System and method of using a proxy server to manage lazy content distribution in a social network
First Claim
1. A method of distributing rights-managed forms of digital content among nodes comprising computing devices, comprising the following steps:
- receiving digital content comprising an original form for distribution to one or more downstream nodes and receiving distribution parameters associated with the digital content from an originating node, wherein the distribution parameters define access rights for a plurality of levels based on a number of nodes in a path of an invitation to view the digital content that is propagated from the originating node to the one or more downstream nodes, and wherein at least some of the one or more downstream nodes further propagate the invitation to other downstream nodes;
receiving a request for the digital content from a respective downstream node of the one or more downstream nodes that received the invitation to view the digital content;
in response to receiving the request, determining a one of the plurality of levels that corresponds to the respective downstream node based on a number of downstream nodes in the path of the invitation from the originating node to the respective downstream node;
obtaining a rights-managed form of the digital content that is derived from the original form and that is different from the original form in accordance with access rights established by the originating node for the one of the plurality of levels that corresponds to the respective downstream node; and
sending a copy of the rights-managed form of the digital content to the respective downstream node.
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Abstract
A proxy server and corresponding method are provided for managing the controlled distribution of digital content as it propagates through a social network. A proxy server receives digital content and associated distribution parameters from an originating peer. The distribution parameters define access rights for n allowable levels of possible network distribution. After other peers are invited to share the digital content or the invited peers request access to the digital content, the proxy server generates a rights-managed form of the requested digital content in accordance with the access rights established by the originating peer for the level associated with the requesting peer(s). The proxy server forwards a copy of a content key and other content identifiers to an associated license server and then sends the rights-managed form of digital content to the requesting peer(s).
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of distributing rights-managed forms of digital content among nodes comprising computing devices, comprising the following steps:
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receiving digital content comprising an original form for distribution to one or more downstream nodes and receiving distribution parameters associated with the digital content from an originating node, wherein the distribution parameters define access rights for a plurality of levels based on a number of nodes in a path of an invitation to view the digital content that is propagated from the originating node to the one or more downstream nodes, and wherein at least some of the one or more downstream nodes further propagate the invitation to other downstream nodes; receiving a request for the digital content from a respective downstream node of the one or more downstream nodes that received the invitation to view the digital content; in response to receiving the request, determining a one of the plurality of levels that corresponds to the respective downstream node based on a number of downstream nodes in the path of the invitation from the originating node to the respective downstream node; obtaining a rights-managed form of the digital content that is derived from the original form and that is different from the original form in accordance with access rights established by the originating node for the one of the plurality of levels that corresponds to the respective downstream node; and sending a copy of the rights-managed form of the digital content to the respective downstream node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18)
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16. A method of selecting a particular resolution of digital content from a plurality of resolutions of the digital content, comprising:
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receiving a request for digital content from a respective recipient computing device which received an invitation to view the digital content; determining a recipient level of a plurality of recipient levels that corresponds to the respective recipient computing device based on a number of recipient nodes in a path of the invitation to view the digital content that propagated through a plurality of recipient computing devices from an originating computing device to the respective recipient computing device; selecting a first resolution of the digital content from a plurality of different resolutions of the digital content based on the recipient level, wherein each of the plurality of different resolutions of the digital content corresponds to a different recipient level; and effecting delivery of the first resolution of the digital content to the respective recipient computing device.
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17. A server computing device comprising:
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a communication interface adapted to interface with a network; and a processor unit coupled to the communication interface and programmed to; receive a request for digital content from a respective recipient computing device which received an invitation to view the digital content; determine a recipient level of a plurality of recipient levels that corresponds to the respective recipient computing device based on a number of recipient nodes in a path of the invitation to view the digital content that propagated through a plurality of recipient computing devices from an originating computing device to the respective recipient computing device; select a first resolution of the digital content from a plurality of different resolutions of the digital content based on the recipient level, wherein each of the plurality of different resolutions of the digital content corresponds to a different recipient level; and effect delivery of the first resolution of the digital content to the respective recipient computing device.
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Specification