Interactive delivery of media using dynamic playlist generation subject to restrictive criteria

Abstract

A media delivery scheme distributes a stream of media files to a group of users while allowing individual users to request specific media files. In one embodiment, a media server maintains a playlist of media files to broadcast, and requests for media must satisfy certain restrictive criteria to be added to the playlist. In another aspect of a preferred embodiment, the media server schedules requested media so as to comply with provisions of the DMCA.

1 . A computer implemented method of interactively delivering media over a computer network from a media server to a plurality of clients, the method comprising:
 generating a playlist that defines a plurality of media files in an order, the playlist satisfying a set of restrictive criteria;   sequentially transmitting the media files as defined by the playlist over the computer network to the clients;   receiving a request for a media file from a client; and   scheduling the requested media file into the playlist if the updated playlist would satisfy the restrictive criteria, whereby the media files are transmitted to the clients according to the updated playlist.   
     
     
         2 . A computer implemented method of delivering media over a computer network to multiple users comprising:
 broadcasting streaming media on a channel according to a broadcasting schedule, wherein multiple users can access the channel and the media broadcasted thereon;   receiving a plurality of requests for media from one or more users; and   incorporating the requested media into the streaming media if doing so would satisfy a set of restrictive criteria.   
     
     
         3 . A computer implemented method of delivering media over a computer network from a media provider to multiple users, the method comprising:
 broadcasting a specific program of media on each of a plurality of channels, wherein multiple users can access each channel and thereby receive the program broadcasted thereon;   receiving from a user a request for media corresponding to one of the channels; and   incorporating the requested media into the corresponding channel's program if the modified program would satisfy a set of restrictive criteria, the restrictive criteria including a set of channel preferences unique between at least two channels.