System and method for processing protected video information

• US 20050060265A1
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schull, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,158,954 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/02 Viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2213/025 Sightline detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/109 by using specially-adapted hardware at the client
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification

Abstract

A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User'"'"'s System via a Programmer'"'"'s Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer'"'"'s Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer'"'"'s Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User'"'"'s System. Advanced features will thus relock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User'"'"'s System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.

Claims

1. A computer usable medium or media storing program code which, when executed on one or more computerized devices, causes the one or more computerized devices to execute a method for providing access to video data, the method comprising:

receiving an identifier, the identifier being based at least in part on a characteristic of an entity to which access to the video data is linked;

generating a password, based at least in part on the identifier, using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity; and

using the password to control access to the video data.

2. The computer usable medium or media of claim 1, wherein the identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a device accessible to the medium or media.

3. The computer usable medium or media of claim 1, wherein the identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a device on which the program code resides.

4. The computer usable medium or media of claim 2, wherein the identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the device.

5. The computer usable medium or media of claim 1, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the program code.

6. The computer usable medium or media of claim 1, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

7. The computer usable medium or media of claim 1, wherein the receiving an identifier comprises generating the identifier on a first device on which the program code resides.

8. The computer usable medium or media of claim 7, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

9. The computer usable medium or media of claim 1, wherein the generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

10. A method for operating a licensing server to distribute passwords to a plurality of users to access video recordings at remote user digital devices, the method comprising:

receiving, at a licensing server, a first identifier associated with a request for access to a video recording, the request generated by a first program at a first remote multi-media processor, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the video recording is linked, the first identifier being previously unknown to the licensing server;

generating, at the licensing server, a password based at least in part on the first identifier; and

transmitting the password to a first location accessible to the first remote multi-media processor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the first identifier comprises receiving the first identifier from a user previously unknown to the licensing server.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein generating a password comprises generating a password which may only be validated using at least data accessible to the first multi-media processor including the first identifier.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein generating a password comprises generating a password using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the request comprises a request including payment information associated with access to the video recording.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the payment information is related to a monetary payment.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising crediting or transferring, to an account dedicated to a party associated with programming at least one of the video recording and the first remote multi-media processor.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first identifier includes a second identifier identifying the party.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising using at least the second identifier to transfer at least a portion of the payment.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising processing the payment information to effect a transfer of funds.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the payment information comprises credit card information.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising processing the payment information at a licensing server.

22. The method of claim 10, further comprising storing the password in the first location accessible to the first remote multi-media processor.

23. A method for enabling access to a video recording using a multi-media processor, the method comprising:

receiving a request to access a first program;

enabling access to the first program using the multi-media processor;

receiving a request to access a video recording while the first program is being accessed;

in response to the request to access the video recording, awakening a second program from a dormant state, the second program includes the steps of;

checking the video processor for a first password; and

when the video processor does not include the first password, requesting the first password from a licensing system; and

providing the video recording in response to the first password being received from the licensing system.

24. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the second program operates as a terminate and stay resident program.

25. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the requesting the first password is performed over the Internet.

26. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the first password is received by another device distinct from the multi-media processor.

27. A method for distributing a video recording created by a creator, the video recording accessible only with a password, the method comprising:

providing a video recording to a user through a first distribution channel comprising a first set of one or more distribution methods; and

providing a password to access the video recording to the user through an authorization channel comprising a second set of one or more distribution methods, the authorization channel being distinct from the second distribution channel, the authorization channel excluding participation by the creator.

28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the first distribution channel is distinct from the second distribution channel.

29. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the authorization channel includes a licensing system.

30. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein the licensing system provides the password to the user and receives payment information from the user.

31. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the second distribution channel includes the Internet.

32. The method as recited in claim 31, wherein the authorization channel includes the Internet.

33. A method for creating protected video information to be accessed by a user, the method comprising:

generating a first feature of video information, the first feature of video information being accessible to the user after the user communicates with a licensing system and acquires a first password from the licensing system; and

generating a second feature of video information, the second feature of video information being accessible to the user after the user communicates with the licensing system and acquires a second password from the licensing system;

wherein

the first and second passwords are distinct.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, further comprising generating a third feature of video information accessible by the user without the first or second password.

35. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein:

the first feature of video information is associated with a feature identifier; and

the first password is a function of the feature identifier and an identifier based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked.