1336 results about "Content distribution" patented technology

A portable wireless communications subscriber audio and/or video player apparatus and system and method for selecting, requesting, downloading, and playing audio and/or video data content files from an Internet-based database server. The wireless link is preferably implemented in accordance with the WiFi protocol, which allows connectivity to the Internet by being in proximity with a local base station or WiFi hotspot (i.e., publicly available local wireless access hub connected to the Internet). The portable wireless communications subscriber audio and/or video player apparatus and system preferably include a security means for monitoring and blocking unauthorized use of the player apparatus and system. The player apparatus further preferably has the capability to communicate with other neighboring player apparatus for the purpose of exchanging content data files, playlists and personal messages.

The acceleration of peer-to-peer downloads of content files wherein a tracker performs a condition based peer selection that is dynamically adjustable. A further feature relates to the use of enhanced message scheme for communications. One embodiment is a system in a swarm having at least one origin seed capable of at least initially storing the content files with at least one tracker maintaining a list of peers wherein the tracker uses at least one dynamically adjusting peer selection algorithm to generate a condition based peer-list and provides the condition based peer-list to a requesting peer.

A multi-source bridge content distribution system links multiple content owners with access network operators or content distribution providers leasing space on access networks so that multi-media content can be provided from multiple content owners to consumers through a multi-source bridge or data center. Content files and associated content owner preference settings are provided from a plurality of content sources or providers to the multi-source data center. Files stored at the data center or locally at an access network are provided to subscribers through the local access network Content files are provided if the content owner preference settings are a sufficient match with service provider access network preference settings set up by the service provider using the access network to provide content to subscribers.

A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a Wi-Fi or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads may be governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

A process and facility supports device-specific delivery of a multimedia object to an end user's device as a function of the device's capabilities, the transport interface to the device, and/or the viewing state and/or access privileges of the device's user with respect to the object or the user's relationship to an owner of the device and/or multimedia object.

A content distribution system has a DNS server which is configured to provide DNS responses in response to DNS requests, and a device which interconnects between a client and the DNS server. The device includes an interface which communicates with the client, and a controller coupled to the interface. The controller can intercept a first DNS request en route from the client to the DNS server, and provide a second DNS request to the DNS server through the interface in response to interception of the first DNS request. The second DNS request selectively includes a client identifier which identifies the client, and not including the client identifier which identifies the client, based on a selection decision. The controller can further convey a DNS response from the DNS server to the client through the interface. The DNS response includes a content server identifier which identifies a content server.

The present invention is a network architecture or framework that supports hosting and content distribution on a truly global scale. The inventive framework allows a Content Provider to replicate and serve its most popular content at an unlimited number of points throughout the world. The inventive framework comprises a set of servers operating in a distributed manner. The actual content to be served is preferably supported on a set of hosting servers (sometimes referred to as ghost servers). This content comprises HTML page objects that, conventionally, are served from a Content Provider site. In accordance with the invention, however, a base HTML document portion of a Web page is served from the Content Provider's site while one or more embedded objects for the page are served from the hosting servers, preferably, those hosting servers near the client machine. By serving the base HTML document from the Content Provider's site, the Content Provider maintains control over the content.

Apparatus and methods for protected content access, browsing and transfer over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a premises (e.g., residential) LAN, and the apparatus comprises a server and renderer consumer premise equipment (CPE). The renderer CPE scans the network to search for a server CPE that implement a compatible security framework. The renderer authenticates itself with the server, and the server allows content browsing and selection access only to an authorized and authenticated renderer. A negotiation and exchange protocol comprises messages exchanged between the renderer and the server that include one or more of device identification, encryption key exchange, digital certificates and information regarding security package used by each CPE.

The invention facilitates the distribution of content over a network (e.g., the Internet, a television network) and, in particular, the distribution of high-bandwidth (i.e., data intensive) content, such as video content or customized content. At least one of the sites of the network (a “core server”) is controlled (at least in part) by an entity that desires to distribute content to one or more other network sites (“client(s)”) at which the content is to be used. In accordance with the invention, a core server uses one or more other network sites (“node server(s)”) to distribute content on behalf of the core server to one or more clients. In particular, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the entit(ies) having control (at least in part) of each of one or more network sites (node server(s)) can be recruited to use their site(s) to distribute content on behalf of a core server to one or more clients.

