Managing licenses of media files on playback devices
US8631508B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/8355
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments are described herein for managing licenses of media files on playback devices in a media system. In some embodiments, each media file is purchased based on a number of licenses, each license granting permission to store the media file on a single playback device. Each media file may have an associated number of one or more licenses that specifies the maximum number of playback devices on which the media file may be stored at the same time (concurrently). The media system may comprise a home central licensing (HCL) device, a primary storage device, and playback devices coupled via a network. The primary storage device may be used to initially store newly purchased media files. The HCL device may allow or prohibit distribution of the media files on the primary storage device to playback devices by using a license manager data structure storing licensing information for each media file.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.