METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEARCHING FOR SECURE FILE TRANSMISSION
Described herein are methods and systems for managing and controlling the distribution of digital media. A first media file is associated with first media content and with first metadata providing one or more rules constraining how and/or what second media content can be played in conjunction with the first media content. Optionally, included in the first media file is a locator associated with the second media content which is to be accessed over a network when the first media content is played via a terminal player which receives the first media file.
1 . A method of distributing media via a network, the method comprising:
including in a first media file first media content and first metadata providing one or more rules constraining whether a second media content can be played directly in sequence before the first content, directly in sequence after the first content, between the beginning and end of the first media content, and/or while the first media content is being played; and
including in the first media file a network resource address associated with the second media content which is to be accessed over a network when the first media content is played via a terminal player which receives the first media file, so that the second media content can be played.
2 . The method as defined in claim 1 , the method further comprising inserting in the first media file a third media content configured to be selectively played if the second media content is inaccessible when an instruction is provided indicating that the first media content is to played.
3 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the one or more rules are specified by the owner of the first media content.
4 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a first rule indicates that second media is allowed to be played between the beginning and end of the first media content.
5 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a first rule indicates that second media is not allowed to be played between the beginning and end of the first media content.
6 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a first rule indicates whether the second media is allowed to be played directly before the first media.
7 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a first rule indicates whether the second media is allowed to be played directly after the first media.
8 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a first rule indicates whether the second media is allowed to overlay at least a portion of the first media.
9 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein a first rule indicates whether the second media is allowed to be displayed while the first media is being played.
10 . The method as defined in claim 1 , the method further comprising transmitting the first media file to the terminal.
11 . The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the terminal is a set-top box.
12 . The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the terminal is a digital video recorder.
13 . The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the terminal is a personal computer.
14 . The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the terminal is a phone.
15 . The method as defined in claim 1 , the method further comprising transmitting a public key in association with the first media file.
16 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first media file includes MPEG content.
17 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first media file includes vector-based content.
18 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second media content includes an advertisement.
19 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second media content includes a second network resource address.
20 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second media content includes a second network resource address associated with a merchant website.
21 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second media content includes a second network resource address associated with a channel.
22 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the network resource address is specified by the owner of the first media content.
23 . The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the network resource address is a uniform resource locator (URL).
24 . A method of securely distributing media via a network, the method comprising:
in a first media file, including first media content and a locator associated with a second media content, wherein the second media content is to be accessed when the first media content is played via a terminal player so that the second media content can be played; and
associating with the first media file a third media content configured to be selectively played if the second media content is inaccessible.
25 . The method as defined in claim 24 , wherein the locator is specified by the owner of the first media content.
26 . The method as defined in claim 24 , wherein the third media content is a video file.
27 . The method as defined in claim 24 , wherein the locator is a uniform resource locator (URL).
28 . The method as defined in claim 28 , the method further comprising transmitting the first media file to the terminal player.
29 . The method as defined in claim 28 , wherein the terminal is a set-top box.
30 . The method as defined in claim 28 , wherein the terminal is a digital video recorder.
31 . The method as defined in claim 28 , wherein the terminal is a personal computer.
32 . The method as defined in claim 28 , wherein the terminal is a phone.
33 . The method as defined in claim 28 , the method further comprising transmitting a public key in association with the first media file.
34 . The method as defined in claim 28 , wherein the first media file includes MPEG content.
35 . The method as defined in claim 28 , wherein the first media file includes vector-based content.
36 . Programmatic code stored on a computer readable medium, that when executed is configured to:
associate a first media file first media content with first metadata providing one or more rules constraining how a and/or what second media content can be played in conjunction with the first media content; and
include in the first media file a locator associated with the second media content which is to be accessed over a network when the first media content is played via a terminal player which receives the first media file.
37 . The code as defined in claim 36 , wherein the code is further configured to store an indication is association with the first media content that a third media content is to be played if the second media content is inaccessible.
38 . The code as defined in claim 36 , wherein a first rule indicates that second media is allowed to be played between the beginning and end of the first media content.
39 . The code as defined in claim 36 , wherein a first rule indicates that second media is not allowed to be played between the beginning and end of the first media content.
40 . The code as defined in claim 36 , wherein a first rule indicates whether the second media is allowed to be played directly before the first media.
41 . The code as defined in claim 36 , wherein a first rule indicates whether the second media is allowed to be played directly after the first media.
42 . The code as defined in claim 36 , wherein a first rule indicates whether the second media is allowed to overlay at least a portion of the first media.
43 . The code as defined in claim 36 , wherein a first rule indicates whether the second media is allowed to be displayed while the first media is being played.
44 . The code as defined in claim 36 , wherein the first media content is a video.
45 . The code as defined in claim 36 , wherein the second media content includes video, graphics, text, and/or audio.