WO2006117428A2 - A method for ordering and downloading content data by a mobile device - Google Patents

A method for ordering and downloading content data by a mobile device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006117428A2
WO2006117428A2 PCT/FI2006/000136 FI2006000136W WO2006117428A2 WO 2006117428 A2 WO2006117428 A2 WO 2006117428A2 FI 2006000136 W FI2006000136 W FI 2006000136W WO 2006117428 A2 WO2006117428 A2 WO 2006117428A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
network
mobile device
content
network device
mobile
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2006/000136
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2006117428A3 (en
Inventor
Petteri Holma
Original Assignee
Mytronics Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mytronics Oy filed Critical Mytronics Oy
Priority to EP06743505A priority Critical patent/EP1880510A2/en
Publication of WO2006117428A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006117428A2/en
Publication of WO2006117428A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006117428A3/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/06—Protocols specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
    • H04N21/41265—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/08—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities
    • H04L63/0853—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/02—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/04—Protocols specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/254—Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server
    • H04N21/2543—Billing, e.g. for subscription services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25808—Management of client data
    • H04N21/25816—Management of client data involving client authentication
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/418—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
    • H04N21/4181—External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access for conditional access
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
    • H04N21/4367—Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/643—Communication protocols
    • H04N21/64322—IP
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Definitions

  • This invention relates purchasing, downloading and storing of content data by a mobile device.
  • the present invention is directed to the methods, apparatus, and systems which allow a mobile device to access content data from a server connected to an IP network e.g. the Internet, and download and store data into a particular network storage/medium for simultaneous or later use by the mobile device or a home appliance.
  • IP network e.g. the Internet
  • Y. Matsuyama and I. Yamada discloses in the US Patent Application Publication No. US 20003/0008650 Al laid open for public inspection on Jan. 9, 2003, a system for a remote control of downloading of content data by a mobile device from one server to another.
  • the mobile device is connected to an information server belonging to a mobile communication network.
  • the information server controls the content download process from a content server to a home server and billing.
  • Y. Matsuyama' s and I. Yamada' s invention it is not described how the user is able purchase content from a service provider operating outside of a mobile communication network, for example from a local Pay-TV service provider, which may have an existing service agreement with the user e.g.
  • a mobile device to the Internet over a mobile communication network to access and display via the mobile device content data stored in a server connected to the Internet.
  • the content data is streamed to the mobile device over the network/s connecting the mobile device to the server holding the data, and downloaded to the mobile device for later use.
  • the content data is usually charged by a service provider being in charge of the mobile communication network.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide methods, apparatus and systems for purchasing of content data by a mobile device from a service provider that is not in charge of a mobile communication network, and for enabling a user to store the content into a particular network storage/medium, the content still being simultaneous and instantly available to be used by the mobile device.
  • the mobile device according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 7.
  • the network device according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 8.
  • the invention allows purchasing, downloading and storing of content data by a mobile device over an inexpensive high-speed network from a server connected to an IP network e.g. the Internet to a particular network storage/medium, in a way, that the content data, simultaneous with the download process to the network storage/medium, can be used by the mobile device over a mobile communication, a local area or a point-to-point network, or accessed later over these networks from the network storage/medium.
  • IP network e.g. the Internet
  • the invention allows a user to control (start/stop/pause) streaming or downloading of content data to a mobile device without affecting to the actual data download process to a particular network device/medium.
  • a user may watch a part of a movie by a mobile device over a mobile communication network, thus paying only that part of the data transmission cost, and continue watching of the rest of the movie at home, either via the mobile device over an inexpensive local area or a point-to-point network, or via a home appliance (e.g. television apparatus) connected to the device where the downloaded movie is stored.
  • a home appliance e.g. television apparatus
  • the invention allows using of user authentication and billing systems existing outside of a mobile communication network.
  • FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention and an arrangement of a mobile telephone in the system;
  • FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of a mobile device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of a network device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
  • FIGS. 4A through 4C show a flow chart of steps executed over a network, a mobile communication network and a gateway, by a mobile device, an information server, an accounting server, a content server and a network device like ones shown in FIGS. 1-3, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a content data distributing system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and an arrangement of a mobile device 10 forming part of the system.
  • the mobile device 10 is connected via a mobile communications network 20, a gateway 30 and an IP network 40 (e.g. the Internet) through a secure connection 35 to a network device 50.
  • An information server 60, an accounting server 70 and a content server 80 are connected to each other over an IP network 40.
  • the information server 60 and the accounting server 70 may be integrated into one server.
  • the network device 50 e.g. a digital TV set-top box or an IP set-top box
  • FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of a mobile device 10.
  • the mobile device 10 includes a processor 15, a memory device 14, a user interface 11 including a display and an input device
  • the memory device 14 has stored therein standard applications 12 and 3 rd party applications 13.
  • the 3 rd party application 13 of a mobile device 10 related to this invention may have been downloaded and installed e.g. through a secure connection 35 from the network device 50 with the help of standard applications 12, e.g. a Web browser.
  • a battery 17 provides power required for use of the mobile device 10 and enables the mobility.
  • FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of a network device 50.
  • the network device 50 includes a processor 54, a memory device 53 and a network interface 55 connected to an IP network (e.g. the Internet).
  • the network device 50 connects through the IP network 40 to an information server 60, an accounting server 70 and a content server 80.
  • the memory device 53 has stored therein applications 52 executed by the processor 54 for downloading content data to a memory device 53 and/or a storage device 90 and to transmit that data via an IP network 40, a gateway 30 and a mobile communications network 20 through a secure connection 35 to a mobile device 10.
  • the network device 50 may be connected to the IP network 40 straight or via a private local area network through a dedicated firewall/VPN device.
  • a user interface 51 e.g. a keyboard or a remote controller
  • a power supply 56 provides power required for use of the network device 10.
  • a secure connection 35 shown in FIG. 1 is created using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50, and the network device 50 is connected to the IP network 40 via a private local area network through a dedicated firewall/VPN device
  • the VPN endpoint for the connection can be provided by the network device 50 itself, or as an alternate method by a firewall/VPN device, in which case the rest of the connection from the firewall/VPN device to the network device 50 goes through the user's private local area network, thus being secure from the outsiders.
  • Another very common method that can be used in a creation of a secure connection 35 between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50 is use of HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL), in which case the network device 50 acts as a HTTPS server.
  • HTTPS Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL
  • the content server 80 provides content data to a network device 50 with an IP network interface connected to the network 40.
  • the content data herein may include contents such as high-quality video and/or audio data streams, photos, document data and application programs e.g. games.
  • the information server 60 provides, in response to an access thereto by a network device 50, information data e.g. in a form of a Web page.
  • the Web page contains information relating to the above-mentioned plurality of contents the content server 80 can provide in respective time intervals, content identifications (IDs), and fees.
  • the ED may be e.g. a title or a URL of the respective content.
  • the Web page may contain, for example, a news summary including a list of the latest news clips that are updated at two-hour intervals, a program guide with a list of video and/or audio programs, and advertisements of application programs.
  • the accounting server 70 of FIG. 1 manages the user accounts and fees.
  • the accounting services are provided for the mobile device 10 via the network device 50.
  • the network device 50 thus the user, is authenticated by the accounting server 70 before the content data is provided by the content server 80 to the network device 50.
  • Accounting and content security may be based on a system used by a local Pay-TV service provider for a delivery of content data over an IP based network. Such systems include smart card and software based conditional access systems. Also credit card payment and payment over the Internet from a user's bank account are possible.
  • a secure connection e.g. VPN (Virtual Private Network) or HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL).
  • FIGS. 4A through 4C together show an exemplary flow chart of the program executed by the mobile device 10, the network device 50, the information server 60, the accounting server 70 and the content server 80, through the mobile communication network 20, the IP network 40, the gateway 30 and the secure connection 35.
  • the mobile device 10 sends to the network device 50 via the mobile communication network 20, the gateway 30 and the IP network 40, a secure connection request code including information required (e.g. a username and a password in case of HTTPS used) for the authentication of the mobile device 10 by the network device 50 and for the establishing of a secure connection 35 between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50.
  • a secure connection request code including information required (e.g. a username and a password in case of HTTPS used) for the authentication of the mobile device 10 by the network device 50 and for the establishing of a secure connection 35 between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50.
  • the network device 50 accepts the secure connection request and sends an ACK (Acknowledgement) or a secure connection acceptance signal to the mobile device 10 at step 501.
  • the secure connection 35 may be created using e.g. VPN (Virtual Private Network) standards or HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL).
  • the mobile device 10 determines whether or not the ACK or a secure connection acceptance signal has been received from the network device 50.
  • the mobile device 10 has received the NAK (Negative Acknowledgement) or the secure connection rejection signal, it notifies the user indicating an error on a display device of the user interface 11, at step 103.
  • the secure connection 35 is established.
  • the mobile device 10 sends a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) via the mobile communication network 20, the gateway 30 and the IP network 40 through the secure connection 35 to the network device 50 to thereby let the network device 50 to request a Web page related to the URL from the information server 60.
  • the network device 50 at step 504 receives the URL from the mobile device 10.
  • the network device 50 sends the URL further to an information server 60 to request the Web page.
  • the information server 60 receives the URL from the network device 50.
  • the information server 60 sends the Web page associated with the received URL to the network device 50, which further forwards it to the mobile device 10.
  • the network device 50 receives the Web page from the information server 60.
  • the network device 50 sends the Web page associated with the URL to the mobile device 10.
  • the Web page may contain information about content which the content server 80 can provide in respective time period, and their IDs (e.g. titles and/or URLs) and fees.
  • the mobile device 10 receives the Web page and displays it on the display device of the user interface 11.
  • the user may wish to get an access to a particular content data that is related to the information data shown on a display device of the user interface 11 of the mobile device 10.
  • the user operates the input device of the user interface 11 to choose the content.
  • the content has been chosen and the respective content ID is sent to the network device 50 which forwards it further to the information server 60 with the content providing request.
  • the network device receives the content ID from the mobile device 10.
  • the network device 50 sends the information server 60 the content providing request code including the content ID received from the mobile device 10 and the user ID, which may be e.g. a smart card 57 number or user's credit card number that is required for charging of the chosen content.
  • the information server 60 receives the content providing request code including the content ID and the user ID from the network device 50.
  • the information server 60 sends the accounting server 70 a content charging request code including the user E) and the content ID.
  • the accounting server 70 receives the charging request code including the user E) and the content ID from the information server 60.
  • the accounting server 70 checks the validity of the user ID, writes the fee in the user's account and sends an ACK to the information server 60, if the user E) is correct. On the other hand if it is determined that the user E) is incorrect, the accounting server 70 sends the information server 60 a NAK or a content transmission rejection signal.
  • the information server 60 determines whether or not the ACK or the content transmission permission has been received from the accounting server 70. When the information server 60 has received the NAK or the content transmission rejection signal, it notifies network device 50 of an error at step 613. At step 550 the network device 50 receives the error from the information server 60 and forwards it to the mobile device 10. At step 151 the mobile device 10 receives and indicates the error on a display device of the user interface 11.
  • the information server 60 When receiving the ACK at step 612, at step 614, the information server 60 sends the network device 50 a content access request code including the content URL or both the content URL and E), and a password for logging in the content server 80.
  • the network device 50 receives from the information server 60 the access request code including the content URL or both the content URL and E), and a password for logging in the content server 80.
  • the network device 50 sends the content server 80 a content transmission request code including the content URL or both the content URL and E), and a password for logging in the content server 80.
  • the content server 80 receives from the network device 50 the content transmission request code including the password and, at step 816 checks validity of the received password. If it is determined that the password is incorrect, the content server 80 sends an error to the network device 50 at step 817.
  • the network device 50 receives and forwards the error to the mobile device 10 that receives and indicates the error for the user through a display device of the user interface 11 at step 161.
  • the content server 80 transmits the requested content data to the network device 50 at step 818.
  • the network device 50 starts receiving of the content data from the content server 80 and stores it in a memory device 53 or a storage device 90.
  • the network device 50 can receive, store and manage different content data chosen by a user by a mobile device 10. The user can use the content data, stored in the network device 50 or a storage device 90, with the mobile device 10 or a home appliance 95. If the content data is a video clip, it can be reproduced on a television apparatus (95). If the content data is music, it can be reproduced on an audio apparatus (95).
  • the network device sends the mobile device 10 a question of whether or not to start receiving of the content data immediately from the network device 50.
  • the question is received and displayed to the user via a display device of the user interface 11.
  • the user replies to the question via an input device of the user interface 11 and the reply is sent back to the network device 50 at step 119.
