US 2004/0111473 A1 · Method and system for instantaneous on-demand delivery of multimedia content over a communication network with aid of content capturing component, delivery-on-demand client and dynamically mapped resource locator server.

Abstract

The present invention provides a system for capture and instantaneous on-demand delivery of multimedia content over a communication network to a plurality of users. Incorporated into the system is a variety of advantageous features including dynamically mapped resource locator server with central control mechanism for the administration of communication channels, users access and activity, cross-platform peer-to-peer delivery-on-demand client and user programmable content capturing component. In the preferred embodiment, the multimedia information being delivered is high quality video and audio with the purpose of multi-user multimedia broadcasting and remote video monitoring over a packet switched network, such as the Internet. However, the multimedia information can also include images, text, keystrokes, user commands, computer files, data, or any other type of information that can be transmitted over any communication network.

A method for capture and on-demand delivery of multimedia content over a computer network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a)assigning a predetermined, unique and permanent identification token to each broadcasting unit coupled to said network;
(b)providing at least one server coupled to said network, said server programmed to store, query, display and update a finite listing of said identification tokens, current network IP addresses, corresponding to said broadcasting units coupled to said network;wherein said server is programmed to monitor said network activity and receive said queries originating from said network users;wherein said network users place said queries by way of a web browsing application;
(c)ascertaining and communicating changes in said IP network addresses, corresponding to said broadcasting units, to said server;wherein, in response to said changes in said IP addresses, assigned to said broadcasting units, said server updates said listing of said identification tokens and said network IP addresses, corresponding to said broadcasting units coupled to said network, to reproduce said changes in said network IP addresses, corresponding to said broadcasting units;
(d)receiving said query placed by said network user on said server;(e)in response to receiving said query, querying said listing of said identification tokens and said IP addresses, corresponding to said broadcasting units coupled to said network, and identifying one identification token meeting requirements of said query;
(f)retrieving said IP address, corresponding to said identification token, from said listing of said identification tokens and said IP addresses, corresponding to said broadcasting units coupled to said network;
(g)redirecting and connecting said user's web browsing application to said IP address, corresponding to said identification token, identified by said query, from said listing of said identification tokens and said IP addresses, corresponding to said broadcasting units coupled to said network;
(h)in response to said user's web browsing application connection request, capturing and compressing said captured multimedia content on said broadcasting unit coupled to said network;
Wherein said step (h) includes the steps of:
(i)ascertaining and isolating captured video content from said captured multimedia content;
(j)partitioning said video content into a sequence of video frames;wherein each said video frame is marked with unique time stamp;
(k)ascertaining and isolating captured audio content from said captured multimedia content;
(l)partitioning said audio content into a sequence of n-second audio portions;wherein each said audio portion is marked with unique time stamp;
(m)identifying the type of said user's web application and determining optimal transmission rate for transmitting said captured and compressed multimedia content to said user's web browsing application;
(n)delivering said captured and compressed multimedia content to said user's web application in accordance with detected network protocol in use and said user's web application in use;
(o)receiving said captured and compressed multimedia content on said user's web browsing application;
Wherein said step (o) includes the steps of:
(p)ascertaining, isolating and decompressing said captured video content from said transmitted multimedia content;
(q)ascertaining, isolating and decompressing said captured audio content from said transmitted multimedia content;
(r)synchronizing the playback on said transmitted audio content and said transmitted video content by means of correlating said unique time stamps embedded in each said frame of said transmitted video content and each said n-second portion of said transmitted audio content;
(s)assembling and displaying said transmitted multimedia content on said user's screen;
(t)capturing said user's feedback and transmitting it to said broadcasting unit;
wherein said broadcasting unit analyzes said transmitted feedback and performs functions according to programmed feedback response;

19 more elements

Method and system for instantaneous on-demand delivery of multimedia content over a communication network with aid of content capturing component, delivery-on-demand client and dynamically mapped resource locator server.

Life of this patent

Method and system for instantaneous on-demand delivery of multimedia content over a communication network with aid of content capturing component, delivery-on-demand client and dynamically mapped resource locator server.

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims2