Method And System For Content Distribution

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to methods and systems for enabling the control and distribution of content between a plurality of devices.

BACKGROUND

Generally, users can access multi-media content through two main content distribution models: the broadcasting model and the web model. Each content distribution model has its advantages and disadvantages.

In the broadcasting model, high quality content is efficient distributed to a large number of end users for consumption, especially for live broadcasting events. An example falling under the broadcasting model is television broadcasting. Some downsides to the broadcasting model are that interactivity with the content is minimal, the equipment for consuming and interacting with the content is limited to specialized hardware (e.g., set top boxes) using a narrow application programming interface (API), and usually only a small group of developers are authorized to build applications for the content.

In the web model, content is provided to end users in a flexible manner through a large variety of applications built by an open community of developers. Examples falling under the web model include web-based applications, web-based widgets and web pages. Applications that are within the web model generally run on powerful hardware with a broad range of application environments, e.g., personal computing devices, allowing a wider range of interactive applications to be built and used.

One would appreciate that a hybrid model would be able to leverage advantages from both worlds. The hybrid model would allow for an improved system that can provide rich, interactive applications based on the web model while having access to high quality content in the broadcast model. Furthermore, the interactive applications provided to the user through the web model would be closely coupled with the content being provided through the broadcast model, thereby providing an end user experience that unifies both worlds.

However, building a hybrid system to access the content in the broadcasting model is not trivial. Broadcasters implement content protection schemes, e.g., encryption schemes, to prevent the content in the broadcasting model from being shared with third-party applications. Example content protection schemes include High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) and Common Interface Plus (CI-Plus). Accordingly, third-party developers providing applications in the web model cannot access the content in the broadcast model because the content is encrypted.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to alleviate at least some of the problems described above, while still enabling content to be distributed from the broadcasting model to the web model.

SUMMARY

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention aiming to alleviate the problem described above will be described in further detail. It should be appreciated, however, that these embodiments may not be construed as limiting the scope of protection for the present invention. For instance, combinations of any of the embodiments and limitations are envisioned by the disclosure.

This disclosure provides methods and systems that enable a developer to build an application using the web model while leveraging and accessing the available content that has been distributed by the broadcasting model. To achieve this goal while alleviating some of the problems of the conventional system, the methods and systems are provided to enable the broadcaster to control the distribution of broadcasting content while allowing a third-party application to access that broadcasting content.

A method for enabling content distribution from a first device to a second device is disclosed. The second device may be communicably connected to the first device. At the first device, content and computer program script may be received from a content source. Said computer program script is for defining or enforcing at least one permission to use and/or access the content. The computer program script and/or a derivation of the computer program script may be provided to the second device. At the first device, a request is received from the second device to access the content. Access to the content may be provided to the second device according to the at least one permission. The use of a computer program script may advantageously enable a content owner and/or a broadcaster of the content to allow third-party developers to access the content while maintaining control over the usage and access of the content.

In some embodiments, providing access to the content comprises transmitting, in response to the request, the content from the first device to the second device in accordance with the computer program script. For instance, the request may be generated on the basis of the computer program script. In some instances, the second device checks whether the request is in compliance with the at least one permission. The computer program script may advantageously enable a third-party application to retrieve content in way that is compliant with the permissions as prescribed by the content owner or broadcaster.

In some embodiments, the computer program script comprises at least one application programming interface (API) function associated with a permitted playback behaviour of the content. The API function(s) advantageously enables a content owner and/or broadcaster to predefine a set of ways in which the third-party application may access the content in various possible levels of granularity. The use of an API further advantageously may enable a third-party application, through a simplified pro-programming model, execute and utilize the provided API functions in the computer program script without having to provide its own functions.

In some embodiments, the computer program script comprises information defining temporal constraint(s) and/or usage constraint(s) limiting the use and/or access of the content. The constraint(s) advantageously enables the content owner or broadcaster to limit the ways how and when the content may be used. For instance, the constraints may, e.g., prohibit fast forwarding, define an expiration date, etc.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises translating, at the first device, the computer program script to generate the derivation of the computer program script. The translation step advantageously enables the first device to interpret the script such that it may be executable and/or understandable by the application environment in the first and/or second device.

In some embodiments, translating the computer program script comprises at least one of interpreting the computer program script to instructions executable by the first device, adapting at least one of the permission(s) to at least one requirement of the first device, and storing the at least one updated permission in a permission storage of the first device. The processing of the script enables the first device to apply the permission(s) in the script to determine whether an incoming request for content is in compliance with those permissions. Furthermore, the interpreted instructions may be executed by the first device (e.g., if the request complies with the permissions) to provide the content to the second device in response to a request for the content from the first device.

In some embodiments, the computer program script is programmed in a scripting language, an embeddable language, and/or an extension language. The computer program script may be advantageously easy for the third-party application developer to extend and develop applications based on the computer program script. The computer program script may be advantageously interpretable such that devices running on different platforms may still be able to translate the computer program script into instructions that are understandable/executable on the devices.

In some embodiments, the second device may determine whether the request is in accordance with the at least one permission. The determination may advantageously ensure that the request for content complies with the permissions as set forth by the content owner or broadcaster.

In some embodiments, the computer program script comprises a content resolution function to determine a resource identifier associated with the content. The content resolution function enables the content to be located and retrieved without having to provide the content itself nor specifying an exact location in which the content may be retrieved.

A method for enabling content distribution from a first device to a second device that is communicably connected to the first device is also disclosed. Said first device may be configured to receive computer program script and content from a content source, wherein said computer program script is for defining or enforcing at least one permission to use and/or access the content. The computer program script and/or a derivation of the computer program script may be received from the first device, wherein the computer program script comprises information for defining at least one permission for accessing the content. A request may be generated on the basis of the computer program script and/or the derivation of the computer program script. The request may be transmitted from the second device to the first device to access the content.

In some embodiments, a template may be generated in the second device said template comprising information defining a visual presentation of the content and a reference to the content. The reference may be a link or a descriptor for the content. An application may advantageously use a template to define a visual presentation and/or interactivity for the content. The content may be received from the first device in response to the request. In response, the application may render, e.g., to a display of the second device or any suitable output actuator/device, the visual presentation using the template and the retrieved content.

In some embodiments, a template is received from a third device, said template comprising information defining a visual presentation of the content and a reference to the content. The content is received from the first device in response to the request. The second device may render the visual presentation using the template and the received content to a display of the second device.

In some embodiments, the computer program script comprises a verification function to verify that the template is in accordance with the at least one permission. The verification function in the computer program script advantageously enables the second device to generate/use a template that is compliant with the permissions prescribed by the content owner or the broadcaster.

In some embodiments, a response is received from the first device that the content cannot be accessed and/or is not available on the first device. Upon receiving the response, another request may be transmitted to another content source to retrieve the content. These steps may advantageously enable a reference to content to be resolved properly (e.g., by intelligently determining the proper location to retrieve the content).

In some embodiments, the computer program script may include a content resolution function to determine a resource identifier associated with the content, and the request is generated on the basis of the resource identifier. The determination of the resource identifier may be performed on the basis of the content resolution function and the reference to the content in the template. The content resolution function may advantageously enable the second device to determine at least one suitable location and/or at least one resource identifier for retrieving the content.

In some embodiments, the content resolution function, when carried out on the second device, is configured to perform at least one of determining at least one connected device communicably connected to the second device, determining at least one supported capability for any of the at least one connected device, determining whether the content is available at any of the at least one connected device, and determining the resource identifier of the content for any of the at least one connected device. In certain embodiments, the content resolution function may discover more than one sources (i.e., more than one connected devices) in which the content is available. In those embodiments, the content resolution function may further select which source to use based on, e.g., ranking of preferences.

A (user) device, such as a personal computer, handheld computing device or any suitable media device, configured to carry out any of the methods disclosed herein is envisioned.

A method for distributing content by a content source to a plurality of devices is disclosed. Content is transmitted to a plurality of devices. A computer program script may be transmitted to the devices, wherein said computer program script for defining or enforcing at least one permission to use and/or access the content. A content source configured to carry out this method is disclosed.

A content distribution system comprising a content source and at least two devices according to the device methods disclosed herein is envisioned.

A computer program product is also disclosed, implemented on computer-readable non-transitory storage medium, the computer program product configured for, when run on a computer, executing at least part of any of the methods disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a system for providing interactivity content on the basis of fingerprints generated with recorded audio from the television;

FIG. 2 shows a system for providing interactivity content to a hybrid television system;

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative system for enabling content distribution from a first device to a second device;

FIG. 4 shows yet another illustrative system for enabling content distribution from a first device to a second device.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram illustrating methods for enabling content distribution from one device to another device.

FIG. 6 shows a method diagram for content resolution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Two systems are discussed below, as FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to illustrate certain drawbacks of systems that provide interactive applications to the user while a user is consuming broadcast content, e.g., watching a cooking program on television. Interactive applications generally require content (referred to as “interactivity content” in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), such as video clips, audio clips, or any other suitable media content. For instance, a cooking recipe application may require interactivity content such as video clips of instructional cooking videos, images of food, etc. The area on left of the dotted line in these two figures represents the world within the web model; the area on the right of the dotted line represents the world within the broadcast model.

FIG. 1 shows a system for providing interactivity content on the basis of fingerprints generated with recorded audio from the television. In the web model, system 100 includes end user 102 using tablet computer 104 that is communicably connected to back end server 110 over network A 128. In the broadcast model, the system includes set top box+television system 122 that is communicably connected to broadcaster 128 over network B 126. The set top box receives broadcast content 124, such as television programs for various television channels, and the broadcast content is outputted to the television.

The end user using the tablet computer receives sound transmitted by the television 120 by recording an audio signal using microphone 118 of the tablet. Based on the recorded audio signal, the tablet generates a fingerprint using fingerprint generator 114. The fingerprint uniquely identifies the television channel or television program that is currently consumed on the television. The fingerprint is then transmitted (i.e., fingerprint 108) to a backend server for processing via network A (i.e., the Internet).

The backend server may be configured to continuously record television channels in real time and calculate a reference fingerprint for each of those channels. The backend server may be configured to store reference fingerprints generated from a collection of television programs. All reference fingerprints are stored in fingerprint database 112. Upon receiving the fingerprint at the backend server from the tablet computer, the backend server can determine which channel or program the end user is watching on the television by finding a match between the received fingerprint and the reference fingerprints stored in the fingerprint database. The backend can deduce information about the content on the television that is being delivered to the television such that suitable/related interactivity content 106 can be provided to application 116. For example, the backend server may provide an interactive gaming experience (i.e., the interactivity content) associated with the television program currently being watched by the end-user.

The main limitation of this system is that it merely emulates end user interaction with the content being delivered to the television, when there is no actual access to the content being delivered to the television. Another limitation is that the backend must have the authorization from the broadcaster(s) to generate fingerprints of existing channels or programs and possibly the knowledge of the programming schedule for those television channels. Channel programming may differ from one television provider to another and from one geographical region to another. Accordingly, maintaining such a backend is complex and may not be a scalable solution. Another disadvantage is that the solution is susceptible to (background) noise in the user environment, leading to inaccurate determination or none at all.

FIG. 2 shows a system for providing interactivity content to a hybrid television system. System 200 enables broadcaster 218 to offer an interactive experience to end user 202 during a broadcast. The system includes hybrid system 208 (e.g., a single receiver box) that comprises web-enabled device 210 and set top box+television system 224. In the web model, the web-enabled device is communicably connected to backend server 216 over network A 206 (i.e., the Internet). In the broadcast model, the set top box and television system receives broadcast content+application(s)+signalling 222 from broadcaster 218 over Network B 220 (i.e., television broadcast network). Application+signalling 214 is then provided to the web-enabled device to run and control the application.

The broadcaster signals, over Network B (i.e., television broadcast network), to the web-enabled device in the closed hybrid system to run a particular application (e.g., application 212), while the interactivity content is provided over Network A (i.e., via a broadband Internet connection). Application(s) running on the web-enabled device typically requires a secure certificate and is specific to a certain hybrid system (i.e., model of receiver box), a particular television channel and/or even a television service provider. For instance, if the end user switches to another channel, the application exits automatically. Furthermore, the broadcaster authorizes the backend server (auth arrow 218) to provide interactivity content 204 to the application running on the web-enabled device to allow the end user to interact with the broadcast content.

This bootstrap system is a closed system where the application being provided to the hybrid system is completely provisioned and controlled by the broadcaster itself. Third-party developers cannot access, modify or even start an application on the web-enabled device (without a secure certificate). Furthermore, the applications run on specific software environments in specialized hardware, i.e., the hybrid system (e.g., a web-enabled receiver box).

To alleviate at least some of the problems discussed in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, improved systems and methods are disclosed. The improvement relates to allowing the broadcaster to define permissions for the content such that other applications, e.g., in the web model, may access and use the content in a suitable manner.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative system for enabling content distribution from a first device to a second device. System 300 includes first device 312 communicably connected content source 314. In some embodiments, a service provider, such as a television service provider, for enabling content distribution may also be involved. For brevity, the service provider is omitted from the figure.

The content source may be a system for broadcasting content (e.g., video, audio, teletext, etc.) and any other suitable data to a plurality of receiving devices (including the first device). The first device may be a set top box, a receiver, or any suitable device or system for receiving content over a broadcast network. The first device may include or is communicably connected to at least one output actuator/device for outputting the content for end user consumption.

Over network B 316 (e.g., a television broadcast network), the first device receives content+computer program script 314 in at least one data stream from the content source. The “+” symbol used herein denotes “and”, “with”, “in combination with”, “together”, etc. The content may include at least one of: audio, video, teletext, or any other suitable media content. For instance, the content may include the video and the audio of a television program.

The computer program script may include permission(s) or permission information that enables a content owner and/or a broadcaster to control the access and usage of the content. For instance, the computer program script allows a content owner to define and/or enforce at least one permission to use and/or access the content. Accordingly, the computer program script allows another device, i.e., second device 304, to appropriately access and use the content, according to, e.g., certain limitations/restrictions and/or supported behaviours as defined by the content owner. The second device may be a personal computer, a laptop, a tablet computer, a handheld computing device, or any other suitable consumer user devices having at least one output actuator for outputting content.

The first device may provide the computer program script or a derivation of the computer program script (computer program script 320) to the second device over a local network, e.g., via Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), Session Announcement Protocol (SAP), Bonjour, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), etc. In one embodiment, the computer program script or a derivation thereof is forwarded to the second device as they are received from the content source. In some embodiments, the computer program script may be requested by the second device through call-back mechanisms such as Asynchronous JavaScript with XML or JavaScript Object Notation (AJAX/JSON).

Upon receiving the computer program script (or a derivation thereof), the second device may load the computer program script such that the application can use the built-in instruction(s) or function(s) in the computer program script to access and/or use the content on the first device. In some embodiments, the computer program script is interpretable by an application environment of the second device, such that certain functions may be loaded and used by an application running on the second device.

The information in the computer program script advantageously enables a broadcaster to share the content and create interactive services to third-party developers (who may be more capable or suitable in developing a large variety of applications for end users), without losing total control over the access and/or use of the content. Effectively, developers are able to use the web model, with great flexibility, to provide many more applications and/or services for interacting with the content being delivered over the broadcast model.

The computer program script may include at least one of: a code fragment, a snippet of computer program code, executable code, an executable script, and/or human-readable computer program instructions. The computer program script (or “script” for short) may be written in a general-purpose programming language, advantageously interpretable by an application environment (e.g., translated into a lower level instructions) before the instructions in the computer program script are executed on a device. The computer program script may be advantageously written/programmed in a scripting language such that it is easier for a third-party application developer to understand. The computer program script may be written in an embeddable language and/or extension language such that the computer program script may be advantageously embedded or added as an extension to the third-party application for better interoperability. In one embodiment, the computer program script is a code fragment in JavaScript language or a JavaScript file. In yet another embodiment the computer program script is compressed, thereby reducing bandwidth and/or storage requirements.

The computer program script may include at least one of: application programming interface (API), temporal constraints and usage constraints. The API may define at least one function for using or playing back the content, such as play, reorder, shuffle, select snapshot, etc. In particular, the API may include at least one function associated with a permitted or supported playback behaviour of the content. The temporal constraints may include parameters for limiting certain access and/or usage rights associated with time. For instance, the temporal constraints may include at least one of limiting the period of time in which the content may be accessed, limiting the number of times in which the content may be accessed, and defining an expiration date for the content, etc. The usage constraints may include limitations on the manner in which the content can be consumed by the end user. For example, the usage constraints may require an advertisement to be played when the content is played or skipped, disallowing fast forwarding, up to 4 seconds of the content may be played or downloaded, up to three pieces of content may be accessed at a time, etc.

The use of an API in the computer programming script advantageously allows another device to easily call the defined functions in the API to access and use the content under the control of the functions that are predefined by the content owner or broadcaster. Furthermore, the API limits the device to only be able to use the defined functions. For example, a user may not be able to edit the content if an “edit” API function is not provided in the computer program script. Advantageously, the content owner or the broadcaster is provided with the freedom to define which set of functions may be allowed.

Generally, the content owner or broadcaster operating the content source may choose the level of granularity of the computer program script. For instance, the computer program script may include instructions to render a media player with a built-in cryptographic key that is capable of playing a certain video clip. In another instance, the computer program script may include an API that allows the application to inspect on the available content and play the content using a player that is provided by the application.

In brief, several advantages may be achieved by providing a computer program script to the second device, as opposed to the methods described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the computer program script may include function(s) or access thereto that a third-party application may execute, e.g., by calling the function through the use of an API. As a result, the function(s) enables a third-party application to access and/or use the content on the first device and/or have parts of a template generated (e.g., a template for defining a visual presentation for and/or interaction with the content). In addition, the computer program script having an API may simplify the programming model, thereby making it easier for third-party application developers to access and/or use the content and to keep the template in accordance with the at least one permissions. Another advantage is that a computer program script may aid in the resolving of the content in situations where a multitude of computer protocols can be used to retrieve the content (e.g. firstly trying a DLNA network setup, then a HTTP Adaptive streaming source, then a progressive download). In some embodiments, the computer program script is interpretable such that various platforms processing the computer program script are able to create a derivation of the computer program script that is more suitable for the platform itself, thus making the computer program script more platform or device independent.

An exemplary part of a computer program script is shown below, where the API of the computer program script provides three functions: “addProgram”, “changeProgram” and “verifyPlaylist”:

// Load Broadcast functionality

if (Broadcast in window) {

var Broadcast = {

programs: { }, // Note programs could be preloaded as well

add Program: function(

key, title, description, channel, permissions) {

var program = new Object;

program.key = key;

program.title = title;

program.description = description;

program.channel = channel;

program.permissions = permissions;

// Add to Broadcast administration

Broadcast.programs[key] = program;

// Invoke user callback if there is one

if (undefined !== onBroadcastEvent) {

onBroadcastEvent(program); }

},

changeProgram: function(

key, title, description, channel, permissions) {

var prog = Broadcast.programs[key];

if (prog) delete Broadcast.programs[key];

Broadcast.add Program(

key, title, description, channel, permissions);

},

verifyPlaylist: function(program_key, playlist) {

var prog = Broadcast.programs[program_key];

if (prog) {

return prog.permissions(playlist);

} else {

return false;

}

}

};

}

The second device running application 306, may generate a template for displaying/presenting content to end user 302. In some embodiments, the generation of the template is based at least on user input received from a user and/or user interaction with the application. For example, the application may generate a template, such as a webpage for rendering “John's favourite videos”, on the basis of input(s) or selection(s) provided by an end user.

The application may be retrieved from a remote source or may be preloaded on the second device. The template defines the manner in which the content is to be presented to the end user. In particular, the template may define the visual presentation for the content. An illustrative example is a widget from a website that allows an end user to define a playlist of media clips, where the template is then a graphical user interface screen or a web page that comprises information defining a visual presentation of the playlist and a particular playlist of an end user (e.g., references to a plurality of contents). In some embodiments, other types of presentations are used besides a visual presentation. For instance, information defining an audio presentation and/or a haptic presentation may be used, depending on the implementation. Generally, the presentation defines the manner in which the content is presented to an end user. In certain embodiments, the presentation defines how the end user may consume and/or interact with the content.

An illustrative example of a template is shown below, as an HyperText Markup Language (HTML)-based webpage:

<!DOCTYPE html>

<html>

<head>

<title>JavaScript Broadcast Events example</title>

<link rel=“stylesheet” type=“text/css” href=“demo.css” />

<script src=“interaction.js”></script>

<script type=“text/javascript”>

var currentProgram = null;

var playlist = [

{‘comment’: “S04E07”, ‘start’: “0:05:32”, ‘stop’: “0:06:02”},

{‘comment’: “S04E07”, ‘start’: “0:09:02”, ‘stop’: “0:09:43”},

{‘comment’: “S04E07”, ‘start’: “0:15:23”, ‘stop’: “0:16:01”} ]

function onBroadcastEvent(program) {

document.getElementById(‘announcement’).innerHTML =

program.title

currentProgram = program.key

}

</script>

</head>

<body>

<header>

<h1>Broadcast Event Demo</h1>

</header>

<div id=“item-panel”>

<h3 id=“announcement”>The Big Bang Theory</h3>

<div id=“fragment1” class=“item”>Start 0:05:32

<br>Stop 0:06:02</div>

<div id=“fragment2” class=“item”>Start 0:09:02

<br>Stop 0:09:43</div>

<div id=“fragment3” class=“item”>Start 0:15:23

<br>Stop 0:16:01</div>

</div>

</body>

</html>

In some embodiments, a template may include at least one reference(s) to content. In some embodiments, a template may define at least one element within the template for visually presenting the content (e.g., <div> elements of the HTML code as seen above). In certain embodiments, the template may include parameters for defining the look-and-feel of the template (e.g., using a Cascading-Style Sheet (CSS) file referenced by the HTML code). The template may also contain application code that provides, e.g., drag and drop and/or other types of user interaction functionality (e.g. using external javascript referenced by the HTML code). The application may render the visual presentation using the template and the content referenced therein.

In some embodiments, the template may be generated according to the permission information and/or at least one permissions in the received computer program script. For instance, the permission information and/or at least one permission may be used to verify that the template is in accordance with the permission(s) defined by the content owner. In some embodiments the computer program script includes at least one helper function to help generate at least a part of the template in accordance with the permission information. For instance, a function may be included to enable adding of elements to the template, e.g., adding another content (item) to the template and/or ensuring that the permission information is met when the other content (item) is added.

In some embodiments, the computer program script may include at least one verification function that provides API functions and/or mechanisms to enforce permission (s) defined by the content owner, e.g., to check whether certain playback functions in the template are allowed, etc. The enforcement of permissions ensures that the template would present only content that the application is allowed to access, in a manner that is allowed by the content owner. For instance, the computer program script may include the following:

// Now add the program. The verification function allows any

// playlist that has three or less items in it.

Broadcast.addProgram( “tbbt”, “The Big Bang Theory”,

“Sitcom about four nerds and their neighbor Penny”, “Veronica”,

function(fragments) { return (fragments.length <= 3) ? true : false });

The illustrative computer program script includes a verification function to determine whether the playlist has less than or equal to three items; the less than or equal to three item being the permission defined by the illustrative computer program script.

Once a template is generated, the application may transmit a request to access content in the first device. For example, the template may request (request 322) to access a particular video clip in the first device. If the content is available, then the first device may respond (response 324) with the requested content. In other words, the first device may transmit the requested content to the second device.

Optionally, the first device checks the received request based on the permission information in the computer program script that the first device had received from the content source. The check performed by the first device enforces the permission(s), e.g., permissions determined from the computer program script and stored on the first device, to ensure that the application has access to the content and that the request is in accordance/compliance with the permission(s). If the request is in accordance with the permissions, then the first device may provide the content to the second device.

In the event that the content requested is not available or not accessible on the first device, the second device may fall back to catch-up source 310, which is communicably connected to the second device over network A 308 (e.g., a different network from network B). Typically, the catch-up source may have a lower quality version of the requested content than the (higher) quality version in the first device.

The response, i.e., the distribution of the content from the first device to the second device, may be performed using any suitable conventional techniques for delivering content, such as streaming, HTTP LIVE Streaming, MPEG-DASH, progressive download, etc. The content may be delivered from the catch-up source to the second device using a dissimilar or similar technique.

Upon receiving the content, the application may populate the template with the received content, and renders the content and the template to a display of the second device. In some embodiments, the application renders the visual presentation defined by the template using the template and the received content (as referenced in the template) to an output actuator (e.g., a display). For instance, the application may render a media player for the play-back of the content referenced in the template. The end user may then consume and/or interact with the content.

In some embodiments, the computer program script includes content resolution mechanisms or functions to enable the application to resolve the location of the content to be requested and to determine an appropriate resource identifier associated with the content. Accordingly, the application and the template can address or refer to the content without having to specify the exact location of the content itself. The abstraction from the exact location of the content provides the flexibility for a device to determine the most suitable source for the content. Furthermore, when a template or an application is provided from one device to another, the references to the content remains portable because no matter the device, the content resolution mechanisms enables the content to be located. Moreover, when providing one application from one device to another device, content resolution enables one device to refer to the content instead of transmitted the actual content itself. Content resolution enables different templates to be created while the content remains the same. Additionally, by avoiding the copying of the content, copyright and broadcasting rights are observed and resources are conserved. Details relating to the content resolution mechanism is described in further detail in relation to FIG. 6.

FIG. 4 shows yet another illustrative system for enabling content distribution from a first device to a second device. System 400 comprises first device 406 communicably connected with second device 404, e.g., via a home or local network. Receiver component 408 of the first device receives content and computer program script from a content source (maintained by a content owner or broadcaster). The receiver component may be a communication interface or component configured to receive data from a broadcast network. In one embodiment, if the computer program script and the content are transmitted in the same data stream, the computer program script may be separated from the content.

Computer program script 410 may be provided to computer program script processor 412 and content 414 may be provided to content processor 416. The content, which may be encoded, may be decoded by content processor 416. The decoded content may then be provided to output 418 to an output device such as a display or a speaker. In some embodiments, the content is stored in content database 422. The content database may be any suitable storage configured to store and manage content, which may be encoded or decoded, depending on the implementation.

The computer program script may be processed by the computer program script processor. In some embodiments, the computer program script may be forwarded to the second device, bypassing the computer program script processor. In some other embodiments, the computer program script may be translated by the computer program script processor to generate a derivation of the computer program script. Translation (or interpretation) of the computer program script advantageously enables the first device to interpret the computer program script and adapt the computer program script (the information therein) into a localized version of the computer program script. The localized version is then executable by the first device. The first device, using the computer program script processor, effectively adopts the computer program script to match with the capabilities/requirements of the first device, such that, e.g., unsupported API functions in the computer program script may be discarded or disabled. The computer program script processor may process the computer program script to extract and/or apply the permissions within the first device, e.g., ensuring that the content is deleted from the first device when the content expires.

Consider the following exemplary information defined by the computer program script:

Content access permissions: [play,pause,snapshot,select,address]

Supported API calls:

play(item),

pause(item),

snapshot(item),

select(item),

address(item);

Validity of API calls:

PVR storage: 24 hours,

Catch-up source 10 days

The first device may interpret the computer program script and determine that the first device, e.g., only locally stores (caches) content for 12 hours (the permission information defines 24 hours). Accordingly, the first device may update/adapt the corresponding permission, e.g., edit the “PVR storage validity value” to 12 hours if the Personal Video Recorder (PVR) is configured to expire content after said duration of time.

Furthermore, the first device may determine that the first device does not support a particular API function call, e.g., does not support the snapshot function. Accordingly, the unsupported function call is removed, e.g., the snapshot function is removed from the “Content access permissions” list.

Additionally, API functions may be translated to locally supported and executable functions, e.g., the first device translates: play(item)−>stb.item.play( ), pause(item)−>stb.item.pause( ), select(item)−>stb.item.select( ), address(item)−>stb.item.getAddress( ).

The exemplary information defined by the computer program script after translation/interpretation is shown below:

Content access permissions: [play,pause,select,address]

Supported API calls:

stb.item.play( )),

stb.item.pause( ),

stb.item.select( ),

stb.item.getURI( );

Validity of API calls:

PVR storage:12 hours,

Catch-up source: 10 days

In either situation, with or without processing, the computer program script or the derivation of the computer program script may be stored in permissions database 430 or any other suitable storage for storing permissions. The computer program script or the derivation thereof is then transmitted to computer program script receiver 436 of the second device. The computer program script receiver may include a receiving component configured to communicate over a home or local network with the first device. Upon receiving the computer program script, the computer program script may be stored in computer program script database 440 or any other suitable storage for storing the computer program script. Computer program script 442 is then provided to application 444.

The application may load the computer program script into the application. As such, any API functions in the computer program script is made available to the application, such that a template may be generated by template generator 438 according to the computer program script. For instance, a template may be generated and verified using the computer program script, e.g., using API function calls that are included in the computer program script. In some embodiments, the API functions may be interpreted and/or translated to a localized version that is executable or understandable by the application in the second device.

The template may define a visual presentation for presenting content to the end user. In some embodiments, the template includes a reference to content and defines a visual presentation for the content. For instance, a template may be a web page having placeholders for playing a playlist of references to video clips. For instance, the template may include an audio player, a list of references and/or descriptors for a plurality of the end user's favourite audio clips, and function(s) for playing the audio clips.

In some embodiments, content resolution mechanisms may be provided by the content source. In certain embodiments, those content resolution mechanisms may be extended by the application (e.g., the application provided by a third-party developer), or the content resolution mechanisms may be provided by the application itself. Content resolution module 446 may be used to resolve descriptors of content in the template to the at least one resource identifier for retrieving the content.

In some embodiments, the computer program script may provide a content resolution mechanism (executable by the content resolution module) for resolving a descriptor for (or reference to) the content to an exact location of the content. For instance, the computer program script may include instructions to communicate with a remote server (e.g., a media server) to resolve the content, or the content resolution mechanism may be embedded in the computer program script. Details related to the content resolution mechanism are discussed in relation to FIG. 6.

If the content resolution module resolves that the content is located in the first device, then a request for the content (request 430) may be transmitted to request processor 428. Optionally, the first device may check whether the application has permission to access the requested content by checking (check 424) the permissions database. The request is checked against the corresponding permissions associated with the requested content.

If the application is permitted to access the content, then a (localized) function corresponding to the request may be executed to access the content (access 426) from the content database. The content is then provided in response 432 back to the second device for consumption by the end user. Using the received content, the application may render, e.g., for display, a visual presentation of the content using the template and the received content in the response. The user may then consume and/or interact with the content that is rendered using the template.

If the application is not permitted to access the content, then a notification may be transmitted in the response to indicate that access is denied. Likewise, if the content does not exist on the first device (e.g., not found in the content database), then a (negative) notification may be transmitted in the response to indicate that the content is not found or is not available. The content resolution module may then, in response to the (negative) response, direct the application to retrieve the content from a catch-up source.

Through the advantageous use of the computer program script, the second device may obtain availability information about the content referenced in the template, such that the content may be resolved and retrieved. For instance, the second device may be configured to determine the availability of the content through the use of the computer program script. In one embodiment, the computer program script includes a function to retrieve information from the first device whether the content is accessible and/or available from the first device. Furthermore, the second device is configured to determine from the computer program script what interactions are allowed with the content, e.g., what the valid API function calls are for the content.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram illustrating methods for enabling content distribution from one device to another device. The main system comprises content source 502, first device 504 and second device 506. The content source provides content+computer program script over a broadcast network (“content+script” 514) to the first user device, such as a receiver, a set top box, etc. In some embodiments, the computer program script is processed in the first device to generate a derivation of the computer program script. The computer program script and/or the derivation of the computer program script is then transmitted to the second user device (“script” 516).

The second device, e.g., a personal computer, a tablet, etc., may be running an application (“run app” 512) such as a web browser for browsing a web page, a widget, a software application, a web-based application, and so on. Several timing situations may be possible. One, the user device may run the application in response to receiving computer program script from the first device. Two, the application may already be running on the second device before the computer program script is received from the first device. Third, the user device may run the application, and transmit a request to the first user device to retrieve the computer program script. In response to the request, the first user device transmits the computer program script.

Based on the computer program script, a template is populated by the application, which enables the second user device to refer to at least one content (item) to be presented and define any associated visual presentation or interaction to be used with the content (item). The template may be generated using the computer program script, which enables the application to generate a template that presents content in the manner prescribed by the broadcaster.

In some embodiments, the received computer program script includes content resolution mechanisms, which are then executed to perform content resolution (“resolve content” 520). The content resolution mechanisms resolve a reference to the content to the location in which the content is stored by determining a resource identifier associated with the content. Depending on the result of the content resolution mechanism, a request (“request” 522) may be transmitted to the first user device to retrieve the content referenced in the template, e.g., based on the location and/or the resource identifier determined by the content resolution mechanism.

Optionally, the first user device checks the request based on stored permissions associated with the requested content (“check permission(s)” 524). On the basis of the results of the permissions check, a response is transmitted (“response” 526) to indicate the result of the request.

If the request was successful, the response includes the requested content. If the request was not successful, the response may indicate as such, e.g., content was not found, access is denied, etc. In some embodiments, no response may be transmitted if the request was not successful. Accordingly, the second user device may use a time-out mechanism to deduce whether the request was successful or not.

In the event that the request was not successful and the content cannot be retrieved from the first user device, the content resolution mechanism may enable the second user device to communicate with other content sources to retrieve the referenced content in the template. For instance, a request (“request” 528) may be transmitted to catch-up source 508. The catch-up source may be a web server configured to provide content as a backup source over the Internet. In a similar fashion, a response (“response” 530) may be transmitted back to the second user device with the content.

If the catch-up source does not have the content or the access to the content is denied, the response may indicate accordingly. A (negative) response may trigger the second user device to attempt to retrieve the reference content in the template from even a further content source. The negative response may, in some cases, trigger the second user device to display an error message to indicate to the user that the content is not available.

Content resolution mechanisms provide an abstraction between the descriptor of or reference to the content and the means in which the content is stored, as opposed to providing/including the content itself in a template. Accordingly, even if third device 510 provides an application or a template (“app” 534) to the second device, this second device may still be able to access the content. The second user device may run the application, generate a template, apply the locally retrieved computer program script (as provided by the first user device) such that the permissions prescribed by the broadcaster device is enforced, and perform content resolution to locate the most suitable source for accessing the content. The result enables applications and templates to be portable from one device to another without the need to carry or physically transfer the content that is being addressed with the applications and templates.

Based on the retrieved content in a response (from any suitable content source), the template may be populated by the second device such that the visual presentation defined in the template may be rendered to a display for consumption by and/or interaction with the end user. The end result provides the end user of the second device to interact, through an application built based on the web model, with the content provided over the broadcast model.

FIG. 6 shows a method diagram for content resolution. The concept of resolution involves translating or looking up a name and/or a descriptor to determine an address. For example, when typing in an Universal Resource Identifier (URI) such as “http://www.abc.com”, a web browser resolves this URI by sending a query to a Domain Name System (DNS) to determine the network location of the server hosting the web site ABC.com. The DNS server may the reply with an IP address of that server “134.221.1.64”, and the web browser uses this IP address to connect to and retrieve the contents of the website. The concept of resolution is extended and adapted to content resolution, such that a descriptor or a reference may be used to refer to a content (item) without referring to the exact location and/or resource identifier of the content item. In one embodiment, the template includes a reference to and/or a descriptor for a content. Based on the reference/descriptor, content resolution determines a resource identifier, which enables the content to be identified or retrieved on another device. Using the determined resource identifier, a request for the content (that is understandable by the other device) may then be generated.

Through content resolution, a device may be flexible to check for the (most) suitable content source to retrieve the content of interest, instead of being restricted to only retrieving the content from a particular device using a particular resource identifier. Generally, content resolution in the context of this disclosure comprises at least one of: device discovery, service capabilities discovery, content availability discovery, and content URI retrieval.

Content resolution may be executed in a best-effort manner with graceful degradation. Accordingly, content resolution may be performed without input by or interaction with the user and if all fails, the online broadcaster content (e.g., a catch-up source) may be used.

