Il i ,1,frIN1611.1,1110W1111G91.1.,.
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`A '111
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`June 25, 2018
`
`THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT ANNEXED IS A TRUE COPY FROM THE
`RECORDS OF THIS OFFICE OF THE FILE WRAPPER AND CONTENTS
`OF:
`
`APPLICATION NUMBER: 09/742,294
`FILING DATE: December 22, 2000
`PATENT NUMBER: 6,407,680
`ISSUE DATE: June 18, 2002
`
`By Authority of the
`Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
`tent and Trademark Office
`and Director of the United States
`
`P. SWAIN
`Certifyin Officer
`
`Page 1
`
`NETFLIX, INC
`Exhibit 1026
`IPR2018-01630
`
`

`

`a
`
`C)
`
`PATENT NUMBER
`
`6407680
`IN1
`
`5407680
`
`U.S. UTILITY Patent Application
`PATENT DATE
`O.I.P.E.
`
`SCKNN6D
`
`A
`
` O.A.
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`0 q / 7 42 2 9 4
`
`CONT/PRIOR CLASS
`r (113-- 0
`
`SUBCLASS
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`5 (7
`
`ART UNR
`21-8-5-
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`
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`1
`EXAMINER
`r
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`A--i
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`r
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`r. ,i-
`
`Angela La .
`James Hoddie
`Howard Cheirtock
`Christopher Pirozzi
`
`buted or demand media transc
`
`P10.2048
`12/99
`
`ORIGINAL
`
`SUBCLASS
`' CLASS
`CV
`34I
`INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION
`0 4, .$ M
`
`WOO
`
`ISSUING CLASSIFICATION
`CROSS REFERENCE(S)
`
`CLASS
`'3 4/
`5 4 d
`I 7. r
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`4-0 .1
`
`SUBCLASS (ONE SUBCLASS PER BLOCK)
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`liContinued on Issue Slip nside File Jacket
`
`i—I TERMINAL
`1—IDISCLAIMER
`
`DRAWINGS
`
`Sheets Drwg.
`
`Figs. Drwg.
`
`Print Fig.
`
`2
`
`CLAIMS ALLOWED
`Print Claim for O.G.
`
`Total Claims
`4 1-
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED
`
`L3/a6/ck
`
`ISSUE FEE
`
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`Date Paid
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`[ I The lens of this patent
`subsequent to
`has been disclaimed.
`CI The term of this patent shall
`not extend beyond the expiration date
`of U.S Patent. No.
`
`(date) _La mil l . Rai AbhArt
`03.,0
`(Manama Exemlinal
`
`MicheelTonar
`Supervisory Patent Examiner
`Technology Center 2800
`
`1777
`
`1Ps teem Examiner)
`
`q The terminal _months of
`this patent have been disclaimed.
`
`er,t.
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`(00101
`
`ISSUE BATCH NUMBER
`
`000
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`WARNING:
`The Information disclosed herein may be restricted. Unauthorized disclosure may be prohibited by the United States Code Title 35, Sections 122, let and lee
`'Possession outside the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Is restricted to authorized employees and contractors only.
` \
`FICHE 0 CD.ROW,
`FILED WITH: 1:1 DISK (CRF)
`Form PTO-436A
`(Rev. 6199)
`(Attached In pooliel on rise Inside flea)
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`Faunal
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`;
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`Aro)
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`A
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND MADEMARK OFFICE
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`COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
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`CONFIRMATION NO. 8151
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`CLASS
`711
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`GROUP ART UNIT
`2185
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`ATTORNEY DOCKET
`NO.
`1968.0020000/MVM/TCF
`
`11111
`IIWI VIII IuII IYI lull VIII III 111111 III VIII VIII 111111
`Bib Data Sheet
`
`SERIAL NUMBER
`09/742,294
`
`FILING DATE
`12/22/2000
`RULE
`
`'APPLICANTS
`Angela C. W. Lai, Mountain View, CA;
`James Peter Hoddie, Menlo Park, CA;
`Howard E. Chartock, Palo Alto, CA;
`Christopher V. Pirazzi, Redwood City, CA;
`,, Giovanni M. Agnoli, San Francisco, CA;
`Ai Harry A. Chomsky, Oakland, CA;
`Steve H. Chen, Santa Clara, CA;
`Hitoshi Hokamura, Sunnyvale, CA;
`
`** CONTINUING DATA ******** ********** ***-
`41(di-
`** FOREIGN APPLICATIONS ********************
`•
`TVA 4
`IF REQUIRED, FOREIGN FILING LICENSE GRANTED. SMALL ENTITY **
`"02/26/2001
`U yeel lit, no
`Foreign Priority claimed
`no U Met after
`35 USC 119 (a-d) condjtions U yersip
`Allows e
`met
`Verified and
`Acknowledged
`ADDRESS
`STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOX P.L.L.C.
`Attorneys at Law
`Suite 600
`1100 New York Avenue, N. W.
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`TATE OR
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`TOTAL
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`TITLE
`Distributed on-demand media transcoding system and method
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`ARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Patent and Trader
`ct of tog's, rto persons are required to respond to a collection of informer.. oaten, — displays a valid OMB control number.
`1968.0020000
`Attorney Docket No.
`UTILITY
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMITTAL
`(Only for new nonprovislonal applications under 37 CFR § 1.53(79)
`
`First Inventor
`
`Angela C. W. LAI
`
`Title
`
`Distributed On-Demand Media Transcoding System and
`Method
`Express Mail Label No.
`
`•
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`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`
`ADDRESS TO:
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`Box Patent Application
`Washington, DC 20231
`
`1. q
`
`Fee Transmittal Form (e.g., PTO/SB/17)
`(Submit an original, and a duplicate for fee processing)
`
`2. q
`
`Applicant claims small entity status.
`See 37 CFR 1.27.
`3. gi Specification
`[Total Pages 56]
`(preferred arrangement set forth below)
`- Descriptive title of the Invention
`- Cross Reference to Related Applications
`- Statement Regarding Fed sponsored R & D
`- Reference to sequence listing, a table,
`or a computer program listing appendix
`- Background of the Invention
`- Brief Summary of the Invention
`- Brief Description of the Drawings (//fike0
`- Detailed Description
`- Claim(s)
`- Abstract of the Disclosure
`
`4. Egi
`Drawing(s) (35 U. S.C. 113) [Total Sheets 8]
`5. Oath or Declaration
`[Total Pages 4]
`a. El Newly executed (original or copy)
`
`b. q Copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1,63(d))
`Or continuation/divisional with Box 17 completed)
`
`i. 0
`
`DELETION OF INVENTOR(SI
`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s)
`named in the prior application, see 37 CFR §§
`1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`6. 0 Application Data Sheet, See 37 CFR 1.76.
`
`7. 0 CD-ROM or CD-R in duplicate, large table or Computer Program
`
`(Appendix)
`8. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`Of applicable, all necessary)
`
`0
`
`f:14
`
`a. q Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`b. Specification Sequence Listing on:
`
`i. 0
`
`CD-ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
`
`ii. 0
`
`paper
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`c. 0
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`Statements verifying identity of above copies
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`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PARTS
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`9. El Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
`0 Power of Attorney
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`
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`(when Mere is an assignee)
`
`11.
`
`q
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`12. 0
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`13. 0
`
`English Translation Document (f applicable)
`0 Copies of IDS
`Citations
`
`Information Disclosure
`Statement (IDS)/170-1449
`
`Preliminary Amendment
`
`14. El Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503)
`(Should be specifically itemized)
`
`15.
`
`q
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`Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`(fforeign priority is claimed)
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`
`Request and Certification u under 35 U.S.C. 122 (b)(2)(B)(i). Applicant must
`attach form PTO/SB/35 or its equivalent.
