Method and system for providing a dynamic media distribution infrastructure
View Patent ↗The general idea of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention is to provide a dynamic media distribution infrastructure. For example, once a client computer downloads encrypted media content (e.g., audio, video, graphics, information, software, data, etc.) from an existing media supplier, it becomes a part of the media distribution infrastructure. Specifically, the client computer is now able to provide that specific downloaded media content to other requesting client computers in an encrypted format. It should be appreciated that within the present embodiment, a directory server computer regulates the distribution of media content over the dynamic media distribution infrastructure.
1. A method comprising:
performing a registration process with a directory device, said registration process comprises a first client device specifying media content to download;
said directory device supplying to said first client device a list of active media suppliers for providing said media content after said specifying;
said directory device coupling said first client device to a media supplier chosen from said list of active media suppliers;
software operating on said media supplier encrypting and transmitting said media content to said first client device after said coupling said first client device to said media supplier, said software regulates distribution of said media content;
said software transmitting to said first client device an encryption key capable of decrypting said media content;
said software transmitting a copy of said software to said first client device;
said copy of said software operating on said first client device encrypting and transmitting said media content to a second client device; and
said copy of said software transmitting to said second client device said encryption key;
wherein during downloading of said media content to said second client device, said copy of said software causes the first client device to transmit a copy of said software to said second client device.
2. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising:
coupling said second client device to said directory device.
3. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising:
coupling said second client device to said first client device.
4. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said copy of said software does not allow said media content to be downloaded without a client device interacting with its interface.
5. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said copy of said software does not allow said media content to be downloaded by said second client device without said second client device first communicating with said directory device.
6. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising:
said directory device creating said list of said active media suppliers.
7. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said encrypted media content is video, audio, graphics, software, or information.
8. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said media supplier comprises a computer.
9. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said media supplier comprises a third client device.
10. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said first client device is a computer, set-top-box, or digital recording/play back device.
11. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising:
supplying to said second client device a second list of active media suppliers for providing said media content.
12. A method comprising:
coupling said first client device to a directory device and specifying media content to download;
said directory device supplying to said first client device a list of media suppliers for providing said media content after said specifying;
software operating on a media supplier chosen from said list encrypting and transmitting said media content to said first client device, said software controls distribution of said media content;
said software transmitting a copy of said software to said first client device;
downloading to said first client device an encryption key capable of decrypting said media content;
said copy of said software operating on said first client device encrypting and transmitting said media content to a second client device; and
downloading to said second client device said encryption key;
wherein during downloading of said media content to said second client device, said copy of said software causes the first client device to transmit a copy of said software to said second client device.
13. The method as described in claim 12 further comprising:
coupling said second client device to said directory device.
14. The method as described in claim 12 further comprising:
coupling said second client device to said first client device.
15. The method as described in claim 12 wherein said first client device receives said first encryption key from said media supplier.
16. The method as described in claim 12 wherein said first client device receives said first encryption key from said directory device.
17. The method as described in claim 12 wherein said second client device receives said second encryption key from said first client device.
18. The method as described in claim 12 wherein said second client device receives said second encryption key from said directory device.
19. The method as described in claim 12 wherein said encrypted media content is video, audio, graphics, software, or information.
20. The method as described in claim 12 wherein said media supplier comprises a third client device.
21. The method as described in claim 12 wherein said first client device is a computer, set-top-box, or digital recording/play back device.
22. The method as described in claim 12 further comprising:
supplying to said second client device a second list of media suppliers for providing said media content, wherein said second list of media suppliers comprises said first client device.
23. A system comprising:
a media supplier upon which software operates for encrypting and transmitting media content and for transmitting a copy of said software, said software regulates distribution of said media content;
a first client device coupled to said media supplier and for receiving said media content from said media supplier and for receiving said copy of said software, said first client device for receiving a first encryption key for decrypting said media content;
a directory device for coupling said first client device to said media supplier, and for supplying to said first client device a list of active media suppliers that comprises said media supplier after said first client device specifies said media content to download; and
a second client device coupled to said first client device and for receiving said media content from said first client device, said second client device for receiving a second encryption key for decrypting said media content, wherein during downloading of said media content to said second client device, said copy of said software causes the first client device to transmit a copy of said software to said second client device.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein said media content that is encrypted is video, audio, graphics, software, or information.
25. The system of claim 23 wherein said first client device is a computer, set-top-box, or digital recording/play back device.
26. The system of claim 23 wherein said second client device is a computer, set-top-box, or digital recording/play back device.
27. The system of claim 23 wherein said first client device receives said first encryption key from said media supplier.
28. The system of claim 23 wherein said first client device receives said first encryption key from said directory device.
29. The system of claim 23 wherein said second client device receives said second encryption key from said first client device.
30. The system of claim 23 wherein said second client device receives said second encryption key from said directory device.
31. The system of claim 23 wherein said media supplier comprises a third client device.
32. The system of claim 23 wherein said directory device for coupling said second client device to said first client device.