Method and apparatus for network association of content
First Claim
1. Consumer premises equipment (CPE) adapted for connection to a first content distribution network having a plurality of information sources associated therewith, and for receipt of content via said first network, said CPE comprising:
- a processor;
a storage device in data communication with said processor; and
a computer readable medium configured to store a computer application thereon, said computer application comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed;
store at least a portion of said content on said storage device;
extract first information configured to identify a second network associated with said at least portion of said content;
request second information configured to identify said first network;
compare at least a portion of said second information configured to identify said first network to at least a portion of said first information configured to identify said second network to determine whether said first network and said second network comprise a same network;
when said first information configured to identify said second network and said second information configured to identify said first network indicate that said first network and said second network comprise said same network, allow playback of said content; and
when said first information configured to identify said second network and said second information configured to identify said first network indicate that said first network and said second network comprise different networks, disallow playback of said content.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for perform association of stored content downloaded over a network with a unique identification. In one embodiment, the content is stored locally, and the association is performed in a secure manner using network or source-specific information (e.g., the organization identification or “orgID” of the bearer network or MSO). This association is used to ensure that the content stored on the playback device can be accessed for viewing only when the playback device is connected to the same network from which the content was obtained. Use of the orgID allows the content association and protection functionality to be implemented in existing networks with only minor software changes.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. Consumer premises equipment (CPE) adapted for connection to a first content distribution network having a plurality of information sources associated therewith, and for receipt of content via said first network, said CPE comprising:
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a processor; a storage device in data communication with said processor; and a computer readable medium configured to store a computer application thereon, said computer application comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed; store at least a portion of said content on said storage device; extract first information configured to identify a second network associated with said at least portion of said content; request second information configured to identify said first network; compare at least a portion of said second information configured to identify said first network to at least a portion of said first information configured to identify said second network to determine whether said first network and said second network comprise a same network; when said first information configured to identify said second network and said second information configured to identify said first network indicate that said first network and said second network comprise said same network, allow playback of said content; and when said first information configured to identify said second network and said second information configured to identify said first network indicate that said first network and said second network comprise different networks, disallow playback of said content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating consumer premises equipment (CPE) in communication with a content distribution network, said method comprising:
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receiving content at said CPE; storing at least a portion of said content on a storage device in data communication with said CPE; deriving a first identifier from at least said portion of said content, said first identifier being configured to designate at least one source network associated with said at least portion of said content; based at least in part on said first identifier, determining whether said source network comprises a same network as said content distribution network, or a different network therefrom; and based at least in part on said determination, authorizing said CPE to record said content when said source network and said content distribution network comprise said same network, and not authorizing said CPE to record said content when said source network and said content distribution network comprise different networks. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer readable apparatus comprising a medium configured to store a computer process thereon, said computer process comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed:
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store content; receive a request to manipulate said content; extract, from said content, at least one first network identifier, said at least one first network identifier comprising information identifying a first network from which said content originated; request a second network identifier, said second network identifier comprising information identifying a second network to which a consumer premises equipment (CPE) is associated; receive, via an interface of said CPE, said second network identifier, compare said at least one first network identifier and said second network identifier to determine whether a value of each is identical; when said first network identifier and said second network identifier are identical, provide authorization for said request to manipulate said content; and when said first network identifier and said second network identifier are different, actively disallow authorization for said request to manipulate said content. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification