Methods and apparatus for a virtual content channel structure in a broadband wireless network with location-based content
View Patent ↗Methods and apparatus are provided for a virtual content channel structure in a broadband wireless network with location-based content. Broadband content is delivered to a mobile terminal in a wireless network by receiving a request for a content channel from the mobile terminal; and translating the requested content channel to a corresponding content item based on the requested content channel and a date and time associated with the request (and optionally, a location of the request), wherein a content source associated with the corresponding content item is transmitted to the mobile terminal using a communication channel associated with the user. The content source comprises, for example, the corresponding content item or an address or a link associated with the corresponding content item. The corresponding content item can include content components that are based on a location of the mobile terminal.
1. A method for delivering broadband content to a mobile terminal in a wireless network, comprising:
receiving a request for a content channel from said mobile terminal; and
translating said requested content channel to a corresponding content item based on said requested content channel and a date and time associated with said request, wherein said corresponding content item has multiple versions, wherein a first of at least two coverage regions is associated with a first version of said corresponding content item, wherein a second of said at least two coverage regions is associated with a second version of said corresponding content item, wherein said mobile terminal receives said first version of said corresponding content item when said mobile terminal requests said content item when located in said first coverage region and wherein said mobile terminal continues receiving said first version of said corresponding content item when said mobile terminal enters said second coverage region.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of evaluating an authorization of said mobile terminal to receive said requested content channel.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a content source comprises one or more of said corresponding content item, an address or a hyperlink associated with said corresponding content item.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of transmitting said one or more of said corresponding content item, said address or said hyperlink associated with said corresponding content item to said mobile terminal.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein said translating step further comprises the step of translating said requested content channel to said corresponding content item based on a location of said mobile terminal.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein said corresponding content item includes one or more content components that are based on a location of said mobile terminal.
7. The method of claim 2 , wherein said date and time associated with said request is one or more of a current date and time of said request and a requested date and time.
8. An application server in a wireless network for delivering content to a mobile terminal, the application server comprising:
a memory; and
at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:
receive a request for a content channel from said mobile terminal; and
translate said requested content channel to a corresponding content item based on said requested content channel and a date and time associated with said request, wherein said corresponding content item has multiple versions, wherein a first of at least two coverage regions is associated with a first version of said corresponding content item, wherein a second of said at least two coverage regions is associated with a second version of said corresponding content item, wherein said mobile terminal receives said first version of said corresponding content item when said mobile terminal requests said content item when located in said first coverage region and wherein said mobile terminal continues receiving said first version of said corresponding content item when said mobile terminal enters said second coverage region.
9. The application server of claim 8 , wherein said processor is further configured to evaluate an authorization of said mobile terminal to receive said requested content channel.
10. The application server of claim 8 , wherein a content source comprises one or more of said corresponding content item, an address or hyperlink associated with said corresponding content item.
11. The application server of claim 10 , further comprising the step of transmitting said one or more of said corresponding content item, said address or said hyperlink associated with said corresponding content item to said mobile terminal.
12. The application server of claim 8 , wherein said corresponding content item includes one or more content components that are based on a location of said mobile terminal.
13. The application server of claim 8 , wherein said date and time associated with said request is one or more of a current date and time of said request and a requested date and time.