WO2008085133A1 - Système de distribution de contenu multimédia à noeuds multiples - Google Patents

Système de distribution de contenu multimédia à noeuds multiples Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008085133A1
WO2008085133A1 PCT/SG2008/000008 SG2008000008W WO2008085133A1 WO 2008085133 A1 WO2008085133 A1 WO 2008085133A1 SG 2008000008 W SG2008000008 W SG 2008000008W WO 2008085133 A1 WO2008085133 A1 WO 2008085133A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
media content
content reproduction
node
reproduction device
data files
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Application number
PCT/SG2008/000008
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English (en)
Inventor
Kah Yong Lee
Ping Siong Kwok
Tai Chew Tan
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Freesystems Pte. Ltd.
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Publication date
Application filed by Freesystems Pte. Ltd. filed Critical Freesystems Pte. Ltd.
Publication of WO2008085133A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008085133A1/fr

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/06—Protocols specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/40—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to data network systems. More particularly this invention relates to network systems for the transfer of media content data files from a master control node media content reproduction device to remote slave node media content reproduction devices of the network. Description of Related Art
  • Wireless networks such as the Bluetooth network allow the communication between portable and remote electronic devices, such as notebook computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDA's), digital cameras, and mp3/MD/DVD players.
  • Digital media content files such as digitized audio (music and voice) and video files are transferred between the portable and remote electronic devices.
  • IEEE Network, Sep/Oct 2001, Vol.: 15, Issue: 5, pp.: 28-37, describes use of portable electronic devices in a network of personal devices that is often referred to as a personal area network.
  • the Bluetooth piconet network architecture a strict star topology, is extended into a scatternet architecture, where piconets are interconnected.
  • a consequence of creating scattemet-based personal area networks is that some nodes will form gateways between piconets, and these gateways must be capable of time sharing their presence in each piconet of which they are members.
  • Johansson et al. presents an overall architecture for handling scheduling in a scatternet.
  • rendezvous point algorithms is also introduced and discussed.
  • U. S. Patent 6,795,688 illustrates the topology of a network of electronic devices that can be coupled using wireless connections coupled in personal area network (PAN) and other devices are coupled in a piconet using wireless connections.
  • PAN personal area network
  • Each of the devices in a PAN and piconet can be in communication with each other.
  • the method and system for dynamically configuring a device receives an attribute setting corresponding to characteristics of the device and implements a corresponding configuration state.
  • the configuration state activates a corresponding device configuration.
  • the attribute setting constitutes a discretely variable value conforming to the degree of mobility of the device. Alternately, an attribute setting constitutes a discretely variable value conforming to the location of the device.
  • U. S. Patent 6,845,398 presents a wireless device, system and method for receiving and playing multimedia files streamed from a multimedia server over a wireless telecommunications network.
  • a desired multimedia file is selected from one or more multimedia files stored in the multimedia server that is connected to the wireless telecommunications network.
  • Successive blocks of data from the desired multimedia file are streamed over the wireless telecommunications network in a digitized and compressed format and received by the wireless telecommunications device.
  • the received blocks of data from the streamed multimedia file are temporarily stored in a buffer in the wireless device, decoded and decompressed, and successively played through an audio and/or video output in the wireless device.
  • the wireless device monitors the blocks of data stored in the buffer and signals the wireless telecommunications network to increase the rate that the data blocks are transmitted over the wireless network in the event that the data stored in the buffer falls below a minimum threshold level.
  • U. S. Patent 6,928,295 (Olson, et al.), teaches a system and method for facilitating the authentication of wireless devices in ah environment with multiple wireless networks.
  • a user wishing to join an operating wireless network can bring his wireless device within close physical proximity, for example, less than one meter, of a device in the network that he wishes to join.
  • the user then presses an authenticate button, which causes both devices to enter a low transmission power mode. In such case, the devices are only capable of operation within the close proximity. Being in low power mode will diminish the possibility of eavesdropping on the authentication process.
  • U. S. Patent 7,167,678 (Powers) describes persistent peer-to-peer networking over a piconet network.
  • the persistent peer-to-peer network is implemented over a network with master-slave topology. Data being sent from master to slave or from slave to master are sent in one transmission, but data sent from one slave to another is received by the master and retransmitted to the slave.
  • a session table is kept at each device includes an ordered list of devices, where the first device is the master device. When a master device drops out of the network the slave devices promote the next device in the ordered list of devices to master.
  • a master device may also receive a request from a slave device to become master, and update its session table and send the updated session table to all devices. The slave device requesting master status is then treated as master by all devices in the network.
  • U. S. Patent 7,167,920 (Traversat, et al.) teaches a system and method for establishing communications channels between and among peers in a peer- to-peer networking environment.
  • Pipes may be used as communication channels for sending and receiving messages and other data between services or applications over input and output endpoints.
  • Pipes may be asynchronous, unidirectional, stateless and unreliable. Bidirectional pipes may also be supported.
  • Pipes may have ends that may be moved around and bound to different peers at different times. Point-to-point and propagate pipes may be supported. Pipes may connect peers that have a direct physical link and peers that do not have a direct link. Peers may communicate through pipes without knowing on which peer a pipe endpoint is bound. A message is sent to all peer endpoints currently connected (listening) to the pipe. The set of connected endpoints may be obtained from a pipe service using a pipe binding protocol.
  • U. S. Patent Application 2005/0107102 describes an apparatus to relay connection requests between wireless devices in a wireless network including at least one piconet having a master device and one or more slave devices.
  • the apparatus includes a connection request relay unit in the master device to relay to a first wireless device a request from a second wireless device to connect to the first wireless device.
  • the first wireless device is one of the one or more slave devices, and the second wireless device is outside the piconet having the master device.
  • U. S. Patent Application 2005/0286546 Bassoli, et al. describes methods and apparatus for providing synchronous playback of the same piece of time- based media on multiple devices connected over heterogenous channels consisting of varying degrees of delay.
  • the apparatus employs a peer-to-peer wireless application that allows users to share music locally through handheld devices.
  • U. S. Patent Application 2006/0039304 provides a method and apparatus for wireless distribution of a file using ad-hoc wireless networks.
  • the method and apparatus for distributes a media content file to a node of the ad hoc network.
  • the received file is then shared with a recognized neighbor node of the ad hoc network.
  • the distributor node claims an incentive for sharing the file with the neighbor node.
  • An object of this invention is to provide a multi-node media content distribution system incorporating media content reproduction devices such as portable media players for sharing video, music, photo or any other media content with other portable slave node media content reproduction devices wirelessly.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a network for a multi-node media content distribution system that has a network of multiple media content reproduction devices where one of the media content reproduction devices assumes the function of master controller node for the network and provides the media content data files to the network as a server to other slave portable slave node media content reproduction devices.
  • a multi-node media content distribution system distributes media content wirelessly.
  • the multi-node media content distribution system includes a plurality of media content reproduction devices communicating wirelessly.
  • the plurality of media content reproduction devices are configured as 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. All remaining media content reproduction devices are slaves to the master controller node media content reproduction device to receive the media content data files.
  • the media content data files are digitized musical files, digitized video files, digitized voice messaging files, or text messaging files.
  • the media content data files may have associated media content information files.
  • the network includes an application layer and a protocol layer.
  • the application layer is structured such that 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.
  • the protocol layer is structured such that the master controller node media content reproduction device coordinates a communication channel access timing and distribution of the media content data files to and from the other slave node media content reproduction devices in the network.
  • the network of the multi-node media content distribution system functions selectively in a broadcast mode, a server mode, or a peer-to-peer network mode.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device broadcasts the media content data files to the slave node media content reproduction devices of the network.
  • each slave node media content reproduction device of the network requests separate media content data files from a media content data files list.
  • the media content data files list contains file names of the media content data files to be transferred from the master controller node media content reproduction device to each of the slave node media content reproduction devices.
  • the user of master controller node media content reproduction device and the slave node media content reproduction devices appear to be equals on a peer-to-peer network.
  • the media content data files list for the master controller node media content reproduction device and all the slave node media content reproduction devices are transferred equally to the master controller node media content reproduction device and all the slave node media content reproduction devices and the master controller node media content reproduction device and all the slave node media content reproduction devices individually request media content data files.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device and the slave node media content reproduction devices each have a network controller and a media content storage device.
