AU2006100544A4 - Content Presentation - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref: 12671291 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant(s): Mark THORN 13 Coonanga Road, Avalon, New South Wales, 2107, Australia Mike JEFFS 21/59 Golf Links Road, Buderim, Queensland 4556, Australia Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys 255 Elizabeth Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Invention Title: Content Presentation The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- P:\WPDOCS\AJSspcI12671291 doc.27A106 -1- ;CONTENT DELIVERY Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for delivering content, and in particular, to a S method of delivering content from multiple content providers via a communications network.

,O 5 Description of the Prior Art The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Existing content delivery systems typically operate by having users open a video file by invoking a link to the file either through a web browser or the interface of a player application itself. The file is then streamed to the User's PC where the viewer views the file.

When the file is finished playing, the screen goes blank and the any cached video is deleted from the User's PC.

This arrangement limits the ability of users to interact with the content. Additionally, the only information available to the user on the content of the video file prior to viewing, is the name of the link or some other supporting information about the video that incites the user to risk his time and open the video file. Accordingly, the only way for a user to see if content of interest is contained within a video file is to watch the video in its entirety.

A further problem with existing systems is that it is typical for the content provider to make content available via their own sales system. This has limitations on the range of content that users can obtain from any one source and often means that users must visit a number of different sources in order to locate content of interest. This is time consuming and often makes finding relevant content difficult.

P WDOCSISrsp"A\I26 1 291 .oc.27/0A S-2- Whilst centralised systems have been provided to allow users to download music from a r- number of different content providers via a single portal. However, such systems typically require users to pay up front in order to download music and this therefore provides a limited opportunity for users to review the content prior to download. In addition to this, in many circumstances the content providers are paid on a flat fee meaning they are not always C adequately renumerated for the content downloaded by users.

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Summary of the Present Invention In a broad form the present invention provides a method of delivering content, the method including, in a processing system: a) receiving content from a content provider; b) storing the content together with at least one index data, each index data being associated with a segment of the content; c) allowing a user to select content by using the index data to, at least one of: i) search for content; and, ii) review a content segment; d) transferring the selected content to the user; and, e) providing information to a content provider regarding selected content.

Typically the method includes, in the processing system: a) arranging for payment to be made by the user for the selected content; and, b) arranging for the content provider to be renumerated for the selected content with at least a portion of the payment.

Typically the method includes, in the processing system, allowing the user to select content by: a) receiving one or more search terms from the user; b) using the search terms and the index data to determine one or more relevant content segments; and, c) allowing the user to review one or more of the relevant content segments.

Typically the method includes, in the processing system, at least one of: P:\WPDOCSIAJScsplI2611291 doc-27I06A6 -3- S a) receiving the index data from the content provider; and, b) generating the index data in accordance with input commands.

Typically the processing system is coupled to one or more end stations via a communications network, and wherein the method includes, in the processing system, communicating with the j end stations to, at least one of: Sa) deliver selected content to users; and, b) obtain content from the content providers.

Brief Description of the Drawings An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a system for delivering content; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a processing system; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an example of an end station; Figure 4 is a flow chart of an example of the process of delivering content; Figures 5A and 5B are a flow chart of a second example of the process of delivering content; Figures 6A to 6C are examples of screen shots of the graphical user interface used for defining index data; Figures 7A and 7B are examples of screen shots of the graphical user interface used for obtaining content; and, Figure 8 is a flow chart of an example of a process for creating a user account.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An example of a process for content delivery will now be described with reference to Figure 1.

In this example, at step 100 content is received from a content provider before being stored together with index information in the form of index data at step 110. The index data provide searchable information which is relevant to one or more segments of the content. This may PAWPDOCSkAJS\spci\2671291 d-2AlW06A -4- S include for example a description of the nature of the content, the subject matter contained S therein, or the like.

At step 120 user selected content is determined and this is typically achieved at least in part S using the index data. Thus, as will be described in more detail below, users can provide search terms, which are then used to search the index data allowing content segments of interest to be located and/or reviewed. Thus in turn allows user to select content of interest.

S At step 130 the user is optionally billed for content to be supplied. This may be achieved in any one of a number of mechanisms, such as for example for through credit payments, a preconfigured user account or the like. Alternatively, this may not be required, for example, if the content is to be supplied free of charge to the user, such as for advertising, promotional purposes, or the like.

At step 140 content is transferred to the user, with information regarding the transfer being to the content provider at step 150, together with an optional payment of a proportion of funds if the user has been charged for the content.

This process is typically performed using a distributed architecture, an example of which will now be described with reference to Figure 2.

