Methods and apparatus for persistent control and protection of content
US7809138B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2463/101
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A novel method and apparatus for protection of streamed media content is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes control means for governance of content streams or content objects, decryption means for decrypting content streams or content objects under control of the control means, and feedback means for tracking actual use of content streams or content objects. The control means may operate in accordance with rules received as part of the streamed content, or through a side-band channel. The rules may specify allowed uses of the content, including whether or not the content can be copied or transferred, and whether and under what circumstances received content may be “checked out” of one device and used in a second device. The rules may also include or specify budgets, and a requirement that audit information be collected and/or transmitted to an external server. In a different aspect, the apparatus may include a media player designed to call plugins to assist in rendering content. A “trust plugin” is disclosed, along with a method of using the trust plugin so that a media player designed for use with unprotected content may render protected content without the necessity…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.