  • the network device 50 determines the result of the reply and acts accordingly. If it is determined that the result is positive ('Yes'), the network device 50 starts transmitting the content data to the mobile device 10 at step 521. At step 121 the mobile device 10 receives the content. If it is determined at step 520 that the result is negative ('No') the network device 50 does not take any action until the content data transmission is completed at step 522.
  • the network device 50 notifies the mobile device 10 of the completion of the content data transmission.
  • the completion of the content data transmission is received and displayed to the user via an input device of the user interface 11 of the mobile device 10 at step 122.
  • the mobile device disconnects the secure connection 35 with the network device 50.
  • the user of the mobile device 10 is also able to disconnect the secure connection 35 earlier than at step 123.
  • the content completion notification may be sent to the mobile device 10 by an electronic mail or the mobile device 10 may access the network device 50 to check the status of the content completion using a standard application 12 (e.g. a Web browser) or a 3 rd party application 13.
  • a standard application 12 e.g. a Web browser
  • mobile device 10 is meant in this application e.g. devices such like mobile phones, PDAs and laptop PCs with mobile communication capabilities, is having a processor, a memory device, an input device and a display, and can interface with the mobile communication network 20.
  • network device 50 is meant in this application e.g. devices like digital TV and IP set-top boxes, home media servers, PCs, and other dedicated network devices (including the required technology), is having a processor and a memory device, and can interface with the IP network 40.
  • mobile communication network 20 is meant in this application e.g. wireless network standards such like GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), consisting of at least a wireless access point and a gateway to the IP network 40 for the IP (Internet Protocol) based data, which service is provided for the mobile device 10 over the mobile communication network 20.
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communications
  • WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
  • WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
  • IP network 40 is meant in this application e.g. Internet, having a capability to transfer data at least between single IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, meaning the same data can be transferred simultaneously from one single IP address to another single IP address, all connected devices and their respective IP addresses forming the network.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • secure connection 35 is meant in this application e.g. VPN (Virtual Private Network) or HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL) connection, which is established between two endpoints over the mobile communication network 20, the gateway 30 and the IP network 40, another endpoint and the sender of a secure connection request being the mobile device 10 and the other endpoint being a device, including but not limited to the network device 20 itself or a dedicated firewall/VPN device, that share a trusted secure network interface with the network device 20 and is able to transfer information over a secure network with the network device 50.
  • VPN Virtual Private Network
  • HTTPS Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL
  • direct secure connection 35 is meant in this application e.g. that the information between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50 is transferred straight to the receiving party as the sending party send it and not converted or stored by any third apparatus between.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Graphics (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for ordering content in a telecommunications network comprising at least a mobile device (10) connected to a mobile communication network (20, 30) and a network device (50) connected to an IP network (40), in which method content is orderable by the mobile device (10) at least to the network device (50). According to the method a secure connection request (101, 501) is received from the mobile device (10) the request is authenticated and authorized (501, 102), a content request (108, 508) is received from the mobile device (10), and the content is delivered to the network device (50). In accordance with the invention the content request is received directly from the mobile device (10) by the network device (50) through a secure connection (35).

Description

A method for ordering and downloading content data by a mobile device
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates purchasing, downloading and storing of content data by a mobile device.
More particularly, the present invention is directed to the methods, apparatus, and systems which allow a mobile device to access content data from a server connected to an IP network e.g. the Internet, and download and store data into a particular network storage/medium for simultaneous or later use by the mobile device or a home appliance.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Y. Matsuyama and I. Yamada discloses in the US Patent Application Publication No. US 20003/0008650 Al laid open for public inspection on Jan. 9, 2003, a system for a remote control of downloading of content data by a mobile device from one server to another. In the invention, the mobile device is connected to an information server belonging to a mobile communication network. The information server controls the content download process from a content server to a home server and billing. However, in Y. Matsuyama' s and I. Yamada' s invention, it is not described how the user is able purchase content from a service provider operating outside of a mobile communication network, for example from a local Pay-TV service provider, which may have an existing service agreement with the user e.g. for TV program and/or Video-On-Demand services and which has a smart card based user authentication and billing system. Neither, in Y. Matsuyama' s and I. Yamada' s invention, it is not described how the user is able to use content data by a mobile device simultaneous during the download process of the content data to a home server.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is possible to connect a mobile device to the Internet over a mobile communication network to access and display via the mobile device content data stored in a server connected to the Internet. For an instant playback, the content data is streamed to the mobile device over the network/s connecting the mobile device to the server holding the data, and downloaded to the mobile device for later use. In these cases the content data is usually charged by a service provider being in charge of the mobile communication network.
In addition to the previous statement it would be beneficial to provide methods and systems for purchasing of content data using the existing billing and user authentication systems of other service providers e.g. smart card based user authentication and billing system of a pay- TV service provider, and on the other hand to provide methods to store a valuable content data simultaneous and in real-time onto a separate storage device/medium during the download process of content data to a mobile device which usually has a very limited storage capacity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide methods, apparatus and systems for purchasing of content data by a mobile device from a service provider that is not in charge of a mobile communication network, and for enabling a user to store the content into a particular network storage/medium, the content still being simultaneous and instantly available to be used by the mobile device.
More specifically, the method according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1.
Furthermore, the mobile device according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 7.
Furthermore, the network device according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 8.
The methods, apparatus and systems of the present invention provide the following advantages.
The invention allows purchasing, downloading and storing of content data by a mobile device over an inexpensive high-speed network from a server connected to an IP network e.g. the Internet to a particular network storage/medium, in a way, that the content data, simultaneous with the download process to the network storage/medium, can be used by the mobile device over a mobile communication, a local area or a point-to-point network, or accessed later over these networks from the network storage/medium.
Further the invention allows a user to control (start/stop/pause) streaming or downloading of content data to a mobile device without affecting to the actual data download process to a particular network device/medium. For example, a user may watch a part of a movie by a mobile device over a mobile communication network, thus paying only that part of the data transmission cost, and continue watching of the rest of the movie at home, either via the mobile device over an inexpensive local area or a point-to-point network, or via a home appliance (e.g. television apparatus) connected to the device where the downloaded movie is stored.
Further, the invention allows using of user authentication and billing systems existing outside of a mobile communication network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention and an arrangement of a mobile telephone in the system;
FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of a mobile device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of a network device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 4A through 4C show a flow chart of steps executed over a network, a mobile communication network and a gateway, by a mobile device, an information server, an accounting server, a content server and a network device like ones shown in FIGS. 1-3, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a content data distributing system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and an arrangement of a mobile device 10 forming part of the system. In FIG. 1, the mobile device 10 is connected via a mobile communications network 20, a gateway 30 and an IP network 40 (e.g. the Internet) through a secure connection 35 to a network device 50. An information server 60, an accounting server 70 and a content server 80 are connected to each other over an IP network 40. The information server 60 and the accounting server 70 may be integrated into one server. The network device 50 (e.g. a digital TV set-top box or an IP set-top box) may use a smart card 57 and have connections to a content storage 90 and a home appliance 95 (e.g. a television apparatus or a home theatre system).
FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of a mobile device 10. The mobile device 10 includes a processor 15, a memory device 14, a user interface 11 including a display and an input device
(e.g. keyboard), and a network interface 16 including a transceiver to communicate with an access point or a base station on the mobile communications network 20. The memory device 14 has stored therein standard applications 12 and 3rd party applications 13. The 3rd party application 13 of a mobile device 10 related to this invention may have been downloaded and installed e.g. through a secure connection 35 from the network device 50 with the help of standard applications 12, e.g. a Web browser. A battery 17 provides power required for use of the mobile device 10 and enables the mobility.
FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of a network device 50. The network device 50, includes a processor 54, a memory device 53 and a network interface 55 connected to an IP network (e.g. the Internet). The network device 50 connects through the IP network 40 to an information server 60, an accounting server 70 and a content server 80. The memory device 53 has stored therein applications 52 executed by the processor 54 for downloading content data to a memory device 53 and/or a storage device 90 and to transmit that data via an IP network 40, a gateway 30 and a mobile communications network 20 through a secure connection 35 to a mobile device 10. The network device 50 may be connected to the IP network 40 straight or via a private local area network through a dedicated firewall/VPN device. A user interface 51 (e.g. a keyboard or a remote controller) enables standalone operations of the network device. A power supply 56 provides power required for use of the network device 10.
If a secure connection 35 shown in FIG. 1 is created using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50, and the network device 50 is connected to the IP network 40 via a private local area network through a dedicated firewall/VPN device, the VPN endpoint for the connection can be provided by the network device 50 itself, or as an alternate method by a firewall/VPN device, in which case the rest of the connection from the firewall/VPN device to the network device 50 goes through the user's private local area network, thus being secure from the outsiders. Another very common method that can be used in a creation of a secure connection 35 between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50 is use of HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL), in which case the network device 50 acts as a HTTPS server.
The content server 80 provides content data to a network device 50 with an IP network interface connected to the network 40. The content data herein may include contents such as high-quality video and/or audio data streams, photos, document data and application programs e.g. games.
vThe information server 60 provides, in response to an access thereto by a network device 50, information data e.g. in a form of a Web page. The Web page contains information relating to the above-mentioned plurality of contents the content server 80 can provide in respective time intervals, content identifications (IDs), and fees. The ED may be e.g. a title or a URL of the respective content. The Web page may contain, for example, a news summary including a list of the latest news clips that are updated at two-hour intervals, a program guide with a list of video and/or audio programs, and advertisements of application programs.
The accounting server 70 of FIG. 1 manages the user accounts and fees. The accounting services are provided for the mobile device 10 via the network device 50. The network device 50, thus the user, is authenticated by the accounting server 70 before the content data is provided by the content server 80 to the network device 50. Accounting and content security may be based on a system used by a local Pay-TV service provider for a delivery of content data over an IP based network. Such systems include smart card and software based conditional access systems. Also credit card payment and payment over the Internet from a user's bank account are possible. During the accounting process the mobile device 10 and the network device 50 are connected to each other through a secure connection e.g. VPN (Virtual Private Network) or HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL).
FIGS. 4A through 4C together show an exemplary flow chart of the program executed by the mobile device 10, the network device 50, the information server 60, the accounting server 70 and the content server 80, through the mobile communication network 20, the IP network 40, the gateway 30 and the secure connection 35.
At step 101 shown in FIG. 4A, in accordance with the operation by the user of an input device of the user interface 11 with a standard application 12 or a 3rd party application 13, the mobile device 10, sends to the network device 50 via the mobile communication network 20, the gateway 30 and the IP network 40, a secure connection request code including information required (e.g. a username and a password in case of HTTPS used) for the authentication of the mobile device 10 by the network device 50 and for the establishing of a secure connection 35 between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50. At step 501 the network device 50 receives the secure connection request code including information required for the authentication of the mobile device 10 and for the establishing of a secure connection 35 between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50. If the mobile device 10 is able to pass the security check performed by the network device 50, the network device 50 accepts the secure connection request and sends an ACK (Acknowledgement) or a secure connection acceptance signal to the mobile device 10 at step 501. The secure connection 35 may be created using e.g. VPN (Virtual Private Network) standards or HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL). At step 102, the mobile device 10 determines whether or not the ACK or a secure connection acceptance signal has been received from the network device 50. When the mobile device 10 has received the NAK (Negative Acknowledgement) or the secure connection rejection signal, it notifies the user indicating an error on a display device of the user interface 11, at step 103. When receiving the ACK or the secure connection acceptance signal at step 102, the secure connection 35 is established.
At step 104, in accordance with the operation by the user of the input device of the user interface 11 with a standard application 12 or a 3rd party application 13, the mobile device 10 sends a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) via the mobile communication network 20, the gateway 30 and the IP network 40 through the secure connection 35 to the network device 50 to thereby let the network device 50 to request a Web page related to the URL from the information server 60. The network device 50 at step 504 receives the URL from the mobile device 10. At step 505 the network device 50 sends the URL further to an information server 60 to request the Web page. At step 605 the information server 60 receives the URL from the network device 50. At step 606, the information server 60 sends the Web page associated with the received URL to the network device 50, which further forwards it to the mobile device 10. At step 506 the network device 50 receives the Web page from the information server 60. At step 507 the network device 50 sends the Web page associated with the URL to the mobile device 10. As described above the Web page may contain information about content which the content server 80 can provide in respective time period, and their IDs (e.g. titles and/or URLs) and fees. At step 107, the mobile device 10 receives the Web page and displays it on the display device of the user interface 11.
Viewing the information data provided at the Web page, the user may wish to get an access to a particular content data that is related to the information data shown on a display device of the user interface 11 of the mobile device 10. In such a case the user operates the input device of the user interface 11 to choose the content. At step 108 the content has been chosen and the respective content ID is sent to the network device 50 which forwards it further to the information server 60 with the content providing request. At step 508 the network device receives the content ID from the mobile device 10. At step 509 the network device 50 sends the information server 60 the content providing request code including the content ID received from the mobile device 10 and the user ID, which may be e.g. a smart card 57 number or user's credit card number that is required for charging of the chosen content.
At step 609 shown in FIG. 4B, in accordance with the step 509 the information server 60 receives the content providing request code including the content ID and the user ID from the network device 50. At step 610, the information server 60 sends the accounting server 70 a content charging request code including the user E) and the content ID. At step 710 the accounting server 70 receives the charging request code including the user E) and the content ID from the information server 60. At step 711 the accounting server 70 checks the validity of the user ID, writes the fee in the user's account and sends an ACK to the information server 60, if the user E) is correct. On the other hand if it is determined that the user E) is incorrect, the accounting server 70 sends the information server 60 a NAK or a content transmission rejection signal.
At step 612, the information server 60 determines whether or not the ACK or the content transmission permission has been received from the accounting server 70. When the information server 60 has received the NAK or the content transmission rejection signal, it notifies network device 50 of an error at step 613. At step 550 the network device 50 receives the error from the information server 60 and forwards it to the mobile device 10. At step 151 the mobile device 10 receives and indicates the error on a display device of the user interface 11.
When receiving the ACK at step 612, at step 614, the information server 60 sends the network device 50 a content access request code including the content URL or both the content URL and E), and a password for logging in the content server 80. At step 514 the network device 50 receives from the information server 60 the access request code including the content URL or both the content URL and E), and a password for logging in the content server 80.
At step 515 shown in FIG. 4C, in accordance with the received access request code, the network device 50 sends the content server 80 a content transmission request code including the content URL or both the content URL and E), and a password for logging in the content server 80. At step 815, the content server 80 receives from the network device 50 the content transmission request code including the password and, at step 816 checks validity of the received password. If it is determined that the password is incorrect, the content server 80 sends an error to the network device 50 at step 817. At step 560 the network device 50 receives and forwards the error to the mobile device 10 that receives and indicates the error for the user through a display device of the user interface 11 at step 161.
Jf it is determined that the password is correct at step 816, the content server 80 transmits the requested content data to the network device 50 at step 818. At step 518 the network device 50 starts receiving of the content data from the content server 80 and stores it in a memory device 53 or a storage device 90. In a manner described above, the network device 50 can receive, store and manage different content data chosen by a user by a mobile device 10. The user can use the content data, stored in the network device 50 or a storage device 90, with the mobile device 10 or a home appliance 95. If the content data is a video clip, it can be reproduced on a television apparatus (95). If the content data is music, it can be reproduced on an audio apparatus (95).
At step 519 the network device sends the mobile device 10 a question of whether or not to start receiving of the content data immediately from the network device 50. The question is received and displayed to the user via a display device of the user interface 11. The user replies to the question via an input device of the user interface 11 and the reply is sent back to the network device 50 at step 119.
At step 520, the network device 50 determines the result of the reply and acts accordingly. If it is determined that the result is positive ('Yes'), the network device 50 starts transmitting the content data to the mobile device 10 at step 521. At step 121 the mobile device 10 receives the content. If it is determined at step 520 that the result is negative ('No') the network device 50 does not take any action until the content data transmission is completed at step 522.
At step 522 shown in FIG. 4D, followed by the steps 520 and 521, the network device 50 notifies the mobile device 10 of the completion of the content data transmission. The completion of the content data transmission is received and displayed to the user via an input device of the user interface 11 of the mobile device 10 at step 122. At step 123 the mobile device disconnects the secure connection 35 with the network device 50.
The user of the mobile device 10 is also able to disconnect the secure connection 35 earlier than at step 123. In such a case the content completion notification may be sent to the mobile device 10 by an electronic mail or the mobile device 10 may access the network device 50 to check the status of the content completion using a standard application 12 (e.g. a Web browser) or a 3rd party application 13.
The embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are only typical examples of the invention. Variations and modifications of the embodiments are obvious to people skilled in the art within the scope of the invention defined by the accompanying claims.
By the definition mobile device 10 is meant in this application e.g. devices such like mobile phones, PDAs and laptop PCs with mobile communication capabilities, is having a processor, a memory device, an input device and a display, and can interface with the mobile communication network 20. By the definition network device 50 is meant in this application e.g. devices like digital TV and IP set-top boxes, home media servers, PCs, and other dedicated network devices (including the required technology), is having a processor and a memory device, and can interface with the IP network 40.
By the definition mobile communication network 20 is meant in this application e.g. wireless network standards such like GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), consisting of at least a wireless access point and a gateway to the IP network 40 for the IP (Internet Protocol) based data, which service is provided for the mobile device 10 over the mobile communication network 20.
By the definition IP network 40 is meant in this application e.g. Internet, having a capability to transfer data at least between single IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, meaning the same data can be transferred simultaneously from one single IP address to another single IP address, all connected devices and their respective IP addresses forming the network.
By the definition secure connection 35 is meant in this application e.g. VPN (Virtual Private Network) or HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL) connection, which is established between two endpoints over the mobile communication network 20, the gateway 30 and the IP network 40, another endpoint and the sender of a secure connection request being the mobile device 10 and the other endpoint being a device, including but not limited to the network device 20 itself or a dedicated firewall/VPN device, that share a trusted secure network interface with the network device 20 and is able to transfer information over a secure network with the network device 50.
By the definition direct secure connection 35 is meant in this application e.g. that the information between the mobile device 10 and the network device 50 is transferred straight to the receiving party as the sending party send it and not converted or stored by any third apparatus between.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is
1. A method for ordering content in a telecommunications network comprising at least a mobile device (10) connected to a mobile communication network (20, 30) and a network device (50) connected to an IP network (40), in which method content is orderable by the mobile device (10) at least to the network device (50), the method including (comprising) the steps of:
receiving a secure connection request (101, 501) from the mobile device (10),
authentication and authorization (501, 102) of the request
- receiving a content request (108, 508) from the mobile device (10), and
delivery (818, 518) of the content to the network device (50),
characterized in that
the content request is received direct from the mobile device (10) by the network device (50) through a secure connection (35).
2. A method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the requested content is allowed to be delivered also to the mobile device (10).
3. A method in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ordered content is billed.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that before delivery of the order the network device (50) is authenticated and authorized (509, 609, 610, 710, 711).
5. A method in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the network device (50) is authenticated and authorized (509, 609, 610, 710, 711) by a smart card.
6. A method in accordance with any precious claim characterized in that the content request from the mobile device (10) and the network device (50) is transferred straight to the receiving party as the sending party send it and not converted or stored by any third apparatus between.
7. Mobile device (10) comprising - a processor (15),
- a memory device (14) functionally connected to the processor (15),
- an input device and a display (11) functionally connected to the processor (15), and
- means (16) for interfacing with the mobile communication network (20),
characterized by
means for sending (12, 13) a content request directly to the network device (50) through a secure connection (35).
8. Network device (50) comprising
- a processor (54),
- a memory device (53) functionally connected to the processor (54), and
- means for interfacing (55) with an IP network (40),
characterized by
means (52) for receiving a content request directly from a mobile device (10) through a secure connection (35).
PCT/FI2006/000136 2005-05-02 2006-04-27 A method for ordering and downloading content data by a mobile device WO2006117428A2 (en)

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FI20050469A FI20050469A0 (en) 2005-05-02 2005-05-02 Process for ordering and downloading content by means of a mobile device
FI20050469 2005-05-02

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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WO2001047248A2 (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-06-28 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Remote delivery of multimedia content from consumer electronics devices
EP1217769A1 (en) * 2000-08-10 2002-06-26 NTT DoCoMo, Inc. Data transfer method and mobile server
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WO2003049447A1 (en) * 2001-12-04 2003-06-12 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Distributed processing, storage, and transmission of multimedia information
US20040031058A1 (en) * 2002-05-10 2004-02-12 Richard Reisman Method and apparatus for browsing using alternative linkbases
WO2004088983A2 (en) * 2003-04-03 2004-10-14 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Broadcast delivery to a wireless device
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001047248A2 (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-06-28 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Remote delivery of multimedia content from consumer electronics devices
EP1217769A1 (en) * 2000-08-10 2002-06-26 NTT DoCoMo, Inc. Data transfer method and mobile server
US20030065791A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-03 Ajay Garg System and method for remotely accessing a home server while preserving end-to-end security
WO2003049447A1 (en) * 2001-12-04 2003-06-12 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Distributed processing, storage, and transmission of multimedia information
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US20050114520A1 (en) * 2003-11-21 2005-05-26 Craig White Access to foreign network resources

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