U.S. patent application number 15/654236 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-02 for system for providing policy based content service in a mobile network.
The applicant listed for this patent is Seven Networks, LLC. Invention is credited to Trevor Fiatal.
Application Number | 20170318454 15/654236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40789921 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170318454 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fiatal; Trevor |
November 2, 2017 |
SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING POLICY BASED CONTENT SERVICE IN A MOBILE
NETWORK
Abstract
A policy based content delivery system is provided. The system
causes a server to generate a list of content from content sources
in response to a user search request for content, provide the list
of content to the mobile device for selection of particular content
item by a user of the mobile device, receive a selection of the
selected content, reformat the selected content based on whether a
user selects a reformatting policy at the mobile device, and
transfer the reformatted content to the mobile device.
Inventors: |
Fiatal; Trevor; (Fremont,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Seven Networks, LLC |
Marshall |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40789921 |
Appl. No.: |
15/654236 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14468272 |
Aug 25, 2014 |
9736681 |
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15654236 |
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13168067 |
Jun 24, 2011 |
8849902 |
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14468272 |
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12011396 |
Jan 25, 2008 |
8862657 |
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13168067 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/9577 20190101;
H04L 67/42 20130101; H04W 8/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 8/24 20090101
H04W008/24; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06; G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A server comprising: one or more processors; a memory unit
having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one
or more processors, cause the server to: generate a list of content
from content sources in response to a user search request for
content; provide the list of content to a mobile device for
selection of particular content item by a user of the mobile
device; receive a selection of the selected content; reformat the
selected content based on whether a user selects a reformatting
policy at the mobile device; transfer the reformatted content to
the mobile device.
12. The server of claim 11, wherein the reformatting is based in
part on a screen characteristic of the mobile device.
13. The server of claim 11, wherein the selected content includes
image files.
14. The server of claim 11, wherein some of the selected content is
not reformatted.
15. The server of claim 11, wherein the server is distinct from the
content sources.
16. A method comprising: generating a list of content from content
sources in response to a user search request for content; providing
the list of content to a mobile device for selection of particular
content item by a user of the mobile device; receiving a selection
of the selected content; reformatting the selected content based on
whether a user selects a reformatting policy at the mobile device;
transferring the reformatted content to the mobile device.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the reformatting is based in
part on a screen characteristic of the mobile device.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the selected content includes
image files.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein some of the selected content is
not reformatted.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the list of content is
generated at a server, and the server is distinct from the content
sources.
21. A mobile device comprising: one or more processors; a memory
unit having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the
one or more processors, cause the mobile device to: receive a list
of content of content sources from a server for selection of
particular content item by a user of the mobile device; receiving
input relating to a selection of content at the mobile device for
the list in response to a user search request for content;
receiving input relating to selection of a reformatting policy at
the mobile device, wherein the selected content is reformatted
based on whether the user selects the reformatting policy at the
mobile device; receiving the reformatted content to the mobile
device.
22. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the reformatting is
based in part on a screen characteristic of the mobile device.
23. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the selected content
includes image files.
24. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein some of the selected
content is not reformatted.
25. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the list of content is
generated at a server, and the server is distinct from the content
sources.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application is a Continuation Application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/468,272, entitled "SYSTEM FOR
PROVIDING POLICY BASED CONTENT SERVICE IN A MOBILE NETWORK", filed
Aug. 25, 2014, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/168,067, entitled "SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
POLICY BASED CONENT SERVICE IN A MOBILE NETWORK", filed Jun. 24,
2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,849,902, issued Sep. 30, 2014, which
claims priority to Divisional Application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/011,396, entitled "POLICY BASED CONTENT
SERVICE", filed Jan. 25, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,862,657, issued
Oct. 14, 2014, the contents of which are all incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
wireless mobile device network services. More specifically, the
present invention relates to serving user selected content in
accordance with an enforcement policy.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The Internet allows users to access data remotely through a
computer. Traditionally, the computer has been a desktop unit or
laptop. Mobile devices now have the computing power to access data
remotely and effectively function as a desktop or laptop.
[0004] Notwithstanding, there are numerous issues related to
serving content to mobile devices. Each mobile device will have
varying capabilities such as resident software applications, screen
size, memory capacity, and processing power. Additionally, there
are many preferences that a user may have or be subject to that
when incorporated into the content serving process, limit the
ability to serve content.
[0005] Effectively managing mobile device capabilities and user
preferences would provide improved and enhanced content access on a
mobile device.
SUMMARY
[0006] A system for policy based content delivery includes a mobile
device, a content source, and a content server. The mobile device
selects and receives content. The content source provides content
selected by the mobile device to the content server. The content
source modifies content selected by the mobile device prior to
providing the selected content to the mobile device. The content
server detects content at the content source. The content server
provides a list of detected content to the mobile device for
selection by the user. The content server instructs the content
source to provide the content in a manner that is in accordance
with a policy.
[0007] A system for policy based content delivery includes a mobile
device, a content source, and a content server. The mobile device
selects and receives content. The content source provides content
selected by the mobile device to the content server. The content
server detects content at a content source. The content server
provides a list of detected content to the mobile device for
selection by the user. The content server requests content from the
content source. The content server includes a content reformatting
engine to modify selected content in a manner that is in accordance
with a policy.
[0008] A system for policy based content delivery includes a mobile
device, a content source, and a content server. The mobile device
selects and receives content. The content source provides content
selected by the mobile device to the content server. The content
source modifies content selected by the mobile device prior to
providing the selected content to the mobile device. The content
server detects content at a content source. The content server
provides a list of detected content to the mobile device for
selection by the user. The content server instructs the content
source to provide the content in a manner that is in accordance
with a policy. The content server includes a content reformatting
engine to modify selected content in a manner that is in accordance
with a policy.
[0009] A method for providing content in accordance with a policy
includes discovering available content at a content source,
requesting content located on a content source from a mobile
device, processing the request from the mobile device at a content
server, requesting content source to provide content in a manner
that conforms to the enforcement policy, and transferring the
requested content from the content source in a manner that conforms
to the enforcement policy.
[0010] A computer program is stored on a computer readable storage
medium. The program is executable by a processor for performing a
method for providing user selected content to a mobile device. The
method includes discovering available content at a content source,
requesting content located on a content source from a mobile
device, processing the request from the mobile device at a content
server, requesting content source to provide content in a manner
that conforms to the enforcement policy, and transferring the
requested content from the content source in a manner that conforms
to the enforcement policy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system in which metadata is sent
from a variety of content sources to a content server for content
discovery.
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary system in which user selected
content is sent from a content source through a policy based
content server to a mobile device.
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary system in which user selected
content is sent directly from a content source with a connector to
a mobile device.
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary system in which user selected
content is sent from a content source with a connector through an
approved external proxy to a mobile device.
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method for policy based service
of content.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system 100 in which metadata is
sent through a network 190 from a variety of content sources to a
content server 120 for content discovery. Mobile device 110
requests content from a content source 115 as may be identified
through a catalog, listing, or web pages associated with content
source 115 or content server 120. Content source 115 may include a
personal computer 170 or content portal such as Yahoo! Video 150 or
YouTube Video 160.
[0017] Content server 120 receives metadata 195 from the content
source 115 and determines the information concerning the requested
content such as file size, format, encoded bit rate, and DRM
limitations. Policy 130 is any one or combination of service
provider restrictions, mobile device capabilities, and user
preferences. The content server 120 uses policy 130 to identify
what type of requested content may be transferred to the mobile
device 110.
[0018] Policy enforcement engine 180 ensures that requested content
transferred to the mobile device 110 meets the requirements of the
policy 130. This enables the service provider, for example, to
enforce the service policy on the user's transmissions. The content
server 120 may then instruct the content source 115 whether the
requested content should be provided.
[0019] For example, the requested content may be a still image. The
content source will send metadata 180 to the content server 120
indicating, for example, the format and file size of the still
image. In this example, the still image may have a file size of 4
MB and be in the bitmap format. The content server 120 will then
use policy 130 and policy enforcement engine 180 to determine
whether the requested content can be provided "as is" from the
content server 115. If not, the policy enforcement engine 180 and
content reformatting engine 135 may attempt to reformat the content
prior to transfer to the mobile device in order to comply with
policy 130.
[0020] In this example, the policy 130 may limit the file size to 2
MB and the picture format to jpeg. The content server 110 will
instruct the content source 115, if possible, to provide the
requested content as 2 MB jpeg file. If not available as a 2 MB
jpeg, the policy enforcement engine 180 may instruct content
reformatting 135 to modify the content that is available for
delivery in compliance with the policy 130. In other situations,
the policy 130 may limit the bit rate at which the transfer occurs,
as well as resolution, total bandwidth, and transfer protocol.
[0021] Policy 130 may be modified or set according to personal user
preferences. The user may add additional limits on the manner in
which content is or is not provided to the mobile device 110. For
example, the user can control the quality of the audio playback and
the audio format to use when receiving audio content.
[0022] In FIG. 1, the personal computer 170 includes a connector
140. The connector 140 is a software application that allows a user
to configure the personal computer 170 to provide content to the
mobile device 110 via content server 120. The connector 140 may be
configured by the user to allow desired folders and files on the
personal computer to be accessible to the mobile device. In other
embodiments, the connector 140 may be connected to other content
sources. Personal computer 170, in an alternate embodiment, may
include the policy 130, policy enforcement engine 180, and content
reformatting engine 190.
[0023] The content server 120 may be configured to reformat
downloaded digital content using the content reformatting engine
135. The content reformatting engine 135 may decode, encode,
transcode, or resample digital content. The content reformatting
engine 135 may initiate reformatting of the downloaded content in
response to a command issued by the policy enforcement engine 180
or by the mobile device 110. Reformatting may also occur
automatically according to user preferences reflected in the policy
130. The content reformatting engine 135 may include copying a file
while changing a file format from one format to another, or while
changing a bit rate or resolution such that the copy has a
different bit rate or resolution than the original.
[0024] In one example, the content reformatting engine 135
reformats an MPEG-2 encoded video file to a 3GP encoded video file
by copying the MPEG-2 encoded video file and saving the copied
video file in the local content store 132 as a 3GP encoded video
file. In a second example, the content reformatting engine 135
reformats an AVI encoded video file having a resolution of 720 by
480 pixels to an AVI encoded video file having a resolution of 360
by 240 pixels. In another example, the content reformatting engine
135 reformats an MPEG-4 encoded video file having a frame rate of
approximately 30 frames per second (fps) to an MPEG-4 encoded video
file having a frame rate of approximately 15 fps. By further
example, the content reformatting engine 135 reformats an MP3
encoded audio file having a bit rate of 192 kilobits per second
(kbps) to an MP3 encoded audio file having a bit rate of 128
kbps.
[0025] The content reformatting engine 135 may also reformat the
content based upon a factor dependent on the mobile device 110, a
user-selectable preference, or a preset preference. The factor
dependent on the mobile device 110 may further include supported
codecs (e.g., MP3 and WMA), bit rates (i.e., bits per second),
sampling rates (i.e., samples per second), sample resolutions
(i.e., bits per sample), and video frame rates (i.e., frames per
second). The factor dependent on the mobile device 110 may also
include processing power, memory size, free available memory,
screen size, and screen resolution.
[0026] The reformatting may be performed such that the reformatted
digital content transferred to the mobile device 110 corresponds to
an optimal data size range as determined by factors listed above.
As an example, the downloaded content may be reformatted to more
compact file sizes when free available memory at the mobile device
110 is low. Alternatively, the downloaded content may be
reformatted to larger file sizes when free available memory at the
mobile device is high. As another example, the downloaded content
may be reformatted to a lower resolution screen size when the
mobile device 110 is a cellular telephone than when the mobile
device 120 is a PDA. The downloaded content may be reformatted to
resolution somewhat larger (finer) than the screen size resolution
to allow the downloaded content to be zoomed and cropped to a
reasonable degree at the mobile device 110.
[0027] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary system 200 in which user
selected content is sent from a content source 230 through the
policy based content server 220 to a mobile device 210. The policy
based content server 220 corresponds to the content server 120 of
FIG. 1. In this embodiment, policy enforcement occurs at the policy
based content server 220.
[0028] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary system 300 in which user
selected content is sent directly from a content source with
connector 330 to a mobile device 310. In this embodiment, the
policy enforcement occurs at the content source with connector 330
as the content is not sent back through the policy based content
server 320. A content source with connector 330 may be akin to the
coupling or integration of the connector 140 and personal computer
170 in FIG. 1. A connector coupled to or integrated with the
content source may perform policy enforcement at the content
source. In some embodiments, content selection may bypass the
policy based content server 320 and occur by and between mobile
device 310 and content source 330.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary system 400 in which user
selected content is sent from a content source with connector 430
through an approved external proxy 440 to a mobile device 410. The
policy enforcement may occur at the content source 430 or the
external approved proxy 440. Use of the external approved proxy 440
may be subject to the proxy having a connector application. The
approved external proxy 440 may be a server remote from the service
provider. Alternately, the external proxy 440 may be a separate
server located at the same data center as the content based content
server 420.
[0030] FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method for policy based service
of content. Step 510 is the discovery of available content on a
content source. Step 520 is the requesting of content located on a
content source from a mobile device. Step 530 is the processing of
the request from a mobile device at a content server. Step 540 is
requesting the content source to provide content in a manner that
conforms to a service policy. Step 550 is the optional reformatting
of the selected content as necessary to conform to the enforcement
policy. Step 560 is the transferred of the requested content from
the content source in a manner that conforms to the enforcement
policy to the mobile device.
[0031] While the present invention has been described in connection
with a series of preferred embodiment, these descriptions are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular
forms set forth herein. To the contrary, the present descriptions
are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims and otherwise
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
* * * * *