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`US 20030115351A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0115351 A1
`Giobbi
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jun. 19, 2003
`
`(54) DIGITAL CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
`SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`(52) US. Cl. .......................................... .. 709/231; 709/246
`
`(76) Inventor: John J. Giobbi, Northbrook, IL (US)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Michael J- BlaIlkSteiIl
`7358_NeW Washburn Way
`Madlson, WI 53719 (Us)
`_
`(21) Appl' NO"
`22 Fl (12
`(
`)
`16
`
`10/016’857
`D I 14 2001
`EC
`’
`publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. G06F 15/16
`
`AcentraliZed digital content distribution system for use in an
`establishment includes a digital content server, a plurality of
`remote clients, and a portable remote control. The digital
`content server stores digital content acquired from a global
`computer netWork such as the Internet. The plurality of
`remote clients are located in rooms of the establishment and
`linked to the digital content server. The portable remote
`control is adapted to communicate With each of the remote
`clients and select the digital content stored in the digital
`content server.
`
`Web Accessed
`PK-Compliant
`Distribution Sewers
`
`26
`
`Internet
`
`15
`
`14
`
`24a
`
`Remote Client
`
`14
`
`Media Burner
`(Len Device)
`
`Digital Content Server
`(LocatServer)
`
`Ememet Hub
`
`Remote Client
`14
`
`.
`.g : 1!;
`Stereo Amplifier with
`Integrated Remote Client
`(Lan Device)
`
`14
`
`16
`
`RF
`
`System Remote Control
`
`Remote Client
`
`5%,; Stereo Amplifier
`
`(Len Device)
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1022
`
`

`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1022
`
`

`
`US 2003/0115351 A1
`
`Jun. 19, 2003
`
`DIGITAL CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital content
`distribution system embodying the present invention.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`[0001] The present invention relates generally to digital
`content distribution and, more particularly, to a centralized
`digital content distribution system and method that receives
`digital content from a global computer netWork and effec
`tively distributes the digital content to different locations in
`an establishment such as a residence.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`[0002] A typical residence includes entertainment compo
`nents scattered throughout various rooms of the residence.
`The entertainment components may, for example, include
`televisions, compact disc (CD) players, video disc (DVD)
`players, video cassette recorders (VCRs), satellite receivers,
`ampli?ers, radios, audio speakers, game systems, etc. Also,
`in an entertainment room of the residence, the various
`components may be interconnected using complex Wiring
`arrangements to form a home entertainment center. In addi
`tion to the aforementioned components, persons may oWn or
`rent various media, such as compact discs, DVDs, video
`cassettes, game cartridges, etc. When the media is not in use,
`the media may be scattered throughout various rooms of the
`residence and stored in such storage locations as entertain
`ment units, storage cabinets, or the like. When a person
`Wishes to play the media, the person must retrieve the media
`from its storage location and insert the media into the
`appropriate media player.
`[0003] Entertainment arrangements of the above type are
`typically disorganiZed and inconvenient to their users. The
`entertainment components and media are scattered through
`out various rooms of the residence. Wiring arrangements for
`interconnecting the components are often complex and
`confusing. Also, if a person Wishes to play a particular media
`on a particular media player, the person must ?rst retrieve
`the media from its storage location and then insert the media
`into the media player. This can be inconvenient especially if
`the media is buried in storage or if the media’s storage
`location is in a different room than the media player.
`
`[0004] Aneed therefore exists for an entertainment system
`and method that overcomes the aforementioned shortcom
`ings associated With existing arrangements.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0005] In accordance With one aspect of the present inven
`tion, a centraliZed digital content distribution system for use
`in an establishment includes a digital content server, a
`plurality of remote clients, and a portable remote control.
