Authorization access controlled content exchange
First Claim
1. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:
- causing a plurality of content indexes to be searched to locate a match to requested content, each content index of the plurality of content indexes corresponding to content stored at a target client device of a plurality of target client devices;
locating a content match responsive to the causing action, the content match corresponding to the requested content and having predefined authorization access information;
determining whether predetermined authorization access information associated with a requesting client device comports with the predefined authorization access information;
if not, denying access to the requested content to a user; and
is so, providing access to the requested content to the user.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Authorization access controlled content exchange can be implemented, for example, in a multimedia content distribution environment when individual client devices are capable of storing content. A content index is maintained for each client device that reflects the content stored thereat. Predefined authorization access information for each relevant content item may be included in a content index entry corresponding thereto. A profile is maintained that includes predetermined authorization access information which indicates access rights. A search may be performed by and/or on behalf of a requesting client device for desired content with reference to authorization access information. A content transfer to the requesting client device from a target client device may be enabled if the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information. Searches may be orchestrated or effectuated by the requesting client device or a head end of the multimedia content distribution system.
96 Citations
90 Claims
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1. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:
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causing a plurality of content indexes to be searched to locate a match to requested content, each content index of the plurality of content indexes corresponding to content stored at a target client device of a plurality of target client devices;
locating a content match responsive to the causing action, the content match corresponding to the requested content and having predefined authorization access information;
determining whether predetermined authorization access information associated with a requesting client device comports with the predefined authorization access information;
if not, denying access to the requested content to a user; and
is so, providing access to the requested content to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A client device for authorization access controlled content exchange, the client device configured to perform actions comprising:
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causing a plurality of content indexes to be searched to locate a match to requested content, each content index of the plurality of content indexes corresponding to content stored at a target client device of a plurality of target client devices;
locating a content match responsive to the causing action, the content match corresponding to the requested content and having predefined authorization access information;
determining whether predetermined authorization access information associated with the client device comports with the predefined authorization access information;
if not, denying access to the requested content to a user; and
is so, providing access to the requested content to the user. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. An arrangement that is capable of authorization access controlled content exchange, comprising:
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profile means for profiling subscription information that indicates access rights to content;
index means for indexing content that is stored at the arrangement;
search means for searching content that is stored remotely at a plurality of other arrangements by searching a plurality of other index means, each other index means of the plurality of other index means corresponding to a particular other arrangement of the plurality of other arrangements; and
access means for providing access to content located by the search means if the profile means indicates that access rights to the content located by the search means exist with respect to the arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling content exchange in a television-based entertainment environment, the method comprising actions of:
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performing a search for content with reference to authorization access information; and
enabling access to the content if predetermined authorization access information comports with predefined authorization access information. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A client device that is capable of controlling content exchange in a multimedia content distribution system, comprising:
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at least one search agent that is capable of causing searches for content to be performed with reference to authorization access information, the authorization access information including predetermined authorization access information that is associated with the client device and predefined authorization access information that is associated with the content;
the at least one search agent capable of determining whether the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information responsive to one or more of the searches;
wherein the at least one search agent is adapted to enable access to the content via the client device if the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A client device that is capable of controlling multimedia content exchange, comprising:
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at least one search agent that is capable of causing searches for multimedia content to be performed with reference to authorization access information;
the multimedia content stored at a plurality of other client devices, the authorization access information including predetermined authorization access information that is associated with the client device and predefined authorization access information that is associated with the multimedia content;
the at least one search agent capable of determining whether the predetermined authorization access to information comports with the predefined authorization access information responsive to one or more of the searches;
wherein the at least one search agent is adapted to enable access to the multimedia content via the client device if the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information.
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42. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:
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receiving a search request for content from a requesting user;
locating a search match for the content, the content stored by a different user;
determining whether the requesting user has access rights to the content responsive to authorization access information;
if not, denying access to the content to the requesting user; and
if so, providing access to the content to the requesting user. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A client device that is capable of authorization access controlled content exchange, comprising:
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a profile that is directed to predetermined authorization access information;
a content index including a plurality of content index entries, each content index entry of the plurality of content index entries directed to at least one content item and including identification thereof and predefined authorization access information related thereto; and
at least one search agent that is capable of causing searches for content to be performed by searching a plurality of content indexes, each content index of the plurality of content indexes corresponding to a particular client device of a plurality of other client devices, the content being searched stored at the plurality of other client devices;
wherein the client device is permitted to transfer the content that is associated with predefined authorization access information to which the predetermined authorization access information comports and is prevented from transferring the content that is associated with predefined authorization access information to which the predetermined authorization access information does not comport. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:
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receiving a search request for content from a requesting user;
determining whether special rights are needed to access the content;
if special rights are needed to access the content, then determining whether the requesting user has access rights to the content responsive to authorization access information;
if the requesting user does not have access rights to the content, then denying access to the content to the requesting user;
if the requesting user does have access rights to the content, then performing a search to locate the content using a plurality of content indexes, the plurality of content indexes reflecting content stored at a plurality of client devices; and
reporting results of the search to the requesting user. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66)
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67. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:
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receiving a search request for content from a requesting user;
performing a search for the content responsive to the received search request by searching a plurality of content indexes, each content index of the plurality of content indexes reflecting content items stored at target client devices;
determining whether a search match has been found from the search;
if a search match has not been found, reporting a no match search result to the requesting user;
if a search match has been found, determining whether the requesting user has rights to the content;
if the requesting user has rights to the content, reporting a match search result to the requesting user; and
if the requesting user does not have rights to the content, reporting a no access result to the requesting user. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
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74. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:
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receiving a search request for desired content from a requesting user, the search request including at least one search parameter;
searching a plurality of content indexes to match the at least one search parameter, each content index of the plurality of content indexes corresponding to content stored at a target client device of a plurality of target client devices;
locating a content match responsive to the searching action, the content match corresponding to the desired content and having predefined authorization access information;
determining whether predetermined authorization access information associated with the requesting user comports with the predefined authorization access information; and
if not, denying access to the desired content to the requesting user. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84)
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85. A system for authorization access controlled content exchange, comprising:
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a database, the database including a plurality of profiles and a plurality of content indexes;
each profile of the plurality of profiles including predetermined authorization access information for a corresponding client device of a plurality of client devices, and each content index of the plurality of content indexes including predefined authorization access information for content stored at the corresponding client device of the plurality of client devices;
a search server, the search server capable of receiving a content search request for requested content from a requesting client device and performing a search responsive to the content search request using the plurality of content indexes;
the search server adapted to provide access to the requested content if the requesting client device has access rights to the requested content and to deny access to the requested content if the requesting client device does not have access rights to the requested content. - View Dependent Claims (86, 87, 88, 89, 90)
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Specification