the satellites 106, 108. The
lists may also be made available at a web server. The lists and
content may be communicated separately through different means or
through the same means.
[0029] Security of assets broadcast via the satellites 106, 108 may
be established by applying encryption and decryption to assets or
content during content processing and/or during broadcast (i.e.,
broadcast encryption). For example, an asset can be encrypted based
upon a control word (CW) known to the content processing system 102
and known to the user devices 110, 112 authorized to view and/or
playback the asset. In the illustrated example communication system
100, for each asset the content processing system 102 generates a
control word packet (CWP) that includes, among other things, a time
stamp, authorization requirements and an input value and then
determines the control word (CW) for the asset by computing a
cryptographic hash of the contents of the CWP. The CWP is also
broadcast to the user devices 110, 112 via the satellites 106, 108.
The user devices authorized to view and/or playback the broadcast
encrypted asset will be able to correctly determine the CW by
computing a cryptographic hash of the contents of the received CWP.
If the user device 110 is not authorized, the IRD 110 will not be
able to determine the correct CW that enables decryption of the
received broadcast encrypted asset. The CW may be changed
periodically (e.g., every 30 seconds) by generating and
broadcasting a new CWP. In an example, a new CWP is generated by
updating the timestamp included in each CWP. Alternatively, a CWP
could directly convey a CW either in encrypted or unencrypted form.
Other examples of coordinated encryption and decryption abound,
including for example, public/private key encryption and
decryption.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2a, the content processing system 102
of FIG. 1 is illustrated in further detail. The content provider
104 may include various types of content providers, including those
that provide content by way of a satellite 200, DVD 202, via a
network as a file in 204, by way of tapes and other means. The
content provider 104 may also provide a content description and
other metadata 208 to the system. An input server 212 may receive
the various content and associated metadata and convert the format
in a format conversion system 214. A house format asset storage
server 216 may be used to store the content asset in a house
format. Still image files, trailers, and other information may also
be stored in the house format asset storage server. A workflow
management system 220 is used to control the format conversion
system 214 and the server 212. Also, the workflow management system
220 is coupled to the house format asset storage server 216 and
performs ingest control. The house format asset storage server 216
provides still images to a content management system 221 and house
format file, video and audio files to the video transport
processing system 223.
[0031] The VTPS 223 may encode the packets containing the content.
The encoder may encode the data into various transport formats such
as DIRECTV.RTM. proprietary formats, or industry standard formats.
The encoded data is then packetized into a stream of data packets
by a packetizer 270 that also attaches a header to each data packet
to facilitate identification of the contents of the data packet
such as, for example, a sequence number that identifies each data
packet's location within the stream of data packets (i.e., a
bitstream). The header also includes a program identifier (PID)
(e.g., a service channel identifier (SCID)) that identifies the
program to which the data packet belongs.
[0032] The stream of data packets (i.e., a bitstream) is then
broadcast encrypted by, for example, the well-known Advanced
Encryption Standard (AES) or the well-known Data Encryption
Standard (DES). In an example, only the payload portion of the data
packets are encrypted thereby allowing a user device 110 to filter,
route and/or sort received broadcast encrypted data packets without
having to first decrypt the encrypted data packets.
[0033] The content management system 221 generally controls the
overall movement and distribution of contents through the content
processing system 102.
[0034] A licensing and contract information 222 and ads from ad
sales 224 may be provided to the content management system 221.
That is, licensing information, tier assignments, pricing and
availability may be provided to the content management system.
Asset information, file names and durations may be exchanged
between the content management system 221 and the workflow
management system 220. The asset information, such as file names
and durations, may be determined at the server 212 that is coupled
to the workflow management system 220.
[0035] The Content Management System (CMS) 221 in combination with
the SPS (230) is used to provide the requested channel, program
associated data (PAD), channel information and program information
packets (PIPs). The CMS 221 may schedule content processing for a
plurality of received assets based on a desired program lineup to
be offered by the communication system 100. For example, a live TV
program for which a high demand for reruns might be expected could
be assigned a high priority for content processing.