`17. El Other: Authorization under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(4(3)
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`17. If a CONTINUING APPLICATION, check appropriate box, and supply the requisite information below and in a preliminary amendment,
`or in an Application Data Sheet under 37 CFR 1.76:
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`Examiner
`
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`I
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`For CONTINUATION OR DIVISIONAL APPS only: The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which an oath or declaration is supplied under Box 5b, is
`considered a part of the disclosure of the accompanying continuation or divisional application and is hereby incorporated by reference. The incorporation can only a
`relied upon when a portion has been inadvertently omitted from the submitted application parts.
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`NAME
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`STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOX P.L.L.C.
`
`Attorneys al Law
`Suite 600, 1100 New York Avenue, N.W.
`STATE
`TELEPHONE
`
`Washington
`USA
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`DC
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`FAX
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`20005-3934
`(202) 371-2540
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`NAME (Print/Type)
`
`Michael Messinger
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`
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`Burden Hour Statement: this form is estimated to take 0.2 hours to complete. lime will vary depending upon the nerds of the individual case. Any comments on the amount
`of time you are required o complete this form should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231. DO NOT SEND
`FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Assisting Commissioner for Patents, Box Patent Application, Washington, DC 20231.
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`,-4..-,ived for use through 10/31/ P2010°2 /S0103"5 06(51110-00302)
`tent and Trademark Office: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.
`1968.0020000
`Attorney Docket No.
`UTILITY
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMITTAL
`(Onlyfor new nunprovisional applications under 37 CFR § 1.53(b))
`
`First Inventor
`
`Angela C. W. LAI
`
`Title
`
`Distributed On-Demand Media Transcoding System and
`Method
`
`Express Mail Label No.
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`See Ad'EP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`
`ADDRESS TO;
`
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`•
`Box Patent Application
`- Washington, DC 20231
`
`1. q
`
`2. 0
`
`3, Eg
`
`Fee Transmittal Form (e.g., PTO/SB/17)
`(Submil an original, and a duplicate forfee processing)
`
`Applicant claims small entity status.
`See 37 CFR 1.27.
`
`[Total Pages 56]
`Specification
`(preferred arrangement set forth below)
`- Descriptive title of the invention
`- Cross Reference to Related Applications
`- Statement Regarding Fed sponsored R & D
`- Reference to sequence listing, a table,
`or a computer program listing appendix
`- Background of the Invention
`- Brief Summary of the Invention
`- Brief Description of the Drawings (iffiled)
`- Detailed Description
`- Claim(s)
`- Abstract of the Disclosure
`
`4, [8] Drawing(s) (35 U.S.C. 113) [Total Sheets 8]
`[Total Pages 4]
`5. Oath or Declaration
`a. El Newly executed (original or copy)
`
`b. 0 Copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`(for continuation/divisional with Box 17 completed)
`
`i.
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`q
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`' DELETION OF INVENTOR(S)
`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s)
`named in the prior application, see 37 CFR §§
`1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`
`6. 0
`
`Application Data Sheet. See 37 CFR 1.76.
`
`7. 0 CD-ROM or CD-R in duplicate, large table or Computer Program
`(Appendix)
`•
`8. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission 1n
`(tfappltrable, all necessary)
`
`a. q Computer Readable Form (CRF)
`b. Specification Sequence Listing on:
`
`i. 0
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`CD-ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
`
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`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PARTS
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`9. 0
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`(when there is an assignee)
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`0 Power of Attorney
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`11.
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`English Translation Document (if applicable)
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`12. rl 1-1
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`Information Disclosure
`Statement (IDS)/PTO-1449
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`Citations
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`(41:foreign priority is claimed)
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`Request and Certification a under 35 U.S.C. 122 (b)(2)(B)(i). Applicant must
`attach form PTO/SB/35 or its equivalent.
