System and method for localizing data and devices

• US 20060156392A1
• Filed: 10/26/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Baugher, Mark John
• Granted Patent: US 7,340,769 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1012 to domains
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1063 Personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/00 Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] real-time bi-directional transmission of motion video data H04N7/14 ; broadcast or conference over packet switching networks H04L12/18

Abstract

Methods and devices controlling access to content are described. For example, a request to enroll a device is received at a localization hub. The localization hub is associated with a subscriber that is authorized to access the content. A credential is issued to the device. The credential demonstrates that the device is enrolled in the local area network and is authorized to receive the content.

Claims

1. A localization hub comprising:

a bus;

a processor coupled to said bus; and

a memory unit coupled to said bus, said memory unit containing instructions that when executed implement a computer-implemented method for controlling access to content, said method comprising;

receiving a request to enroll a device with said localization hub, said localization hub associated with a subscriber that is authorized to access said content;

confirming that said device is a member of a network associated with said localization hub, said network comprising at least one local area network; and

issuing a credential to said device, said credential demonstrating said device is enrolled with said localization hub and authorized to receive said content.

2. The localization hub of claim 1 wherein said confirming comprises determining that said device has an address from the range of addresses assigned to said subscriber'"'"'s home network.

3. The localization hub of claim 1 wherein said confirming comprises using an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a dongle, a token device and a smart card.

4. The localization hub of claim 1 wherein said confirming comprises a human user contacting an interactive voice response system in said localization hub.

5. The localization hub of claim 1 wherein said network comprises a plurality of client devices, wherein one of said client devices comprises said localization hub.

6. The localization hub of claim 1 comprising a gateway that couples a local network to a wide area network.

7. The localization hub of claim 1 comprising a device on a wide area network that is coupled to a local area network.

8. The localization hub of claim 1 comprising a device on said local area network.

9. A method for controlling access to content, said method comprising:

receiving a request to enroll a device in a localization hub, said localization hub associated with a subscriber that is authorized to access said content;

confirming that said device is a member of a network associated with said localization hub, said network comprising at least one local area network; and

issuing a credential to said device, said credential demonstrating said device is enrolled with said localization hub and authorized to receive said content.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said confirming comprises determining that said device has an address from the range of addresses assigned to said subscriber'"'"'s home network.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said confirming comprises using an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a dongle, a token device and a smart card.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said confirming comprises a human user contacting an interactive voice response system in said localization hub.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said network comprises a plurality of client devices, wherein one of said client devices comprises said localization hub.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said localization hub comprises a gateway that couples a local network to a wide area network.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said localization hub comprises a device on a wide area network that is coupled to a local area network.

16. A computer-usable medium having computer-readable program code embodied therein for implementing a method of controlling access to content, said method comprising:

receiving a request to enroll a device in a localization hub, said localization hub associated with a subscriber that is authorized to access said content;

confirming that said device is a member of a network associated with said localization hub, said network comprising at least one local area network; and

issuing a credential to said device, said credential demonstrating said device is enrolled with said localization hub and authorized to receive said content.

17. A system for controlling access to a service over a network, said system comprising:

means for receiving a request to enroll a device in a localization hub, said localization hub associated with a subscriber that is authorized to access said content;

means for confirming that said device is a member of a network associated with said localization hub, said network comprising at least one local area network; and

means for issuing a credential to said device, said credential demonstrating said device is enrolled with said localization hub and authorized to receive said content.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said network comprises a plurality of client devices, wherein one of said client devices comprises said localization hub.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said localization hub comprises a gateway that couples a local network to a wide area network.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein said localization hub comprises a device on a wide area network that is coupled to a local area network.