[0036] A schedule PAD server (SPS) 230 may be coupled to the CMS
and is used to generate a broadband video PAD that is communicated
to a conditional access system for broadband video 232. The
conditional access system for broadband video 232 may be used to
generate control words and control word packet in pairs and provide
those to the video transport processing system 223.
[0037] In the illustrated example of FIG. 2a, users of the user
devices 110 (of FIG. 1) are charged for subscription services
and/or asset downloads (e.g., PPV TV) and, thus, the content
processing system 102 includes a billing system 234 to track and/or
bill subscribers for services provided by the system 100. For
example, the billing system 234 records that a user has been
authorized to download a movie and once the movie has been
successfully downloaded the user is billed for the movie.
Alternatively, the user may not be billed unless the movie has been
viewed.
[0038] A billing system 234 receives pricing and availability
information from the content management system 221. A conditional
access system 236 receives callback information from the
communication network 132. The conditional access system may be
used to generate authorizations, pay-per-view billing data, and
callback data from the billing system 234. Remote record requests
may also be provided from the conditional access transaction system
238. A conditional access system BCC 240 may be used to generate a
conditional access packet from the information from the conditional
access system 236.
[0039] The billing system 234 may generate purchase data that is
provided to the enterprise integration (EI) block 242. The
enterprise integration block 242 may generate remote record
requests to the conditional access transaction system 238. Remote
record requests may be generated through a web interface such as
DIRECTV.com.RTM. in block 244. Various ordering information, such
as ordering broadband video, pay-per-view, and various services may
be received at the web interface 244. Various trailers may also be
accessed by the users through the web interface 244 provided from
the house format asset storage server 216. Enterprise integration
block 242 may also receive guide information and metadata from the
content management system 221.
[0040] Titles, description and various categories from the content
management system 221 may be provided to the advanced program guide
system 248. The program guide system 248 may be coupled to a
satellite broadcasting system such as a broadcast transport
processing system 250 that broadcasts content to the users through
the satellite 106, 108.
[0041] The program guide data generated by the program guide system
248 may include information that is used to generate a display of
guide information to the user, wherein the program guide may be a
grid guide and informs the user of particular programs that are
broadcast on, particular channels at particular times. The program
guide may be a list of content available through a communication
means. A program guide may also include information that a user
device uses to assemble programming for display to a user. For
example, the program guide may be used to tune to a channel on
which a particular program is offered. The program guide may also
contain information for tuning, demodulating, demultiplexing,
decrypting, depacketizing, or decoding selected programs.
[0042] Content files may also be provided from the content
management system 221 to the content distribution system 260.
[0043] Referring back to the video transport processing system 223,
the video transport processing system 223 includes a transport
packaging system 270. The transport processing system 270 creates
pre-packetized unencrypted files. An encryption module 272 receives
the output of the transport processing system and encrypts the
packets. Fully packaged and encrypted files may also be stored in
the content repository 274. Encryption may take place in the data
portion of a packet and not the header portion.
[0044] One or more content delivery networks 280 may be used to
provide content files such as encrypted or unencrypted and
packetized files to the communication network 132 for distribution
to the user devices 110, 112. The content distribution system 260
may make requests for delivery of the various content files and
assets through the communication network 132. The content
distribution system 260 also generates satellite requests and
broadcasts various content and assets through the broadcast
transport processing system 250. Some content delivery networks may
be dedicated to a certain type of service or communication means.
As will be described in FIG. 2b, one content delivery network may
be dedicated to web service. Others may be dedicated to mobile
phone service. Still others may be dedicated to other types of
communication.
[0045] The communication network 132 may be a web-based system such
as the Internet 122 which is a multiple-point-to-multiple-point
communication network. However, persons of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that point-to-point communications may also be
provided through the communication network 132. For example,
downloads of a particular content file from a content delivery
network may be communicated to a particular user device. Such file
transfers and/or file transfer protocols are widely recognized as
point-to-point communications or point-to-point communication
signals and/or create point-to-point communication paths, even if
transported via a multi-point-to-multi-point communication network
such as the Internet. It will be further recognized that the
communication network 132 may be used to implement any variety of
broadcast system where a broadcast transmitter may transmit any
variety of data or data packets to any number of or a variety of
clients or receivers simultaneously. Moreover, the communication
network 132 may be used to simultaneously provide broadcast and
point-to-point communications and/or point-to-point communication
signals from a number of broadcast transmitters or content delivery
networks 280.