  • the network controller includes a transceiver for broadcasting the bidirectional communication between the master controller node media content reproduction device and the slave node media content reproduction devices and an antenna connected to the transceiver for broadcasting the bidirectional communication as RF signals.
  • the media content storage device is in communication with the network controller for storing the media content data files.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device assigns a channel to each individual slave node media content reproduction devices.
  • the assigned channel is a time slot in a time domain multiple access (TDMA) communication system or a separate frequency channel of an RF communication system.
  • TDMA time domain multiple access
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device receives commands from a user of the master controller node media content reproduction device to select the broadcast mode, the server mode, or the peer-to-peer network mode.
  • the network controller of the master controller node media content reproduction device extracts a desired media content data file from the media content storage of the master controller node media content reproduction device and broadcasts the media content data files as an uncompressed digitized audio signal as the RF signal from the master controller node media content reproduction device to the slave node media content reproduction devices.
  • the media content data file is divided into transmission frames to be broadcast by the network controller of the master controller node media content reproduction device such that the each transmission frame is divided into digitized audio data sub-frames appended with control and synchronization data sub-frames.
  • the network controller of master controller node media content reproduction device transmits a media content list describing the media content data files present in the media content storage of the master controller node media content reproduction device to each of the slave node media content data files.
  • Each of the slave node media content reproduction devices transmits their media content lists describing the media content data files present in the media content storage of the slave node media content reproduction devices to the master controller node media content reproduction device.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device then compiles the media content lists of the slave node media content reproduction devices and retransmits the compiled media content lists to all the slave node media content reproduction devices.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device When the master controller node media content reproduction device receives a request for media content data files resident on one of the slave node media content reproduction devices, the master controller node media content reproduction device requests the media content data files from the slave node media content reproduction devices retaining the requested file in its media content storage.
  • the network controller of the slave node media content reproduction device possessing the requested media content data files extracts the request media content data files from its media content storage device and transmits the media content data files to the master controller node media content reproduction device.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device retransmits the requested media content data file to the requesting slave node media content reproduction device.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device acts as strictly a server providing the media content data files residing in the media content storage of the master controller node media content reproduction device.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device monitors a digital rights management of the media content data files and will not store or retrieve the media content data files retained by the media content storage, if doing so violates digital rights management agreements between authors of the media content data files and the users of the master controller node media content reproduction device and the users of the slave node media content reproduction devices.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device encrypts the media content data files with a unique encryption key that is known only to the member media content reproduction devices of the multi-node media content distribution system to prevent, interception of the transmitted media content data files.
  • One of the media content reproduction devices of the multi-node media content distribution system provides the permission to share the media content data files and the plurality of media content reproduction devices negotiate and exchange the encryption key.
  • Each of the plurality of media content reproduction devices of the network may be in communication with an online music store.
  • One slave node media content reproduction device receives one media content data file and an associated media content information file from the master controller node media content reproduction device.
  • the user of the one slave node media content reproduction device Upon reproduction of the media content data file, the user of the one slave node media content reproduction device stores the associated media content information file.
  • the user of the one slave node media content reproduction device receiving the one media content data file selectively transfers the associated media content information file to the online music store to purchase the one media content data file designated of the associated media content information file.
  • the user of the one media content reproduction device that originally transferred the one media content data file receives store credit for the purchase of the one media content reproduction device for sharing the one media content data file.
  • the user of the one slave node media content reproduction device receiving the one media content data file receives store credit for purchasing the one media content reproduction device as a result of sharing the one media content data file.
  • At least one of the plurality of media content reproduction devices of the multi-node media content distribution system is in communication with an online music store wirelessly through a public or private communications network connected to the internet with the online music store connected to the internet.
  • at least one of the plurality of media content reproduction devices of the multi-node media content distribution system is in communication with an online music store through a link to a personal computer connected to the internet with the online music store connected to the internet, wherein the at least one of the plurality of media content reproduction devices is connected as an input/output device of the personal computer.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-node media content distribution system of this invention.