`The digital content server stores digital content acquired
`from a global computer netWork such as the Internet. The
`plurality of remote clients are located in rooms of the
`establishment and linked to the digital content server. The
`portable remote control is adapted to communicate With
`each of the remote clients and select the digital content
`stored in the digital content server.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0006] The foregoing and other advantages of the inven
`tion Will become apparent upon reading the folloWing
`detailed description and upon reference to the draWings in
`Which:
`
`[0008] While the invention is susceptible to various modi
`?cations and alternative forms, speci?c embodiments have
`been shoWn by Way of example in the draWings and Will be
`described in detail herein. HoWever, it should be understood
`that the invention is not intended to be limited to the
`particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover
`all modi?cations, equivalents, and alternatives falling Within
`the spirit and scope of the invention as de?ned by the
`appended claims.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0009] Turning noW to the draWings and referring initially
`to FIG. 1, there is depicted a centraliZed digital content
`distribution system embodying the present invention. The
`system is used in an establishment such as a residence or
`entertainment facility. The system includes a digital content
`server 10, a distribution hub 12, a plurality of remote clients
`14, and a portable remote control 16. The digital content
`server 10 stores digital content acquired from a global
`computer netWork 18 such as the Internet. In addition, the
`digital content server 10 may store digital content uploaded
`from a standard component 24. The plurality of remote
`clients 14 are located in different rooms of the establishment
`and linked to the digital content server 10 via the distribution
`hub 12 or via logical Ethernet addresses. The remote clients
`14 are linked to the distribution hub 12 by a backbone
`transmission netWork 15. The backbone transmission net
`Work 15 may be Wireless or Wired With ?ber optic cables,
`coaxial cables, or tWisted pair cables, may employ a net
`Working protocol such as Ethernet, Arcnet, or ATM (Asyn
`chronous Transfer Mode), and may employ a communica
`tions protocol such as TCP/IP. Each remote client 14
`includes a netWork interface card (NIC) for interfacing With
`the backbone transmission netWork 15.
`
`[0010] The remote control 16 is adapted to communicate
`With each of the remote clients 14 and select the digital
`content stored in the digital content server 10. The remote
`control 16 is essentially a personal digital assistant (i.e.,
`hand-held computer) including a display and added remote
`control circuitry. The display may, for example, be a liquid
`crystal display (LCD). The added remote control circuitry
`includes “system remote” circuitry and “universal remote”
`circuitry.
`[0011] The “system remote” circuitry in the remote control
`16 is for establishing a ?rst Wireless transmission link 20
`With each of the remote clients 14. The ?rst Wireless
`transmission link 20 may be a radio link (RF) as shoWn or
`an infrared link (IR). Upon establishing the ?rst Wireless
`transmission link 20 With one of the remote clients 14, the
`remote control 16 serves as a system remote capable of (1)
`displaying, scanning, and selecting the digital content avail
`able on the digital content server 10 and doWnloading the
`selected digital content from the digital content server 10 to
`the linked remote client 14 and (2) controlling the digital
`content server 10 to doWnload digital content from the
`global computer netWork 18 to the digital content server 10.
`As used herein, the term “doWnload” and similar variations
`thereof (e.g., doWnloaded, doWnloading, etc.) is intended to
`cover the transfer of content from one device to a receiving
`device Whether the content is stored on the receiving device
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1022
`
`

`
`US 2003/0115351 A1
`
`Jun. 19, 2003
`
`or merely “streamed” to the receiving device for immediate
`playback. The remote control 16 preferably includes a
`display for displaying the digital content. The display may,
`for example, be a liquid crystal display (LCD). As a user
`holding the remote control 16 moves from room to room of
`the establishment, the remote control 16 successively estab
`lishes Wireless transmission links 20 With the remote clients
`14 in the respective rooms. In this Way, the digital content
`available on the digital content server 10 folloWs the user’s
`movement from room to room.
