US 2008/0175190 A1 · Multi-node media content distribution system

Abstract

A multi-node media content distribution system is incorporated in portable slave node media content reproduction devices for sharing video, music, photo or any other media content files with other portable slave node media content reproduction devices wirelessly. The multi-node media content distribution system includes media content reproduction devices wirelessly configured as a network. One of the media content reproduction devices is designated as a master controller node media content reproduction device and provides the media content files to the network as a server. All remaining media content reproduction devices are slave nodes to the master controller node media content reproduction device to receive the media content files. The master controller node media content reproduction device encrypts the media content files with a unique encryption key that is known only to the member slave. Each of the media content reproduction devices of the network may be in communication with an online music store for purchase of a media content file based on its associated media content information file.

Claims74

Dependent claims

A multi-node media content distribution system for distribution of media content wirelessly, the multi-node media content distribution system comprising:

a plurality of media content reproduction devices communicating wirelessly as nodes in a network, where one of the media content reproduction devices is designated as a master controller node media content reproduction device for the network and provides the media content data files to the network as a server and all remaining media content reproduction devices are slaves to the master controller node and receive the media content data files;
the network comprising:
an application layer where all the media content reproduction devices appear to be able to share their media content data files with other media content reproduction devices in the network, and
a protocol layer in which the master controller node coordinate a communication channel access timing and distribution of the media content data files to and from the other media content reproduction devices in the network.

1 more element

A method for distributing media content data files in a multi-node media content distribution network comprising the steps of:

transmitting and receiving polling signals to scan for a local master controller node by at least one media content reproduction device;
monitoring the RF channels by the at least one media content reproduction device on which the at least one media content reproduction devices are transmitting and receiving;
determining by the at least one media content reproduction device if a master controller node is present;
declaring the at least one media content reproduction device as a master controller node, when no master controller node is present;
transmitting and receiving polling signals to identify the declared master controller node media content reproduction device as a master of the multi-node media content distribution network;
scanning by the declared master controller node media content reproduction device for the presence of other media content reproduction devices present to join the multi-node media content distribution network.
determining by the declared master controller node media content reproduction device if at least one other media content reproduction device is present;
establishing a communication channel between the declared master controller node media content reproduction device and at least one other media content reproduction device;
assigning an operational mode for the multi-node media content distribution network by the declared master controller node media content reproduction device;
distributing the media content data files between the declared master controller node media content reproduction device and the at least one other media content reproduction device present on the multi-node media content distribution network.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-node media content distribution system

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Multi-node media content distribution system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims74