Method and apparatus for installation abstraction in a secure content delivery system

摘要

A system for secure delivery of on-demand content over broadband access networks includes a client application executing on a user's local computer system. The client application interacts with a content server on which a plurality of selectable titles are stored and further interacts with an access server which provides the network address of a title and keying data necessary for to the client process access and execute the title. The client process utilizes an installation abstraction which enables a title to be executed on the local computer system without ever being installed. The abstraction is achieved by mounting a network file system and storing a set of registry entries related to the title on the local computer system. Portions of the title are retrieved from the content server and executed by the local operating system. During title execution, requests from the local operating system are intercepted and redirected to the set of registry entries, as applicable. The times at which the client process may retrieve the title data from the content server are defined by the access server through use of an activator and token.