APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CONTENT DELIVERY AND MESSAGE EXCHANGE ACROSS MULTIPLE CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORKS

摘要

Methods and apparatus for providing protected content to subscribers of a managed (e.g., MSO) network via a content source accessible via an internetwork such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a user accesses a programmer website, and requests content. The programmer determines whether the requesting user is permitted to access the content, and what rights or restrictions are associated with the user. This includes authenticating the user as a subscriber of the MSO, and determining the subscriber's subscription level. In another embodiment, a user's account with the MSO and programmer may be federated, thus a given user will have MSO-specific information regarding its identity (such as login information, GUID, etc.) and/or information regarding subscription level and service details, stored at the programmer. Messages received from the MSO representing permission for the user to access content may also be stored at the programmer site for later reference.

主权项

1. A method for determining at a content distribution network entity permission of a subscriber of said network to access protected content from a remote source via the Internet, said method comprising:
receiving at said network entity a communication relating to a request for said protected content from a user device, said communication being sent to said content distribution network entity from an entity associated with said remote source; determining whether said user device is associated to said subscriber of said content distribution network; if said user device is associated to said subscriber, determining whether said protected content is within an approved level of service of said subscriber; and if said protected content is within said approved level of service of said subscriber, transmitting a message to said entity associated with said remote source, said message causing said remote source to deliver said protected content to said user device.