System and method for gathering multicast content receiver data

Details System and method for gathering multicast content receiver data System and method for gathering multicast content receiver data

2007-06-26

2007-06-26

Rao, Seema S. (Department: 2616)

Multiplex communications

Communication over free space

Message addressed to multiple destinations

C370S432000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10171952

ABSTRACT:
A system and method for gathering data regarding receivers of multicast content is provided. A spanning tree is used to connect a content producer, such as a pay-per-view broadcaster, to one or more receivers over a computer network, such as the Internet. Clients that wish to join a multicast group to which content is sent join the multicast group at the client's designated multicast router. The router sends information regarding the request, such as a tally of the number of clients that have joined the group, through intermediate routers to an endpoint router as identified by the spanning tree. The content producer is able to use the information, such as the tally and demographic information, to analyze the group of receivers. In a pay-per-view setting, the tally can further be compared to the number of subscribers to determine whether illicit receivers have joined the group, whereupon appropriate action is taken.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5826010 (1998-10-01), Joseph et al.
patent: 6330671 (2001-12-01), Aziz
patent: 6587943 (2003-07-01), Hardjono
patent: 6611864 (2003-08-01), Putzolu et al.
patent: 6880090 (2005-04-01), Shawcross
patent: 6963573 (2005-11-01), Cain et al.
patent: 7061880 (2006-06-01), Basilier
patent: 2002/0085506 (2002-07-01), Hundscheidt et al.
patent: 2003/0165140 (2003-09-01), Tang et al.
patent: 2003/0233540 (2003-12-01), Banerjee et al.
patent: WO 99/65190 (1999-12-01), None
patent: WO 00/59151 (2000-10-01), None
Tao Zhou, “How IP Multicasting Works,” Windows & .Net Magazine, May 1997 (3 pages).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

System and method for gathering multicast content receiver data does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with System and method for gathering multicast content receiver data, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for gathering multicast content receiver data will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3807750