In this example, a base station 201 is coupled to a number of end stations 203, 205 via a communications network 202, such as the Internet, and/or via communications networks 204, such as local area networks (LANs), or wide area networks (WANs). Thus it will be appreciated that the LANs 204 may form an internal network at a specific location.

The base station 201 typically includes one or more processing systems 210, optionally coupled to one or more databases 211. In use, the processing system 210 is adapted to receive content from content providers utilising the end stations 205, and allow the content to be viewed by users of the end stations 203.

Accordingly, any form of suitable processing system 210 may be used. An example is shown in Figure 3. In this example, the processing system 210 includes at least a processor 300, a P \WPDOCSWS~Aipci 12671291 doc-27 *A6 memory 301, an input/output device 302, such as a keyboard, and display, and an S external interface 303, coupled together via a bus 304 as shown.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the processing system 210 may be formed from any S suitable processing system, such as a suitably programmed PC, Internet terminal, lap-top, hand-held PC, or the like, which is typically operating applications software to enable data transfer and in some cases web-hosting and file transfer protocol (FTP) functionality. This S would typically therefore require that the processing system 210 is a network server I connected via a high-bandwidth connection to the Internet.

Similarly the end stations 203, 205 are typically adapted to communicate with the processing system 210 positioned at the base station 201 to allow content to be provided thereto, or obtained therefrom. It will be appreciated that this allows a number of different forms of end station 203, 205 may be used.

An example of a suitable end station 203, 205 is shown in Figure 4. As shown the end station 203 includes a processor 400, a memory 401, an input/output device 402 such as a keyboard and display, and an external interface 403 coupled together via a bus 404, as shown. The internal interface 405 is typically provided to allow the end station 203 to be coupled to one of the communications networks 202, 204, and accordingly, this may be in the form of a network interface card, or the like.

In use, the processor 400 is adapted to communicate with the processing system 210 provided in the base station 201 via the communications networks 202, 204 to allow content transfer to be implemented.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the end stations 203, 205 may be formed from any suitable processing system, such as a suitably programmed PC, Internet terminal, lap-top, hand-held PC, smart phone, PDA, web server, or the like, which is typically operating applications software to enable data transfer and in some cases web-browsing.

An example of this process will now be described in more detail with respect to Figures and P \WPDOCSAJS'pcc X 2671291 do.27WAA -6- In particular at step 500 the content provider selects content for supply before reviewing the S content and selecting one or more segments within the content at step 510.

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At step 520 the content provider utilises the end station 205 to generate index data relating to the segments. The index data typically includes references to specific locations within the O 5 content that define the start and end of the segments. This may then be associated with information, such as meta-data, that provides a searchable description of the nature of the content segment. This may be achieved in any one of a number of manners but is typically r, achieved using an index application as will be described in more detail below.

At step 530 the content provider then transfers the content and index data from the end station D 205 to the base station 201. The content is typically supplied in the form of a content file, the nature of which will depend on the content format. Thus, for example, video content may be supplied as MPEG file, or the like.

At step 540 the base station 201 operates to store the content and index data in the database 211. It will be appreciated that the above steps 500 to 540 will be performed a number of times by different content providers each time content is to be made available.

In a separate process, as indicated by the dotted lines, the base station 201 then makes content available to users of the end stations 203. To achieve this, at step 550 the base station 201 generates a content search page allowing users to review available content. It will be appreciated that the content search page may take any one of a number of forms and an example will be discussed in more detail below.

At step 560 the user accesses the content search page using the end station 203. This may be performed utilising applications software executed by the end station-203 or may alternatively be achieved utilising a browser if the content search page is in the form of a webpage or the like.

At step 570 the user defines one or more search terms which are transferred to the base station 201 allowing the base station 201 to search the index data and locate relevant content at step 580. This typically involves having the base station 201 utilise a predetermined search P:\WPDOCS\AJS\speci\I 2671291 do-27M606 -7- S protocol which reviews meta-data associated with the index data and then locates relevant S content segments based on the results. Alternatively, this may be achieved by having a user select categories, or the like, from a suitable list, allowing relevant content segments to be S identified, as will be described in more detail below.

3 At step 590 the base station 201 generates and displays a segment list including details of any relevant located content segments. At step 600 the user reviews the segment list and then selects one or more of the segments. The selected segments are then transferred to the end I station 203 allowing the user to review these at step 610.

The provision of the content segment is achieved by having the base station 201 access the relevant index data defining the content segment, and then determine the corresponding start and end points of the segment. The base station 201 then accesses the content file associated with the selected content segment, and locates the portion of the file corresponding to the content segment using the relevant start and points.

