Apparatus, systems and methods for securely storing media content events on a flash memory device

• US 9,218,300 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2015
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Dish Network Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar UK Holdings Ltd (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Burton, David, Stephens, Matthew, Blythe, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Okeke, Izunna
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shayanfar, Ali
• Application Number:
  US14/727,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20150269093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 204 Days
• Field of Search: 726/21
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0246 in block erasable memory, e.g. flash memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1458 by checking the subject access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/1052 Security improvement
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/7202 Allocation control and policies

Abstract

Systems and methods are operable to securely store media content events on a flash memory device. An exemplary embodiment receives user-provided authorization information, compares the received user-provided authorization information with authorization information associated with the flash memory device, and permits access to a flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information.

Claims

1. A method for securely storing media content events on a flash memory device, the method comprising:

storing a media content event received from a first media device into a flash memory of the flash memory device, wherein the flash memory device is slidably coupled to a port of the first media device,

wherein the first media device received the media content event in a media content stream,

wherein the media content event comprises a video portion that is presentable on a display and an audio portion that is presentable as audible sounds by at least one speaker, and

wherein authorization information is saved as a part of the media content event;

generating a flash memory device electronic program guide (EPG) that identifies the media content events stored in the flash memory device;

communicating the flash memory device EPG to the display, wherein the presented flash memory device EPG indicates the media content events that are stored in the flash memory device, and indicates which of the stored media content events are secured by the authorization information that is saved as part of the media content event;

receiving a user selection of one of the media content events stored on the flash memory device;

communicating information to the flash memory device that identifies the user selected media content event and the received user-provided authorization information to the flash memory CPU;

receiving, at the flash memory device, user-provided authorization information and the identification of the user selected media content event, wherein the user-provided authorization information is received from one of;

the first media device while the flash memory device is slidably coupled to the first media device, and

a second media device while the flash memory device is slidably coupled to a port of the second media device;

comparing, using a flash memory central processing unit (CPU) of the flash memory device, the received user-provided authorization information with authorization information associated with the user selected media content event stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device; and

permitting access to the media content event stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device only when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the storing comprises:

receiving the authorization information at the flash memory device, wherein the authorization information is received as part of the storing process while the media content event is being stored into the flash memory of the flash memory device; and

storing the authorization information into a header of the media content event as part of the storing process while the media content event is being stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the storing comprises:

receiving the authorization information at the flash memory device, wherein the authorization information is received as part of the storing process while the media content event is being stored into the flash memory of the flash memory device; and

storing the authorization information into a metadata file of the media content event as part of the storing process while the media content event is being stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content event is a first media content event, wherein the user-provided authorization information is first user-provided authorization information, wherein the authorization information is first authorization information that is further associated with the stored first media content event, and further comprising:

storing a second media content event into the flash memory,

wherein the second media content event comprises a video portion that is presentable on the display and an audio portion that is presentable as audible sounds by the at least one speaker,

wherein the second media content event includes second authorization information saved as a part of the storing process while the second media content event is being stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device,

wherein the second authorization information is different from the first authorization information,

wherein the second authorization information is associated with second user-provided authorization information,

wherein access to the stored second media content event is permitted in response to receiving the second user-provided authorization information that corresponds to the second authorization information, and

wherein access to the stored second media content event is denied in response to receiving the first user-provided authorization information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein permitting access to the flash memory comprises:

communicating the stored media content event to from the media device to another media device only when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein permitting access to the flash memory comprises:

erasing the stored media content event from the flash memory only when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the flash memory device is a first flash memory device, and further comprising:

communicating the media content event with the saved authorization information therein from the first flash memory device into a second flash memory device that has a flash memory CPU therein, wherein the flash memory CPU of the second flash memory device is configured to permit access to the media content event only in response to receiving the corresponding user-provided authorization information.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

denying access to the flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information does not correspond to the authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying media content events that have been previously stored on the flash memory;

generating a flash memory device electronic program guide (EPG) that identifies the stored media content events; and

communicating the flash memory device EPG to a presentation device,

wherein the presented flash memory device EPG indicates the stored media content events, and indicates which of the stored media content events are secured by the authorization information that is saved as part of the media content event.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the flash memory device is a first flash memory device, and further comprising:

communicating the previously stored media content event with the authorization information saved therein to a second flash memory device,

wherein the second flash memory device stores the received media content event with the authorization information saved therein, and

wherein access to the media content event is permitted when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

11. The method of claim 1,

wherein the flash memory device is a first flash memory device,

wherein the media content event is a first media content event,

wherein a second media content event with the authorization information saved therein is received from a second flash memory device and is stored in the flash memory of the first flash memory device, and

wherein access to the second media content event is permitted when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the second media content event.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the flash memory device is a first flash memory device, and further comprising:

communicating the media content event with the saved authorization information therein from the first flash memory device into a second flash memory device that does not have a flash memory CPU configured to permit access to the media content event only in response to receiving the corresponding user-provided authorization information,

wherein the stored media content event cannot be accessed by the second media device unless the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

