US 9,756,397 B1 · Online forum for video distribution

Online forum for video distribution

AssigneeMinerva Networks, Inc.

InventorsMauro Bonomi, Jean-Georges Fritsch, Patrick James Sweeney, Randolph Osborne, Charles Francis Morris, Jr., Reed Majors, Francis Michel Degrange, Ian Locke, Johnny C. Y. Ng, Yousheng Cao, Li Liu, Nam Phu Thanh Do, Ronald D. Howe

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Abstract

Systems and methods for an online forum for video distribution are provided. A video file having a first format is received from a first client. The received video file is converted from the first format to a second format and is stored on a server, where the converted video file is accessible to a second client.

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Drawings

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for providing an online forum for video distribution, the method comprising:

receiving video content having a first format from a first client via a network, wherein the video content comprises a user-provided video;
providing a plurality of format options in response to a video request received from a second client, wherein each format option corresponds to a version of the video content having different replay characteristics;
receiving a format selection from the plurality of format options by the second client;
automatically converting the received video content from the first format to a second format that complies with the received format selection;
verifying that the video content comprises a user-provided video;
storing the converted video content on a server, the converted video content being accessible by the second client and stored in a searchable archive on the server, wherein the searchable archive comprises a customer-specific personal vault maintained on the server, the personal vault being a personal rental space storing any of a personal video library, a personal journal, a calendar, address books, a bookmark, and combinations thereof, wherein the bookmark maintains a list of indexes identifying where indexed programs are stored in the personalized rental space;
and
delivering the converted video content to the second client in the second format, wherein the second client is associated with a secondary account of the personal vault, the secondary account having restricted access to the personal vault relative to the first client.

5 more elements

A system for providing an online forum for video distribution, the system comprising:

a media delivery center that communicates with a first client via a network and with a second client via the network;
and
a processor for executing instructions stored in memory to:
receive video content having a first format from the first client, wherein the video content comprises a user-provided video;
provide a plurality of format options in response to a video request received from a second client, wherein each format option corresponds to a version of the video content having different replay characteristics;
receive a format selection from the plurality of format options by the second client;
automatically convert the received video content from the first format to a second format that complies with the received format selection;
verify that the video content comprises a user-provided video;
store the converted video content in the memory, the converted video content being accessible by the second client and stored in a searchable archive within the memory, wherein the searchable archive comprises a customer-specific personal vault maintained on the server, the personal vault being a personal rental space storing any of a personal video library, a personal journal, a calendar, address books, a bookmark, and combinations thereof, wherein the bookmark maintains a list of indexes identifying where indexed programs are stored in the personalized rental space;
and
deliver the converted video content to the second client in the second format, wherein the second client is associated with a secondary account of the personal vault, the secondary account having restricted access to the personal vault relative to the first client.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description22,427 words

Summary1,421 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention is generally related to media broadcasting and, more particularly, to multimedia delivery systems for delivering media to subscribers over networks.

#2. Description of the Related Art

Brief description of the drawings32 figures

#The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

#FIG. 1A illustrates a media delivery system in which the invention can be practiced;

#FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a data delivery system according to one embodiment of the invention;

Detailed description20,433 words

#The invention relates to improved approaches to management and operation of a media delivery system. The media delivery system centrally manages and stores media content and also controls the delivery of media content to subscribers.

#According to one aspect of the invention, the media delivery system can receive media programs in different forms and be configured to redeliver the media programs to its subscribers in one or more predefined forms suitable to subscriber's needs, delivery mediums and other factors. According to another aspect of the invention, the media delivery system can be readily configured to meet the needs and business objectives of a media service provider. For example, an administrator can control program scheduling, rates, service packages and system configuration for a media delivery system. Additionally, the administrator may also control billing, transaction monitoring, and customer relations.

#According to still another aspect of the invention, the media delivery system can be configured to deliver Internet services and provide a mechanism for subscribers to navigate the vast resources available on the Internet and exchange audio/video/text/image (e.g., via electronic mails) with others. Still another aspect of the invention is that the media deliver system can receive commercial information and can be configured to customize the commercial information for delivery to suitable subscribers. For example, the system can be configured to incorporate commercial information with a particular program being viewed to create an impulsive sale opportunity. Further, the popularity of a program among its subscribers can be reported by the system to the producer of the program by monitoring and analyzing respective status of each of the subscribers.

Facts

Application

12/965,803Filed 10 Dec 2010 · continuation

Priority

16 Jun 2000

Granted

5 Sep 2017

Term ended

16 Jun 2020

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification20 codes

H04N 21/4854
End-user interface for client configuration: for modifying image parameters, e.g. image brightness, contrast
H04H 60/72
Systems specially adapted for using specific information, e.g. geographical or meteorological information: using electronic programme guides [EPG]
H04N 7/147
Between two video terminals, e.g. videophone: communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication,…
H04N 7/165
Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing: centralised control of user terminal ;…

Family

Application09/595,848Parent of this continuation · filed 16 Jun 2000

Application10/899,712Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Jul 2004

US 6,769,127 B1Parent of this continuation

Application10/899,712Parent of this continuation

US 9,756,397 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Timeline

16 Jun 2000Priority claimedParent application 09/595,848
10 Dec 2010Application filedUS 12/965,803
17 Dec 2010Assigned to Minerva Networks, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
7 Nov 2011Assigned to Minerva Networks, Inc.change of address
5 Sep 2017GrantedUS 9,756,397 B1
16 Jun 2020Term endedEstimated