[0046] The content delivery network 280 may be implemented using a
variety of techniques or devices. For instance, a plurality of
Linux-based servers with fiber optic connections may be used. Each
of the content delivery networks 280 may include servers that are
connected to the Internet or the communication network 132. This
allows the user devices to download information or content
(example, a movie) from the content delivery network 280. The
content delivery network 280 may act as a cache for the information
provided from the content repository 274. A particular user device
may be directed to a particular content delivery network 280
depending on the specific content to be retrieved. An Internet
uniform resource locator (URL) may be assigned to a movie or other
content. Further, should one of the delivery networks 280 have
heavy traffic, the content delivery network may be changed to
provide faster service. In the interest of clarity and ease of
understanding, throughout this disclosure reference will be made to
delivering, downloading, transferring and/or receiving information,
video, data, etc. by way of the content delivery network 280.
However, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate that information is actually delivered, downloaded,
transferred, or received by one of the Internet-based servers in or
associated with the content delivery network 280.
[0047] It should be appreciated that the content delivery network
280 may be operated by an external vendor. That is, the operator of
the content delivery network 280 may not be the same as the
operator of the remaining portions of the content processing system
102. To download files from the content delivery network 280, user
devices 110, 112 may implement an Internet protocol stack with a
defined application layer and possibly a download application
provided by a content delivery network provider. In the illustrated
example, file transfers are implemented using standard Internet
protocols (file transfer protocol FTP), hyper text transfer
protocol (HTTP), etc. Each file received by the user device may be
checked for completeness and integrity and if a file is not intact,
missing, and/or damaged portions of the files may be delivered or
downloaded again. Alternatively, the entire file may be purged from
the IRD and delivered or downloaded again.
[0048] The broadcast transport processing system 250 may provide
various functions, including packetizing, multiplexing and
modulating, and uplink frequency conversion. RF amplification may
also be provided in the broadcast transport processing system
250.
[0049] Wireless delivery via the satellites 106, 108 may
simultaneously include both files (e.g., movies, pre-recorded TV
shows, games, software updates, asset files, etc.) and/or live
content, data, programs and/or information. Wireless delivery via
the satellites 106, 108 offers the opportunity to deliver, for
example, a number of titles (e.g., movies, pre-recorded TV shows,
etc.) to virtually any number of customers with a single broadcast.
However, because of the limited channel capacity of the satellites
106, 108, the number of titles (i.e., assets) that can be provided
during a particular time period is restricted.
[0050] In contrast, Internet-based delivery via the CDN 280 can
support a large number of titles, each of which may have a narrower
target audience. Further, Internet-based delivery is point-to-point
(e.g., from an Internet-based content server to a user device 110,
112) thereby allowing each user of the user device 110, 112 to
individually select titles. Allocation of a title to satellite
and/or Internet-based delivery or content depends upon a target
audience size and may be adjusted over time. For instance, a title
having high demand (i.e., large initial audience) may initially be
broadcast via the satellites 106, 108, then, over time, the title
may be made available for download via the CDN 280 when the size of
the target audience or the demand for the title is smaller. A title
may simultaneously be broadcast via the satellites 106, 108 and be
made available for download from the CDN 280 via the communication
network 132.
[0051] In the example communication system 100, each asset (e.g.,
program, title, content, game, TV program, etc.) is pre-packetized
and, optionally, pre-encrypted and then stored as a data file
(i.e., an asset file). Subsequently, the asset file may be
broadcast via the satellites 106, 108 and/or sent to the CDN 280
for download via the CDN 280 (i.e., Internet-based delivery). In
particular, if the data file is broadcast via the satellites 106,
108, the data file forms at least one payload of a resultant
satellite signal. Likewise, if the data file is available for
download via the CDN 280, the data file forms at least one payload
of a resultant Internet signal.
[0052] It will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in
the art that even though at least one payload of a resultant signal
includes the data file regardless of broadcast technique (e.g.,
satellite or Internet), how the file is physically transmitted may
differ. In particular, transmission of data via a transmission
medium (e.g., satellite, Internet, etc.) comprises operations that
are: (a) transmission medium independent and b) transmission medium
dependent. For example, transmission protocols (e.g., transmission
control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), user datagram protocol
(UDP), encapsulation, etc.) and/or modulation techniques (e.g.,
quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), forward error correction
(FEC), etc.) used to transmit a file via Internet signals (e.g.,
over the Internet 122) may differ from those used via satellite
(e.g., the satellites 106, 108). In other words, transmission
protocols and/or modulation techniques are specific to physical
communication paths, that is, they are dependent upon the physical
media and/or transmission medium used to communicate the data.
However, the content (e.g., a file representing a title)
transported by any given transmission protocol and/or modulation is
agnostic of the transmission protocol and/or modulation, that is,
the content is transmission medium independent.
[0053] The same pre-packetized and, optionally, pre-encrypted,
content data file that is broadcast via satellite may be available
for download via Internet, and how the asset is stored, decoded
and/or played back by the user devices 110 is independent of
whether the program was received by the user devices 110 via
satellite or Internet. Further, because the example content
processing system 102 of FIG. 1 broadcasts a live program and a
non-live program (e.g., a movie) by applying the same encoding,
packetization, encryption, etc., how a program (live or non-live)
is stored, decoded and/or played back by the user devices 110 is
also independent of whether the program is live or not. Thus, user
devices 110, 112 may handle the processing of content, programs
and/or titles independent of the source(s) and/or type(s) of the
content, programs and/or titles. In particular, example delivery
configurations and signal processing for the example content
delivery system of FIG. 2a are discussed in detail below.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 2b, an alternative content processing
system 102' suitable for web-based systems is illustrated. The
system in FIG. 2b may also be used together with that of FIG. 2a so
that different methods for distribution can take place. The content
processing system 102' shares many components with those of the
content processing system 102. Therefore, the detail associated
with these elements will not be described again. The same reference
numerals are used to describe the same elements. This embodiment is
different from the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2a in that the
content processing system 102' is used for web-based devices.
Various devices may be web-based devices and include those
illustrated in FIG. 1 as reference numerals 114-122. The web-based
devices may be WiMax, WiFi, or otherwise wireless
broadband-capable. Various types of content are provided by the
content provider 104, are provided to the workflow system 220 in a
similar manner to that illustrated in FIG. 2. In this embodiment,
various license information, tier assignments and pricing
availability are provided to the content management system 221 from
the licensing/contracts 222 and ad sales 224. Various types of
information that are entered into the content management system 221
may be referred to as business rules. The various business rules
may be added manually or may be added automatically based upon
various contracts with various contract dividers. The business
rules may also include the pricing, the availability, and the type
of target such as a set top box, a mobile device or a web device.
Also, the availability, such as timing of the content, may be
provided. The content management system 221 provides encoding
commands such as the various types of targets, material
identifications, and the like. The workflow management system 220
provides the content management system 221 collects various asset
metadata including the file name, duration of the file, and the
like.
[0055] The content management system 221 links the business rules
with the content.
[0056] The content management system 221 provides the enterprise
integration module 242 with billing data such as various
pay-per-view numbers, publishing dates, and prices. This
information may be provided to an on-demand web services 282.
[0057] The content management system 221 may also provide a content
list or inventory to a web portal 284. Account information may be
provided to the web portal 284 from the enterprise integration
module 242. Inventory metadata may be provided from the web portal
to the on-demand web service 282. A digital rights management (DRM)
license server 286 may be used to provide content license
information to the web portal 284. The web portal 284 may be used
to provide inventory metadata to the DRM license server 286.
[0058] A digital rights management server 288 may receive content
licenses from the digital rights management license server 286. The
content management system 221 may provide digital rights management
parameters to a digital rights management packager 290. The digital
rights management packager 290 may provide an encrypted content
file to the content repository 274 for storage therein. The content
repository 274 may also receive encoded content files and posters
from the workflow management system 220. The file posters and other
information may be associated with the various content files when
stored within the content repository 274. It should be noted that
the content files may be encrypted or non-encrypted and may also
have the digital rights associated therewith. One suitable example
for providing digital rights is using a Windows Media.RTM.
management-type system.
[0059] The content management system 221 provides a distribute
command to the content distribution system 260. The file location,
publication dates, expiration dates, purge dates, and the like may
be provided to the content distribution system. The content
distribution system communicates upload commands to the content
delivery network 280. In this embodiment, the content delivery
network 280 may be a web-based network. As will be evident to those
skilled in the art, various types of content delivery networks may
be used for various types of content. In one aspect of the
disclosure, one content delivery network may be provided for each
different type of user device. For example, for distributing video
to a cellular phone, a cellular phone content delivery network may
be used. For a set top box, a set top box content delivery network
may be used. Different rights and different encoding schemes may be
used for the corresponding different user devices.
[0060] The content delivery network 280 provides content to the
user devices 110 or 112. The user devices may generate download
commands by communicating with the web service 282. The web service
282 may communicate inventory metadata account information that is
requested. For example, a content list of available content may be
provided to the user devices 110/112.
[0061] The digital rights management server 288 may provide
licenses that are requested by the system. The web portal 284 may
grant pre-delivery licenses to the user device 110/112. Download
commands from the web service 282 may be provided to the content
delivery network 280 to initiate download of content from the
content delivery network 280.
[0062] The web-based device may obtain the content list from the
web portal 284 so that content available for downloading to the
user device may be provided to the user device. Upon selection from
the list, a particular piece of content may be provided to the user
device. The enterprise integration module 242 generates a bill in
response to the downloading of content from the system. The billing
information is coordinated with the information from the content
user so that the proper user is billed.
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 3, the user device 110 may be one of
any variety of devices, for example, a set-top box, a home media
server, a home media center (HMC), a personal computer (PC) having
a receiver card installed therein, etc. A display device 300 such
as a television set, a computer monitor, a portable media player or
the like may be coupled to the user device 110. The user device 110
may be an integrated receiver decoder, a satellite television
receiver or the like for displaying and/or playback of received
programming.
[0064] The receive antenna 140 (124 on a mobile device) receives
signals conveying a modulated multiplexed bitstream from the
satellites 106, 108. Within the receive antenna 140, the signals
are coupled from a reflector and feed to a low-noise block (LNB)
302, which amplifies and frequency downconverts the received
signals. The LNB 302 output is then provided to a receiver 304,
which receives, demodulates, depacketizes, demultiplexes, decrypts
and decodes the received signal to provide audio and video signals
to the display device 300 or a recorder 306, or both. The memory
device 306 may be implemented separately from or within the user
device 110. The receiver 304 is responsive to user inputs to, for
example, tune to a particular program.
[0065] To store received and/or recorded programs and/or assets,
the memory device 306 may include any of a variety of storage
devices such as a hard disk drive, DVR, or other types of memory
devices. The memory device 306 may be used to store the packetized
assets and/or programs received via the satellites 106, 108 and/or
the CDN 280. In particular, the packets stored on memory device 306
may be the same encoded and, optionally, encrypted packets created
by the content processing system 102 and transmitted via the
satellites 106, 108 and/or made available for download via the CDN
280.
[0066] The memory device 306 may also be a device capable of
recording information on, for instance, analog media such as
videotape or computer readable digital media such as a hard disk
drive (HDD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a compact disc (CD)
and/or any other suitable media.
[0067] To communicate with any of a variety of clients, media
players, etc., the illustrated example the user device 110 includes
one or more connection interface modules 308 (e.g., USB, serial
port, Firewire, etc.). The connection interface module 306 may act
as a network interface that implements, for example, an Ethernet
interface. Should a device be strictly web-based, the LNB 140 and
antenna 140 may not be used.