A method of securely providing data to a user's system over a broadcast infrastructure. The method comprising the steps of: encrypting the data using a first encrypting key; encrypting a first decrypting key using a second encrypting key; dividing at least part of the encrypted data into a series of logical packages; placing at least some of the logical packages into a broadcast carousel for cyclical broadcast over the broadcast infrastructure; broadcasting the packages in broadcast carousel so that they can be received by at least one user's system, wherein the broadcast is cyclical and repeats periodically; and transferring the encrypted first decrypting key, which has been encrypted with the second encrypting key, to the user's system.In another embodiment, a system is disclosed to carry out the above method in a broadcast infrastructure and an image overlaid on top of a primary image being displayed isused to denote that additional logical packages are available for receipt by broadcast.

A distributed network-attached storage network provides content distribution using conventional file transfer protocols such as NFS and CIFS. A filer proxy accepts a client request and translates the client request to a file transfer protocol accepted at the file system having the file requested in the client request. The filer proxy generates a file handle for the file containing redundant filer proxy information to be used for failover to a backup filer proxy in the event of a network error or failure of an original filer proxy. The file handle also contains information for network security purposes such as detection of forged file handles.

Methods and systems for network traffic management are provided. A content distribution network application manages data in a cache. A network rate shaper application controls and manages requests for access to an external network connection. The content distribution network application determines priorities associated with requests and communicates these priorities to the rate shaper application. The rate shaper application adjusts access levels or data transfer rates for the requests based on the received priorities.

The present invention provides an internet based or locally hosted business to business full service secure commercial electronic marketplace which facilitates transactions between suppliers and buyers. The system transforms the suppliers' content into generic content and enables the suppliers to review, correct and update the supplier content. The system distributes the content back to the supplier and to selected buyers in a generic and usable format across multiple forums. The system further provides multiple levels of sourcing for the suppliers and buyers including a private on-contract sourcing level, a, private off-contract sourcing level, a private index off-contract sourcing level, a private supplier or seller sourcing level, a public buyer sourcing level, and content distribution for buy side sourcing levels, supply side sourcing levels, multi-buyer exchanges and multi-supplier exchanges.

Mechanisms and techniques operating in a content distribution network in a peering relationship with a second content distribution network. The system maintains a first client list identifying a first set of client devices associated with a first content distribution network. The system also obtains a second client list identifying a second set of client devices associated with a second content distribution network. The system applies a client list filtering technique to the first client list and the second client list to produce a preferred client list associated with the second content distribution network. The preferred client list potentially identifies at least one preferred client device for which the second content distribution network preferably processes client requests. The system then operates a content routing technique to direct a client request associated with a client device to a content distribution network having a preferred client list that identifies the client device associated with the client request as a preferred client device.

A method and system of performing IP multicast includes a client at one of many downstream networks that sends a request signal to an upstream network via a return channel (e.g., the Internet), and the upstream network sends the request to a media server. The media server, and for live data, a media encoder, processes a media stream to generate a real-time IP multicast communication that is output to a unidirectional satellite that transmits the IP multicast communication to the client without delay via the downstream network, and can convert the IP multicast to unicast. The bidirectional return channel allows the source to calculate billing information based on client usage statistics, and transmits confirmation acknowledgement based on a confirmation request from the upstream network. Because the routing configuration is transparent to the rest of the network, the invention applies to multi-hop networks on both sides of the satellite link.

A method for clustering together network clients for guiding of placement of network servers is disclosed. A number of routing table prefix/netmask entries are aggregated and unified into a tubular format. The routing table entries may be converted into a singular format. A network server log is used to extract a number of client IP addresses which are compared to the entries within the unified routing table. A common prefix shared by a number of the client IP addresses and an entry in the unified routing table is determined and used to cluster the clients together in a client cluster. Network servers, such as proxy server, cache servers, content distribution servers and mirror server may be placed in the network according to the client clusters.

