Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for persistent control and protection of content

US7233948B1 · kind B1 · utility

369Cited by
280References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 25, 1999
Grant dateJun 19, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 25, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S707/99945
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods for protection of streamed media content are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes control means for governing content streams or objects, decryption means for decrypting content streams or objects, and feedback means for tracking use of content streams or objects. The control means may operate in accordance with rules received in the streamed content or through a side-band channel. The rules may specify allowed uses of the content, including whether the content can be copied or transferred, and whether content may be “checked out” of one device and used in another. The rules may also include budgets, and a requirement that audit information be collected and/or transmitted to server. In another aspect, a media player is disclosed that uses plugins to assist in rendering content. A “trust plugin” is used to enable a media player designed to render unprotected content to render protected content.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.