METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
A centralized distribution server comprises converter means for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream and transmitting means for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one of said subscriber terminals via a forward network channel. The at least one subscriber terminal comprises receiving means for receiving said digital delivery stream from said centralized server and interface means for enabling access to said digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein by a subscriber. According to the invention, the at least one subscriber terminal comprises first means for generating a first acknowledgement (type 1) upon receipt of said digital delivery stream by said receiving means and second means for generating a second acknowledgement (type 2) upon access of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein by the user via the interface means, said first and second acknowledgements to be transmitted to the centralized distribution server via a return network channel and said centralized distribution server comprises a feedback management module for receiving said first and second acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the centralized distribution server. Each acknowledgment (type 1 or type 2) sent by each subscriber terminal and received by the centralized distribution server generates a message that proves that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the subscriber terminal is known by the centralized distribution server and thus confirmed.
1 . A network-based content distribution system, comprising:
a converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream, said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
a transmitter module for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
a feedback management module for receiving receipt and access acknowledgements from at least one subscriber terminal for at least one data packet of said digital delivery stream and for tracking access of said subscriber terminal to said data packets and the content data embedded therein.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for generating a first message and a second message respectively upon receipt of said receipt and access acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the content distribution system, said first message and second messages proving that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the at least one subscriber terminal is known by the content distribution system and that said status is thus confirmed.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises at least one streamer module for converting content data into a data stream.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises a multiplexer module, said multiplexer module for converting at least two individual data streams into a mixed stream, said mixed stream containing data packets of said at least two individual data streams,
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a scheduler module for managing content distribution planning and scheduling.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for interacting with said at least one streamer module, to cause said streamer module to resend missing data upon receipt of a corresponding acknowledgement by said at least one subscriber terminal.
7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting said digital delivery stream into an encrypted stream.
8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a forward error correction module for providing said digital delivery stream with a redundant coding scheme.
9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a monitor module for monitoring information from at least one module chosen from the group consisting of at least one streamer module, one multiplexer module, one scheduler module, one feedback management module, one encryption module, one error correction module; and for controlling the operation of said at least one module.
10 . A network-based content distribution system, comprising:
a converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream,
said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
a transmitter module for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
a feedback management module for receiving receipt and access acknowledgements from at least one subscriber terminal for each data packet of said digital delivery stream and for tracking access of said subscriber terminal to said data packets and the content data embedded therein.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for generating a first message and a second message respectively upon receipt of said receipt and access acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the content distribution system, said first message and second messages proving that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the at least one subscriber terminal is known by the content distribution system and that said status is thus confirmed.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises at least one streamer module for converting content data into a data stream.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises a multiplexer module, said multiplexer module for converting at least two individual data streams into a mixed stream, said mixed stream containing data packets of said at least two individual data streams,
14 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising a scheduler module for managing content distribution planning and scheduling.
15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for interacting with said at least one streamer module, to cause said streamer module to resend missing data upon receipt of a corresponding acknowledgement by said at least one subscriber terminal.
16 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting said digital delivery stream into an encrypted stream.
17 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising a forward error correction module for providing said digital delivery stream with a redundant coding scheme.
18 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising a monitor module for monitoring information from at least one module chosen from the group consisting of at least one streamer module, one multiplexer module, one scheduler module, one feedback management module, one encryption module, one error correction module; and for controlling the operation of said at least one module.
19 . A network-based content distribution system, comprising:
a converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream,
said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
a transmitter module for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
a feedback management module for receiving receipt and access acknowledgements generated at a predetermined interval by at least one subscriber terminal and for tracking access of said subscriber terminal to said data packets and the content data embedded therein.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for generating a first message and a second message respectively upon receipt of said receipt and access acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the content distribution system, said first message and second messages proving that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the at least one subscriber terminal is known by the content distribution system and that said status is thus confirmed.
21 . The system of claim 19 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises at least one streamer module for converting content data into a data stream.
22 . The system of claim 19 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises a multiplexer module, said multiplexer module for converting at least two individual data streams into a mixed stream, said mixed stream containing data packets of said at least two individual data streams,
23 . The system of claim 19 , further comprising a scheduler module for managing content distribution planning and scheduling.
24 . The system of claim 19 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for interacting with said at least one streamer module, to cause said streamer module to resend missing data upon receipt of a corresponding acknowledgement by said at least one subscriber terminal.
25 . The system of claim 21 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting said digital delivery stream into an encrypted stream.
26 . The system of claim 19 , further comprising a forward error correction module for providing said digital delivery stream with a redundant coding scheme.
27 . The system of claim 19 , further comprising a monitor module for monitoring information from at least one module chosen from the group consisting of at least one streamer module, one multiplexer module, one scheduler module, one feedback management module, one encryption module, one error correction module; and for controlling the operation of said at least one module.
28 . A network-based content distribution system, comprising:
a converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream,
said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
a transmitter module for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
a feedback management module for receiving receipt and access acknowledgements generated at a predetermined interval of time from at least one subscriber terminal and for tracking access of said subscriber terminal to said data packets and the content data embedded therein.
29 . The system of claim 28 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for generating a first message and a second message respectively upon receipt of said receipt and access acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the content distribution system, said first message and second messages proving that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the at least one subscriber terminal is known by the content distribution system and that said status is thus confirmed.
30 . The system of claim 28 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises at least one streamer module for converting content data into a data stream.
31 . The system of claim 28 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises a multiplexer module, said multiplexer module for converting at least two individual data streams into a mixed stream, said mixed stream containing data packets of said at least two individual data streams,
32 . The system of claim 28 , further comprising a scheduler module for managing content distribution planning and scheduling.
33 . The system of claim 28 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for interacting with said at least one streamer module, to cause said streamer module to resend missing data upon receipt of a corresponding acknowledgement by said at least one subscriber terminal.
34 . The system of claim 28 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting said digital delivery stream into an encrypted stream.
35 . The system of claim 28 , further comprising a forward error correction module for providing said digital delivery stream with a redundant coding scheme.
36 . The system of claim 28 , further comprising a monitor module for monitoring information from at least one module chosen from the group consisting of at least one streamer module, one multiplexer module, one scheduler module, one feedback management module, one encryption module, one error correction module; and for controlling the operation of said at least one module.
37 . A network-based content distribution system, comprising:
a converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream,
said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
a transmitter module for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
a feedback management module for receiving receipt and access acknowledgements generated for a predetermined number of packets from at least one subscriber terminal and for tracking access of said subscriber terminal to the content data embedded in said digital delivery stream.
38 . The system of claim 37 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for generating a first message and a second message respectively upon receipt of said receipt and access acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the content distribution system, said first message and second messages proving that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the at least one subscriber terminal is known by the content distribution system and that said status is thus confirmed.
39 . The system of claim 37 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises at least one streamer module for converting content data into a data stream.
40 . The system of claim 37 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises a multiplexer module, said multiplexer module for converting at least two individual data streams into a mixed stream, said mixed stream containing data packets of said at least two individual data streams,
41 . The system of claim 37 , further comprising a scheduler module for managing content distribution planning and scheduling.
42 . The system of claim 37 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for interacting with said at least one streamer module, to cause said streamer module to resend missing data upon receipt of a corresponding acknowledgement by said at least one subscriber terminal.
43 . The system of claim 37 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting said digital delivery stream into an encrypted stream.
44 . The system of claim 37 , further comprising a forward error correction module for providing said digital delivery stream with a redundant coding scheme.
45 . The system of claim 37 , further comprising a monitor module for monitoring information from at least one module chosen from the group consisting of at least one streamer module, one multiplexer module, one scheduler module, one feedback management module, one encryption module, one error correction module; and for controlling the operation of said at least one module.
46 . A network-based content distribution system, comprising:
a converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream,
said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
a transmitter module for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
a feedback management module for receiving receipt and access acknowledgements generated for a predetermined amount of content data from at least one subscriber terminal and for tracking access of said subscriber terminal to said data packets and the content data embedded therein.
47 . The system of claim 46 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for generating a first message and a second message respectively upon receipt of said receipt and access acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the content distribution system, said first message and second messages proving that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the at least one subscriber terminal is known by the content distribution system and that said status is thus confirmed.
48 . The system of claim 46 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises at least one streamer module for converting content data into a data stream.
49 . The system of claim 46 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises a multiplexer module, said multiplexer module for converting at least two individual data streams into a mixed stream, said mixed stream containing data packets of said at least two individual data streams,
50 . The system of claim 46 , further comprising a scheduler module for managing content distribution planning and scheduling.
51 . The system of claim 46 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for interacting with said at least one streamer module, to cause said streamer module to resend missing data upon receipt of a corresponding acknowledgement by said at least one subscriber terminal.
52 . The system of claim 46 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting said digital delivery stream into an encrypted stream.
53 . The system of claim 46 , further comprising a forward error correction module for providing said digital delivery stream with a redundant coding scheme.
54 . The system of claim 46 , further comprising a monitor module for monitoring information from at least one module chosen from the group consisting of at least one streamer module, one multiplexer module, one scheduler module, one feedback management module, one encryption module, one error correction module; and for controlling the operation of said at least one module.
55 . A network-based content distribution system, comprising:
a converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream, said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
a transmitter module for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
a feedback management module for receiving a receipt acknowledgement and an access acknowledgement generated for a predetermined percentage of content data from at least one subscriber terminal and for tracking access of said subscriber terminal to said data packets and the content data embedded therein.
56 . The system of claim 55 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for generating a first message and a second message respectively upon receipt of said receipt and access acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the content distribution system, said first message and second messages proving that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the at least one subscriber terminal is known by the content distribution system and that said status is thus confirmed.
57 . The system of claim 55 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises at least one streamer module for converting content data into a data stream.
58 . The system of claim 55 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises a multiplexer module, said multiplexer module for converting at least two individual data streams into a mixed stream, said mixed stream containing data packets of said at least two individual data streams,
59 . The system of claim 55 , further comprising a scheduler module for managing content distribution planning and scheduling.
60 . The system of claim 55 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for interacting with said at least one streamer module, to cause said streamer module to resend missing data upon receipt of a corresponding acknowledgement by said at least one subscriber terminal.
61 . The system of claim 55 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting said digital delivery stream into an encrypted stream.
62 . The system of claim 55 , further comprising a forward error correction module for providing said digital delivery stream with a redundant coding scheme.
63 . The system of claim 55 , further comprising a monitor module for monitoring information from at least one module chosen from the group consisting of at least one streamer module, one multiplexer module, one scheduler module, one feedback management module, one encryption module, one error correction module; and for controlling the operation of said at least one module.
64 . A network-based content distribution system, comprising:
a converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream,
said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
a transmitter module for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
a feedback management module for receiving a receipt acknowledgement and an access acknowledgement generated for a predetermined quantity of content data from at least one subscriber terminal and for tracking access of said subscriber terminal to said data packets and the content data embedded therein.
65 . The system of claim 64 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for generating a first message and a second message respectively upon receipt of said receipt and access acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the content distribution system, said first message and second messages proving that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the at least one subscriber terminal is known by the content distribution system and that said status is thus confirmed.
66 . The system of claim 64 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises at least one streamer module for converting content data into a data stream.
67 . The system of claim 64 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises a multiplexer module, said multiplexer module for converting at least two individual data streams into a mixed stream, said mixed stream containing data packets of said at least two individual data streams,
68 . The system of claim 64 , further comprising a scheduler module for managing content distribution planning and scheduling.
69 . The system of claim 64 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for interacting with said at least one streamer module, to cause said streamer module to resend missing data upon receipt of a corresponding acknowledgement by said at least one subscriber terminal.
70 . The system of claim 64 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting said digital delivery stream into an encrypted stream.
71 . The system of claim 64 , further comprising a forward error correction module for providing said digital delivery stream with a redundant coding scheme.
72 . The system of claim 64 , further comprising a monitor module for monitoring information from at least one module chosen from the group consisting of at least one streamer module, one multiplexer module, one scheduler module, one feedback management module, one encryption module, one error correction module; and for controlling the operation of said at least one module.
73 . A network-based content distribution system, comprising:
a converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream,
said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
a transmitter module for transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
a feedback management module for receiving receipt and access acknowledgements from at least one subscriber terminal for at least half of the data packets of said digital delivery stream and for tracking access of said subscriber terminal to said data packets and the content data embedded therein.
74 . The system of claim 73 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for generating a first message and a second message respectively upon receipt of said receipt and access acknowledgements transmitted from said at least one subscriber terminal to the content distribution system, said first message and second messages proving that the status of the digital delivery stream and/or the content data embedded therein on the at least one subscriber terminal is known by the content distribution system and that said status is thus confirmed.
75 . The system of claim 73 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises at least one streamer module for converting content data into a data stream.
76 . The system of claim 73 , wherein said converter module for embedding content data into a digital delivery stream comprises a multiplexer module, said multiplexer module for converting at least two individual data streams into a mixed stream, said mixed stream containing data packets of said at least two individual data streams,
77 . The system of claim 73 , further comprising a scheduler module for managing content distribution planning and scheduling.
78 . The system of claim 73 , wherein said feedback management module comprises a module for interacting with said at least one streamer module, to cause said streamer module to resend missing data upon receipt of a corresponding acknowledgement by said at least one subscriber terminal.
79 . The system of claim 73 , further comprising an encryption module for encrypting said digital delivery stream into an encrypted stream.
80 . The system of claim 73 , further comprising a forward error correction module for providing said digital delivery stream with a redundant coding scheme.
81 . The system of claim 73 , further comprising a monitor module for monitoring information from at least one module chosen from the group consisting of at least one streamer module, one multiplexer module, one scheduler module, one feedback management module, one encryption module, one error correction module; and for controlling the operation of said at least one module.
82 . A method for enabling a server to track access to digital content comprising the steps of:
embedding content data into a digital delivery stream, said digital delivery stream containing data packets having content data embedded therein;
transmitting said digital delivery stream to at least one subscriber terminal via a forward network channel; and
receiving receipt and access acknowledgements from at least one subscriber terminal for at least one data packet of said digital delivery stream;
tracking access of said subscriber terminal to said data packets and the content data embedded therein.