System and method for managing distributed media files

Abstract

There is disclosed a media file distribution system and method. An asset management and delivery system and method for the distribution of digital files and data is provided. There are two major functions, with sub-functions within each. The system first serves as a fully automated management system for a company involved in video/file distribution, such as in video on demand (VOD) or other digital file industries. The system can ingest, prepare, schedule, transmit, track and report on any aspect of the business chain. Secondly, it also serves as a product for both content providers and recipients to be able to view, manage and run their entire content offering remotely from anywhere through the Internet.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for providing an interactive program guide entry for a media file, the method comprising;
 receiving a media file via a communication network from a content provider for distribution to a plurality of recipient sites, wherein the media file includes interactive program guide (IPG) data;   storing the received media file in a database, wherein the stored media file includes a plurality of site-specific parameters, each of the plurality of site-specific parameters being specific to a respective one of the plurality of recipient sites;   storing the received IPG data in each of the plurality of site-specific parameters of the stored media file;   storing a respective data structure for the IPG data in each of the plurality of recipient sites;   distributing the stored media file to the plurality of recipient sites;   mapping the IPG data to a respective data structure at a respective recipient site, according to a respective site-specific parameter for said respective recipient site; and   linking an incoming IPG data from the content provider to each respective data structure in each recipient site, according to respective site-specific parameters.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising allowing the content provider to set parameters regarding editing of the IPG data by a respective recipient site. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising allowing the content provider to edit the stored IPG data. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the IPG data includes menu data. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising allowing a respective recipient site to edit a respective stored IPG data of said respective recipient site. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the received media file further includes a field in the site-specific parameters for defining a destination on the respective IPG data structure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the field includes a generalized value when received from the content provider, the method further comprising transforming the generalized value into a specific value for each recipient site after the media file is received from the content provider. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the recipient sites are one or more of the group consisting of a cable company and a telephone company. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising transmitting the media file including said respective IPG data by each of the recipient sites to a respective plurality of viewers. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said communication network is the Internet. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said communication network is a satellite link. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said media file is for use in a video play back. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said media file is for use in gaming.