Systems and methods for distributing content in wireless networks

Abstract

The present invention allows content to be delivered to a mobile terminal over different types of networks in order to efficiently use network resources. Content can be delivered using a select delivery method over a cellular network, a local wireless network, or a broadcast network. Within any of the networks, the content may be unicast to individual mobile terminals using individual content flows, multicast to a group of mobile terminals, or broadcast to any or all of the mobile terminals. Content can be multicast or broadcast to mobile terminals via different ones of the disparate networks. During a content flow, the network through which the content flow is delivered may be changed to allow the mobile terminal to receive the content through a different network. Further, the delivery method used to deliver the content may dynamically change as the number of mobile terminals receiving or requesting the content changes.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for selective content reception over disparate networks comprising:
 receiving a first network selection indicia and a first address indicia associated with a content at a mobile terminal, the first network selection indicia corresponding to a first disparate network, and the first address indicia bearing on an address to use for receiving the content;   receiving the content via the first disparate network identified by the first network selection indicia at the mobile terminal;   identifying a network change while the content is being received;   initiating a network change request;   receiving a second network selection indicia and a second address indicia associated with the content at the mobile terminal, the second network selection indicia corresponding to a second disparate network, and the second address indicia bearing on an address to use for receiving the content; and   receiving the content via the second disparate network identified in the second network selection indicia at the mobile terminal.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving the first network selection indicia further comprises selecting the first disparate network based upon the received first network selection indicia. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving the second network selection indicia further comprises selecting the second disparate network based upon the received second network selection indicia. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising sending a register request for a content delivery service. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the register request includes capabilities of the mobile terminal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising receiving information or URI of an electronic service guide. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising accessing to the information or URI of the electronic service guide. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising displaying the information or URI of the electronic service guide on a screen for a selection by a user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the content is at least one of a group consisting of audio, video, television content, file, and data. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising receiving at least one key required for decrypting the content. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising identifying the content being received based upon a last received address indicia. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising maintaining an existing content flow for the content until a new content flow for the content is established for the network change. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first address indicia is the same as the second address indicia. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of disparate networks comprises at least one of a broadcast network, a cellular network, and a local wireless network. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the receiving of the content comprises using at least one of the following delivery methods: a unicast delivery, a multicast delivery, and a broadcast delivery. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein an address indicia for the unicast delivery comprises an Internet Protocol address of the mobile terminal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein an address indicia for the multicast delivery and the broadcast delivery comprises a common address assigned to a group of mobile terminals. 
     
     
         19 . A mobile terminal for selective content reception over disparate networks comprising at least one communication interface adapted to facilitate wireless communications with a plurality of disparate networks; and at least one processor associated with the at least one communication interface, the at least one processor being configured to:
 receive a first network selection indicia and a first address indicia associated with a content, the first network selection indicia corresponding to a first disparate network, and the first address indicia bearing on an address to use for receiving the content;   receive the content via the first disparate network identified by the first network selection indicia;   identify a network change while the content is being received;   initiate a network change request;   receive a second network selection indicia and a second address indicia associated with the content, the second network selection indicia corresponding to a second disparate network, and the second address indicia bearing on an address to use for receiving the content; and   receive the content via the second disparate network identified in the second network selection indicia.