Methods, systems and devices for packet watermarking and efficient provisioning of bandwidth

• US 9,639,717 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2013
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wistaria Trading Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wistaria Trading Inc.
• Inventors: Moskowitz, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Liangche A
• Application Number:
  US13/970,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20130340100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 709238, 709239, 709242, 709245
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/64 Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3246 of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for transmitting streams of data. The present invention also relates to generating packet watermarks and packet watermark keys. The present invention also relates to a computerized system for packaging data for transmission to a user. The system may utilize computer code to generate a bandwidth rights certificate that may include: at least one cryptographic credential; routing information for the transmission; and, optionally, a digital signature of a certificate owner; a unique identification code of a certificate owner; a certificate validity period; and pricing information for use of bandwidth. The present invention also relates to an electronic method and system for purchasing good and services by establishing an account whereby a customer is credited with a predetermined amount of bandwidth usage, and then charges are assessed against the account in an amount of bandwidth usage which corresponds to the agreed upon purchase value for the selected item.

Claims

1. A method of provisioning/identifying content in/over/across a network, comprising:

receiving digital content;

organizing the digital content into a packet flow comprising at least two packets;

generating a packet watermark associated with said packet flow;

combining said packet watermark with at least one packet of said packet to form a watermarked packet;

generating at least one packet flow history;

storing the packet flow history in a database in non transient form;

receiving said packet flow;

analyzing the received packet flow to determine if a packet of said flow is said watermarked packet; and

provisioning the content in/over/across the network based on heuristics/histories stored in the database and information associated with said packet watermark.

2. A router for routing, monitoring, and classifying network traffic flow in a form of packets, comprising:

a processor, and

a memory;

wherein the memory stores code to perform the steps of;

receiving digital content;

organizing the digital content into a packet flow comprising at least two packets;

generating a packet watermark associated with said packet flow;

combining said packet watermark with at least one packet of said packet to form a watermarked packet;

generating at least one packet flow history;

storing the packet flow history in a database in non transient form;

receiving said packet flow;

analyzing the received packet flow to determine if a packet of said flow is said watermarked packet; and

provisioning the content in/over/across the network based on heuristics/histories stored in the database and information associated with said packet watermark.

3. A computer program product storing instruction in non transient memory for programming a router to perform the steps of:

receiving digital content;

organizing the digital content into a packet flow comprising at least two packets;

generating a packet watermark associated with said packet flow;

combining said packet watermark with at least one packet of said packet to form a watermarked packet;

generating at least one packet flow history;

storing the packet flow history in a database in non transient form;

receiving said packet flow;

analyzing the received packet flow to determine if a packet of said flow is said watermarked packet; and

provisioning the content in/over/across the network based on heuristics/histories stored in the database and information associated with said packet watermark.