Method for encrypting and embedding information in a URL for content delivery

• US 8,479,298 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2010
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Keith, Chad C., Dunmire, David, Owenby, Clifford Marcus
• Primary Examiner(s): Song, Hosuk
• Application Number:
  US12/847,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20120030774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 713/150, 713161-163, 713168-170, 713/176, 713/178, 713/189, 726 2- 4, 726 27- 30
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/168 above the transport layer

Abstract

A method for accessing a remote network includes identifying a content server associated with the remote network, generating a uniform resource locator, embedding additional data in the uniform resource locator, encrypting the uniform resource locator, and accessing a server in the remote network identified by the uniform resource locator. The method further includes wherein the additional data comprises authentication data, a delivery session identification, a time stamp, or comprises subscriber identification data. The URL may provide access to the content server for a time period indicated by the time stamp. The method includes wherein at least the subscriber identification data prevents unauthorized sharing of the URL.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying a content server associated with a remote network;

generating a uniform resource locator;

embedding additional data in the uniform resource locator, wherein;

the additional data comprises subscriber identification data; and

the subscriber identification data prevents unauthorized sharing of the uniform resource locator;

encrypting the uniform resource locator; and

accessing a server in the remote network identified by the uniform resource locator.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the additional data comprises authentication data.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the additional data comprises a delivery session identification.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the additional data comprises a time stamp.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the uniform resource locator provides access to the content server for a time period indicated by the time stamp.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the additional data prevents unauthorized sharing of the uniform resource locator.

7. A method comprising

generating, by a server, a unique uniform resource locator comprising a data path;

identifying, by the server, additional data to be embedded in the unique uniform resource locator, the additional data comprising a user identifier and a unique delivery session ID, wherein the user identifier prevents unauthorized sharing of the unique uniform resource locator; and

encrypting the unique uniform resource locator including the additional data.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising embedding a time stamp indicating a time period during which the unique uniform resource locator will provide access.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the additional data prevents unauthorized use of the unique uniform resource locator.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the additional data prevents unauthorized use of the unique uniform resource locator.