`
`[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the ?rst Wireless trans
`mission link 20 is a radio link established by matching
`transceivers in the remote control 16 and each remote client
`14. The matching transceivers are preferably small, inex
`pensive BluetoothTM radio chips that operate in the unli
`censed ISM band at 2.4 GHZ and avoid interference from
`other signals by hopping to a neW frequency after transmit
`ting or receiving a packet. The radio chips are plugged into
`the respective remote control 16 and each remote client 14,
`Which can then communicate over short distances and
`through obstacles by means of radio Waves. Bluetooth is a
`term used to describe the protocol of a short range (e.g.,
`about 10 meters) frequency-hopping radio link betWeen
`devices containing the radio chips. These devices are then
`termed “Bluetooth-enabled.” Further details concerning
`Bluetooth Wireless technology may be obtained from WWW
`.bluetooth.com. Wireless technologies other than Bluetooth
`may be used to communicate remote control signals betWeen
`the remote control 16 and each remote client 14.
`
`[0013] The “universal remote” circuitry in the remote
`control 16 is for establishing a second Wireless transmission
`link 22 With standard components 24 connected to the
`remote clients 14. The second Wireless transmission link 22
`is preferably an infrared link (IR) as shoWn. Upon estab
`lishing the second Wireless transmission link 22 With one of
`the standard components 24, the remote control 16 serves as
`a universal remote capable of operating the standard com
`ponent 24. The standard component 24 may, for eXample, be
`an audio receiver, an audiovisual receiver, a video monitor
`(television), etc. The standard components 24 may be physi
`cally separate from, but linked to, the respective remote
`clients 14 or may be physically integrated into the respective
`remote clients 14 like integrated device 24c.
`
`[0014] The digital content stored on the digital content
`server 10 may be formatted as a compact disc (CD), digital
`video disc (DVD), MP3, electronic book, softWare, etc.
`When the remote control 16 is linked to one of the remote
`clients 14, a user may scan and select digital content to be
`doWnloaded from the digital content server 10 to the remote
`client 14 and converted by the remote client 14 to a standard
`playable format (e.g., analog format) that can be played on
`the associated standard component 24. The selected digital
`content is doWnloaded from the digital content server 10 to
`the remote client 14 as raW digital data packets. The remote
`client 14, in turn, converts the doWnloaded digital content to
`a standard component output(s) compatible With a standard
`component 24 connected to the remote client 14, and the
`standard component 24 plays the digital content. The stan
`dard component output(s) of the remote client 14 may, for
`eXample, include analog video jacks (e.g., standard video
`and S-Video), analog audio jacks (e.g., right and left audio
`jacks), digital audio jacks (e.g., dolby digital, PCM digital,
`etc.), Universal Serial Bus, serial port, Ethernet, FireWireTM,
`
`or other similar outputs. The standard component 24 incor
`porates, or is linked to, audio speakers for broadcasting any
`audio signals received from the remote client 14 and a video
`monitor for displaying any video signals received from the
`remote client 14.
`
`[0015] The digital content stored on the digital content
`server 10 may be encrypted, in Which case the plurality of
`remote clients 14 include decryption circuitry for unlocking
`the digital content. The digital content selected for doWnload
`from the digital content server 10 to a remote client 14
`preferably remains encrypted until converted to a standard
`component output(s) in the remote client 14. To decrypt the
`selected digital content, the remote control 16 contains a key
`code initially acquired from a key provider. The digital
`content is initially acquired on the global computer netWork
`18 from a content provider 26 that marks the digital content
`With an unlock code associated With the key code. The
`decryption circuitry in the remote client 14 receives the key
`code from the remote control 16 via the Wireless transmis
`sion link 20 and is enabled to unlock and convert the digital
`content to a playable format if the key code is associated
`With the unlock code in the digital content. If the key code
`is not associated With the unlock code in the digital content,
`the remote client 14 Will not unlock and convert the digital
`content. Further information concerning such a digital rights
`management system and method may be obtained from US.
`patent application Ser. No. 09/750,487 ?led Dec. 27, 2000,
`entitled “Digital Rights Management System and Method,”
`and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the remote clients 14
`are eliminated and the standard components 24 are linked
`directly to standard component outputs of the distribution
`hub 12 by the backbone transmission netWork 15. In this
`case, the distribution hub 12 serves as a sWitch, and the
`digital content server 10 contains the decryption circuitry for
`unlocking the digital content. As the digital content is
`decrypted, it is converted to a playable format and fed to the
`distribution sWitch 12 for delivery to the appropriate stan
`dard component 24. As in the preferred embodiment, the
`decryption circuitry in the digital content server 10 receives
`the key code from the remote control 16 and is only enabled
`to unlock and convert the digital content to a playable format
`if the key code is associated With the unlock code in the
`digital content.
