Multicasting method and apparatus
DC CAFC
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
- forwarding a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, wherein said forwarding of said real-time media stream from said intermediate server to said user device is via unicast, multicast, or any combination of the aforementioned;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
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Abstract
A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.
202 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
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forwarding a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, wherein said forwarding of said real-time media stream from said intermediate server to said user device is via unicast, multicast, or any combination of the aforementioned;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
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forwarding copies of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward each of multiple user devices;
detecting a termination of said forwarding to at least one of said user devices;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said at least one user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
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encoding a media source feed into a real time media stream;
transmitting said real-time media stream toward said intermediate server;
forwarding said real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
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forwarding more than one real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, which user device then combines the more than one stream into a single stream;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
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30. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
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selecting an intermediate server from multiple intermediate servers;
forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from said intermediate server toward a user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
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forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
adjusting said forwarding based on;
a type of said user device, an ability of said user device to receive and playback said real-time media stream, an ability of said intermediate server to forward said real-time media stream, a prevailing load of said intermediate server, performance characteristics of the communications network, or any combination of the aforementioned;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
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34. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
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forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes, wherein said commercial purposes include assessing copyright royalties.
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35. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
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forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, wherein a user of said user device must register prior to the forwarding of said real-time media stream toward said user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
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36. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
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forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
after said termination determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device, wherein said determining further comprises identifying said user device and identifying the composition of said real-time media stream; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. A system for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said system comprising:
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a user device coupled to a network;
an intermediate server coupled to said network, said intermediate server comprising instructions for forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream toward said user device;
at least one other server coupled to said intermediate server, wherein said at least one other server includes instructions for;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A computer program product for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, the computer program product comprising computer readable storage and a computer program stored therein, the computer program comprising:
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instructions for forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
instructions for detecting a termination of said forwarding;
instructions for determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
instructions for logging said extent for commercial purposes. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48)
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Specification
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeTwo-Way Media Ltd
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Original AssigneeTwo-Way Media Ltd
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InventorsMonteiro, Antonio M, Butterworth, James F
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Primary Examiner(s)Peeso; Thomas R.
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Application NumberUS10/180,590Time in Patent Office1,896 DaysField of Search713/160, 713/168, 713/163, 713/165, 713/166, 713/167, 713/161, 713/182, 380/37US Class Current713/161CPC Class CodesG06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation...G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisementsH04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, ...H04L 12/1831 Tracking arrangements for l...H04L 12/185 with management of multicas...H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push ser...H04L 2012/5626 Network management, e.g. In...H04L 2012/5642 Multicast/broadcast/point-m...H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring...H04L 63/0807 using tickets, e.g. Kerbero...H04L 65/1089 by adding media; by removin...H04L 65/1101 Session protocolsH04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast ...H04L 65/765 intermediateH04L 67/55 Push-based network servicesH04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking;...H04L 9/40 Network security protocolsH04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband co...
