System and method for registering users and devices

• US 20070061835A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: RealNetworks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RealNetworks, Inc.
• Inventors: Klein, Eric, Hug, Joshua
• Application Number:
  US11/501,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20070061835A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/25
• 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 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6334 for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key wireless communications network key management H04W12/04; wireless communications network access security H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

A method, computer program product and computing device for registering a user with a media distribution system to obtain a subscription to the media distribution system, the subscription providing the user with content rights that allow the user to obtain and render media content licensed by the media distribution system. A personal media device is registered with the media distribution system for use by the user to obtain and render the media content. At least a portion of the media content is rendered on the personal media device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

registering a user with a media distribution system to obtain a subscription to the media distribution system, the subscription providing the user with content rights that allow the user to obtain and render media content licensed by the media distribution system;

registering, with the media distribution system, a personal media device to be used by the user to obtain and render the media content; and

rendering at least a portion of the media content on the personal media device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining if the content rights are subscription content rights.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

if the content rights are subscription content rights, verifying the subscription to the media distribution system.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

if the subscription cannot be verified, offering to renew an expired subscription.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

if the subscription cannot be verified, offering a new subscription.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a request by the user to render the at least a portion of the media content.

7. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

registering a user with a media distribution system to obtain a subscription to the media distribution system, the subscription providing the user with content rights that allow the user to obtain and render media content licensed by the media distribution system;

registering, with the media distribution system, a personal media device to be used by the user to obtain and render the media content; and

rendering at least a portion of the media content on the personal media device.

8. The computer program product of claim 7 further comprising instructions for performing operations comprising:

determining if the content rights are subscription content rights.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 further comprising instructions for performing operations comprising:

if the content rights are subscription content rights, verifying the subscription to the media distribution system.

10. The computer program product of claim 9 further comprising instructions for performing operations comprising:

if the subscription cannot be verified, offering to renew an expired subscription.

11. The computer program product of claim 9 further comprising instructions for performing operations comprising:

if the subscription cannot be verified, offering a new subscription.

12. The computer program product of claim 7 further comprising instructions for performing operations comprising:

receiving a request by the user to render the at least a portion of the media content.

13. A computing device configured to perform operations comprising:

registering a user with a media distribution system to obtain a subscription to the media distribution system, the subscription providing the user with content rights that allow the user to obtain and render media content licensed by the media distribution system;

registering, with the media distribution system, a personal media device to be used by the user to obtain and render the media content; and

rendering at least a portion of the media content on the personal media device.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the computing device is further configured to perform operations comprising:

determining if the content rights are subscription content rights.

15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the computing device is further configured to perform operations comprising:

if the content rights are subscription content rights, verifying the subscription to the media distribution system.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the computing device is further configured to perform operations comprising:

if the subscription cannot be verified, offering to renew an expired subscription.

17. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the computing device is further configured to perform operations comprising:

if the subscription cannot be verified, offering a new subscription.

18. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the computing device is further configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving a request by the user to render the at least a portion of the media content.