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

• US 9,300,657 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2014
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• 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): Sheikh, Ayaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASEFA, DEBEBE A
• Application Number:
  US14/490,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20150020093A1
• Time in patent office: 558 Days
• 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 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material
• 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: G06F 2221/0724 Editing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/0768 Editing
• 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 supporting authentication of entities communicating through a packet data network 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 network architectures or network communication protocols wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply hybrid encryption, i.e. combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption H04L63/045
• 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 management system for managing distribution and use of content, the multimedia management system comprising:

at least one external control server communicatively connected to a network; and

at least one external content server communicatively connected to the network;

wherein the at least one external control server is configured to;

receive a request for protected content from at least one multimedia client via the network, the at least one multimedia client being associated with at least one user subscription, the request comprising a request for a content license associated with the protected content;

receive a device identification from the at least one multimedia client, the device identification comprising a device type associated with the at least one multimedia client, the device type comprising at least one of;

information related to a user authentication or a device authorization;

validate the device identification against a list of acceptable device types;

encrypt the content license with a public key associated with the at least one multimedia client; and

transmit the encrypted content license to the at least one multimedia client via the network;

wherein the at least one external content server is configured to;

transmit the protected content to the at least one multimedia client via the network.

2. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the at least one multimedia client 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, and a digital media player.

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

data, audio, and video.

4. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the public key is generated by a software plug-in executed on the at least one multimedia client.

5. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the public key is uniquely associated with the at least one multimedia client.

6. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the public key is uniquely associated with the user subscription.

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

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

9. The multimedia management system of claim 8, wherein the computing device is configured to store the content license.

10. The multimedia management system of claim 9, wherein the computing device is configured to allow detachment from networks.

11. The multimedia management system of claim 10, wherein the computing device is configured to allow usage of protected content according to the usage parameters, while detached.

12. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the at least one multimedia client further comprises a computing device configured to allow creation of a hard copy of the protected content according to the usage parameters.

13. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein a protected content provider can update data within software or hardware of the at least one multimedia client.

14. The multimedia management system of claim 13, wherein the protected content provider sends the data to update the private key associated with the at least one multimedia client.

15. The multimedia management system of claim 14, wherein the protected content provider uses at least one algorithm to calculate at least one public-private key pair for the at least one multimedia client.

16. The multimedia management system of claim 15, wherein the protected content provider stores the public-private key pair for the at least one multimedia client.

17. The multimedia management system of claim 15, wherein the protected content provider stores the public key for the at least one multimedia client.

18. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the at least one external content server is configured to transmit external content to the at least one multimedia client as the protected content.

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

20. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the protected content further comprises one of:

content that is purchased by a user and content that is rented by a user.

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

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

22. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the at least one external control server is configured to store and maintain user subscription data associated with the user subscription, the user subscription specifying protected content accessible on the at least one external control server to which a user is authorized to access.

23. The multimedia management system of claim 22, wherein the at least one external control server is configured to store and maintain data associated with registered user client devices, the data including at least one limitation on a maximum number of user client devices authorized to access the protected content.

24. The multimedia management system of claim 23, wherein the at least one external control server is configured to allow access to the protected content on all client devices registered to a user if the user has authorized access to the protected content on at least one user client device.

25. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the at least one multimedia client is configured to communicate to the at least one external control server a content usage history of content that was previously received from the at least one external content server.

26. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the protected content comprises an interactive computer program having at least one visual image, and the at least one multimedia client is configured to execute the interactive computer program and to allow interaction with the interactive computer program by a user of the at least one multimedia client.

27. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the usage parameters are embedded with additional protected content.

28. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the content license comprises a decryption key with which the at least one multimedia client can decrypt the protected content using the decryption key as at least one input parameter for a decryption algorithm and usage parameters specifying terms under which the protected content can be consumed.

29. The multimedia management system of claim 1, wherein the at least one external control server is configured to log information associated with protected content usage from the at least one multimedia client.

30. A method, comprising:

receiving, in at least one external control server, a request for protected content from at least one multimedia client via a network, the at least one multimedia client being associated with at least one user subscription, the at least one multimedia client being 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, and a digital media player;

receiving, in the at least one external control server, a device identification from the at least one multimedia client, the device identification comprising a device type associated with the at least one multimedia client, the device type comprising at least one of;

information related to a user authentication and a device authorization;

validating, in the at least one external control server, the device identification against a list of acceptable device types; and

encrypting, in the at least one external control server, a content license with the public key associated with the at least one multimedia client.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

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

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

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the protected content is at least one of:

data, audio, and video.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the public key is generated by a software plug-in executed on the at least one multimedia client.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the public key is uniquely associated with the at least one multimedia client.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the public key is uniquely associated with the user subscription.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one multimedia client is configured to graphically display the protected content.

37. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

transmitting, in at least one external content server, external content to the at least one multimedia client as the protected content.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one multimedia client further comprises a computing device configured to store the protected content.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the computing device is configured to store the content license.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the computing device is configured to allow detachment from networks.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the computing device is configured to allow usage of protected content according to the usage parameters, while detached.

42. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one multimedia client further comprises a computing device configured to allow a creation of a hard copy of the protected content according to the usage parameters.

43. The method of claim 30, wherein a protected content provider can update data within a software or hardware of the at least one multimedia client.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the protected content provider sends data to update the private key.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the protected content provider uses at least one algorithm to calculate a public-private key pair for the at least one multimedia client.

46. The method of claim of claim 45, wherein the protected content provider stores the public-private key pair for the at least one multimedia client.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the protected content provider stores the public key for the at least one multimedia client.

48. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

determining, in the at least one external control server, whether the user subscription is authorized to access the protected content.

49. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

authenticating, in the at least one external control server, the user subscription with data received from the at least one multimedia client, the data comprising at least one of;

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

50. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

maintaining, in the at least one external control server, user subscription data associated with a user subscription of the at least one multimedia client, the user subscription specifying protected content accessible on the at least one content server to which a user is authorized to access.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the at least one external control server is configured to store and maintain data associated with registered user client devices, the data including at least one limitation on a maximum number of user client devices authorized to access protected content.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the at least one external control server is configured to allow access to protected content on all client devices registered to a user if the user has authorized access to the protected content on at least one user client device.

53. The method of claim 30, wherein the usage parameters are embedded with additional protected content.

54. The method of claim 30, wherein the content license comprises a decryption key with which the at least one multimedia client can decrypt the protected content using the decryption key as at least one input parameter for a decryption algorithm and usage parameters specifying terms under which the protected content can be consumed.

55. A multimedia management system for managing distribution and use of protected content comprising:

means for receiving, in at least one external control server, a request for protected content from at least one multimedia client via a network, the at least one multimedia client being associated with at least one user subscription;

means for receiving, in at least one external control server, a device identification from the at least one multimedia client, the device identification comprising a device type associated with the at least one multimedia client, the device type comprising at least one of;

information related to a user authentication and a device authorization;

means for validating, in the at least one external control server, the device identification against a list of acceptable device types;

means for encrypting, in the at least one external control server, a content license associated with the protected content with the public key associated with the at least one multimedia client;

means for transmitting, in the at least one external control server, the encrypted content license to the at least one multimedia client via the network; and

means for transmitting, in at least one external content server, the protected content to the at least one multimedia client via the network.