  • FIGs. 2a-2c are flow diagrams of a method for media content distribution of this invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a media content distribution system of this invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for purchase of multi-node content through a multi-node media content distribution system of this invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method for purchase of multi-node content through a multi-node media content distribution system of this invention.
  • a multi-node media content distribution system of this invention is multiple media content reproduction device such as a portable media players for wirelessly sharing video, music, photo or any other media content with other slave node media content reproduction devices.
  • the multi-node media content distribution system forms a multimode network where one of the slave node media content reproduction devices assumes the function of master controller node for the network and provides the media content data files to the network as a server.
  • the other slave node media content reproduction devices are slaves to the master controller node and receive the media content data files.
  • the media content data files is compressed or uncompressed digitized audio or video files or digital photographs that are available for sharing.
  • the multi-node media content distribution system of this invention is divided into two layers: an application layer and a protocol layer.
  • the application layer all the slave node media content reproduction devices appear to be able to share their content with other slave node media content reproduction devices in the network.
  • the underlying protocol layer there will only be one master controller node media content reproduction device, who will coordinate the channel access timing and distribution of the media content data files to and from the other slave node media content reproduction devices in the network. This allows the network to operate in three different modes.
  • the first mode is a broadcast mode where the master controller node media content reproduction device broadcasts the media content data files to the slave node media content reproduction devices of the network.
  • the second mode is a server mode where each slave node media content reproduction device of the network requests separate media content data files from a media content data files list containing the file names of the media content data files list transferred from the master controller node media content reproduction device to each of the slave node media content reproduction devices.
  • the third mode is appears as a peer-to-peer network where the user of master controller node media content reproduction device and the users of the slave node media content reproduction devices appear to be equals on a peer-to-peer network.
  • the media content data files list for the master controller node media content reproduction device and all the slave ⁇ ode media content reproduction devices are now transferred equally to the master controller node and all the slave node media content reproduction devices and the master controller node media content reproduction device and all the slave node media content reproduction devices can individually request media content data files.
  • Fig. 1 A group of slave node media content reproduction devices are organized into the multi-node media content distribution system of this invention.
  • the slave node media content reproduction devices When the slave node media content reproduction devices are in sufficiently close proximity to each other, one of the slave node media content reproduction devices become the master controller node slave node media content reproduction device 5 that will act as a the server for the network and the remaining slave node media content reproduction devices become the slave nodes 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 has a media content storage 15 that contains all the media content data files of the master controller node media content reproduction device 5.
  • the media player 7 of the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 can play any of the media content data files 17 when the user of the slave node media content reproduction device desires.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 has a network controller 20 that provides the command, control, formatting, and transmission of the media content data files from the media content storage 15 to the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 and the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n each have a network controller 20 included that permits bidirectional communication between the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 and the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 in its initialization assigns a channel to each individual slave node media content reproduction device 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n.
  • the channel may be a time slot in a time domain multiple access (TDMA) communication system or a separate frequency channel of an RF communication system.
  • TDMA time domain multiple access
  • the multi-node media content distribution system of this invention functions in three modes.
  • the network controller 20 based on the commands from the user of the slave node media content reproduction device establishes itself in the desired mode.
  • the network controller 20 will extract the desired media content data file from the media content storage 15 and broadcast it as an uncompressed digitized audio signal to the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n.
  • the broadcast mode only one media content data file is broadcast as chosen by the user of the master controller node media content reproduction device 5.
  • Each transmission frame from the network controller 20 is divided into digitized audio data sub- frames and control and synchronization data sub-frames.
  • network controller In the server mode and the peer-to-peer network mode, network controller
  • each of the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n transmits their media content lists describing the media content data files present in the media content storage of the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n.
  • the network controller 20 theri compiles the media content lists of the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n and retransmits them to all the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b and 10n.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 acts as strictly a server providing on the media content data files residing in the media content storage 15.
  • the network controller 20 receives a request for media content data files resident on one of the other slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, .... and 10n.
  • the network controller 20 requests the media content data file from the slave node media content reproduction device 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n retaining that file in its media content storage.
  • the slave node media content reproduction device 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n includes a network controller similar to that of the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 which extracts the request media content data file and transmits it to the master controller node media content reproduction device 5.
  • the network controller 20 retransmits the requested media content data file to the requesting slave node media content reproduction device 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n.
  • the network controller 20 will divide the transmission frame designated for each slave node media content reproduction device 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n into multiple time slots. One time slot of the transmission from will contain a portion of the content media data file. The network controller 20 will transmit as many transmission frames as necessary to transmit the content media data file. The network controller 20 will provide the necessary synchronization and channel access control for the transmission frames. In the server mode and the peer-to- peer network mode, compressed content media data files are transmitted due to bandwidth limitations. The division of the transmission frames into multiple time slots allows multiple media content data files to multiplex for simultaneous transmission.
  • the network controller 20 further monitors the digital rights management of the media content data files and will not store or retrieve files retained by the media content storage 15, if doing so violates the digital rights management agreements between the authors of the media content data files and the users of the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 slave node media content reproduction device and the users of the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n. Also, to prevent, interception of the transmitted media content data files, the network controller 20 encrypts the media content data files with a unique encryption key (ID) that is known only to the member slave node media content reproduction devices of the multi-node media content distribution system of this invention.
  • ID unique encryption key
  • the users of the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 and/or the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n will give the permission to share the media content data files.
  • the network controllers 20 of each of the master controller node media content reproduction device 5 and the slave node media content reproduction devices 10a, 10b, ..., and 10n employing the underlying communication protocol will negotiate and exchange the encryption key. Any undesired third party will not be able to "sniff the content since it will not be able to acquire the encryption key.
  • a slave node media content reproduction device monitors the RF channels on which a multi-node media content distribution network is transmitting and receiving polling signals to scan (Box 100) for a local master controller node.
  • the slave node media content reproduction device determines (Box 105) if a master controller node is present. If not, the slave node media content reproduction device declares (Box 110) itself as a master controller node and begins to transmit and receive polling signals to identify itself as a master node of a multi-node media content distribution system of this invention.
  • the master controller node scans (Box 115) for the presence of other slave node media content reproduction devices present to join media content distribution system network.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device determines (Box 120) if another slave node media content reproduction device is present. If not the master controller node media content reproduction device continues to scan (Box 115) if a slave node media content reproduction device is present.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device and the media content reproduction device establish time slot for TDMA transmission or RF channel for RF transmission, the encryption code, the master controller nodes operation mode, and other operational information to allow the slave node media content reproduction device to join (Box 125) the media content distribution network as a slave node media content reproduction device.
  • the slave node media content reproduction device determines (Box 130) if the mode is for a broadcast mode. If the master controller node media content reproduction device is in the broadcast mode, the slave node media content reproduction device receives (Box 135) the broadcast media content data files for playback. If the master node media content reproduction device is not in the broadcast mode, the slave node media content reproduction device then determines (Box 140) if the master controller node media content reproduction device is in the server mode. If the master controller node media content reproduction device transmits (Box 150) a media content data file list detailing the content media data files retained by the master controller node media content reproduction device on its media content storage. The slave node media content reproduction device requests (Box 155) the desired media content data files for playback.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device formats the media content data file, optionally encrypts the data to be transmitted, appends the necessary synchronization signals, and transmits (Box 160) the content media data to the requesting slave node media content reproduction device.
  • each slave node media content reproduction device may request individual media content data files for itself.
  • the data transmission frames to be transmitted are divided into smaller time slots and the content media data for each requesting slave node media content reproduction device is placed into an assigned time slot.
  • the slave node media content reproduction device receives the signal and extracts (Box 165) only the content media data that it requested.
  • the slave node media content reproduction device determines (Box 170) if the user desires that the content media data be replayed or if a new file is to be requested. If a new file is to be requested, the new file is requested (Box 155), formatted, transmitted (Box 160) by the master controller node media content reproduction device, and received and extracted (Box 165) by the slave node media content reproduction device for playback. If the user does not request new content media data, the process is ended. If the slave node media content reproduction device determines (Box 140) that the master controller node media content reproduction device is not in the server mode, the slave node media content reproduction device then determines (Box 145) is the master controller node media content reproduction device is in the peer-to-peer network mode.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device sends (Box 175) the media content data file list for the master controller node media content reproduction device and for all the peer media content reproduction devices present on the multi-node media content distribution system.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device requests and the new slave node media content reproduction device sends (Box 180) is media content data file list to the master controller node media content reproduction device.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device then retransmits (Box 185) the media content data file list of the new slave node media content reproduction device to all peer media content reproduction devices present on the multi-node media content distribution system.
  • a peer media content reproduction device requests (Box 190) its desired media content data files.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device determines (Box 195) if the desired is resident on the master controller node media content reproduction device or one of the other peer media content reproduction devices. If it is present on one of the other peer media content reproduction device, the master controller node media content reproduction device requests (Box 205) the desired media content from the peer media content reproduction device.
  • the peer media content reproduction device transmits (Box 210) the desired media content data files to the master controller node media content reproduction device.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device transmits (Box 200) the desired media content data files to the requesting peer media content reproduction device.
  • the slave node media content reproduction device determines (Box 215) if the user desires that the content media data be replayed or if a new file is to be requested.
  • the new file is requested (Box 190), its location is determined (Box 195), if it is resident on a another peer media content reproduction device, the media content data files is requested (Box 205), the media content data files is formatted and transmitted by the peer media content reproduction device to the master controller node media content reproduction device, transmitted (Box 160) by the master controller node media content reproduction device, and received and extracted (Box 165) by the slave node media content reproduction device for playback. If the user does not request new content media data, the process is ended.
  • An alternative to the transmission of the media content data files from the peer media content reproduction device to the master controller node media content reproduction device and retransmission to the requesting peer media content reproduction device is for the peer media content reproduction device to request allocation of a time slot within the transmission frame in which the peer media content reproduction device transmits directly to the requesting peer media content reproduction device. This eliminates transmission and retransmission of the media content data files, while the master controller node media content reproduction device maintains control of the format, encryption, and transmission of the media content data files.
  • the media data content as describe above is generally digitized audio and video files or digitized photographic files.
  • many of the slave node media content reproduction devices such as personal digital assistants and advanced cellular telephones include microphones for digitally capturing audio such as speech and keypads for creating immediate messaging notes.
  • This facility allows for the intercommunication of the users of the slave node media content reproduction devices that make up the multi-node media content distribution system of this invention to communicate in real time while playing their requested media content data files.
  • the multi-node media content distribution system of this where the master controller node media content reproduction device and the slave node media content reproduction devices share media content data files as a sharing group or community. The sharing parties are able to interact with each other via messaging or voice functions.
  • the user of slave node media content reproduction devices can share their comments and opinion with the masters and other slave node media content reproduction device community members.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device and the slave node media content reproduction devices will provide input devices such as microphones and keypads as well as display device for messaging function.
  • the master and slave node media content reproduction devices are able to exchange online social networking information as media content data files that contain the audio, video, and/or text messages that enable the extension of the networking function after the music sharing session.
  • Fig. 3 A group of slave node media content reproduction devices are organized into the multi-node media content distribution system of this invention similar to that of Figs. 1.
  • the slave node media content reproduction devices When the slave node media content reproduction devices are in close proximity to each other, one of the slave node media content reproduction devices declares itself the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 that will act as a the server for the multi-node media content distribution system and the remaining slave node media content reproduction devices become the slave node media content reproduction devices 31On.
  • the single slave node media content reproduction device 31On is representative of one or many media content reproduction devices that join the network of the multi-node media content distribution system as slave node media content reproduction devices 31On.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 has a media content storage 315 that contains all the media content data files of the master controller node media content reproduction device 305.
  • the slave node media content reproduction device 307 of the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 can play any of the media content data files 317 when the user of the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 desires.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 has a network controller 320 that provides the command, control, formatting, and transmission of the media content data files from the media content storage 315 to the slave node media content reproduction devices 31On.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 and the slave node media content reproduction devices 31On each have a network controller 320 included that permits bidirectional communication between the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 and the slave node media content reproduction devices 31On.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 in its initialization assigns a channel to each individual slave node media content reproduction device 31On.
  • the channel may be a time slot in a time domain multiple access (TDMA) communication system or a separate frequency channel of an RF communication system.
  • TDMA time domain multiple access
  • the multi-node media content distribution system of this embodiment functions in three modes - Broadcast mode, server mode, and peer-to-peer network mode.
  • the network controller 320 based on the commands from the user of the slave node media content reproduction device establishes itself in the desired mode and the media content data files are transferred for reproduction by the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 and the slave node media content reproduction devices 310.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 transfers the media content data files to its slave node media content reproduction devices 310, it will also share the media content data file information 319 at the same time.
  • the example shown illustrates the media content data file information 319 for digital musical audio files. It includes the performing artist's name, the name of the song, the name of the album containing the song, a picture of the album cover in a digitized graphic file format (i.e. jpeg), and a unique song link.
  • the song link is an identifier code used by an online music store 360 such as the Zune Marketplace, a product of Microsoft, Inc, Redmond, WA 98052 or iTunes, a product of Apple, Inc. Cupertino, CA 95014 to identify the song.
  • the unique song link allows the user of the media content reproduction device desiring to purchase the media content data files from online or a conventional media provider directly.
  • the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 broadcasts the selected digitized musical audio media content data files 317 as well as the media content data file information 319 simultaneously.
  • the slave node media content reproduction devices 310 display the media content data file information 319 on the slave node media content reproduction device's 310 display unit while listening to the shared selected digitized musical audio media content data files 317.
  • the slave node media content reproduction devices 310 saves the media content data file information 319 (but not the selected digitized musical audio media content data files 317) to the media content storage device 330, if user choose to do so.
  • the media content data file information 319 allows the user of the slave node media content reproduction devices 310 to purchase the song from the online music store 360 at a later stage.
  • Store credit may be provided to the sender (master controller node media content reproduction device 305 or one of the other slave node media content reproduction devices 310 of a peer-to-peer network mode) as the incentive for sharing music.
  • store credit may be awarded to the receiver (slave node media content reproduction devices 310) as the incentive to purchase music under music sharing mode.
  • the music being shared or transferred to the media content reproduction devices 310 originate with the master controller node media content reproduction device 305.
  • the selected digitized musical audio media content data files 317 and the media content data file information 319 being stored on the media content storage 315 of the master controller node media content reproduction device 305.
  • the selected digitized musical audio media content data files 332 of each of the slave node media content reproduction devices 310 is stored in the media content storage device 330 with the media content data file information 334.
  • the requested selected digitized musical audio media content data files 332 and media content data file information 334 are transferred to the master controller node media content reproduction device
  • the copy of the selected digitized musical audio media content data file 317 or 332 with its media content data file information 319 or 334 is transferred to the requesting slave node media content reproduction device 310.
  • the slave node media content reproduction device 310 is able to store the media content data file information 334 with its unique song link that is the identifier code used by an online music store 360, while sharing the song.
  • a media content reproduction device 305 or 310 is accomplished by either a wireless network connection to the internet 355 or through a direct connection to a personal computer 335 or 345.
  • the connection 340 from the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 to the personal computer 335 may be a wireless local area network (LAN) or a single direct connection. It the case of the wireless LAN, the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 may have direct connection to the internet 355. In the case of the direct connection, master controller node media content reproduction device 305 as an input/output device for the personal computer 335.
  • the personal computer 335 has a connection to the internet 355.
  • the connection 345 from the slave node media content reproduction devices 310 to the personal computer 345 may be a wireless local area network (LAN) or a single direct connection. It the case of the wireless LAN, the slave node media content reproduction devices 310 may have direct connection to the internet 355. In the case of the direct connection, slave node media content reproduction devices 310 as an input/output device for the personal computer 345.
  • the personal computer 345 has a connection to the internet 355.
  • the user of media content reproduction device 305 or 310 connects (Box 400) through a wireless LAN in public hotspot or private network to the internet 355.
  • the wireless network connection 340 or 345 is possible during the sharing session or after the sharing session, depending on the network capabilities of the media content reproduction device 305 or 310.
  • the media content reproduction device 305 or 310 that is to purchase the selected digitized musical audio media content data file 317 or 332 is synchronized and connected directly (Box 405) with the online music store 360.
  • the unique song link information of the media content data file information 319 or 334 is transferred from the media content reproduction device 305 or 310.
  • the unique song link information of the media content data file information 319 or 334 allows the user to purchase (Box 410) the song directly from the online music store 360. Once the purchase is completed, the user of the media content reproduction device 305 or 310 on which the selected digitized musical audio media content data file 317 or 332 is resident (Box 415) may receive store credit for his effort in sharing the selected digitized musical audio media content data file 317 or 332. The user of the media content reproduction device 305 or 310 that purchases the selected digitized musical audio media content data file 317 or 332 may also get store credit for using sharing concept to purchase song. This store credit allows the users to make music purchase in the future.
  • the media content data reproduction software programs are software music slave node media content reproduction devices such as iTunes from Apple Computer, lnc or Zune from Microsoft Inc.
  • the unique song link identifier code is used by an online music store 360, which was saved earlier on media content storage device 315 or 330 of the media content reproduction device 305 or 310 will be loaded to the software automatically.
  • the song link identifier code connects the user to the online music store 360 via the internet 355 such that the user can purchase (Box 510) the song directly.
  • the user of the media content reproduction device 305 or 310 on which the selected digitized musical audio media content data file 317 or 332 is resident may receive (Box 515) store credit for his effort in sharing the selected digitized musical audio media content data file 317 or 332.
  • the user of the media content reproduction device 305 or 310 that purchases the selected digitized musical audio media content data file 317 or 332 may also get store credit for using sharing concept to purchase song. This store credit allows the users to make music purchase in the future.
  • the network controller 320 further monitors the digital rights management of the media content data files and will not store or retrieve files retained by the media content storage 315, if doing so violates the digital rights management agreements between the authors of the media content data files and the users of the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 slave node media content reproduction device and the users of the slave node media content reproduction devices 310a, 310b, ..., and 31On. Also, to prevent, interception of the transmitted media content data files, the network controller 320 encrypts the media content data files with a unique encryption key (ID) that is known only to the member slave node media content reproduction devices of the multi-node media content distribution system of this invention.
  • ID unique encryption key
  • the users of the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 and/or the slave node media content reproduction devices 310a, 310b, ..., and 31On will give the permission to share the media content data files.
  • the network controllers 320 of each of the master controller node media content reproduction device 305 and the slave node media content reproduction devices 310a, 310b, ..., and 31On employing the underlying communication protocol will negotiate and exchange the encryption key. Any undesired third party will not be able to "sniff the content since it will not be able to acquire the encryption key.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Selon l'invention, un système de distribution de contenu multimédia est intégré dans des dispositifs portables de reproduction de contenu multimédia de noeuds esclaves pour le partage de vidéo, de musique, de photo ou de n'importe quels autres fichiers de contenu multimédia avec des dispositifs portables de reproduction de contenu multimédia de noeuds esclaves. Le système de distribution de contenus multimédia à noeuds multiples comprend des dispositifs de reproduction de contenu multimédia configurés sous forme d'un réseau. Un des dispositifs de reproduction de contenu multimédia est désigné en tant que dispositif de reproduction de contenu multimédia de noeud contrôleur principal et fournit les fichiers de contenu multimédia au réseau comme un serveur. Tous les dispositifs de reproduction de contenu multimédia restants sont des noeuds esclaves par rapport au dispositif de reproduction de contenu multimédia du noeud contrôleur principal destiné à recevoir les fichiers de contenu multimédia. Le dispositif de reproduction de contenu multimédia du noeud contrôleur principal crypte les fichiers de contenu multimédia à l'aide d'une clé de chiffrement unique qui est uniquement connue de l'esclave membre. Chacun des dispositifs de reproduction de contenu multimédia du réseau peut être en communication avec un magasin de musique en ligne pour l'achat d'un fichier de contenu multimédia sur la base de son fichier d'informations de contenu multimédia associé.
PCT/SG2008/000008 2007-01-08 2008-01-08 Système de distribution de contenu multimédia à noeuds multiples WO2008085133A1 (fr)

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