`
`[0017] Instead of decrypting the digital content so that it
`can be played, the digital content may be doWnloaded (or
`“passed through”) in its encrypted format to a storage device
`such as a media burner 24a or computer hard disk 24b for
`storage thereon. When a user ultimately desires to play the
`stored digital content on a media player, the media player
`must contain the decryption circuitry for unlocking the
`digital content. After unlocking the digital content, the
`media player converts the unlocked digital content to a
`playable format and plays the digital content. The decryption
`circuitry in the media player receives the key code from the
`remote control 16 and is only enabled to unlock and convert
`the digital content to a playable format if the key code is
`associated With the unlock code in the digital content.
`
`[0018] In addition to doWnloading selected digital content
`from the digital content server 10 to the remote clients 14,
`data (e.g., MP3, CD, DVD, softWare, etc.) from the standard
`components 24 can be uploaded to the digital content server
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1022
`
`

`
`US 2003/0115351 A1
`
`Jun. 19, 2003
`
`10 and stored digitally thereon. This allows for storage of
`legacy content on the digital content server 10.
`
`[0019] While the present invention has been described
`With reference to one or more particular embodiments, those
`skilled in the art Will recognize that many changes may be
`made thereto Without departing from the spirit and scope of
`the present invention. Each of these embodiments and
`obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling Within
`the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, Which is set
`forth in the folloWing claims.
`
`1. A centraliZed digital content distribution system for use
`in an establishment, comprising:
`a digital content server for storing digital content acquired
`from a global computer netWork;
`
`a plurality of remote clients located in rooms of the
`establishment and linked to the digital content server;
`and
`
`a portable remote control for communicating With each of
`the remote clients and selecting the digital content
`stored in the digital content server.
`2. The system of claim 1, Wherein the selected digital
`content is doWnloaded from the digital content server to one
`of the remote clients and converted by the remote client to
`a playable format.
`3. The system of claim 2, Wherein the playable format is
`compatible With a standard component connected to the
`remote client.
`4. The system of claim 1, Wherein the digital content
`server converts the selected digital content to a playable
`format compatible With a standard component coupled to the
`digital content server.
`5. The system of claim 1, Wherein the remote clients are
`linked to the digital content server via a distribution hub, and
`the remote clients are linked to the distribution hub by a
`backbone transmission netWork.
`6. The system of claim 1, Wherein the remote control
`includes means for establishing a ?rst Wireless transmission
`link With each of the remote clients.
`7. The system of claim 6, Wherein the remote control is
`enabled to display and select the digital content available on
`the digital content server upon establishing the ?rst Wireless
`transmission link With one of the remote clients.
`8. The system of claim 7, Wherein the remote control
`includes a display for displaying the digital content available
`on the digital content server.
`9. The system of claim 6, Wherein the ?rst Wireless
`transmission link is selected 5 from a group consisting of a
`radio link and an infrared link.
`10. The system of claim 6, Wherein the remote control
`includes means for establishing a second Wireless transmis
`sion link With standard components connected to the remote
`clients.
`11. The system of claim 10, Wherein the remote control is
`adapted to control the standard components upon establish
`ing the second Wireless transmission link With the standard
`components.
`12. The system of claim 1, Wherein the digital content is
`encrypted and at least one of the digital content server and
`the plurality of remote clients includes decryption circuitry
`for unlocking the digital content.
`13. The system of claim 12, Wherein the remote control
`contains a key code, and Wherein the decryption circuitry
`
`receives the key code from the remote control and unlocks
`the digital content if the key code is associated With an
`unlock code in the digital content.