`Other: Authorization under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(3)
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`17. If a CONTINUING APPLICATION, check appropriate box, and supply the requisite information below and in a preliminary amendment,
`or in an Application Data Sheet under 37 CFR 1.76:
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`El Divisional
`Continuation
`Prior application information:
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`Examiner
`
`of prior application No:
`Group/Art Unit:
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`/
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`For CONTINUATION OR DIVISIONAL APPS only: The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which an oath or declaration is supplied under Box 5b, is
`considered a part of the disclosure of the accompanying continuation or divisional application and is hereby incorporated by reference. The incorporation can only
`relied upon when a portion has been inadvertently omitted from the submitted application parts.
`
`18. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
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`M Customer Number or Bar Code Label
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`(Insert Customer No, or Attach bar code label herel
`
`or
`
`address below
`111 Correspondence
`
`NAME
`
`ADDRESS
`
`CITY
`
`COUNTRY
`
`STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & Fox P.L.L.C.
`Attorneys at Law
`Suite 600, 1100 New York Avenue, N.W.
`Washington
`USA
`
`STATE
`
`TELEPHONE
`
`DC
`(202) 371-2600
`
`ZIP CODE
`
`FAX
`
`20005-3934
`(202) 371-2540
`
`NAME (Print/Type)
`
`Michael". Messinger %
`
`37,575
`
`,,,
`Date I 1.2/R6710 o
`SIGNATURE
`-d -k 14**
`,74
`./1
`-----9
`Burden Hour Statement: this form is estimated to take 0.2 hours to complete. The will vary depending upon the needs of the individual case. Any comments on tho amount
`of time you See required to complete this form should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231. DO NOT SEND
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`5
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`10
`
`15
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`U
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`pi s
`
`20
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`25
`
`Distributed On-Demand Media Transcoding System and
`Method
`
`Inventors: Angela C. W. Lai
`James P. Hoddie
`Howard E. Chartock
`Christopher V. Pirazzi
`Giovanni M. Agnoli
`Harry A. Chomsky
`Steve H. Chen
`Hitoshi Hokamura
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a system and method for transcoding
`information. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and
`method for transcoding media content.
`
`Related Art
`
`The rapid publication of media content has been sought throughout human
`history. Publishers strive to deliver media content faster to larger audiences. As
`used herein, the term "media content" refers to any information, including audio,
`video, data, ideas, images, story, sound, text, or other content, that is perceived
`by one or more human senses.
`The digital representation of media content combined with computing and
`networking technologies now provide a powerful way to publish. According to
`this new mode of publishing, networking technology permits the delivery of
`digitized media content over a network to end user computers. Communication
`protocols define how the digitized media content is exchanged over the network.
`A media player runs on the end user computer to allow the user to play or
`otherwise experience the media content.
`
`Page 6
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`-2-
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`Digital representations of media content come in different types. These
`
`types are generally defined according to a series of publishing variables which can
`
`include, but are not limited to, the file format, bit rate, communication protocol(s),
`
`physical medium, compression algorithm, and/or digital rights management
`
`5
`
`information associated with the media content. The type of digitized media
`
`content which is used will depend upon a number of factors, such as, the
`
`computing and/or networking technology used in the process of publishing and the
`
`nature of the content itself.
`
`For example, many types of digitized media content are defined according
`
`10
`
`to a file format. Common file formats include QUICK TIME, MPEG, AVI, MP3,
`
`REAL, WINDOWS MEDIA, H.263 video coding, and PALM-compatible
`
`formats. A format can define media content as a file or in a data stream. See, for
`
`example, the graphics file formats and other formats described by J. D. Murray
`
`and W. vanRyper, The Encyclopedia of Graphics File Formats, Second Edition
`
`15
`
`(O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.: Sebastopol, CA), 1996, which is incorporated in its
`
`entirety herein by reference.
`
`Digitized media content types can also be categorized according to the
`
`type of encoding or compression technique that is used to reduce the physical size
`
`of the media content, or according to the type of physical medium that supports
`
`20
`
`the storage of the media content. Different kinds of physical medium are used in
`
`publishing media content, such as magnetic or optical storage devices, memory
`
`devices, and wireless mediums.
`
`Digitized media content types may also be categorized by the type of
`
`communication protocol or protocols used to transmit the media content. In
`
`25
`
`packet-switched networks such as the Internet, many layers of protocols are used.
`
`Such protocols can include network and transport protocols and application
`protocols. Network and transport protocols are in part responsible for delivering
`packets of digital data. Examples of network and transport protocols are Internet
`Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol
`(UDP), and Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP). Application protocols are
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`Page 7
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`-3-
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`higher level protocols that run on top of the network and transport protocols.
`
`Among other things, application protocols provide services that support digital
`
`media publishing. Examples of application protocols used in World Wide Web
`
`technology are HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP) and Real-Time Streaming
`
`5
`
`Protocol (RTSP).
`
`The emergence of a fast-growing number of media players has created a
`
`widening gap between the richness of the various types of media content and the
`
`diverse capabilities of the client devices to handle the content. As a result, the
`
`technology selection process for the end user has become quite complicated. For
`
`example, the user often cannot be certain that a given media player will be able to
`
`play the type of media content in which he or she is interested. Also, the user may
`
`be required to frequently download new media playing software in order to access
`
`desired content.
`
`Furthermore, because users employ a wide variety of client media players,
`
`content providers are required to publish original media content in a number of
`
`source types in order to deliver the content to a large number of users. Content
`providers with archived media content also face a burden of having to publish
`
`archived media content into new or updated source types.
`Transcoders convert certain types of media content (source type) to
`another type of media content (destination type). This conversion is known as
`"transcoding." Transcoding can involve a number of different conversion
`
`operations. The particular conversion operations used depend upon what
`publishing variables are being converted. For example, transcoding can involve
`a conversion operation from one encoded data format to another encoded data
`format (such as, converting CCITT Group 3 encoded data to RLE-encoded data.)
`See, Murray and vanRyper, p. 1095.
`Conventional multi-type transcoding services are provided off-line, before
`the content provider publishes media content, adding an undesirable and
`unavoidable delay to the publishing process. Although arrangements for the real-
`time transcoding of media content are known, (e.g., transcoding and delivery of
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`-4-
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`live media events over the Internet), these arrangements are limited in that they
`
`only allow for media content to be transcoded into a single destination type, and
`
`do not permit for the delivery of media content in multiple destination types.
`
`Also, because off-line multi-format transcoding services are expensive,
`
`5
`
`content providers can only afford to have their media content transcoded into a
`
`limited number of destination types. Users with media players incapable of
`
`accommodating the destination type of the transcoded files simply cannot access
`
`the content. Accordingly, conventional media production is limited to a "push"
`
`process in which content providers are forced to speculate about which media
`
`10
`
`player users will employ to play their media files.
`
`As a further result of this rapid development in media publishing
`
`technology, new internet and wireless device manufacturers must also invest
`
`heavily in the transcoding of media content so that a variety of content can be
`
`experienced on new media playing devices as new destination types. Thus, new
`
`15
`
`internet and wireless device manufacturers experience the same setbacks and
`
`disadvantages from conventional transcoding schemes as described above.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`The present invention is directed to a system and method for the on-
`
`20
`
`demand transcoding of media content into from a plurality of source types to a
`
`25
`
`plurality of destination types. In one embodiment, a method is provided for
`
`transcoding media content from a source type to a destination type, comprising
`
`the steps of receiving a transcoding request for the media content, fetching the
`
`media content, selecting one of a plurality of transcoders for transcoding from a
`plurality of source types to a plurality of destination types based on the source
`type and the destination type, sending the media content to the selected
`transcoder, transcoding the media content from the source type to the destination
`type, thereby generating a transcoded media file, and transmitting the transcoded
`
`media content.
