Content access in a media network environment

• US 8,011,015 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Pictures Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Pictures Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Lakamp, Brian David, Singer, Mitch Fredrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Decady; Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUNN, DARRIN D
• Application Number:
  US10/686,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20040117619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,876 Days
• Field of Search: 705/51, 705/52, 705/59, 705/57, 709/225, 380/281, 380200-203, 713/156, 713/165, 713/167, 726 26- 27, 726/31
• US Class Current: 726/31
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1012 to domains
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• 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 41/509 wherein the managed service relates to media content delivery, e.g. audio, video or TV
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• 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 21/2585 Generation of a revocation list, e.g. of client devices involved in piracy acts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/433 Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43622 : Interfacing an external recording device
• 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 21/4367 : Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 : involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 : involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44231 : Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network H04L12/2823; monitoring the status of connected device in data switched networks H04L43/0817
• 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 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of presenting content data includes: receiving at a client in a hub network a present request indicating locked content data; checking a license corresponding to said locked content data to determine if said license permits said client to present said locked content data; and presenting said locked content data through a presentation component connected to said client; wherein said license of said locked content data is bound to said hub network.

Claims

1. A method of presenting content data, comprising:

receiving at a server device a present request indicating locked content data from a client connected to a hub network,

wherein the server device is configured to set up the hub network including adding the client and the server device to the hub network,

wherein the server device is configured to function as a client in the hub network, and

wherein said locked content data is stored on the server device connected to the hub network;

checking a license corresponding to said locked content data to determine if said license permits said client to present said locked content data,

wherein said locked content data is a bound instance if said license permits presentation of said locked content data by said client connected to the hub network,

wherein the bound instance of said locked content data and the license corresponding to said locked content data are bound to the hub network, and

wherein said locked content data is changed to a discrete instance when said locked content data is to be moved to another server device bound to another hub network, the server device sends a disable request for the locked content data to clients of the hub network to indicate that the bound instance of the locked content data is changed to the discrete instance, and wherein the disable request causes the license corresponding to the locked content data to be disabled; and

presenting said locked content data through a presentation component connected to said client when said locked content data is a bound instance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said locked content data and said license corresponding to said locked content data are stored on the server device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

presenting said locked content data includes decrypting;

said locked content data to produce output content data and sending said output content data to said presentation component.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

checking said license includes sending a confirm license request to the server device from said client.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

presenting said locked content data includes receiving output content data streamed from said server device to said client.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

checking a revocation list to determine whether said client is included in said revocation list;

wherein said revocation list indicates devices for which the license has been revoked, and

wherein said revocation list is stored on said server device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

checking a revocation list to determine whether said client is included in said revocation list;

wherein said revocation list indicates devices for which the license has been revoked, and wherein said revocation list is stored on said client.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said locked content data is media data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said presentation component is integral to said client.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said presentation component is external to said client.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said presentation component includes a television.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said presentation component includes an audio speaker system.

13. A method of presenting content data, comprising:

receiving at a server connected to a hub network a present request indicating locked content data and indicating to a client connected to said hub network to present the content data,

wherein the server is configured to set up the hub network including adding the client and the server to the hub network,

wherein the server is configured to function as a client in the hub network, and

wherein said locked content data is stored on the server connected to the hub network;

checking a license corresponding to said locked content data to determine if said license permits said server to present said locked content data through said client,

wherein said locked content data is a bound instance if said license permits presentation of said locked content data by said server through said client connected to the hub network,

wherein the bound instance of said locked content data and the license corresponding to said locked content data are bound to the hub network, and

wherein said locked content data is changed to a discrete instance when said locked content data is to be moved to another server bound to another hub network, the server device sends a disable request for the locked content data to clients of the hub network to indicate that the bound instance of the locked content data is changed to the discrete instance, and wherein the disable request causes the license corresponding to the locked content data to be disabled; and

presenting said locked content data by streaming data to said client when said locked content data is a bound instance.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

streaming data to said client includes streaming locked content data to said client.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

decrypting said locked content data.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein:

said present request is received from said client.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

checking a revocation list to determine whether said client is included in said revocation list;

wherein said revocation list indicates devices for which the license has been revoked, and

wherein said revocation list is stored on said server.

18. A method of copying content data, comprising:

receiving in a hub network a copy request indicating locked content data,

wherein the hub network includes a server configured to set up the hub network including adding the client and the server to the hub network, and

wherein the server is configured to function as a client in the hub network and wherein said locked content data is stored on the server; and

copying said locked content data to produce a copy of said locked content data when said locked content data is a bound instance with a corresponding license that is bound to said hub network;

wherein the bound instance of said locked content data and the license corresponding to said locked content data are bound to the hub network, and

wherein said locked content data is changed to a discrete instance when said locked content data is to be moved to another server bound to another hub network, the server device sends a disable request for the locked content data to clients of the hub network to indicate that the bound instance of the locked content data is changed to the discrete instance, and wherein the disable request causes the license corresponding to the locked content data to be disabled.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

checking said license to determine if said license permits said locked content data to be copied.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

requesting a new license from the server for said copy of said locked content data;

wherein said server is in said hub network and connected to said client.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending said copy of said locked content data to a device that is not a member of said hub network.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending said copy of said locked content data to a client that is a member of said hub network but is not connected to said hub network.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

sending a new license to a client that is a member of said hub network but is not connected to said hub network.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

checking a revocation list to determine whether said client is included in said revocation list;

wherein said revocation list indicates devices for which the license has been revoked, and

wherein said revocation list is stored on said client.

25. A method of distributing content data, comprising:

receiving from a providing device connected to a hub network, and at a receiving device a copy of locked content data that is a bound instance bound to said hub network,

wherein the providing device is configured to set up the hub network including adding the receiving device and the providing device to the hub network,

wherein the providing device is configured to function as a receiving device in the hub network, and

wherein said locked content data is stored on the providing device connected to the hub network;

requesting a new license for said copy of locked content data; and

receiving said new license for said copy of locked content data of the bound instance bound to said hub network,

wherein the bound instance of said copy of locked content data and the new license corresponding to said copy of locked content data are bound to the hub network, and

wherein said locked content data is changed to a discrete instance when said locked content data is to be moved to another server bound to another hub network, the server device sends a disable request for the locked content data to clients of the hub network to indicate that the bound instance of the locked content data is changed to the discrete instance, and wherein the disable request causes the license corresponding to the locked content data to be disabled.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said providing device is a client in said hub network.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said providing device is a server in said hub network.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said new license is received from said client.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said new license is received from a server in said hub network.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said new license is received from an external server that is not in said hub network.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said copy of locked content data has corresponding licensing authority information stored on said providing device, and

said new license is received from a licensing authority indicated by said licensing authority information.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said receiving device is not a member of said hub network.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said receiving device is a member of a second hub network, and said new license of said copy of locked content data is bound to said second hub network but not to said hub network.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein:

said receiving device is not connected to said hub network.

35. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

checking a revocation list to determine whether said receiving device is included in said revocation list;

wherein said revocation list indicates devices for which the license has been revoked, and

wherein said revocation list is stored on said receiving device.

36. A method of distributing content data, comprising:

receiving at a server connected to a hub network, and from a device a request for a new license for a copy of locked content data that is a bound instance bound to said hub network,

wherein the server is configured to set up the hub network including adding the client and the server to the hub network,

wherein the server is configured to function as a client in the hub network, and

wherein said locked content data is stored on the server connected to the hub network;

checking a root license stored on said server to determine if said root license permits said server to provide a new license for said copy of locked content data of the bound instance; and

creating said new license according to said, root license;

sending said new license to said device,

wherein said new license for said copy of locked content data of the bound instance is bound to said hub network,

wherein the bound instance of said copy of locked content data and the new license are bound to the hub network, and

wherein said locked content data is changed to a discrete instance when said locked content data is to be moved to another server bound to another hub network, the server device sends a disable request for the locked content data to clients of the hub network to indicate that the bound instance of the locked content data is changed to the discrete instance, and wherein the disable request causes the license corresponding to the locked content data to be disabled.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein:

said device is not connected to said hub network.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

checking a revocation list to determine whether said device is included in said revocation list;

wherein said revocation list indicates devices for which the license has been revoked, and

wherein said revocation list is stored on said server.