Apparatus and methods for content delivery and message exchange across multiple content delivery networks
First Claim
1. An apparatus of a managed content distribution network configured to enable distribution of protected content to a subscriber of said managed content distribution network via an unmanaged content distribution network, said apparatus comprising:
- a first interface configured to communicate with a third party content source within said unmanaged network yet affiliated to said managed content distribution network, said affiliation being identified via utilization of a uniform description language; and
a storage apparatus configured to store at least one computer program thereon, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed by a processor, cause said apparatus of said managed content distribution network to;
receive a request for said protected content from said third party content source, said request being rendered in said uniform description language and comprising at least network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed content distribution network;
utilize at least portions of said network login information to access a subscriber database maintained by said managed content distribution network to determine whether said subscriber associated with said network login information is entitled to access said requested protected content; and
issue a message in said uniform description language to said third party content source to authorize or deny delivery of said requested protected content to said subscriber;
wherein when said delivery is authorized, said third party content source being further configured to deliver said content to said subscriber; and
wherein when said delivery is denied, said third party content source being further configured to provide a message in said uniform description language to said subscriber that indicates said denial.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for providing protected content to subscribers of a managed (e.g., MSO) network via a content source accessible via an internetwork such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a user accesses a programmer website, and requests content. The programmer determines whether the requesting user is permitted to access the content, and what rights or restrictions are associated with the user. This includes authenticating the user as a subscriber of the MSO, and determining the subscriber'"'"'s subscription level. In another embodiment, a user'"'"'s account with the MSO and programmer may be federated, thus a given user will have MSO-specific information regarding its identity (such as login information, GUID, etc.) and/or information regarding subscription level and service details, stored at the programmer. Messages received from the MSO representing permission for the user to access content may also be stored at the programmer site for later reference.
175 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus of a managed content distribution network configured to enable distribution of protected content to a subscriber of said managed content distribution network via an unmanaged content distribution network, said apparatus comprising:
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a first interface configured to communicate with a third party content source within said unmanaged network yet affiliated to said managed content distribution network, said affiliation being identified via utilization of a uniform description language; and a storage apparatus configured to store at least one computer program thereon, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed by a processor, cause said apparatus of said managed content distribution network to; receive a request for said protected content from said third party content source, said request being rendered in said uniform description language and comprising at least network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed content distribution network; utilize at least portions of said network login information to access a subscriber database maintained by said managed content distribution network to determine whether said subscriber associated with said network login information is entitled to access said requested protected content; and issue a message in said uniform description language to said third party content source to authorize or deny delivery of said requested protected content to said subscriber; wherein when said delivery is authorized, said third party content source being further configured to deliver said content to said subscriber; and wherein when said delivery is denied, said third party content source being further configured to provide a message in said uniform description language to said subscriber that indicates said denial. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of enabling distribution of protected content to a subscriber of a managed network via an unmanaged content distribution network, said method comprising:
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receiving, at a content server, a request for said protected content from a third party content source within said unmanaged content distribution network yet affiliated to said managed network, said request being rendered in a uniform description language and comprising at least network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed network; utilizing, at said content server, at least portions of said network login information to access a subscriber database maintained by said managed network to determine whether said subscriber associated with said network login information is entitled to access said requested protected content; and issuing, at said content server, a message in said uniform description language to said third party content source authorizing or denying delivery of said requested protected content to said subscriber; wherein when said delivery is authorized, said third party content source being further configured to deliver said content to said subscriber; and wherein when said delivery is denied, said third party content source being further configured to provide a message in said uniform description language to said subscriber that indicates said denial. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A non-transitory computer readable apparatus having a storage medium, said medium comprising at least one computer program configured to enable distribution of protected content to a subscriber of a managed network via an unmanaged content distribution network, said at least one program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed, cause said apparatus to:
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receive a request for said protected content from a third party content source within said unmanaged content distribution network yet affiliated to said managed network, said request being rendered in a uniform description language and comprising at least network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed network; utilize at least portions of said network login information to access a subscriber database maintained by said managed network to determine whether said subscriber associated with said network login information is entitled to access said requested protected content; and issue a message in said uniform description language to said third party content source to authorize or deny delivery of said requested protected content to said subscriber; wherein when said delivery is authorized, said third party content source being further configured to deliver said content to said subscriber; and wherein when said delivery is denied, said third party content source being further configured to provide a message in said uniform description language to said subscriber that indicates said denial. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification