Digital content distribution system and method

US7162642B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Digital Video Express, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Robert Wilhelm Schumann · Madison, US
• Richard Whittemore · Herndon, US
• David Goldschlag · Silver Spring, US
• David William Kravitz · San Jose, US
• Siu-Leong Iu · Falls Church, US
• Guillaume Mercier · McLean, US
• Michael Bergeron · Pineville, US
• Jack Ehrhardt · Richmond, US
• Richard Vitkus · Richmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 15, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 9, 2007
• Expiry date: Dec 30, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L2463/101
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A content distribution system and method which prevents unauthorized access to secured content such as movies and music. The apparatus includes a source, a receiver, an authorized security device such as a conditional access module (CAM) for decrypting authorized content, an output device for outputting content and a backend for managing accounts and system operations. One aspect of this invention provides a mechanism for providing secured content on a medium such as a DVD optical disc. These devices may verify that there is authorization to play the secured content, add watermarks to the secured content, convert the secured content to a displayable form and provide a means for preventing output of the secured content.