The use of index data allows the base station 201 to transfer the relevant file portion to the end station 203, allowing streaming of only the relevant content segments, whilst needing to store a single instance of the entire content file.

The provision of content segments allows users to search a large amount of content, and be presented with a limited number of content segments which are potentially relevant. The content segments can be made available to the user at no costs allowing the user to review the content segments and hence select relevant content.

Thus for example the content may be in the form of television programs in which case the content segments would correspond to a limited portion of the television program by providing such a limited portion this allows the user to review the portion and determine if the television program is indeed of interest.

At step 620 the user provides an indication of selected content of interest which is transferred to the base station 201. At step 630 the base station 201 transfers the user to a payment page PAWPDOMS S\pec\ 1267129 1oc -271O6fl 8allowing the user to provide payment details which are then transferred to the base station 201 at step 640.

This may include for example having the user provide credit card details or the like to make payments on a one-off basis. Alternatively however, the end user may have an account with the operator of the base station 201 which can then be debited each time content is to be S downloaded. In this instance, the user can elect to debit the account and in the event that insufficient funds are available arrange for additional funds to be provided again by way of I credit card payments or the like.

At step 650 the base station 201 checks whether the payment is authorised. This may include for example checking credit card details are valid and/or checking that sufficient funds are available. In the event that payment is not authorised then the base station 201 indicates that the selected content will not be downloaded unless funds are provided at step 660. At this point the process can either return to step 640 to allow alternative payment details to be provided, or alternatively the process can end with no content being downloaded.

In any event, once the payment is authorised at step 660 the base station 201 moves onto step 670 and commences download or streaming of the content to the end station 203. At step 680 the base station 201 operates to determine the content provider associated with the provided content before arranging for a proportion of funds to be transferred to the content provider at step 690 to thereby renumerate the content provider.

Accordingly, this provides a mechanism by which users can review segments of content made available by a content provider. Once the user has determined content of interest, the user can pay for this to be selected download or streamed to their end station 203, with at least a portion of the payment being provided to the content provider, thereby remunerating the content provider.

In order to ensure that the content is not redistributed by the user, it is typical for some form of digital rights management process to be implemented. This typically involves having the user obtain a digital key from the base station 201, which may occur for example during the creation of a user account, as will be described in more detail below. In any case, the content P \WPDOCS\AJS\sp-1l267I29I dwc-27ll6i -9- S to be supplied is encoded using the key associated with the respective user account, so that S the content can only be displayed on processing systems 203 that includes the key.

As a result, if a user transfers the content to a third party, as the third party does not have S access to the key, they will be unable to display the content, hence reducing the illegal copying and redistribution of the content.

S Typically the digital rights management process utilises using multiple components to enable S a protected video file to play. The components typically include not only the key issued by the base station 201, but also a content ID that uniquely identifies the content being provided, and unique information provided by the end station 203 applying for the license, such as a GUID (Global Unique Identifier), or the like. It will be appreciated that the GUID could be defined by, or determined from either hardware within the end station 203, or a software application executed by the end station 203.

Thus, for example, when encoding the file, the base station 201 encodes the file based on the key, the content ID and the GUID of the end station 203 that has requested the content. The content can then only be decoded using the same components, which are only available to the end station 203.

If a protected file is copied and sent to another user, an attempt to view the content will result in the user's end station 203 being directed to a page hosted by the base station 201 requesting that the user make a payment before the content is displayed.

In one example, this is implemented at least in part using the Microsoft Windows Media® Digital Rights Management system, thereby providing for greater content protection than current DVD/Free to Air/Subscription TV distribution scenarios, as it will not allow Users to play a protected video file unless the proper DRM key has been obtained.

Specific examples of the index generation and search processes will now be described in more detail.

P: \WPDOCSAJSpccI12671291 doc-27M 6 I Index Generation As described above, the content is indexed in such a way as to allow the resulting files to be searchable in a network environment.

An example indexing program will now be described. In this example, the indexer is referred to as the "indexer", which utilises the functionality of simple linear and non-linear video editing and adapts it for indexing video content. It will be appreciated however that similar techniques can be applied to other forms of content.

An example of the indexer GUI (Graphical User Interface) is shown in Figure 6A. In this example, the GUI includes three panels 800, 810, 820. The database panel 800 of the indexer contains a number of windows for allowing the creation, editing and entry functionality for the database that runs a Video-Browser system.

In one example, the database is hierarchical and allows for the following convention: Level 1 Genres Level 2 Content Channels Level 3 Programs Level 4 Episodes Level 5 Topics In use, the user operates to create some high-level definitions, including details for the database hierarchy.

This can be done by clicking the 'New' button 801 and inserting the name of a Genre to be created, using the dialog box shown in Figure 6B. The created genres are displayed in the genre window 802, allowing the user to select an appropriate genre. In this example, two genres Christian and Non-Christian are provided.

The next level down is 'Content Channel'. This is another high-level definition that will allow End-Users to select from a series of content definitions. The relevant "Content Channel" can be edited using the field 803, which provides a drop down list of available channels, which in this example, includes 'Teaching', 'Movies' and 'Music'.

P;\WPDOCS~ASpcAI 61271291 dmoc°27JA)6 -11- Similarly, modules and sections can be defined using the fields 804, 805, as shown.

A Module is defined as part of the Content Channel level. Thus, for example, a Module can be a Program Series such as 'The World Around Us' and a Content Channel can be 'The Discovery Channel'.

At the section level, this relies on the specific content being segmented, and accordingly, it is S necessary to define a source of the video to be indexed by selecting a video file to index. This S may be any form of video file, such as an MPEG video file, depending on the preferred implementation.

Once the video source is selected, this is displayed in the video load in the 'In-Point' video D preview panel 810. At this point indexing can be performed using the controls provided in the in-point preview panel 810. This is typically achieved by: Selecting 'Play' 811 in the In-Point frame to start the video playing.

Identifying where your first in-point will be and press 'Record In-Point' 812. (The 'Trim In-Point' buttons 813 can be used to achieve an accurate edit-point.) Entering keywords that describe the section of video being indexed. (These need to be keywords that are relevant to the content, but not too specific. Just think about what keywords a User would be searching by and enter these).

SOnce the In-Point is recorded, the 'Out-Point' panel 820 is used to play the video to the end of the section being indexed.

Once the end of the section is identified an Out-Point can be recorded using the Record Out-Point button 822 and trim buttons 823.

The in and out-points are checked using the 'Preview' buttons 814, 824.

Once complete, the segment and associated index data is saved using a 'Save' button 825.

The process can then be repeated. This allows service providers to define different segments within a program and then provide appropriate indexing information. This is turn assists users to locate segments of interest to them, and in turn increases the likelihood of user's purchasing the entire content.

P %WPDOCSWSsp-A l12671291 doc.27A6A)6 -12- The index information is typically stored in the form of a number of references that identify S start and end points of the defined segments. This may be achieved in a number of ways, such as by identifying the start and end times of the video segment relative to the playback S duration of the video. Alternatively, the references may identify specific portions of the video file that represent the video segments.

To allow work to be checked at regular intervals, a 'Preview Panel' can be used, as shown in Figure 6C. The Preview Panel 850 displays the index entries represented as a 'Directory I Tree', as shown at 851, allowing checks of whether entries are placed in the correct categories. Index points can then be checked by simply drilling-down to the subject level and double-click to load and display the video in the window 852.

This process is usually performed by the content provider using the applications software, which is installed on the end station 205, but this is not essential, and alternatively, this could be performed by an operator of the base station 201.

Search Page An example search page is shown in Figure 7A. In this instance the search page includes a number of panels 910, 920, 930, 940 which correspond to channel, program, episode and topic panels as shown. A viewing options panel 950 is also provided together with a search field 960. Adverts may also be displayed in an advertising panel 970.

In use, the user can search by either entering terms in the search field 960 or selecting one of the available channels from the channel panel 910.

In either case, the base station 201 will operate to search for relevant channels, programs, episodes and topics, which are then displayed as appropriate. Thus, for example, if the user selects the comedy channel, this will result in a list of comedy programs being displayed in the programs panel 920. The user can then select one of these programs with corresponding episodes being listed in the episodes panel 930. Once an episode has been selected from the episodes panel 930 a number of topics contained within the episodes are displayed in the topics panel 940 as shown for example in Figure 7B.

P kWPD0CSWS%-i1 2671291 doC.27A6A16 -13- S In this instance each of the items listed in the topics panel corresponds to a respective S segment of the program. Accordingly, the user can select segments of interest and arrange for these to be previewed by selecting a preview option 951 displayed in the viewing options S panel 950.

At this point the indexer application generates an indication of the selected video segment, which is transferred to the base station 201. This allows the base station 201 to access the index data, determine the video file that represents the episode containing the selected video I segment. The base station 201 then locate the portion of the video file corresponding to the selected segment, and streams this to the end station 203, causing the video segment to be displayed.

Once the user has decided on content of interest, the user can then select the stream or download options 952, 953 from the viewing options panel. This causes a billing process to be implemented, as will be described below. Once payment has been confirmed, the base station 201 then either streams, or downloads the entire episode video file to the end station 203, allowing the episode to be viewed.

It will be appreciate that whilst the above example focuses on the use of programs and episodes, this is for the purpose of example only, and the same techniques could be applied to other content. This could include for example, music videos or the like, which are not structured as episodes, as well as to other types of content, such as music or the like.

User Account To administer billing, content delivery and the like, as well as to store information regarding a user's preferences, previously viewed content, and previously performed searches, it is typical to have users establish an account. An example of the account creation process will now be described with reference to Figure 8.

In this example, at step 800, a user accesses a page, such as a home page, hosted by the base station 201, and selects a create account option. At step 810, the user is required to review WPDOCSAJS~pci\ 12671291 d.-29)O6C -14- S and approve terms and conditions before providing account information, such as a username, S password, date of birth, or the like at step 820.

At step 830, the user is requested to provide payment information, such as credit card details.

S At this stage, the base station 201 may operate to validate the payment information, to ensure that correct and authentic details are provided.

S Once the required information is provided, the base station 201 generates account data at step 840, which is stored in a database. The user can then interact with the account data at step 850, allowing the account information to be updated.

By storing details of user, this allows user preferences to be maintained. These can either be D created by the user, for example as part of the account creation process, or be determined by tracking the individual's use of the system over time. These preferences can then be used to tailor the user's experience, for example by displaying adverts that may be of interest to the user, as well as by tailoring search results to help users more rapidly find content of interest.

During this process, any digital rights management system may also be configured. This may involve for example, having the user provide information regarding the end station 203 that is to be used to display the content, such as the GUID or the like. Similarly, it may be necessary to have the base station 201 supply the user end station 203 with a key, or the like, to allow the received content to be decoded.

Billing Processes In the above example, once the user has created a user account, they can in future purchase content by simply logging into their account, with the payment being made using the payment information that is associated with the account. It will be appreciated that logging into the account may be performed either prior to, or following selection of content.

Additionally, in the event that payment information has not previously been provided, or if this is no longer valid, the user may be required to enter payment details each time content is purchased.

P\WPDOCSAJSsi i\12671291 doC-27/06m 6 The fee charged for viewing of the content, can be standardised for all content, or can vary S depending on the content provided, and charging guidelines provided by the content provider.

Once the payment has been made, the base station 201 can arrange to remunerate the content S provider. This typically involves supplying a proportion of the collected payment to the content provider. However, this is not essential.

S For example, the content provider may also pay for advertising to be provided on the site, in S which fees collected on behalf of the content provider may be offset against the advertising costs. Alternatively the content provider may decide not to charge for certain selected content.

In the event in which no fee is paid to the content provider, the base station 201 generates at least a notification of the content provided, thereby allowing the content provider monitor content that is being viewed, as well as reconcile their own accounts and the like. This may be performed either each time a content provider's content is viewed, or periodically depending on the preferred implementation.

Information Gathering The system can also be used to allow broadband 'back-channel' to gather interactive user test and survey data, without interruption of the content streaming or download. Thus, for example, based on content being viewed, users can complete short, context-sensitive tests or fill out surveys, the results of which can be compiled into reports.

Additionally, by using information regarding a users interests, as derived from details of previous searches and content downloads, the system can deliver targeted advertising based on known demographics and profiles. This can, for example, take into account changes in the content being searched, so that if the user selects different content, such as a different channel, corresponding adverts can be displayed.

Additionally, as mentioned above, an indication of viewed content may be supplied to the content provider, allowing the content providers to monitor the popularity of their content.

This in turn allows content providers to implement a number of mechanisms for improving P WPDOCS1)S\spcciA2671 291 d=c-27106 -16content popularity. This can include for example, adjusting the content or segments supplied, adjusting the pricing structure, provide directed advertising, or the like.

Accordingly, in one example, the above described processes provide a client/server on-line video production delivery suite enabling owners and creators of video content to prepare Sand deliver their content via broadband. The example processes help streamline the process of making content available for content owners and makes the resulting content more accessible to end users.

In one example, this is achieved by indexing the content, allowing a number of content segments to be defined. Information can then be associated with the segments allowing users to perform searches for segments of interest. This allows users to find content of interest without having to preview irrelevant material.

This also has the added benefit of minimizing unnecessary network traffic, thereby reducing load on broadband networks.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.