[0068] Each user device 110 may connect to the communication
network such as the Internet 122 via any of a variety of
technologies, for instance, a voice-band and/or integrated services
digital network (ISDN) modem connected to a conventional PSTN, a
wireless broadband connection (e.g., IEEE 802.11b, 802.11g, etc.),
a broadband wired connection (e.g., ADSL, cable modems, etc.), a
wired Ethernet connection (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide
area network (WAN), etc.), a leased transmission facility (e.g., a
digital signal level 1 circuit (a.k.a. a DS1), a fractional-DS1,
etc.), etc.
[0069] The user device 110 may also include a control module 310
that is used to control the operation of the various components
within the user device.
[0070] A user interface 312 may, for example, be a set of push
buttons or a remote control interface. The user interface 312 is
used to make selections, input various data, and change the
parameters of the user device 110. The user interface 312 may be
used together with a graphical user interface displayed on the
display device associated with the user device.
[0071] It should also be noted that the user devices 110/112 may be
configured in a similar manner to those illustrated in FIG. 3
through reference number 110. Such devices may include an internal
antenna rather than an external dish-type antenna that is
illustrated in the fixed device as 140. Also, external antennas are
possible such as a phased array antenna.
[0072] The recording device 306 may also be partitioned into a
network partition 320 and a user partition 322. Different types of
content or assets may be stored in the network partition 320 or the
user partition 322. The content stored in the different partitions
may relate to the tier of the content. This will be further
described below.
[0073] Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4b, a packet 400 having a
header 402 and a data portion 404 is illustrated. The header 402
may include a program map table (PMT) 406, an SCID/PID portion 408,
and a cyclic redundancy check portion 410. This is representative
of the output of the VTPS and the file stored in the content
repository. The data portion 404 may be encrypted or not encrypted,
while the header portion 402 is preferably not encrypted. A signal
may be broadcast from the content distribution network with this
type of format.
[0074] In FIG. 4b, a second packet 420 having a reformatted header
422 and a data portion 424 is illustrated. The data portion 424 may
be unchanged from data portion 404. The reformatted header 422
includes a second SCID/PID 426 that has been changed. The header
426 of the packet 420 has its identification (SCID/PID)
reconfigured so that it may be broadcast by the satellite. Because
the SCID/PID is changed, the CRC portion 428 is also changed to
conform to this change.
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 5, a method of operating the
communication system is set forth. In this embodiment, the general
method for maintaining the files within the system is set forth.
Each content delivery network may have different lifecycle
parameters associated therewith. Each content delivery network may
act according to the method of FIG. 5 using different lifecycle
parameters including publication, purge, end times, and the like.
In step 510, content with metadata is received in the communication
system. As mentioned above, the content provider 104 may provide
the content in various forms. In step 512, the content is
packetized in the VTPS 223. Also, as mentioned above, the VTPS may
also encrypt the packets or at least the data portions of the
packets. In step 514, the packets, whether encrypted or not, are
stored in the content repository 274. In step 516, a time for
publication is determined. The publication time corresponds to the
time that the content is available for download by one of the user
devices from the content delivery network 280. Various content
within the content repository may have different publication times.
In step 518, the earliest publication time for the various content
is determined. In step 520, the content file is transferred to the
content delivery network 280 in response to the publication time.
That is, the earliest publication time may be used to transfer
content to the content delivery network first. The content may be
transferred prior to the publication time so that it is available
at the publication time. This is in contrast to a typical satellite
broadcasting system and to the broadcast TPS system 250 described
in FIG. 2. In a satellite system, the content is broadcast at the
air time.
[0076] In step 522, metadata corresponding to the content file is
transferred to the content delivery network 280. In step 524, the
metadata may be changed according to information from the content
management system. For example, the publication time, the
publication end time, and a purge time may be added to the
metadata. In step 526, the content file is published according to
the publication time in the metadata. In step 528, the content may
be transferred to the user device. In step 530, the user device may
utilize the content by viewing the content on the display device.
