Authorization access controlled content exchange

• US 20040024886A1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Saxena, Parichay
• Granted Patent: US 7,444,413 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23106 involving caching operations prefetching while addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means within memory systems or architectures G06F12/0862; caching at an intermediate stage in a data network H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23109 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. EPG data repository details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6332 directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/654 Transmission by server directed to the client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17363 at or near the user terminal

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.

Claims

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. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user supplies the predetermined authorization access information to the requesting client device.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method is effectuated by the requesting client device.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of content indexes are at least co-located with a head end of a multimedia content distribution system;

and wherein the locating action is performed by the head end.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of content indexes are located at respective ones of the plurality of target client devices;

and wherein the locating action is performed by the respective ones of the plurality of target client devices.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of content indexes are located at respective ones of the plurality of target client devices;

and wherein the locating action is performed by the requesting client device.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the action of providing comprises:

transferring the requested content from a target client device of the plurality of target client devices to the requesting client device; and

enabling the user to view the requested content via the requesting client device.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the action of determining comprises:

comparing a plurality of rights holders from the predetermined authorization access information to a rights holder from the predefined authorization access information.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the action of determining comprises:

comparing subscription date information from the predetermined authorization access information to at least one of current date information and broadcast date of the requested content information from the predefined authorization access information.

10. One or more electronically-accessible media comprising electronically-executable instructions that, when executed, direct a client device to perform the method as recited in claim 1.

11. A client device for authorization access controlled content exchange, the client device configured to perform actions comprising:

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.

12. The client device as recited in claim 11, wherein the client device is further configured to perform an action comprising:

receiving a search request input, the search request input directed to the requested content based on at least one of a name, an identification, a broadcast channel, a broadcast time, a broadcast date, and a description.

13. The client device as recited in claim 11, wherein the client device comprises at least one of a set-top box (STB), a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone (MT), a tablet PC, and a pocket or hand-sized PC.

14. An arrangement that is capable of authorization access controlled content exchange, comprising:

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.

15. The arrangement as recited in claim 14, wherein the arrangement comprises client means for a television-based entertainment environment.

16. The arrangement as recited in claim 14, wherein the search means comprises at least one of agent means for searching the plurality of other index means as located at the plurality of other arrangements and agent means for searching the plurality of other index means as located at a head end of a multimedia content distribution system.

17. The arrangement as recited in claim 14, wherein the access means comprises comparison means for comparing predetermined authorization access information from the profile means to predefined authorization access information from at least one other index means of the plurality of other index means.

18. A method for controlling content exchange in a television-based entertainment environment, the method comprising actions of:

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.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the content comprises multimedia content.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the authorization access information comprises at least one of a user profile, a parental rights setting, and data protecting broadcast rights across recorded media.

21. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the action of performing comprises:

locating the content on a target client device; and

determining whether the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information.

22. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the action of performing comprises:

locating the content on a target client device by orchestrating the search from a requesting client device; and

determining whether the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information.

23. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the action of performing comprises:

locating the content on a target client device by orchestrating the search from a server device of the television-based entertainment environment; and

determining whether the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information.

24. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the action of performing comprises:

locating the content on a target client device by orchestrating the search from a head end of the television-based entertainment network; and

determining whether the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information.

25. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the action of enabling comprises:

displaying a positive match result from the search; and

providing an opportunity to request a transfer of the content to a requesting client device.

26. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the action of enabling comprises:

transferring the content from a target client device to a requesting client device, the requesting client device requesting the search.

27. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the predetermined authorization access information is associated with a requesting user, and the predefined authorization access information is associated with the content.

28. One or more electronically-accessible media comprising electronically-executable instructions that, when executed, direct an electronic apparatus to perform the method as recited in claim 18.

29. A client device that is capable of controlling content exchange in a multimedia content distribution system, comprising:

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.

30. The client device as recited in claim 29, wherein the content comprises multimedia content.

31. The client device as recited in claim 29, wherein the authorization access information comprises at least one of a user profile, a parental rights setting, and data protecting broadcast rights across recorded media.

32. The client device as recited in claim 29, further comprising:

one or more network interfaces, the one or more network interfaces capable of at least receiving the content for the client device.

33. The client device as recited in claim 32, wherein the one or more network interfaces comprise at least one wired network interface or at least one wireless network interface.

34. The client device as recited in claim 29, wherein the client device comprises at least one of a set-top box (STB), a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone (MT), a tablet PC, and a pocket or hand-sized PC.

35. The client device as recited in claim 29, wherein the at least one search agent is capable of said causing and said determining by directly searching each content index of a plurality of client devices by directly communicating with each client device of the plurality of client devices.

36. The client device as recited in claim 29, wherein the at least one search agent is capable of said causing and said determining by indirectly searching each content index of a plurality of client devices by communicating with a search server of a head end of the multimedia content distribution system.

37. The client device as recited in claim 29, further comprising:

a content index having a plurality of index entries, each index entry of the plurality of index entries corresponding to at least one content item.

38. The client device as recited in claim 29, further comprising:

a profile that comprises at least a portion of the predetermined authorization access information.

39. The client device as recited in claim 29, wherein the at least one search agent is adapted to enable access to the content via the client device by causing a positive match result from a search to be displayed and by providing an opportunity to request a transfer of the content to the client device.

40. The client device as recited in claim 29, wherein the at least one search agent is adapted to enable access to the content via the client device by causing the content to be transferred from a target client device to the client device.

41. A client device that is capable of controlling multimedia content exchange, comprising:

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.

42. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:

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.

43. The method as recited in claim 42, further comprising:

reporting results of the search request to the requesting user.

44. The method as recited in claim 43, wherein the action of reporting comprises:

presenting a content match to the requesting user, the requesting user comprising an operator of a client device; and

providing the operator an opportunity to receive the content for storage at the client device from the different user.

45. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein the requesting user comprises a client device;

and wherein the actions of receiving, locating, and determining are effectuated by a search server of a multimedia content distribution system.

46. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein the actions of receiving, locating, and determining are effectuated by a client device of a multimedia content distribution system.

47. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein the action of locating comprises:

searching a plurality of content indexes for the content, each content index of the plurality of content indexes indicating what content is stored on a respective client device of a plurality of client devices.

48. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein each content index of the plurality of content indexes includes a plurality of content index entries, each content index entry of the plurality of content index entries including at least an identification of a content item that is stored on the respective client device of the plurality of client devices.

49. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein the action of locating is effectuated by the requesting user and the different user.

50. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein the action of locating is effectuated by a search server that has access to a plurality of content indexes, a content index of the plurality of content indexes corresponding to the different user and including a content index entry directed to the content.

51. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein the authorization access information includes predetermined authorization access information that is associated with the requesting user and predefined authorization access information that is associated with the content;

and wherein the action of determining comprises;

comparing the predetermined authorization access information to the predefined authorization access information to determine whether the predetermined authorization access information comports with the predefined authorization access information.

52. The method as recited in claim 42, wherein the action of determining comprises:

comparing a profile that corresponds to the requesting user with rights holder information that corresponds to the content.

53. The method as recited in claim 52, wherein the profile includes at least one television channel or network to which the requesting user subscribes, and the rights information includes at least one television channel or network that provided the content.

54. One or more electronically-accessible media comprising electronically-executable instructions that, when executed, direct an electronic apparatus to perform the method as recited in claim 42.

55. A client device that is capable of authorization access controlled content exchange, comprising:

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.

56. The client device as recited in claim 55, further comprising:

a plurality of content items stored in a memory.

57. The client device as recited in claim 56, wherein at least one content item of the plurality of content items comprises multimedia content.

58. The client device as recited in claim 56, wherein each content item of the plurality of content items has a corresponding content index entry of the plurality of content index entries.

59. The client device as recited in claim 55, wherein the profile includes a plurality of profile entries, each profile entry of the plurality of profile entries comprising at least one of user information, premium content service provider information, and general access authorization information.

60. The client device as recited in claim 55, wherein the predefined authorization access information for each content index entry of the plurality of content index entries comprises at least one of rights holder information and a premium content service provider identification.

61. The client device as recited in claim 55, wherein the plurality of content indexes that are searched for the content are located at a head end of a multimedia content distribution system;

and wherein the at least one search agent is further capable of causing the searches for the content to be performed at the head end.

62. The client device as recited in claim 55, wherein each content index of the plurality of content indexes that are searched for the content is located at a respective particular client device of the plurality of other client devices;

and wherein the at least one search agent is further capable of causing the searches for the content to be performed at the plurality of other client devices.

63. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:

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.

64. The method as recited in claim 63, further comprising:

providing the requesting user an opportunity to elect to transfer the content from a particular client device of the plurality of client devices to a client device of the requesting user.

65. The method as recited in claim 63, wherein the action of determining whether special rights are needed to access the content comprises:

consulting a database to search for predefined authorization access information that is associated with the content.

66. One or more electronically-accessible media comprising electronically-executable instructions that, when executed, direct an electronic apparatus to perform the method as recited in claim 63.

67. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:

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.

68. The method as recited in claim 67, further comprising:

scheduling a transfer of the content from a target client device of the plurality of target client devices to the requesting user.

69. The method as recited in claim 67, further comprising:

scheduling a transfer of the content from a target client device of the plurality of target client devices to the requesting user; and

recording the transfer at a head end of a television-based entertainment network.

70. The method as recited in claim 67, wherein the action of reporting a no access result to the requesting user comprises:

providing the requesting user an opportunity to subscribe to a service and thereby gain access to the content.

71. The method as recited in claim 67, wherein the action of reporting a no access result to the requesting user comprises:

providing the requesting user an opportunity to remit a fee to thereby gain access to the content.

72. The method as recited in claim 67, wherein the action of determining whether the requesting user has rights to the content comprises:

determining whether the requesting user had rights to the content when the content was distributed; and

determining whether the requesting user currently has rights to the content.

73. One or more electronically-accessible media comprising electronically-executable instructions that, when executed, direct an electronic apparatus to perform the method as recited in claim 67.

74. A method for authorization access controlled content exchange, the method comprising actions of:

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.

75. The method as recited in claim 74, wherein the requesting user comprises at least one of a client device and a viewer of the client device.

76. The method as recited in claim 74, wherein the method is effectuated by a head end of a multimedia content distribution system.

77. The method as recited in claim 76, wherein the plurality of content indexes are at least co-located with the head end of the multimedia content distribution system.

78. The method as recited in claim 76, wherein the plurality of content indexes are located at the plurality of target client devices.

79. The method as recited in claim 74, further comprising:

if the predetermined authorization access information does comport with the predefined authorization access information, providing access to the desired content to the requesting user.

80. The method as recited in claim 74, wherein the predetermined authorization access information is received with the search request.

81. The method as recited in claim 74, wherein the predetermined authorization access information is extracted from a profile of a plurality of profiles, the profile corresponding to the requesting user.

82. The method as recited in claim 74, wherein the predefined authorization access information is extracted from the content index of the plurality of content indexes that provides the content match.

83. The method as recited in claim 74, wherein the predefined authorization access information comprises a premium content provider and the predetermined authorization access information comprises a plurality of premium content providers;

and wherein the predetermined authorization access information is determined to comport with the predefined authorization access information if the premium content provider is among the plurality of premium content providers.

84. One or more electronically-accessible media comprising electronically-executable instructions that, when executed, direct an electronic apparatus to perform the method as recited in claim 74.

85. A system for authorization access controlled content exchange, comprising:

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.

86. The system as recited in claim 85, further comprising:

a communications part, the communications part adapted to facilitate communications between the system and the plurality of client devices to maintain consistency between the plurality of profiles and the plurality of content indexes and respective profiles and content indexes stored at the plurality of client devices.

87. The system as recited in claim 85, wherein the database and the search server comprise at least a portion of a head end of a multimedia content distribution system.

88. The system as recited in claim 85, wherein the search server comprises electronically-executable instructions.

89. The system as recited in claim 85, wherein the search server is further adapted to determine whether the requesting client device has access rights to the requested content by determining whether the predetermined authorization access information from a profile that corresponds to the requesting client device comports with the predefined authorization access information from a content index that corresponds to the requested content.

90. The system as recited in claim 85, wherein each profile of the plurality of profiles is linked to a content index of the plurality of content indexes according to the corresponding client device of the plurality of client devices.