Interactive delivery of media using dynamic playlist generation subject to restrictive criteria

Abstract

A media delivery scheme distributes a stream of media files to a group of users while allowing individual users to request specific media files. In one embodiment, a media server maintains a playlist of media files to broadcast, and requests for media must satisfy certain restrictive criteria to be added to the playlist. In another aspect of a preferred embodiment, the media server schedules requested media so as to comply with provisions of the DMCA.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 10 / 021,752, filed Mar. 29, 2001, titled “INTERACTIVE DELIVERY OF MEDIA USING DYNAMIC PLAYLIST GENERATION SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIVE CRITERIA,” having Attorney Docket No. REAL-2006036 (RN118), and naming the following inventors: James P. Lester, and Alexander J. Kirk. Which is a non-provisional of and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 244,079, filed Oct. 27, 2000, both are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to electronic media delivery, and more particularly, to interactive delivery of electronic media over a network to a group of users.[0003]Advances in communications technology have enabled many new applications for delivery of electronic media over computer networks, such as the Internet. Because of this ability, people have increasingly turned to on-line sources for their various media require...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]This hybrid scheme beneficially provides for both active and passive use by different users at the same time. Users may actively seek a particular media file by looking through an online media library 106 for a selection, while other users can tune into a media broadcast and passively receive a media program as modified by the requests of others. This approach gives users more options than traditional approaches, and it also better satisfies users' preferences. While any preselected media program is likely designed with users' preferences in mind, this hybrid functionality allows the users to affect the media broadcast. Accordingly, the media broadcast more closely mirrors its audience's preferences than would a traditional radio-style broadcast having a rigid playlist composed in advance or at the commencement of the broadcast. Applying certain restrictive criteria to the client requests further ensures a level of quality control and standards in the media broadcast.

[0012]In one aspect of the invention, fewer than a substantial number of requested media files are broadcasted within an hour of receiving the corresponding request, or at a time that a user is informed that the requested media file will be broadcasted. Under the DMCA, this allows the media service provider to obtain a statutory license to broadcast copyrighted material. Allowing service provider to comply with the statutory license requirements of the DMCA effectively decouples acquisition of subscription rights from entry to market and delivery of service. A significant barrier to entry for media service providers is thus reduced.

[0013]In another aspect of an embodiment, different media broadcasts are distributed over different channels on a network, and clients can tune between and in and out of the various channels. A specific playlist is maintained for managing the media delivery over each channel, as explained above, and clients can make media requests specific to individual channels. Advantageously, the channels can be used to organize the media broadcasts into different categories, or genres. Use of multiple channels also increases the benefit that the media broadcasts, affected by user requests, will better mirror the preferences of the group. As people of like preferences will tend to tune into and make requests from the same channels, passive users will tune into channels affected by other users having similar tastes These passive users will thus benefit by receiving media broadcasts that reflect the preferences of others with whom they share common media tastes.

Problems solved by technology

Traditional streaming media broadcasts allow users to tune into particular channels of interest, but they have not provided the ability to dynamically modify the playlist on the fly in response to requests from the users, nor have they offered the ability to apply restrictive criteria to those requests.

As a result, users are limited to receiving selections in the playlist and cannot send requests to the server to broadcast other songs, videos, or other media items.

Moreover, receiving media via single file requests is time intensive, requiring each user to interactively select media files and facilitate the downloads.

This method is therefore undesirable for users that simply wish to tune into a broadcast.

A significant barrier to entry for business to provide media delivery of copyrighted works is acquiring licenses or other rights to distribute the media.

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