A computer-implemented method for delivering targeted advertising in an asynchronous messaging-based social networking platform, the system comprising: providing a messaging server configured to managed asynchronous message delivery to a plurality of users, wherein a message comprises: a content title; a timestamp; a profile id, wherein the profile id is a unique identifier associated with a publisher of the message; and a message; providing a user authentication database configured to store and manage user authentication information for the plurality of users; maintaining a plurality of bindings configured to associate at least one user of the system with at least one other user of the system; storing an articles database configured to store messages within the system; identifying a plurality of publishers wherein each publisher posts a plurality of messages within the system; determining a plurality of channels; for each channel, associating a plurality of the publishers with the channel; and providing advertising within the system.

The invention includes a method and apparatus for facilitating distribution of content from content sources to content distributors. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving meta-data associated with a content item available from the content source and propagating a notification regarding availability of the content item from the content source, where the notification comprises at least a portion of the associated meta-data. The meta-data is received from a content source from which the content item is available. The notification message for the content item, including at least a portion of the meta-data is propagated toward a content distributor, thereby enabling the content distributor to obtain a copy of the content item for use in serving requests for the content item originating from end users served by the content distributor.

A method, system and apparatus for storage and distribution of content in a content delivery network (CDN) are provided. The method includes acquiring and storing popularly accessed content from a content engine's cache file system. The method further includes mechanisms that distribute the stored content in the persistent content delivery network file system to the CDN network.

A computer implemented method and system simultaneously distributes content data streams (CDSs) of multiple content formats, for example, live cable television content, gaming content, social media content, user generated content, etc., to one or more computing devices. An interactive content distribution platform (ICDP) receives user selections of the CDSs and the content formats via a graphical user interface (GUI) and receives one or more CDSs in one or more content formats from multiple content sources based on the user selections. The ICDP synchronizes the CDSs by encoding the CDSs into a common data format and adjusting a transmission rate of the CDSs. The ICDP simultaneously transmits and displays the synchronized CDSs in one or more configurable windows on a display screen of each computing device at configurable time instances via the GUI. The ICDP facilitates interactions and initiates transactions between computing devices during the simultaneous display of the synchronized CDSs.

A portable content storage device is configured to hold digitally encoded video content on a disk drive. A user connects the device to a publicly located compatible interactive kiosk that stores several encoded content units, such as feature-length films. The user selects content units, and the kiosk copies the selections onto the device. At home, the user connects the device to a compatible set-top box that presents the content units as an output signal to a television set. The set-top box accumulates information related to the use of the video content units, such as how much of a content unit has been viewed and/or how many times it has been viewed. The set-top box then writes the information to the device. The information is read by the kiosk the next time the user connects the device to the kiosk and the user is billed for the use of the content.

A content distribution system and method which prevents unauthorized access to secured content such as movies and music. The apparatus includes a source, a receiver, an authorized security device such as a conditional access module (CAM) for decrypting authorized content, an output device for outputting content and a backend for managing accounts and system operations. One aspect of this invention provides a mechanism for providing secured content on a medium such as a DVD optical disc. These devices may verify that there is authorization to play the secured content, add watermarks to the secured content, convert the secured content to a displayable form and provide a means for preventing output of the secured content.

A technique for content delivery in wireless networks which associates a desired broadcast/multicast (BCMC) territory with the content, estimates cell sector coverage area from a subscriber location data set, and then identifies a set of cell sectors to be sent the content using a BCMC protocol. The method involves first receiving a description of a designated broadcast/multicast (BCMC) territory in terms of a physical area. Next, a content indicator associated with the BCMC territory is identified. The content indicator identifies content, such as text or image data, that is to be supplied to subscribers located in the territory. A cell sector coverage area is then estimated from a subscriber location data set wherein the data set includes at least a geographic location and a cell sector identifier for multiple subscribers. The BCMC territory description and the estimated cell sector coverage areas are then compared against the subscriber location data set to identify a set of targeted cell sectors. Finally, the content indicator is then sent to the set of targeted cell sectors using a BCMC protocol.

A method and apparatus for enabling use of multiple digital rights management scenarios (DRM). Unencrypted data representing digital content is examined to identify at least segments of content for encryption. The identified segments of content are duplicated and then encrypted using a first encryption method associated with a first DRM to produce first encrypted segments. Duplicates are encrypted using a second encryption method associated with a second DRM to produce second encrypted segments. A set of pointers are generated that point to the first and second encrypted segments content. A file is then created containing first and second encrypted segments of content, pointers and unencrypted content along with DRM rights data to produce a selectively encrypted multiple DRM enabled file.

An information receiving apparatus receives identification information and encrypted identification information and makes a comparison between them to allow prevention of illegal utilization of contents data. Also, a data storage apparatus can record contents data encrypted by a content key and the content key so that the contents data can be reproduced on other apparatuses to improve versatility. Moreover, a management apparatus can manage the contents data in the data storage apparatus to allow other apparatuses to utilize it. And also, an information regulating apparatus can verify a signature on available data to prevent illegal utilization of the contents data. Furthermore, the data storage apparatus can store the content key, its handling policies, the contents data encrypted by the content key and its license conditions information so as to safely provide the contents data. In addition, an information recording apparatus can select favorite contents data and store it on the data storage apparatus. Furthermore, the information receiving apparatus can prevent utilization of provision-prohibited contents data by a provision prohibition list.

A method of distributing advertisement content. One embodiment of the invention comprises a distribution server that is connected to a network of personal computers via a network. The distribution server receives advertising data from advertisers and formats the advertisement data for storage and display on the personal computers during or before bootloading a user selected application environment. Upon the occurrence of one or more events, the distribution server distributes the advertisement data to the network of personal computers. The personal computers receive the distributed advertisement content and store the advertisement data on a storage device. Upon the bootloading of the user selected application environment, the advertising data is displayed to the user.

Disclosed is a centralized controlling method of the process of delivering a routing packet for content transmission in a content-centric network (CCN). The routing method in a content centric network according to the present invention includes: a content distribution controller in the content centric network receiving a request for specific-content distribution from a user, determining locations of routers storing the content, and finding one of the routers to which the request from the user will be transmitted; and the content distribution controller finding an optimal path in consideration of a traffic distribution status and then transmitting a forwarding information base (FIB) to routers included in the optimal path.

A system for determining the amount of processing that has been applied to watermarked signal. A steganographic signal is provided that includes an original signal and an embedded fragile watermark. The fragile watermark is characterized by a low energy and a high redundancy in comparison to a robust watermark. The steganographic signal is communicated over a distribution channel to a decoder. At the decoder, a measure of a presence of the fragile watermark in the acquired steganographic signal is provided, along with an estimate of the fragility profile of the fragile watermark for this particular original signal. Based on these factors, a estimate is made of the amount of processing that the steganographic signal has undergone. This processing can include, for example, A/D and D/A conversions, resampling, band-limiting, perceptual compression/decompression, etc. Optionally, the fragility profile is derived prior to the distribution of the content and communicated by the steganographic signal for recovery by the decoder. Furthermore, a robust watermark may be provided in the steganographic signal that, e.g., designates the presence of the fragile watermark to a decoder.

Cache management techniques are described for a content distribution network (CDN), for example, a video on demand (VOD) system supporting user requests and delivery of video content. A preferred cache size may be calculated for one or more cache devices in the CDN, for example, based on a maximum cache memory size, a bandwidth availability associated with the CDN, and a title dispersion calculation determined by the user requests within the CDN. After establishing the cache with a set of assets (e.g., video content), an asset replacement algorithm may be executed at one or more cache devices in the CDN. When a determination is made that a new asset should be added to a full cache, a multi-factor comparative analysis may be performed on the assets currently residing in the cache, comparing the popularity and size of assets and combinations of assets, along with other factors to determine which assets should be replaced in the cache device.

A method and a system for improving Web hosting performance, enhancing content distribution and security on the Internet and stabilizing WEB Site connectivity, by means of creating a TCP terminating buffer around subscriber WEB Sites. A DNS agent diverts client requests to WEB Sites to a Virtual Host Accelerating (VHA) Site in closest proximity. The VHA Site comprises a set of physically identical computer units and processing is enhanced on those units by means of a hardware devise to accelerate database searches. The VHA determines if the client request is of a permitted type and if the request can be processed from recycled data. Both static and dynamic requests can be serviced from recycled material and only in certain circumstances are requests forwarded to the WEB Sites by means of permanent open connections. In some cases SSL requests are also served from recycled material. The client receives a response via the VHA Site thereby severing all direct connectivity between the client and the target WEB Sites.