`14. The system of claim 1, Wherein one or more of the
`remote clients are integrated into respective standard com
`ponents.
`15. The system of claim 1, Wherein the remote control is
`adapted to control the digital content server to acquire the
`digital content from the global computer netWork.
`16. The system of claim 16, Wherein the remote control is
`adapted to sort and categoriZe the digital content on the
`digital content server.
`17. The system of claim 1, Wherein the digital content is
`formatted as a compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD),
`MP3, electronic book, or softWare.
`18. A centraliZed digital content distribution method for
`use in an establishment, comprising:
`storing digital content acquired from a global computer
`netWork at a digital content server;
`
`positioning a plurality of remote clients in rooms of the
`establishment and linking the remote clients to the
`digital content server; and
`
`selecting the digital content stored at the digital content
`server by communicating With one of the remote clients
`With a remote control.
`19. The method of claim 18, further including doWnload
`ing the selected digital content from the digital content
`server to one of the remote clients and converting the
`doWnloaded digital content to a playable format.
`20. The method of claim 19, Wherein the playable format
`is compatible With a standard component connected to the
`remote client.
`21. The method of claim 18, further including converting,
`at the digital content server, the selected digital content to a
`playable format compatible With a standard component
`coupled to the digital content server.
`22. The method of claim 18, Wherein the step of posi
`tioning a plurality of remote clients in rooms of the estab
`lishment and linking the remote clients to the digital content
`server includes linking the remote clients to the digital
`content server via a distribution hub and linking the remote
`clients to the distribution hub by a backbone transmission
`netWork.
`23. The method of claim 18, further including establishing
`a ?rst Wireless transmission link betWeen the remote control
`and one of the remote clients.
`24. The method of claim 23, farther including enabling the
`remote control to display and select the digital content
`available on the digital content server upon establishing the
`?rst Wireless transmission link betWeen the remote control
`and one of the remote clients.
`25. The method of claim 24, further including displaying
`the digital content available on the digital content server on
`a display of the remote control.
`26. The method of claim 23, Wherein the ?rst Wireless
`transmission link is selected from a group consisting of a
`radio link and an infrared link.
`27. The method of claim 23, further including establishing
`a second Wireless transmission link betWeen the remote
`control and a standard component connected to one of the
`remote clients.
`28. The method of claim 27, farther including controlling
`the standard component With the remote control upon estab
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1022
`
`

`
`US 2003/0115351 A1
`
`Jun. 19, 2003
`
`lishing the second Wireless transmission link between the
`remote control and the standard component.
`29. The method of claim 18, Wherein the digital content
`is encrypted and at least one of the digital content server and
`the plurality of remote clients includes decryption circuitry
`for unlocking the digital content.
`30. The method of claim 29, Wherein the remote control
`contains a key code, and Wherein the decryption circuitry
`receives the key code from the remote control and unlocks
`the digital content if the key code is associated With an
`unlock code in the digital content.
`31. The method of claim 18, farther including controlling
`the digital content server With the remote control to acquire
`the digital content from the global computer netWork.
`32. The method of claim 31, Wherein the step of control
`ling the digital content server With the remote control
`includes controlling the digital content server to sort and
`categoriZe the digital content on the digital content server.
`33. A centraliZed digital content distribution system for
`use in an establishment, comprising:
`
`a digital content server for storing digital content acquired
`from a global computer netWork and converting the
`digital content to a playable format;
`a plurality of remote standard components located in
`rooms of the establishment and linked to the digital
`content server; and
`a portable remote control for communicating With each of
`the standard components and selecting the digital con
`tent to be converted by the digital content server to the
`playable format.
`34. The system of claim 33, Wherein the digital content is
`encrypted and the digital content server includes decryption
`circuitry for unlocking the digital content.
`35. The system of claim 34, Wherein the remote control
`contains a key code, and Wherein the decryption circuitry
`receives the key code from the remote control and unlocks
`the digital content if the key code is associated With an
`unlock code in the digital content.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`DIRECTV Exhibit 1022