13. A media device, comprising:

a flash memory device port configured to communicatively couple a flash memory device to the media device, wherein the flash memory device comprises a flash memory central processor unit (CPU);

a media content stream interface configured to receive a media content stream comprising a media content event that comprises a video portion that is presentable on a display and an audio portion that is presentable as audible sounds by at least one speaker;

a memory comprising a portion configured to store flash memory identification (ID) logic that is configured to communicate user-provided authorization information to the flash memory device; and

a processor system communicatively coupled to the flash memory device port, the media content stream interface and the memory, and upon executing the flash memory ID logic, is configured to;

generate a flash memory device electronic program guide (EPG) that identifies the media content events stored in the flash memory device,

communicate the flash memory device EPG to the display, wherein the presented flash memory device EPG indicates the media content events that are stored in the flash memory device, and indicates which of the stored media content events are secured by the authorization information that is saved as part of the media content event,

receive a user selection of one of the media content events stored on the flash memory device,

receive user-provided authorization information when the selection is for one of the stored media content events that are secured by the authorization information,

communicate information that identifies the selected media content event and the received user-provided authorization information to the flash memory CPU,

wherein the flash memory CPU compares the received user-provided authorization information with stored authorization information in the selected media content event residing in the flash memory device, permits access to the selected media content event residing in the flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the selected media content event, and denies access to the selected media content event when the received user-provided authorization information does not correspond to the authorization information saved as part of the selected media content event, and

wherein the processor system of the media device accesses the selected media content event only when the user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the selected media content event, and

wherein the processor system of the media device is unable to access the selected media content event when the received user-provided authorization information does not correspond to the authorization information saved as part of the selected media content event.

14. The media device of claim 13, wherein the processor system, upon executing the flash memory ID logic, is further configured to:

communicate the selected media content event accessed from the flash memory device to another media device,

wherein the authorization information remains stored as part of the selected media content event, and

wherein the communicated selected media content event cannot be accessed by the other media device unless the other media device receives user-provided authorization information that corresponds to the stored authorization information.

15. The media device of claim 13, wherein the processor system, upon executing the flash memory ID logic, is further configured to:

receive the authorization information associated with the media content event of interest prior to saving in the flash memory device from user provided information;

save the authorization information as part of the media content event of interest; and

communicate the media content event of interest with the saved authorization information to the flash memory device.

16. The media device of claim 13, wherein the authorization information that is saved as part of the media content event is stored into one of a header or a metadata file of the media content event.

17. A flash memory device, comprising:

a connector configured to communicatively couple to a port of a media device, wherein user-provided authorization information is received by the flash memory device from the media device;

a flash memory comprising;

a first portion configured to store flash memory identification (ID) access logic that is configured to compare the user-provided authorization information with authorization information saved as part of a media content event residing in the flash memory device, and configured to permit access to the flash memory only when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information; and

a second portion configured to store the media content event with the authorization information therein, wherein the media content event comprises a video portion that is presentable on a display and an audio portion that is presentable as audible sounds by at least one speaker; and

a central processor unit (CPU) communicatively coupled to the flash memory and the connector, and upon executing the flash memory ID access logic, is configured to;

communicate information that identifies the media content events stored in the flash memory to a media device, wherein receiving media device;

generates a flash memory device electronic program guide (EPG) that identifies the media content events stored in the flash memory device,

communicates the flash memory device EPG to the display, wherein the presented flash memory device EPG indicates the media content events that are stored in the flash memory device,

indicates which of the stored media content events are secured by authorization information that is saved as part of the media content event,

receives the user selection of one of the media content events stored on the flash memory device, and

communicates information that identifies the selected media content event and the received user-provided authorization information to the flash memory CPU;

compare the received user-provided authorization information with the stored authorization information saved as part of the media content event;

permit access by the media device to the media content event residing in the flash memory when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information, wherein access to the media content event is provided while the media device is currently slidably coupled to the flash memory device; and

deny access to the media content event residing in the flash memory when the received user-provided authorization information does not correspond to the authorization information.

18. The flash memory device of claim 17, wherein the connector is a universal serial bus (USB) connector that is configured to communicatively couple to a USB port of the media device.

19. The flash memory device of claim 17, wherein the CPU, upon executing the flash memory ID access logic, is further configured to:

receive the authorization information associated with the media content event from user provided information; and

store the media content event with the authorization information therein to the flash memory.

20. The flash memory device of claim 17, wherein the authorization information is saved into one of a header and a metadata file of the media content event that is stored in the flash memory.