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

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A multimedia system, comprising:
an external control server configured to:
receive a request from a client device via a wide area network requesting protected content to be sent to the client device;receive client device authentication information from the client device, the client device authentication information comprising at least information related to a user authentication and a device authorization;validate the client device authentication information according to predetermined criteria;send protected content location information to the client device, the protected content location information being associated with a location of the protected content;encrypt, in response to receiving a request for a content license from the client device via the wide area network, the request comprising information related to a location of the content license and being based on a determination by the client device that the protected content is encrypted and requires a content license, the content license using a public key associated with the client device, the content license comprising a content key which the client device uses to decrypt the protected content and usage parameters specifying terms under which the protected content can be consumed; andsend the encrypted content license to the client device, the client device using a private key associated with the client device to decrypt the content license and using the content key to decrypt the protected content for use according to usage parameters specified by the content license; and an external content server configured to:
receive a request for the protected content from the client device, the request comprising the protected content location information provided by the external control server; andsend the protected content to the client device.