Apparatus and methods for content delivery and message exchange across multiple content delivery networks
First Claim
1. A computerized method for determining whether a user is permitted to access, via a first network, protected digitally rendered content associated with a second network, the computerized method comprising:
- causing establishment of a session via at least a computerized network device;
receiving data representative of a request for the protected digitally rendered content from a computerized client device associated with the user in the first network;
determining the second network to which said user is associated;
sending at least one message to a computerized entity of the second network, the at least one message comprising;
login information entered by the user; and
the data representative of the request for the protected digitally rendered content;
based at least on the message, receiving, from the computerized entity of the second network, a communication for storage at a computerized entity within the first network, the communication comprising data indicating that the user is permitted in the first network to access the protected digitally rendered content associated with the second network; and
based at least on an approved level of service of the user, causing enablement or disablement of one or more trick mode functionalities with respect to servicing one or more requests subsequent to the request for the protected digitally rendered content;
wherein the first network comprises an unmanaged internetwork, the second network comprises a managed network having a network operator; and
wherein the computerized entity of the first network comprises a server process, the server process configured to enable provision of digitally rendered content to a plurality of computerized client devices within the unmanaged internetwork via a plurality of corresponding sessions including the session.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for providing protected content to subscribers of a managed (e.g., MSO) network via a content source accessible via an internetwork such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a user accesses a programmer website website, and requests content. The programmer determines whether the requesting user is permitted to access the content, and what rights or restrictions are associated with the user. This includes authenticating the user as a subscriber of the MSO, and determining the subscriber'"'"'s subscription level. In another embodiment, a user'"'"'s account with the MSO and programmer may be federated, thus a given user will have MSO-specific information regarding its identity (such as login information, GUID, etc.) and/or information regarding subscription level and service details, stored at the programmer. Messages received from the MSO representing permission for the user to access content may also be stored at the programmer site for later reference.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computerized method for determining whether a user is permitted to access, via a first network, protected digitally rendered content associated with a second network, the computerized method comprising:
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causing establishment of a session via at least a computerized network device; receiving data representative of a request for the protected digitally rendered content from a computerized client device associated with the user in the first network; determining the second network to which said user is associated; sending at least one message to a computerized entity of the second network, the at least one message comprising; login information entered by the user; and the data representative of the request for the protected digitally rendered content; based at least on the message, receiving, from the computerized entity of the second network, a communication for storage at a computerized entity within the first network, the communication comprising data indicating that the user is permitted in the first network to access the protected digitally rendered content associated with the second network; and based at least on an approved level of service of the user, causing enablement or disablement of one or more trick mode functionalities with respect to servicing one or more requests subsequent to the request for the protected digitally rendered content; wherein the first network comprises an unmanaged internetwork, the second network comprises a managed network having a network operator; and wherein the computerized entity of the first network comprises a server process, the server process configured to enable provision of digitally rendered content to a plurality of computerized client devices within the unmanaged internetwork via a plurality of corresponding sessions including the session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computerized method of determining whether digitally rendered content may be provided, from a first network, to a computerized client device of a user in a second network, the computerized method comprising:
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receiving first data representative of a request for authorization of access by the user to the digitally rendered content from a computerized entity of the first network, the receiving of the first data representative of the request comprising receiving the data representative of the request via at least a portion of the first network, the first data comprising at least a user-specific identifier and data indicative of the digitally rendered content; performing an authorization process, the authorization process comprising; determining based at least on the first data, whether a session has been established between the computerized client device and one or more computerized processes of the second network; based at least on a determination that a session has not been established, causing establishment of the session via at least a computerized network device; determining a subscriber identity within the second network based at least in part on the user-specific identifier; retrieving service details associated with the user; and evaluating the retrieved service details based at least on the data indicative of the digitally rendered content; and based on the evaluating indicating that the user is authorized for access to the digitally rendered content, providing a communication enabling delivery of the digitally rendered content to the computerized client device via at least the first network, the delivery of the digitally rendered content to the computerized client device comprises delivery over at least a portion of the second network; wherein the first network comprises an unmanaged internetwork, the second network comprises a managed network. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A computerized method for determining whether a computerized user device in data communication with a first network is permitted to access digitally rendered content, access to the digitally rendered content managed by a second network, the computerized method comprising:
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performing a setup process to establish a relationship between the first network and the second network, the setup process comprising; determining a plurality of resources supported by the first network; and causing establishment of a session between a computerized entity of the second network and the computerized user device; performing a login process to verify a digital identity of a user utilizing the computerized user device, the verification comprising; enabling the user to establish or input one or more credentials in a common login application (CLA) associated with the second network; and accessing information unique to the user stored at a computerized network storage entity of the second network; performing an authorization process to authorize or deny the computerized user device access to the digitally rendered content, the authorization process comprising receiving a communication from a computerized entity of the second network, the communication indicating that the computerized user device is authorized for the access; and based on;
(i) the authorization, and (ii) an evaluation of the information unique to the user and the information input by the user, enabling the access of the digitally rendered content via the established session;wherein the first network comprises an unmanaged internetwork, the second network comprises a managed network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification