Multicasting method and apparatus
A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user.
1. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
forwarding a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, wherein said forwarding of said real-time media stream from said intermediate server to said user device is via unicast, multicast, or any combination of the aforementioned;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said forwarding is via the Internet, a private data network, a satellite network, a cable network, an over-the-air broadcast, or any combination of the aforementioned.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, before said forwarding, authenticating said user device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said commercial purposes include monitoring delivery of commercial messages.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining further comprises ascertaining a duration of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said ascertaining monitors commencement and termination of said forwarding.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining further comprises ascertaining the size of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said ascertaining further comprises determining total bytes of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said ascertaining further comprises determining a time period during which said real-time media stream was forwarded toward said user device.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said real-time media stream comprises an audio stream, a video stream, or an audio and video stream.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said real-time media stream further comprises side-bar information, graphics, images, text, or any combination of the aforementioned.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the status of said user device.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said monitoring further comprises periodically pinging said user device to determine the operational status of said user device.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said termination is caused by the operational status of said user device.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said termination is caused by said user device terminating reception of said real-time media stream.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein said intermediate server is instructed to commence said forwarding of said real-time media stream toward said user device.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein said intermediate server is instructed to terminate said forwarding of said real-time media stream toward said user device.
18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting said stream from said user device to at least one other user device.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising monitoring said transmitting.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein said real-time media stream is an audio transmission, a video transmission, a radio transmission, a television transmission, a satellite transmission, a cable transmission, an advertisement, or any combination of the aforementioned.
21. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, before said forwarding, recording the real-time media stream to a storage medium.
22. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, before said forwarding, receiving a request for said real-time media from said user device.
23. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
forwarding copies of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward each of multiple user devices;
detecting a termination of said forwarding to at least one of said user devices;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said at least one user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein an extent of each of said copies forwarded to said multiple user devices is logged.
25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising aggregating each said extent over a predetermined time period.
26. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
encoding a media source feed into a real time media stream;
transmitting said real-time media stream toward said intermediate server;
forwarding said real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein said media source feed is received via the Internet, satellite, over-the-air broadcast, cable, hard disk, or any combination of the aforementioned.
28. The method of claim 26 , wherein said transmitting comprises forwarding more than one real-time media stream to said intermediate server, which then combines the more than one stream into a single stream to be forwarded toward said user device.
29. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
forwarding more than one real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, which user device then combines the more than one stream into a single stream;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
30. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
selecting an intermediate server from multiple intermediate servers;
forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from said intermediate server toward a user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
31. The method of claim 30 , wherein said selecting is based at least partially on: a type of said user device, an ability of said user device to receive and playback said real-time media stream, an ability of said intermediate server to forward said real-time media stream, a prevailing load of said intermediate server, performance characteristics of the communications network, or any combination of the aforementioned.
32. The method of claim 30 , wherein said selecting is at least partially based on a prevailing load of said intermediate server.
33. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
adjusting said forwarding based on: a type of said user device, an ability of said user device to receive and playback said real-time media stream, an ability of said intermediate server to forward said real-time media stream, a prevailing load of said intermediate server, performance characteristics of the communications network, or any combination of the aforementioned;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
34. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes, wherein said commercial purposes include assessing copyright royalties.
35. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device, wherein a user of said user device must register prior to the forwarding of said real-time media stream toward said user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
36. A method for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said method comprising:
forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
after said termination determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device, wherein said determining further comprises identifying said user device and identifying the composition of said real-time media stream; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
37. The method of claim 36 , wherein a security token or an Internet Protocol (IP) address is used to identify a user of said device.
38. A system for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, said system comprising:
a user device coupled to a network;
an intermediate server coupled to said network, said intermediate server comprising instructions for forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream toward said user device;
at least one other server coupled to said intermediate server, wherein said at least one other server includes instructions for:
detecting a termination of said forwarding;
determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
logging said extent for commercial purposes.
39. The system of claim 38 , wherein said termination is caused by said user device termination reception of said real-time media stream.
40. The system of claim 38 , wherein said commercial purposes include monitoring delivery of commercial messages or assessing copyright royalties.
41. The system of claim 38 , wherein said instructions for determining further comprise instructions for ascertaining a duration of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device.
42. The system of claim 38 , further comprising multiple user devices coupled to said network, wherein said intermediate server is configured to forward a copy of said real-time media stream to each of said multiple user devices.
43. The system of claim 38 , further comprising a network control center coupled to said intermediate server, wherein said network control center contains instructions for:
encoding a media source feed into said real time media stream; and
transmitting said real-time media stream toward said intermediate server.
44. The system of claim 38 , wherein said at least one other server further includes instructions for authenticating users.
45. The system of claim 38 , wherein said at least one other server further includes procedures for instructing said intermediate server to commence and terminate said forwarding.
46. A computer program product for metering real-time streaming media for commercial purposes, the computer program product comprising computer readable storage and a computer program stored therein, the computer program comprising:
instructions for forwarding at least one copy of a real-time media stream from an intermediate server toward a user device;
instructions for detecting a termination of said forwarding;
instructions for determining an extent of said real-time media stream forwarded toward said user device after said termination; and
instructions for logging said extent for commercial purposes.
47. The method of claim 46 , wherein said instructions for forwarding further comprise instructions for forwarding a copy of said real-time media stream to each of multiple user devices.
48. The method of claim 46 , further comprising instructions for:
encoding a media source feed into said real time media stream; and
transmitting said real-time media stream toward said intermediate server.