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`In embodiments of the present invention, the media content may comprise
`
`either a file of digital information or a stream of digital data. In embodiments of
`
`the present invention, the media content is fetched, sent and transcoded as a
`
`stream of digital data, the transcoded media file is transmitted as a stream of
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`digital data, and the fetching, sending, transcoding and transmitting are all
`
`performed in a pipelined fashion.
`
`In embodiments of the present invention, the transcoding request is
`
`received over the Internet and the transcoded media content is transmitted over
`
`the Internet.
`In embodiments of the present invention, the media content type is defined
`according to at least one publishing variable, wherein the publishing variable may
`be the file format of the media content, the bit-rate of the media content, the
`compression algorithm according to which the media content is stored, the
`communication protocol according to which the media content is transferred, or
`
`the physical medium on which the media content is stored, and the step of
`transcoding the media content comprises converting the publishing variable of the
`media content from a source publishing variable type to a destination publishing
`
`variable type.
`A media transcoding system in accordance with the present invention
`transcodes media content from a source type to a destination type. The media
`transcoding system includes a network interface, a resource manager, a
`transmitting server, a streaming server, and a plurality of transcoders for
`transcoding from a plurality of source types to a plurality of destination types.
`The network interface is adapted to receive a transcoding request for the media
`content. The resource manager is adapted to respond to the transcoding request
`and, in response to the transcoding request, to command the transcoding server
`to fetch the media content, to select one of the plurality of transcoders based on
`the source type and the destination type, to command the selected transcoder to
`transcode the media content from the source type to the destination type, thereby
`
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`Page 10
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`-6-
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`generating transcoded media content, and to command the streaming server to
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`transmit the transcoded media content.
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`In embodiments of the present invention, the media content may comprise
`
`a file of digital information or a stream of digital data.
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`5
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`In embodiments of the present invention, the transmitting server is adapted
`
`to fetch the media content as a data stream, the selected transcoder is adapted to
`
`transcode the media content as a data stream, and the streaming server is adapted
`
`to transmit the transcoded media content as a data stream. The resource manager
`
`manages the operation of the transmitting server, the selected transcoder, and the
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`10
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`streaming server so that the fetching, transcoding and transmitting occur in a
`
`pipelined fashion.
`
`In embodiments of the present invention, the network interface is adapted
`
`to receive the transcoding request over the Internet and the streaming server is
`
`adapted to transmit the transcoded media content over the Internet.
`
`15
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`In embodiments of the present invention, the media content type is defined
`
`according to at least one publishing variable, wherein the publishing variable may
`
`be the file format of the media content, the bit-rate of the media content, the
`
`compression algorithm according to which the media content is stored, the
`
`communication protocol according to which the media content is transferred, or
`
`20
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`the physical medium on which the media content is stored, and the selected
`
`25
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`transcoder is adapted to convert the publishing variable of the media content from
`
`a source publishing variable type to a destination publishing variable type.
`
`The invention is advantageous in that it permits the transcoding of media
`
`content on demand from a single source type to a variety of destination types in
`
`a manner that is transparent to the content provider and the user.
`The invention is also advantageous in that it permits the transcoding of
`media content stored in files on demand from a single source type to a variety of
`destination types in a manner that is transparent to the content provider and the
`
`user.
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`Another advantage of the invention is that it permits the transcoding of live
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`(i.e., streaming) media content on demand from a single source type to a variety
`
`of destination types in a manner that is transparent to the content provider and the
`
`user.
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`5
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`Another benefit of the invention is that it permits a user to play various
`
`types of media content regardless of the media player employed by the user.
`
`Yet another benefit of the invention is that it obviates the need for a user
`
`to download a newer media player or upgrade an existing media player in order
`
`to access desired media content.
`
`A further advantage of the invention is that it permits a content provider
`
`to provide original media content in a single source type to a large number of
`
`users using diverse media players that accept different media content types.