In detail, the exemplary content resolution method begins with the discovery of devices (box 604). If computer program script has already been received from a particular device, the discovery step may be made optional because the device can assume that particular device is communicably connected to the device.

For example, the device performing content resolution may interrogate over the local network(s) which other devices are connected to the device. For each discovered device, the device may further request information regarding the service capabilities of the discovered device, e.g., the protocols, versions, supported functionality of the device (such as storage, speed), etc. (box 606). In a situation where computer program script has already been received from a particular device, the computer program script may already include information related to service capabilities. The service capabilities determination step may then be made optional.

For instance, the device may interrogate whether a discovered device has storage for storing content (diamond 608). In a situation where computer program script has already been received from a particular device indicating that content is stored on that particular device, the storage interrogation step may then be made optional.

If the discovered device has storage, the device further interrogates whether the content of interest is available in the storage (diamond 610). In some embodiments, the availability of the content may be implemented by a request-response mechanism, as described in relation to FIGS. 3-5, where the second device requests for the content the first device device, and the first device (optionally checking the request against stored permissions) determines whether the content is available and respond accordingly. In certain embodiments, step 608 and 610 may be an implicit part of a query for content (step 614).

If the discovered device does not have storage for storing content, the device may gracefully fall back to retrieving the content of interest from a catch-up source (box 612). The graceful fall back mechanism enables the application to determine the appropriate source for accessing the content transparently to the user. For example, if a higher quality version of the content is not available, then a lower quality version of the content is retrieved from a backup source.

If the discovered device has storage and the content is available in the storage, then the device further determines the resource identifier associated with the content (box 614) by translating the descriptor for the content of interest (as referred to in the template) into a resource identifier that enables the device to request and refer to the content on that discovered device. The determined resource identifier is in a format that the discovered device having storage and the available content may understand.

In one embodiment, the service discovery process will yield a MediaServer as defined by the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocols. The resolve procedure may invoke a search on its built-in ContentDirectory service. This could result in a reply message illustrated in the following example:

<?xml version=“1.0” encoding=“UTF-8”?>

<DIDL-Lite

xmlns:dc=“http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/”

xmlns=“urn:schemas-upnp-org:metadata-1-0/DIDL-Lite/”

xmlns:upnp=“urn:schemas-upnp-org:metadata-1-0/upnp/”

xmlns:xsi=“http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance”

xsi:schemaLocation=”

urn:schemas-upnp-org:metadata-1-0/DIDL-Lite/

http://www.upnp.org/schemas/av/didl-lite.xsd

urn:schemas-upnp-org:metadata-1-0/upnp/

http://www.upnp.org/schemas/av/upnp.xsd”>

<item id=“12” parentID=“11” restricted=“0”>

<dc:title>Have I got news for you - season 21 edition 1</dc:title>

<dc:creator>STB</dc:creator>

<upnp:class>

object.item.videoItem

</upnp:class>

<res

protocolInfo=“http:*:video/mpeg:*”

importUri=“http://10.0.0.1/4A09FF78-RACS-8CD8-4F5F-87B3”>

</res>

</item>

</DIDL-Lite>

Using the field name “importUri”, the response may indicate a successful match with a corresponding resource identifier, which may be used to retrieve the content, such as including the corresponding resource identifier in a request for the content.

In some embodiment, content resolution may result in finding or discovering more than one content sources or resource identifiers associated with the content. In those situations, the content resolution may select which one to use based on, e.g., rules for ranking a plurality of content sources or provide a list of preferred content sources (e.g., based on factors such as bandwidth, content quality, access rights, user preferences, etc.).

Using the resource identifier, the content may be retrieved from the discovered device (box 616). The retrieved content is then used to populate a template such that the visual presentation of the content may be rendered and provided to an end user. In other words, the application may render the visual presentation of the content using the template and the retrieved content as referenced in the template.

Additionally, an illustrative content resolution mechanism is presented as below, which may be executed by the second device at the content resolution step. The functionality below may be part of the computer program script, or the computer program script may include a link to some content resolution function.

// function resolve

// parameter media is object describing a media fragment

// returns an URI on success or false otherwise

function resolve(media) {

var name = media[‘name’]

var start = media[‘start’]

var stop = media[‘stop’]

var uris = [ ];

// start discovery on the local network. The findServices

// function is offered by the browser itself. Arguments

// are merely for illustration.

findServices(‘*.local’, ‘media or storage’, 1000, function(res) {

// found service of type

var type = res.type

var uri = null

switch(type) {

case ‘bonjour’:

uri = findOnBonjour(media)

break;

case ‘upnp’:

uri = findOnUPnPServer(media)

break;

case ‘cifs’:

uri = findOnCifsServer(media)

break;

default: break;

}

// Store the result if we have one

if (uri) uris.push( uri )

});

if (uris.length > 0) {

// For now, just use the first one found

return uris[0]

} else {

return Broadcaster.makeDefaultUri(name, start, stop)

}

}

One embodiment of the disclosure may be implemented as a program product/module for use with a computer system and/or a processor/module of a computer system. The program(s) of the program product/module define functions of the embodiments (including the methods described herein) and can be included on a variety of computer-readable non-transitory storage media. The computer-readable storage media can be a non-transitory storage medium . Illustrative computer-readable and/or non-transitory storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory) on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive, flash memory, or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on which alterable information is stored. Moreover, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, which may be varied within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Method And System For Content Distribution

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