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

• US 8,887,292 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2013
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• 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 L., Owenby, Clifford Marcus
• Primary Examiner(s): Song, Hosuk
• Application Number:
  US13/862,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20130227713A1
• Time in Patent Office: 575 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 server comprising:

a processor; and

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising;

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 server of claim 1, wherein the additional data comprises authentication data.

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

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

5. The server of claim 4, wherein the URL provides access to a content server for a time period indicated by the time stamp.

6. The server of claim 1, wherein the additional data comprises subscriber identification data.

7. The server of claim 6, wherein at least the subscriber identification data prevents unauthorized sharing of the URL.

8. The server of claim 1, wherein the additional data prevents unauthorized sharing of the uniform resource locator.

9. A server comprising:

a processor; and

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising;

generating a unique uniform resource locator comprising a data path;

identifying additional data to be embedded in a 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.

10. The server of claim 9, the operations further comprising embedding a time stamp indicating a time period during which the URL will provide access.

11. The server of claim 10, wherein the additional data prevents unauthorized use of the URL.

12. The server of claim 9, wherein the additional data prevents unauthorized use of the URL.

13. A method comprising:

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.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional data comprises authentication data.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional data comprises a delivery session identification.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional data comprises a time stamp.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the URL provides access to a content server for a time period indicated by the time stamp.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional data comprises subscriber identification data.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least the subscriber identification data prevents unauthorized sharing of the URL.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional data prevents unauthorized sharing of the uniform resource locator.