Method and system for enabling transfer of content between a storage device and a portable media player device

• US 20080118063A1
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Guzman, Jorge H., Jupin, Brian D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,107,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/239
• 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 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• 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 21/63345 by transmitting keys key distribution for secret or secure communication H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A method and system for storing a file on a portable device includes a central location 100 generating a seed in response to a unique portable device identifier, a storage device 32 having an interface wherein the storage device 32 stores the seed therein. A portable media player 36 is in communication with the storage device 32 through the interface. The storage device 32 transfers files to the portable media player 36 through the interface in response to the seed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

generating a seed;

broadcasting the seed to at least one storage device;

storing the seed in the storage device;

transferring a file to a portable device in response to the seed stored in the set top box.

2. A method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a content key using the seed.

3. A method of claim 2 transferring the content key from the storage device to the portable device using a license for the file.

4. A method of claim 3 further comprising enabling playback of the file in response content key and the license.

5. A method of claim 2 wherein the content key is encrypted with a public key.

6. A method of claim 1 further comprising:

deauthorizing a storage device by deleting the seed.

7. A method of claim 1 wherein storing comprises securely storing the seed.

8. A method of claim 1 wherein broadcasting comprises securely broadcasting the seed.

9. A method of claim 1 wherein broadcasting comprises securely broadcasting the seed from a central location.

10. A method of claim 1 wherein generating a seed comprises generating a seed in response to a portable device identifier and wherein broadcasting comprises securely broadcasting the seed from a central location.

11. A method of claim 10 wherein the portable device identifier comprises a unique identifier.

12. A method of claim 11 wherein the unique identifier comprises a serial number.

13. A method of claim 1 wherein the portable device comprises a portable media player.

14. A method of claim 1 wherein the portable device comprises a computer.

15. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the storage device is associated with a receiving device.

16. A method comprising:

registering a portable device using a unique identifier;

associating the device with at least one set top box;

generating a seed;

broadcasting the seed to the at least one set top box;

storing the seed in the set top box; and

transferring files to a portable device in response to the seed stored in the set top box.

17. A method of claim 16 further comprising:

generating a content key using the seed.

18. A method of claim 17 transferring the content key to the portable device using a license for the file.

19. A method of claim 18 further comprising enabling playback of the file in response content key and the license.

20. A method of claim 16 further comprising:

deauthorizing a set top box by deleting the seed.

21. A method of claim 16 wherein generating a seed comprises generating a seed in response to the unique identifier and wherein broadcasting comprises securely broadcasting the seed from a central location.

22. A method of claim 16 wherein the unique identifier comprises a serial number.

23. A method of claim 16 wherein the portable device comprises a portable media player.

24. A method of claim 16 wherein the portable device comprises a computer.

25. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein the seed comprises a random seed.

26. A method comprising:

registering a portable device;

associating the device with a plurality of set top boxes;

generating a random seed at a central location;

securely broadcasting the seed to the plurality of set top boxes;

securely storing the seed in the set top boxes;

enabling a transfer of a file to the portable device in response to the seed; and

thereafter, transferring the file.

27. A method as recited in claim 26 wherein transferring a license to a file, enabling or disabling playback of a file in response to said license.

28. A method of claim 26 wherein the portable device comprises a portable media player.

29. A method of claim 26 wherein the portable device comprises a computer.

30. A system comprising:

a central location generating a seed in response to a unique portable device identifier;

a storage device having an interface, said storage device storing the seed therein; and

a portable media player in communication with the storage device through the interface;

said storage device transferring files to the portable media player through the interface in response to the seed.

31. A system as recited in claim 30 further comprising a set top box and wherein the storage device is associated with the set top box.

32. A system as recited in claim 30 further comprising a satellite television set top box and wherein the storage device is associated with the satellite television set top box.

33. A system as recited in claim 30 wherein the interface comprises a wired interface.

34. A system as recited in claim 33 wherein the wired interface comprises a USB interface.

35. A system as recited in claim 33 wherein the wired interface comprises an Ethernet interface.

36. A system as recited in claim 30 wherein the interface comprises a wireless interface.

37. A system as recited in claim 30 wherein the wireless interface comprises a local area network interface.