IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0180590
(2002-06-26)
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등록번호 |
US-7266686
(2007-09-04)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Monteiro,Antonio M
- Butterworth,James F
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
23 인용 특허 :
150 |
초록
▼
A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the
A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: forwarding a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, wherein said forwarding of said real-time media stream from said intermediate server to said
What is claimed is: 1. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: forwarding a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, wherein said forwarding of said real-time media stream from said intermediate server to said user device is via unicast, multicast, or any combination of the aforementioned; detecting a termination of said forwarding; determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and logging said extent for commercial purposes. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said forwarding is via the Internet, a private data network, a satellite network, a cable network, an over-the-air broadcast, or any combination of the aforementioned. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before said forwarding, authenticating said user device. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said commercial purposes include monitoring delivery of commercial messages. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining further comprises ascertaining a duration of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said ascertaining monitors commencement and termination of said forwarding. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining further comprises ascertaining the size of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said ascertaining further comprises determining total bytes of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein said ascertaining further comprises determining a time period during which said real-time media stream was forwarded toward said user device. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said real-time media stream comprises an audio stream, a video stream, or an audio and video stream. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said real-time media stream further comprises side-bar information, graphics, images, text, or any combination of the aforementioned. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the status of said user device. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said monitoring further comprises periodically pinging said user device to determine the operational status of said user device. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said termination is caused by the operational status of said user device. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said termination is caused by said user device terminating reception of said real-time media stream. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said intermediate server is instructed to commence said forwarding of said real-time media stream toward said user device. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein said intermediate server is instructed to terminate said forwarding of said real-time media stream toward said user device. 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting said stream from said user device to at least one other user device. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising monitoring said transmitting. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein said real-time media stream is an audio transmission, a video transmission, a radio transmission, a television transmission, a satellite transmission, a cable transmission, an advertisement, or any combination of the aforementioned. 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before said forwarding, recording the real-time media stream to a storage medium. 22. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before said forwarding, receiving a request for said real-time media from said user device. 23. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: forwarding copies of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward each of multiple user devices; detecting a termination of said forwarding to at least one of said user devices; determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said at least one user device after said termination; and logging said extent for commercial purposes. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein an extent of each of said copies forwarded to said multiple user devices is logged. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising aggregating each said extent over a predetermined time period. 26. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: encoding a media source feed into a real time media stream; transmitting said real-time media stream toward said intermediate server; forwarding said real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device; detecting a termination of said forwarding; determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and logging said extent for commercial purposes. 27. The method of claim 26 wherein said media source feed is received via the Internet, satellite, over-the-air broadcast, cable, hard disk, or any combination of the aforementioned. 28. The method of claim 26, wherein said transmitting comprises forwarding more than one real-time media stream to said intermediate server, which then combines the more than one stream into a single stream to be forwarded toward said user device. 29. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: forwarding more than one real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, which user device then combines the more than one stream into a single stream; detecting a termination of said forwarding; determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and logging said extent for commercial purposes. 30. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: selecting an intermediate server from multiple intermediate servers; forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from said intermediate server toward a user device; detecting a termination of said forwarding; determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and logging said extent for commercial purposes. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein said selecting is based at least partially on: a type of said user device, an ability of said user device to receive and playback said real-time media stream, an ability of said intermediate server to forward said real-time media stream, a prevailing load of said intermediate server, performance characteristics of the communications network, or any combination of the aforementioned. 32. The method of claim 30, wherein said selecting is at least partially based on a prevailing load of said intermediate server. 33. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device; adjusting said forwarding based on: a type of said user device, an ability of said user device to receive and playback said real-time media stream, an ability of said intermediate server to forward said real-time media stream, a prevailing load of said intermediate server, performance characteristics of the communications network, or any combination of the aforementioned; detecting a termination of said forwarding; determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and logging said extent for commercial purposes. 34. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device; detecting a termination of said forwarding; determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and logging said extent for commercial purposes, wherein said commercial purposes include assessing copyright royalties. 35. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, wherein a user of said user device must register prior to the forwarding of said real-time media stream toward said user device; detecting a termination of said forwarding; determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and logging said extent for commercial purposes. 36. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising: forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device; detecting a termination of said forwarding; after said termination determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device, wherein said determining further comprises identifying said user device and identifying the composition of said real-time media stream; and logging said extent for commercial purposes. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein a security token or an Internet Protocol (IP) address is used to identify a user of said device. 38. A system for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said system comprising: a user device coupled to a network; an intermediate server coupled to said network, said intermediate server comprising instructions for forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream toward said user device; at least one other server coupled to said intermediate server, wherein said at least one other server includes instructions for: detecting a termination of said forwarding; determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and logging said extent for commercial purposes. 39. The system of claim 38, wherein said termination is caused by said user device termination reception of said real-time media stream. 40. The system of claim 38, wherein said commercial purposes include monitoring delivery of commercial messages or assessing copyright royalties. 41. The system of claim 38, wherein said instructions for determining further comprise instructions for ascertaining a duration of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device. 42. The system of claim 38, further comprising multiple user devices coupled to said network, wherein said intermediate server is configured to forward a copy of said real-time media stream to each of said multiple user devices. 43. The system of claim 38, further comprising a network control center coupled to said intermediate server, wherein said network control center contains instructions for: encoding a media source feed into said real time media stream; and transmitting said real-time media stream toward said intermediate server. 44. The system of claim 38, wherein said at least one other server further includes instructions for authenticating users. 45. The system of claim 38, wherein said at least one other server further includes procedures for instructing said intermediate server to commence and terminate said forwarding. 46. A computer program product for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, the computer program product comprising computer readable storage and a computer program stored therein, the computer program comprising: instructions for forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device; instructions for detecting a termination of said forwarding; instructions for determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and instructions for logging said extent for commercial purposes. 47. The method of claim 46, wherein said instructions for forwarding further comprise instructions for forwarding a copy of said real-time media stream to each of multiple user devices. 48. The method of claim 46, further comprising instructions for: encoding a media source feed into said real time media stream; and transmitting said real-time media stream toward said intermediate server.
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