In step 532, publication is complete at the publication end time.
In step 534, the content is purged from the content delivery
network according to a purge message.
[0077] Referring now to FIG. 6, a state diagram of the method of
FIG. 5 is illustrated. The method begins in step 600 in which the
content is placed in the content repository 274 after possible
encryption and packetizing from the VTPS 223. In step 602, delivery
is scheduled by the content management system 221. The content
distribution system 260 begins content file transfer to a content
delivery network 280 with metadata in step 604. In step 606, the
content with the metadata is transferred. In step 608, the content
delivery system completes the content file transfer to the content
delivery network 280. In step 610, the content is fully delivered
to the content distribution or delivery network 280. In step 612,
an add operation is received by the content delivery network. An
upload status message from the content delivery network (CDN) with
a successful status code is provided.
[0078] In step 614, publication is scheduled by setting a
publication time. After step 614, step 616 may be performed. In
step 616, the content delivery network 280 may receive a publish
operation. Also in step 616, an upload status message from the
content delivery network may be provided to the content
distribution system with a successful status code. In step 618, the
content is published.
[0079] Referring back to step 614, if an update operation message
is received and the upload status message from the content delivery
network with a successful status code with the published stop time
is in the past at 620, step 622 may be performed. Step 622 ends the
publication according to the publication stop time.
[0080] Referring back to step 614, if a receive update operation is
received and an upload status message from the content delivery
network has a successful status code where the publish start time
is in the future in step 624, step 622 completes the
publication.
[0081] Referring back to step 618, when the content is published in
618 and an unpublished operation is received with an upload status
message from the content delivery network with a successful status
code and a published time in the future, step 630 is performed
which brings the system back to the published scheduled block
614.
[0082] Referring back to step 618, if an unpublished operation
message is received in step 636, and the upload status message from
the content delivery network with a successful status code has a
publication time in the past, step 622 is performed which completes
the publication. In step 618, if a purge operation message is
received from the content distribution system and the upload status
message from the content distribution network with a successful
status code is provided in step 638, the content is purged in step
640.
[0083] Referring back to step 622, if the publication is complete
and a published operation is received with an upload status message
from the content delivery network with a successful status code in
step 644, the content is again published in step 618.
[0084] Referring back to step 622, if the publication is complete
and a purge operation upload status message is received from the
content delivery network with a successful status code in step 650,
step 640 purges the content from the system. In step 642, the
content may be removed from the content repository.
[0085] Referring back to the publication schedule times block 614,
if a receive purge operation is received that blocks and an upload
status message from the content delivery network has a successful
status code, step 640 is performed in which the content is
purged.
[0086] Referring now to FIG. 7, another method for operating the
present disclosure is illustrated. In this example, business rules
and content are combined to provide a user selection list and
ultimately deliver content to the users. In step 710, business
rules are determined. The business rules may be determined and
entered into the content management system 221 of FIG. 2a or 2b.
The business rules may include various characteristics including
the dollar amount, the various targets, such as which user devices
are to receive the content, and various other profiles. In step
712, the business rules are entered into the content management
system and include the targets. The business rules may be entered
by an operator in response to various distribution agreements. In
step 714, the targets are provided to the workflow system. In step
716, content that is obtained by the workflow system is provided to
the content management system 221. The workflow system provides the
content with material IDs that are used for further identification
once it is received by the content management system. Each content
has a material ID associated therewith. In step 718, the material
ID is associated with the content.
[0087] In step 720, the content and business rule ID is provided to
the content management system. In step 722, the business rules are
associated with the content in the content management system. In
step 724, the content is encrypted according to the business rules.
Encryption may take place at the digital rights management packager
in FIG. 2b or the encryption module 272 illustrated in FIG. 2a.
Encryption may take place according to the business rules. More
specifically, the content may be encrypted depending on the end
user device or target for which the content is destined. Various
types of encryption may be provided to various contents for use in
the various systems. That is, when stored in the content
repository, several different versions of the content encrypted in
different ways may be stored therein. In step 726, the encrypted
content is stored in the content repository.
[0088] In step 728, a guide or title list is generated. The guide
or title list may also be referred to as an inventory list. The
inventory or title list is generated in response to the content
available in the content repository. Preferably, elements of the
list are only provided for content available for the different
types of targets or devices. That is, when the content list is
received by the various devices, only the content that is available
to that device is preferably received. The elements of the list may
be compiled by the content management system 221. In step 730, the
guide, title list or inventory is communicated to the user devices.
The title list may be provided to the user devices in various ways
including through a satellite, through a terrestrial system,
through a terrestrial wireless system, through a web-based system,
or the like. The content list may be provided in a different way or
using a different communication means than the content is provided.
For example, a list may be provided through the satellite, whereas
the content may be received through a broadband or Internet-based
system. Communication to the user devices may also take place on a
web-based system. The user devices may be used to obtain
information on a website that is in communication with the user
device.
[0089] In step 732, a selection is formed at the user device. The
selection may be performed by entering or selecting the content
from a user interface at the user device. A graphical user
interface may have a selection box thereon for selecting. The
selection box may be moved using cursors or other devices.
Specialized selection buttons or buttons that exist on a system may
be used for forming a selection. A signal identifying the selection
is formed and communicated to the content processing system. In
step 734, once a selection is selection, billing information is
updated so the proper user device account may be updated. In step
736, the content delivery network is selected. The content delivery
network may be selected depending on the type of content selected.
That is, various content delivery networks may be provided in a
particular system. However, only one of the content delivery
networks may be used for delivering content to that particular user
device based upon the formatting and the like.
[0090] In step 740, the content is played back or stored in the
user device. It should be noted that the playback may be performed
while recording the content.
[0091] Referring now to FIG. 8, a specific method for operating the
content management system is illustrated. Steps 710-722 of FIG. 7
are shared in this embodiment. In step 810, the content type is
determined. The content type is based upon the target described
above. The target corresponds to the various types of user devices.
In this example, a web-based and non-web-based-type system is
employed. However, the same decision blocks may be used for various
other types of target devices. It should also be noted that more
than two different types of targets may be provided. However, in
such a system, the same types of logic may be used. In step 820,
the system determines whether or not the content is destined for a
web-based system. In step 822, if content is for a web-based
system, the block diagram of FIG. 2b may be utilized. In step 824,
digital rights management (DRM) may be applied. Digital rights
management may be windows media-based digital rights management or
various other types of digital rights management. The digital
rights management may also include various types of encryption. In
step 826, the content with the applied digital rights management
and/or encryption is stored in the content repository. In step 828,
a list is provided for the content available at a web portal. After
step 828, steps 832-740 of FIG. 7 may be performed.
[0092] Referring back to step 820, if the system is not a web-based
system, step 830 may be performed. In step 830, the schematic of
FIG. 2a may be used to process the content. In step 832, encryption
is applied to the content based on the target type.
[0093] In step 834, the content, with the applied encryption, is
stored in the content repository. In step 836, a content list is
generated for the particular target. In step 838, the content list
may be communicated through the program guide or other means. For a
satellite-based system, the program guide may be communicated
through the satellite. The content list available from the content
delivery network may be periodically updated and communicated
through the satellite.
[0094] After step 838, steps 732-740 of FIG. 7 may be
performed.
[0095] When the content is provided to the various content delivery
networks, various life cycles, purge times, and the like may be
associated with the content. The content may have different life
cycles, purge times, and other characteristics when provided to
each content delivery network. It should also be noted that the
same content may be provided through different content delivery
networks with different timing characteristics. The different
content delivery network may have the same or different types of
encryption as well. The various purge times and other life-cycle
components are provided in the metadata as described above.
[0096] The example in FIG. 8 is provided for web and non-web-based
system. The examples may easily be extended to other types and
numbers of systems and targets.
[0097] Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the
foregoing description that the broad teachings of the disclosure
can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this
disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the
disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will
become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the
drawings, the specification and the following claims.
* * * * *