`
`A further benefit of the invention is that it expedites the publishing process
`
`for media content providers by allowing them to publish media content without
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`first employing off-line encoding services. The invention thus minimizes the time-
`
`to-market for the publication of media content.
`
`Another benefit of the invention is that it creates a lower barrier of entry
`
`to media publication by permitting content providers to out-source necessary
`
`transcoding tasks and to avoid investment in transcoding servers and other
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`20
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`equipment necessary for transcoding.
`
`Yet another benefit of the invention is that it permits content providers to
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`deliver media content to users with media players incapable of accommodating the
`
`source type of the original media content.
`
`A further advantage of the invention is that it defers the transcoding of
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`25
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`media content until the content is demanded by a user for a specific media player.
`
`Accordingly, content providers can avoid an unnecessary investment in the
`transcoding of original media content to types not requested by users.
`Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
`description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may
`be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of
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`-8-
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`the invention will be realized and attained by the system and method particularly
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`pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended
`
`drawings.
`
`Brief Description of the Figures
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`5
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`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a
`
`part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the
`
`description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable
`
`a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.
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`10
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`In the drawings:
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a media transcoding system according to one
`
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example media transcoding engine
`
`according to one embodiment of the present invention.
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`15
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`FIG. 3 is a flowchart that describes a routine for publishing media content
`
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart that describes a routine for publishing media content
`
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`FIGs. 5A-5B are a flowchart that describes a routine for accessing media
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`20
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`content according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary transcoder that may be used in accordance
`
`with embodiments of the present invention.
`
`FIG. 7 is a table showing exemplary transcoding source types and
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`destination types for various publishing variables according to an embodiment of
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`25
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`the present invention.
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`C)
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`-9-
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`The present invention will now be described with reference to the
`
`accompanying drawings.
`
`In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate
`
`identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of a
`
`reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first
`
`appears.
`
`Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
`
`Table of Contents
`
`A.
`
`Overview of the Invention
`
`B.
`
`Operating Environment
`
`C.
`
`Media Transcoding Engine of the Present Invention
`
`D.
`
`E.
`
`Publishing of Media Content According to Embodiments of the Present
`Invention
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`Accessing Media Content According to Embodiments of the Present
`Invention
`
`15
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`F.
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`Further Transcoder Operation and Media Content Examples
`
`G.
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`Alternate Embodiments of the Present Invention
`
`H.
`
`Conclusion
`
`A.
`
`Overview of the Invention
`
`20
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`The present invention is directed to a system and method for the on-
`demand transcoding of media information from a variety of source types into a
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`-10-
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`variety of destination types. According to the present invention, in a system
`comprising a plurality of transcoders for transcoding from a plurality of source
`types to a plurality of destination types, a method is provided for transcoding
`media content from a source type to a destination type. The method includes
`receiving a transcoding request for the media content, fetching the media content,
`and sending the media content to a selected one of the plurality of transcoders.
`The transcoder is selected based on the source type and the destination type. The
`transcoder transcodes the media content from the source type to the destination
`type, thereby generating transcoded media content. The transcoded media
`content is then transmitted.
`
`A media transcoding system in accordance with the present invention
`transcodes media content from a source type to a destination type. The
`transcoding system includes a network interface, a resource manager, a
`transmitting server, a streaming server, and a plurality of transcoders for
`transcoding from a plurality of source types to a plurality of destination types.
`The network interface receives a transcoding request for media content. The
`resource manager commands the transmitting server to fetch the media content.
`The resource manager further selects one of the plurality of transcoders based on
`the source type and destination type, and commands the selected transcoder to
`
`transcode the media content from the source type to the destination type to
`generate transcoded media content. The resource manager also commands the
`streaming server to transmit the transcoded media content.
`
`The invention will now be further described with reference to FIGs. 1-7.
`
`B.
`
`Operating Environment
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing an example operating environment
`100 of the transcoding system of the present invention. It should be understood
`that the example operating environment 100 is shown for illustrative purposes
`only and does not limit