Multimedia network system with content importation, content exportation, and integrated content management

• US 9,398,321 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2015
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digital Media Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Digital Media Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Drope, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Russell, Wanda Z
• Application Number:
  US14/725,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20150281221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 470/400, 709/227, 375/259, 704/275, 713/171
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1062 Editing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1075 Editing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0435 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply symmetric encryption, i.e. same key used for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for symmetric key encryption H04L9/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0825 using asymmetric-key encryption or public key infrastructure [PKI], e.g. key signature or public key certificates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0891 Revocation or update of secret information, e.g. encryption key update or rekeying
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/14 using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; 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 21/25816 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 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 : Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• 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 21/4408 : involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 : using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 : involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• 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 21/63775 : for uploading keys, e.g. for a client to communicate its public key to the server key management H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

This system provides wired and/or wireless access throughout a multimedia network built on a distributed architecture which can be transparent to the user. This multimedia network includes content which is imported or generated within the network. The system allows for the content provider to determine the license status of content and update the license status of content which was previously provided by that provider. The external content can be accessed in real time or downloaded and stored within the system for later access at the convenience of the user. The usage of some content is controlled by the use of encryption and other protection methods. The system allows for storage of live video by storing the digitized video and allowing the user to control how, when and where the content is viewed. The system makes available multiple multimedia services to all users in the network or connected via the internet.

Claims

1. A multimedia system, comprising:

at least one external control server configured to;

receive a first request for content from at least one client device via a network;

receive client device authentication information from the at least one client device, the client device authentication information comprising at least information related to a user authorization and a device authorization;

validate the client device authentication information according to predetermined criteria;

receive a second request for a content license from the at least one client device via the network, the second request comprising information related to a location of the content license and being based upon a determination by the at least one client device that the content is encrypted and requires the content license;

encrypt the content license using a public key associated with the client device, the content license comprising at least a decryption key;

send the encrypted content license to the at least one client device, the at least one client device using a private key associated with the at least one client device to decrypt the content license, the at least one client device decrypting the content using the decryption key as at least one input parameter for a decryption algorithm; and

at least one external content server configured to;

receive a third request for the content from the at least one client device, the third request comprising the information related to the location of the content provided by the external control server; and

send the content to the at least one client device.

2. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the decryption algorithm comprises at least one additional input parameter, the at least one additional input parameter being at least one of:

a content identifier, a serial number associated with one or more hardware components of the at least one client device, a hardware identifier associated with the one or more hardware components of the at least one client device, a key seed, a timestamp, a media access control address associated with a network adapter of the at least one client device, a globally unique identifier associated with the at least one client device, a key identifier associated with the content license, a content key, another key, or a security certificate.

3. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the content license comprises at least one content usage parameter specifying rules associated with handling the content.

4. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein at least one content usage parameter is embedded with the content.

5. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein at least some communication between the at least one client device and the external control server is encrypted.

6. The multimedia system of claim 5, wherein the at least one communication is encrypted via at least one of:

asymmetrical encryption or symmetrical encryption.

7. The multimedia system of claim 6, wherein the asymmetrical encryption employs a public key/private key encryption.

8. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein at least some communication between the at least one client device and the external content server is encrypted.

9. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein an external content provider updates data within at least one of software or hardware of the at least one client device.

10. The multimedia system of claim 9, wherein the external content provider sends the data to update the public/private key pair associated with the at least one client device.

11. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the at least one client device uses at least one algorithm to calculate at least one public/private key pair for the at least one client device based upon at least one of:

a time that data is sent from an external content provider, a predetermined schedule, or at least one security requirement.

12. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the at least one client device further comprises a receiver which converts the content to a format for output to a playback device.

13. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the content further comprises at least one of:

content that is purchased by a user, content that is rented by the user, or content that is part of a subscription associated with the user.

14. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the external control server is further configured to authenticate a user subscription with data received from the at least one client device, the data comprising at least one of:

a radio frequency identification device, alphanumeric input received from a user, biometric information related to the user, or voice commands received from the user.

15. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the decryption key is a content key which the client uses to decrypt the content.

16. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the content license comprises at least one of:

a decryption key, or a content usage parameter.

17. The multimedia system of claim 8, wherein the content is encrypted via at least one of:

symmetrical encryption or asymmetrical encryption.

18. The multimedia system of claim 17, wherein the asymmetrical encryption employs a public/private key encryption method.

19. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the external control server is configured to store and maintain data associated with registered user client devices, the data including at least one limitation for a maximum number of user client devices authorized to access the content.

20. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the external control server is configured to allow access to the content on all client devices registered to a user in response to a determination that the user has authorized access to the content on at least one user client device.

21. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein an external content provider requests a content license status from the at least one client device and updates a second content license for content already present on the at least one client device.

22. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the network is a wide area network.

23. The multimedia system of claim 22, wherein the wide area network is at least one of:

an internet or a wireless wide area network.

24. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein at least one data object in an XML format is used in conjunction with a security certificate for a communication of information related to at least one of:

a content key, the content license, a user identification, or a status of the content.

26. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein at least one content key is embedded with the content.

27. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the content license comprises at least one content key and at least one content usage parameter.

28. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the at least one client device is at least one of:

a game console, a digital video recorder (DVR), a satellite television receiver, a cable television receiver, a television, a digital camera, a computer, a content storage device, a radio receiver, a telephony device, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a set-top box, or a digital media player.

29. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the user authorization sent from the at least one client device specifies at least one of:

a user identification, the at least one client device being located in an allowable geographic location, information related to content previously sent to the user, user account information, or at least one user permission related to content access.

30. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the device authorization sent from the at least one client device specifies at least one of:

the at least one client device comprising software required to handle the content securely, the at least one client device comprising hardware required to handle the content securely, the at least one client device is associated with an identified security rating level for the content, the at least one client device is registered to a valid user domain, the at least one client device is registered to a user, or a verification that a maximum number of client devices registered to the user is not exceeded.

31. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the content is at least one of:

data, audio, or video.

32. The multimedia system of claim 31, wherein the video is real-time video.

33. The multimedia system of claim 31, wherein the video is previously recorded video.

34. The multimedia system of claim 31, wherein the video is at least one of:

a movie or a television program.

35. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the at least one client device comprises a computing device and a software executable configured to graphically display the content.

36. The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the at least one client device comprises a computing device configured to store content.

37. The multimedia system of claim 36, wherein the computing device is configured to store the content license.

38. The multimedia system of claim 37, wherein the computing device is further configured to allow detachment from the network.

39. The multimedia system of claim 38, wherein the computing device is further configured to allow content usage based at least upon at least one usage parameter while detached from the network.

25. A method, comprising:

receiving, in at least one external control server, a first request for content from at least one client device via a network;

receiving, in the at least one external control server, client device authentication information from the at least one client device, the client device authentication information comprising at least information related to a user authorization and a device authorization;

validating, in the at least one external control server, the client device authentication information according to predetermined criteria;

receiving, in the at least one external control server, a second request for a content license from the at least one client device via the network, the second request comprising information related to a location of the content license and being based on a determination by the at least one client device that the content is encrypted and requires the content license;

encrypting, in the at least one external control server, the content license with a public key associated with the at least one client device, the content license comprising at least one decryption key;

transmitting, in the at least one external control server, the encrypted content license to the at least one client device via the network;

decrypting, in the at least one client device, the content license using a private key associated with the at least one client device;

decrypting, in the at least one client device, the content using the at least one decryption key as at least one input parameter for a decryption algorithm; and

transmitting, in at least one external content server, the content to the at least one client device via the network.

40. The method of claim 25, wherein the decryption algorithm comprises at least one of:

a content identifier, a serial number associated with one or more hardware components of the at least one client device, a hardware identifier associated with the one or more hardware components of the at least one client device, a key seed, a timestamp, a media access control address associated with a network adapter of the at least one client device, a globally unique identifier associated with the at least one client device, a key identifier associated with the content license, a content key, and another key.

41. The method of claim 25, wherein the user authorization sent from the at least one client device specifies at least one of:

a user identification, the at least one client device being located in an allowable geographic location, information related to content previously sent to the user, user account information, or at least one user permission related to content access.

42. The method of claim 25, wherein the device authorization sent from the at least one client device specifies at least one of:

the at least one client device comprising software required to handle the content securely, the at least one client device comprising hardware required to handle the content securely, the at least one client device is associated with an identified security rating level for the content, the at least one client device is registered to a valid user domain, the at least one client device is registered to a user, a verification that a maximum number of client devices registered to the user is not exceeded, or a security certificate.

43. The method of claim 25, wherein the decryption key is a content key which the at least one client device uses to decrypt the content.