US 7,624,417 B2Granted

Method and system for accessing media content via the internet

OwnerRobin Duainventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A media storage and access system and methodology including a set-top box which receives and processes a plurality of signal sources and makes programming available locally through connected devices or via a data network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. The system also integrates a multimedia storage system that allows programming content to be digitally stored. The system utilizes an integrated digital storage system and operating software to allow users to view a broadcast program (e.g., television, radio, etc.) with the option of instantly reviewing previous segments within the program. In addition, the system allows the user to store selected media programming while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another program. The system also allows stored media assets to be accessed locally via a media device connected to the unit or remotely via the Internet.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A digital media storage and access system comprising:

a router device, said router device further comprising means for receiving a plurality of input signals comprising digital content, means for processing said digital content, means for storing said digital content and means for transmitting said digital content;
and
at least one media player device capable of receiving said digital content;
wherein said router device and said at least one media player device communicate via an electronic communications network,
said router device and said at least one media player device communicate via said electronic communications network using at least one of an E.164 to IP translation via ENUM, and URI addressing scheme,
an E.164 address is associated with said router device and said E.164 address of said router device is entered via said at least one media player device to connect to said router device to access said stored digital content and live digital media content,
access to said stored digital content and said live digital media content is selected on said at least one media player device via a button or a soft key,
said E.164 address of said router device is entered via said at least one media player device and is translated via said ENUM to establish connectivity with said router device via said electronic communications network,
user authentication on said router device is performed with one of biometrics, passwords, PINs and codes entered via said at least one media player device,
said router device or a remote control thereof comprises an RFID module for establishing communication with said at least one media player device,
said at least one media player device comprises an RFID module for establishing communication with said router device,
said RFID modules are configured as an automated virtual connector system between said at least one media player device and said router device for at least one of Bluetooth, WiFi, and a wireless protocol,
said RFID modules are configured to facilitate automated transfer of said stored digital content and said live digital media content from said router device to said at least one media player device via a wireless connection,
said REID module of said router device is configured to automatically register a VOIP handset or mobile device or user profile with said router device, and
said REID module of said router device is configured to capture payment information for purchases over a data network to which said router device is connected.

12 more elements

A set-top device comprising:

at least one input channel for receiving media content;
a media processor component for processing said media content;
at least one memory component for storing said processed media content;
and
at least one network interface component for transmitting said processed media content to at least one media player device, said at least one media player device being accessible through a network,
wherein said set-top device and said at least one media player device communicate via said network using at least one of an E.164 to IP translation via ENUM, and URI addressing scheme,
an E.164 address is associated with said set-top device and said E.164 address of said set-top device is entered via said at least one media player device to connect to said set-top device to access said stored media content and live media content,
access to said stored media content and said live media content is selected on said at least one media player device via a button or a soft key,
said E.164 address of said set-top device is entered via said at least one media player device and is translated via said ENUM to establish connectivity with said set-top device via said network,
user authentication on said set-top device is performed with one of biometrics, passwords, PINs and codes entered via said at least one media player device,
said set-top device or a remote control thereof comprises an RFID module for establishing communication with said at least one media player device,
said at least one media player device comprises an RFID module for establishing communication with said set-top device,
said RFID modules are configured as an automated virtual connector system between said at least one media player device and said set-top device for at least one of Bluetooth, WiFi, and a wireless protocol,
said RFID modules are configured to facilitate automated transfer of said stored media content and said live media content from said set-top device to said at least one media player device via a wireless connection,
said RFID module of said set-top device is configured to automatically register a VOIP handset or mobile device or user profile with said set-top device, and
said RFID module of said set-top device is configured to capture payment information for purchases over a data network to which said set-top device is connected.

13 more elements

A methodology for accessing and delivering media content comprising the steps of:

providing a digital set-top device for routing said media content, wherein said set-top device receives said media content through one or more of a plurality of input ports;
processing said media content for use by at least one media player device;
storing said processed media content;
transmitting said processed media content to said at least one media player device, said media device being accessible via an electronic network, wherein said set-top device and said at least one media player device communicate via said electronic network using at least one of an E.164 to IP translation via ENUM, and URI addressing scheme;
associating an E.164 address with said set-top device and entering said E.164 address of said set-top device via said at least one media player device to connect to said set-top device to access said stored media content and live media content;
selecting on said at least one media player device via a button or a soft key access to said stored media content and said live media content;
entering said E.164 address of said set-top device via said at least one media player device and translating the E.164 address via said ENUM to establish connectivity with said set-top device via said electronic network;
performing user authentication on said set-top device with one of biometrics, passwords, PINs and codes entered via said at least one media player device, wherein said set-top device or a remote control thereof comprises an RFID module for establishing communication with said at least one media player device, said at least one media player device comprises an RFID module for establishing communication with said set-top device, said RFID modules are configured as an automated virtual connector system between said at least one media player device and said set-top device for at least one of Bluetooth, WiFi, and a wireless protocol;
facilitating via said RFID modules automated transfer of said stored media content and said live media content from said set-top device to said at least one media player device via a wireless connection;
automatically registering via said RFID module of said set-top device a VOIP handset or mobile device or user profile with said set-top device;
and
capturing payment information via said RFID module of said set-top device for purchases over a data network to which said set-top device is connected.

9 more elements

A computer program product for accessing and delivering media content, including one or more computer readable instructions embedded on a computer readable medium and configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform the steps of:

providing a digital set-top device for routing said media content, wherein said set-top device receives said media content through one or more of a plurality of input ports;
processing said media content for use by at least one media player device;
storing said processed media content;
transmitting said processed media content to said at least one media player device, said media device being accessible via an electronic network, wherein said set-top device and said at least one media player device communicate via said electronic network using at least one of an E.164 to IP translation via ENUM, and URI addressing scheme;
associating an E.164 address with said set-top device and entering said E.164 address of said set-top device via said at least one media player device to connect to said set-top device to access said stored media content and live media content;
selecting on said at least one media player device via a button or a soft key access to said stored media content and said live media content;
entering said E.164 address of said set-top device via said at least one media player device and translating the E.164 address via said ENUM to establish connectivity with said set-top device via said electronic network;
performing user authentication on said set-top device with one of biometrics, passwords, PINs and codes entered via said at least one media player device, wherein said set-top device or a remote control thereof comprises an RFID module for establishing communication with said at least one media player device, said at least one media player device comprises an RFID module for establishing communication with said set-top device, said RFID modules are configured as an automated virtual connector system between said at least one media player device and said set-top device for at least one of Bluetooth, WiFi, and a wireless protocol;
facilitating via said RFID modules automated transfer of said stored media content and said live media content from said set-top device to said at least one media player device via a wireless connection;
automatically registering via said RFID module of said set-top device a VOIP handset or mobile device or user profile with said set-top device;
and
capturing payment information via said RFID module of said set-top device for purchases over a data network to which said set-top device is connected.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/341,715Filed 27 Jan 2006
Published: US 2007/0180485 A12 Aug 2007
Granted: 24 Nov 2009
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification42 codes

H04W 12/06
Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity: authentication
H04L 61/106
Of different types: across networks, e.g. mapping telephone numbers to data network addresses
H04L 61/4511
Using standardised directories; using standardised directory access protocols: using domain name system [DNS]
H04L 61/4557
Network directories; Name-to-address mapping: directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers