CA2728404C

CA2728404C - Systems and methods for securely place shifting media content

Info

Publication number: CA2728404C
Application number: CA2728404A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Padmanabha R. Rao
Original assignee: Sling Media LLC
Current assignee: Sling Media LLC
Priority date: 2008-07-01
Filing date: 2009-06-29
Publication date: 2013-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-29
Also published as: US20150373384A1; US20180199086A1; TWI404385B; CA2728404A1; MX2010014363A; US8667279B2; US10349103B2; US9942587B2; US20140181519A1; US20190313139A1; EP2294819A1; US9143827B2; US20170078723A1; US11032592B2; TW201008196A; WO2010002761A1; EP2294819B1; CN102084663A; US20100005483A1; US9510035B2

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for securely providing a place-shifted media stream from a place shifting device (108) to a remote player (112) via a communications network (102). A request for a connection (306) is received from the remote player at the place shifting device via the communications network. In response to the request for the connection (308), an authorization credential is requested (310) from a central server via the communications network. Further, in response to the authorization credential received from the central server, the place-shifted media stream (412) between the place shifting device and the remote player can be established over the communications network. At least a portion of the place-shifted media stream may be encrypted (325) based upon the authorization credential.

Description

!Mao SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
SECURELY PLACE SHUTING MEDIA CONTENT
TECHNICAL FIELD
[00011 The present invention generally relates to place shifting of media content, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for improving the security of media place shifting.
BACKGROLTN.D
[00021 Most television viewers now receive their television signals through a content aggregator such as a cable or satellite television provider. For subscribers to a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service, for example, television programming is re(=.eived via a broadcast that is sent via a satellite to an antenna that is generally.
located on the exterior of a home or other structure. Other customers receive television programming through a cable, wireless or other medium. Programming is typically received at a receiver such as a "set top box" (sTB) that demodulates the.
received signals and that converts the demodulated content into a format that can be presented to the viewer on a televi.sion or other display.
[000311.1\4ore recently, consumers have expressed significant interest in "place shifting' devices that allow viewing of television or other media content at locations other than their primary television set. Place shifting devices typically packetize media content that can be transmitted over a local or wide area network to a porta.bIe computer,. mobile phone, .personal digital assistant or other remote device capable of playing back the packetized media stream for the viewer.
Placeshiftiug therefore allows consumers to view their media content from remote locations such as hotel rooms, offices, or any other locations where portable media player devices can gain access to a wireless or other communications network.
[00041 While placeshifting does greatly improve the convenience afforded to the viewer, the inherently insecure nature of many communications networks (such as the Internet) continues to pose challenges, That is, While it remains desirable to allow consumers to place shift. their media playing experience, it is also desirable to , ensure that only authorized users and players are allowed access to valuable media content.
[0005] It is therefore desirable to create systems and methods for securely place shifting media content from a place shifting device to a remote media player.
These and other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background section.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a method executable by a place shifting device for securely providing a place-shifted media stream from the place shifting device to a remote player via a communications network, the method comprising receiving a request for a connection from the remote player at the place shifting device via the communications network; in response to the request for the connection, requesting an authorization credential from a remotely located central server via the communications network, wherein the remotely-located central server is separate from but communicates with both the remote player and the place shifting device, wherein the authorization credential is generated by the central server to authorize a placeshifting session between the remote device and the place shifting device, and wherein the authorization credential is provided from the central server to both the remote player and the place shifting device via the communications network; and establishing the placeshifting session as a direct connection between the place shifting device and the remote player over the communications network using the authorization credential received from the remotely located central server to thereby securely provide the place-shifted media stream from the place shifting device to the remote device.
[0007] According to another aspect there is provided a system for securely providing a place-shifted media stream to a remote player via a communications network, the system comprising a network interface to the communications network;
a receiver configured to receive media content from a medium separate from the communications network; a transcoder configured to packetize the received media content for transport over the communications network; and control circuitry in communication with at least the network interface and the transcoder, wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive a request for a connection from the remote player via the network interface, to request an authorization credential from a

2 remotely-located central server via the network interface in response to the request for the connection, and to establish a placeshifting session as a direct connection with the remote player via the network interface after receiving the authorization credential from the remotely located central server to thereby provide the place-shifted media stream to the remote device via the network interface, and wherein the remotely-located central server is separate from but communicates with both the remote player and the system, and wherein the authorization credential is generated by the remotely-located central server and provided from the remotely-located central server to both the remote player and to the system via the communications network to thereby authorize the placeshifting session between the remote device and the system from the remotely-located central server.
[0008] According to yet another aspect there is provided a method of presenting a place-shifted media stream to a user of a remote device, wherein the place-shifted media stream is provided from a place shifting device to the remote device over a communications network, the method comprising authenticating the user to a central server via the communications network, wherein the remotely-located central server is separate from but communicates with both the remote player and the place shifting device; after successful authentication with the central server, requesting a connection to the place shifting device; after receiving a response from the place shifting device, requesting authorization to connect to the place shifting device from the central server via the communications network; receiving an authorization response from the central server via the communications network, wherein the authorization response comprises an authorization credential that is generated by the central server to authorize a placeshifting session between the remote device and the place shifting device, and wherein the authorization credential is provided from the central server to both the remote device and to the place shifting device via the communications network; and in response to receiving the authorization response, establishing the place shifting session as a direct connection with the place shifting device over the communications network using the authorization credential to thereby securely receive the place-shifted media stream from the place shifting device at the remote device.

3 [0009] According to still yet another aspect there is provided a method executable by a central server to securely allow a place-shifted media stream to be provided to a user of a remote device, wherein the place-shifted media stream is provided from a remotely located place shifting device to the remote device over a communications network and wherein the remotely-located central server is separate from but communicates with both the remote player and the place shifting device, the method comprising receiving a first request from the remote device via the communications network at the central server, wherein the first request comprises a user credential associated with the user; verifying the user credential at the central server and, in response to successful verification, transmitting a first response from the central server to the remote device that identifies the remotely located place shifting device;
and in response to a second request from the remote device received at the central server, the central server generating an authentication credential that authorizes a video streaming session between the remote device and the place shifting device, and transmitting the authorization credential generated by the central server to both the remote device and the remotely located place shifting device to thereby allow the remote device and the remotely located place shifting device to establish the place-shifted media stream as a direct connection from the place shifting device to the remote device using the authorization credential generated by the central server.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[oon] Exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and [0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary secure place shifting system;

[0013] FIG.2 is a block diagram of an exemplary place shifting device;
3a [00141 FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram showing exemplary processes for establishing secure placeshifting between a place shifting device and .a remote device; and 100151 FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for transmitting an encrypted media stream to the remote player.
DETAILED 1)ESCRIPTI(7)N
100161 The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description, [00171 Generally speaking, place shifting of media content is made more secure through the. use of various authentication and/or encryption features. In various embodiments, the place shifting device verifies that it has an approved capability to provide placeshifting functions. This verification may be based upon "rights"
set or modified on the piaceshifting device by a human. .Alternatively, pla.ceshifting "rights" may be set or modified based upon information received via a satellite, cable or other connection that also provides programming content to the device. in other embodiments, authentication in real-time (or near real-time) can be performed to authenticate the user to a central server and/or to the piaceshifting device, and/or to verify that the requesting remote player/device is authentic and approved to receive placeshifted content. A. credential-sharing environment may be further constructed so that the transmitting and receiving devices receive cryptographic keys and/or other credentials from a secure c.entral server, The authentication credentials provided, from the central server can be used to encrypt some or all of the placeshifted media stream. In various further embodiments, the amount of encryption is adjusted based upon such factors as the Quality of the. video stream, the processing capabilities of the remote media player, the bandwidth of the intervening communications links, and/or other factors as appropriate. The various concepts described herein may be deployed independently from one another, or two or more may be combined with each other in any manner to produce an oven more secure One shifting environment.
[00181 The secure mechanisms described herein may -find particular benefit when used with hardware capable of bath receiving television signals (e.g.õ signal feeds from a satellite., cable, wireless or other source) and of providing the place shifting

4 function. The invention is not so limited, however; to the contraryõ the security f(--z-ttu res described herein may be used in conjunction wtr CO fl VOIltion al placeshifting systems and devices, including those that interact with other external devices such as television receivers, removable media players, digital or personal video recorders, and.for other sources of programming content.
[0019] Turning now to the drawing figures and with initial reference to FIG.
1, an exemplary .placeshifting system loo suitably includes a placeshifting device 108 that packetizes media content for transmission to a remote device 11.2 over a communications network 102. In embodiments that provide enhanced security, a central server 114 that maintains a database 11.6 of information is also able to communicate with placeshifting device io8 and remote device 112 via network 102.
Although FIG. i shows only a single placeshifting deviceloS, a single remote device 112 and a single central server 114, in practice system 100may include any number of servers 114 that. are able to interact with hundreds, thousands or even more placeshifting device -108, each of which may be able to stream media content to any number of different remote devices 112.
[0020]NetWOrk 102 is any digital or other communications network capable of transmitting messages between senders and receivers. In various embodiments, network 102 includes any number of public or private data connections, links or networks supporting any number of communications protocols. Network 102 may include the Internet, for example, or any other network based upon TCP/IP or other conventional protocols, hi various embodiments, network 1.02 also incorporates a wireless and/or wired telephone network, such as a cellular communications network for communicating with mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and/or the like. Network 102 may also incorporate any sort of wireless or wired local area networks, such as one or more IEEE 802.3 and/or IEEE 809.11. networks.
Placeshifting device -io8 is therefore able to communicate with remote device 11.2 in any manner. Such communication may take place over a wide area link that includes the Internet and/or a telephone network.õ for example; in other embodinients, communications between devices 108 and 112 may take place over a wired or wireless local area link inwrporated within network 102, with messages to.
central server u4 taking place over a wide area link also incorporated within network 102.

1_00211 Placeshitting device 108 is any component, hardware, software logic and/or the like capable of transmitting a packetized stream .of media content over network 102. In various embodiments, placeshiftim. device 1.02 incorporates suitable transcoder logic to convert audio/video or other media data into a packetized format that can be transmitted over network 102. The .media data may be in any format, and may be received .from any source such as a broadcast, cable or satellite television programming source, a "video-on-demand or similar source, a digital video disk (MD) or other removable media, a video camera, and/or the like. In various embodiments, olaceshifter device io8 is any of the various SLINGBOX
products available from Sling Media of Foster City, California, which are generally capable of receiving media content from an external digital video recorder (I)VR), Set top box (sTR), cable or satellite programming source, I)VD player, and/or the like, [00221 In further embodiments, placeshifter device 108 may also include content receiving capabilities. That is, device 1.08 may be a hybrid STB or other receiver that also provides transcoding and placeshifting features, as described more :folly below, Such a device may receive satellite, cable, broadcast and/or other signals that encode television programming 105 from an antenna 104, modem, Server and/or other source. The receiver may further demodulate or otherwise decode the received signals 105 to extract programming that can be locally viewed and/or place shifted to a remote viewer 112 as appropriate. Such devices io8 may also include a content database no stored on a hard disk drive, memoty, or other storage medium to support a personal or digital video recorder (DVR) feature as appropriate.
100231 In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1., placeshifting, device is a .hybrid receiverltranscoder that receives digital broadcast satellite (DBS) signals .105 from a satellite :10(5 at an antenna 104. Equivalent embodiments, however, could receive programming 105 from a cable connection, broadcast source, removable media, service provider accessible via network 102, any 'external device and/or the like. In embodiments that include DVIZ. functionality, programming may be stored in database no as desired (e,g,, in response to user/viewer programming instructions) for subsequent. viewing on a television or other display located in relatively ciose proximity; programming need not be stored in all instances or embodiments, howt,Ner, and programming could be alternately provided in real time, As noted above, content may be presented on a television or other display that is physically connected to device to8, or may be placeshifted from device 108 to a remote device 1i 2. over network 102.
1.00241 Remote device 112 is any device, component, module, hardware, software and/or the like capable of receiving a media stream from placeshifting device 108.
In various embodiments, remote device 112 is personal computer (e.g., a 'laptop" or similarly portable comouter, althougn desktop-type computers could also be used), a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal media player (such as the ARCHOS products available from the Archos company of Igny, France) or the.
like.
In many- embodiments, remote device 112 is a general purpose computing device that includes a media player application in software or firmware that is capable of securely connecting to placeshifting device to8, as described more fully below, and of receiving and presenting media content to the user of the device as appropriate, [00251 Many different placeshifting scenarios could be fornmiated based upon available computing and communications resources, as well as consumer demand.
In various entlyi di me nts., consumers may wish to placeshift content within, a home, office or other structure, such as from a place.shifting device 108 to a desktop or Portable computer located in another room. In such embodiments, the content stream will typically be provided over a wired or wireless local area network operating within the structure. In other embodiments, consumers may wish to placeshift cement over a broadband or similar network connection from a primary location to a computer or other remote device 112 located in a second home, office, hotel or other remote location.. In still other embodiments, consumers may wish to placeshin content to a Mobile phone, personal digital assistant, media player, video game player, automotive or other vehicle media player, and/or other device via a mobile link (e.g., a GSM/EDGE or CDMAl BID connection, an I:EEE 80'2.11 "Wi-fi" link, and/or the like). Several examples of placeshifting applications available for various platforms are provided by Sling Media of Foster City, California, although the concepts described herein could be used in conjunction with products and services available from any source.
[00261 As noted at the outset, it. is generally desirable to maintain security of the placeshiftlitg process to ensure that unauthorized users and unauthorized players do not gain access to programming content: This -is oarticularLy true when piaceshifting device. 108 is an integrated receivc.T/DVR/placeshifter, since the amount of .valuable content available within the device could be significant.
To a maintain the security of the connection, then, various embodiments establish a logical barrier around a trusted domain Or authorized one 120, which may include the placeshifter device :i1.8 itself, as well as any backend servers 114, 118 that are maintained bv :service providers or other trusted entities. By requiring users to interact within a secure infrastructure 100, suitable authentication or other security mechanisms can be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to resources contained within trusted domain 120.
100271 To that end, a service provider may provide a central server 1.14 that interacts with .placeshifting device 1.08 and/or mobile device 112 over network 1.02..
Server 114 is any computer system or other computing resources that are able to respond to process requests for information received via network 102. Server may, for example, maintain a database 116 that includes user account information, as well as cryptographic keys or other authentication credentials associated with the venous placeshifting devices 108 as appropriate.
[1)028 J Central server 1.4 facilitates secure transactions between the remote device 112 and the placeshifting device -108 in any manner. In various embodiments, users of remote devices 102 are able to locate placeshifting kievices 108 .on network 102 by contacting central server 1.14, authenticating to server 114 with a userid/password pair or other credential, and then receiving information that allows a subsequent connection request to one or more placeshifting devices 108 associated with the user in databaseit6. The remote device 112 is then able to contact the placeshifting device 108 directly via network 102 to request a connection. Upon receiving connection requests from both placeshifting device 1.08 and remote device 112, central server 114 suitably provides a cryptographic key or other credential that can be used to establish a secure media stream between devices 1.08 and 112, as.
appropriate, and as more fully described below. Central server 11,4 is therefore able to greatly assist in maintaining the security of the placeshifted media stream, even though the server 114 need not be logically or physically interposed between the communicating devices loS and 112.
[00291 in further embodiments, a server 114 involved with user authentication and/or key management may communicate with one or more backend servers 118 for additional security. Backend server i.1.8 may have access to billing information, for exam*, that can be cross-checked against information received at server 11.4 to ensure that the user requesting services has properly paid =for such services, has maintained an account in good standing, and/or the like. Queries to backend.
server 118 may be 1-)rocessed in real-tin-le (or near =real-tine) over a secure link apart, from network 102. In various eMbodiments, backend server 118 may be. affiliated with provider of satellite or cable television signals to device 108, for example.
In such embodiments, server 118 could be used to ensure billing compliance, but could additionally (or alternatively) enable further services to the user in any manner. For example, a user authenticated with server 114 could order services (e.g., enablement of placeshifting features), issue an instruction to purchase a pay-per-view program or to record a program on a DVR associated with device 108, pay a bill, and/or take some other action with respect to the user's account with backend server 118 'through the convenience of network 102, in embodiments wherein the user has ordered additional services or content, server 118 may coordinate messages transmitted via satellite 116 (or, equivalently, a cable connection or the like) to update settings on device ib8 as appropriate. Because a secure connection within trusted domain 120 exists from server 114 to placesbifting device 108, new services and features can be enabled without data transmissions across relatively unsecured network 102.
[00301 FIG. 2 provides,: additional detail about an exemplary placeshifting device 108 that includes a receiver 208õ a decoder 214 and a piaceshifting transcoder 204, as appropriate. Although FIG, 2 describes a hybrid device 108 capable of receiving and decoding content in addition to placeshifting, the concepts set forth herein could be equivalently applied to devices 108 .that simply provide .01aceshifting of media content received and/or decoded at an .external receiver, DVR, media player, server and/or the like. Other embodiments may incorporate additional or alternate processing modules from those shown in FIG. 2, may omit one or more modules shown in FIG. 2 and/or may differently organize the various modules in any other manner different from the exemplary arrangement shown in no. 2, [0031] Device 108 may be logically and physically implemented in any. manner.
FIG. 2 shows various logical and functional features that may be present in an exemplary device 108; each module shown in the figure may he implemented with any sort of hardware, software, firmware and/or the like. Any of the various modules may be implemented with any sort. of general or special purpose integrated circuitry, for example, such as any sort of microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor., programmed array and/or the like. Any number of the modules.

shown. in FIG. 2, for example, may be implemented as a "system on a chip"
(SoC) using any suitable processing circuitry under control of any appropriate control logic 905. in various embodiments, control logic 205 executes within an integrated SoC or other processor that implements receiver 208, transport selector 212, decoder 214, display processor 218 and/or disk controller 206, as appropriate, In such embodiments., the integrated SoC processor may interact with a transcoder module 20:4 implemented with a separate processor as well as any other input or output devices to produce de:sired outputs based upon inputs received from local or remote users. In other embodiments, transcoder 204 may also be incorporated into the SoC design. Broadcom Corporation of Irvine, California, for example, produces several models of processors (e.gõ the model BUM 7400 family of processors) that are capable of supporting SoC, implementations of satellite and or cable receiver systems, although products from any number of other suppliers could be equivalently used. In still other embodiments, various distinct chips, circuits or components may be inter-connected and inter-relate with each other to implement the receiving and decoding functions represented in FIG. a.
[00321 Various embodiments of device 108 therefore include any number Of appropriate modules for obtaining and processing media content as desired for the particular embodiment, Each of these modules May be implemented in any combination of hardware and/or software using logic executed within any number of semiconductor chips or other processing logic.
[00331 Various embodiments of control logic 205 can include any circuitry, components, hardware, software and/or firmware logic, capable of controlling the various components device 108. Various routines, methods and processes executed within device 108 are typically carried out under control of control logic 205, as described more fully below, in many embodiments, the various security and authentication features described with respect to FIG. 3 below are carried out primarily within control logic 205, which may be executing on any processor within device io8.
[0034] As noted above, many embodiments of device lo8 include a receiver 2.08, which is any hardware, software, firmware and/or other logic capable of receiving media content via one or more content sources 105. In various embodiments, content sources -105 may include cable television, D.BS, broadcast and/or other programming sources as appropriate. Receiver 208 appropriately selects a desired if) input source and provides the received content to an appropriate destination for further processing. In various embodiments, received programming may be provided in real-time (Or near real-time) to a transport stream sele.ct module 2.12 Or other component for immediate decoding and presentation to the user.
Alternatively, receiver 208 may provide content received from any source to a disk or other storage medium in embodiments that provide DVR functionality. hi such embodiments, device io8 may also include a disk controller module 206 that interacts with an internal or external hard disk, memory and/or other device that stores content in a database Ito, as described above.
[0035/ in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, device 108 also includes an appropriate network interface 210, which operates using any implementation of protocols or other features to support communication by device 108 on network 1.02. In various embodiments, network interface 210 supports conventional LAN, WAN or other protocols (e.g., the TCP/IP or UDP/IP suite of protocols widely used on the Internet) to allow device 108 to communicate on network 102 as desired.

Network interface 210 'typically interfaces with network 102 using any sort of IAN
adapter hardware, such as a conventional network interface card (NIC) or the like provided within device i o8.
[0,0361 Transport stream select module 212 is any hardware and/or software logic capahie of selecting a desired media stream from the available sources. 111 the embodiment shown in MG, 2, stream select module 212 is able to generate video signals for presentation on one or more output interfaces 228. in various embodiments, stream Select module 212 is also able to provide an encoded video signal 236 to tranScoding module 204, although this feature is entirely optional. in such embodiments, however, transcoding module 204 would decode the video signal 236 for packetizing and subsequent transmittal over network 102, as described elsewhere, I.00371 More typically, however, stream select module 212 responds to viewer inputs (e.g., via control logic 205) to simply switch encoded content received from a live source 105 or from storage t.to to one or more decoder modules 214.
Device 108 may include any number of decoder modules 214 for decoding, decompressing and/or otherwise processing received/stored content as desired. Generally speaking, decoder module 214 decompresses or otherwise processes received content from stream select module 212 to extract an .N1 PEG or other media stream encoded vµrithin the stream. The decoded content can then be processed by a display processor modules 218 to create a display for the viewer M any appropriate format.
[003$] Display processor module 218 includes any appropriate hardware, software and/or other logic to create desired screen displays at interfaces 242, 244, 246 as desired. In various embodiments, display processing module 218 is also able to produce on screen displays (OSDs) for electronic program guide, setup and control, input/output facilitation and/or other features that may vary from embodiment to embodiment. Such displays are not typically contained within .the received or stored broadcast stream, but are nevertheless useful to users in interacting with device 108 or the like. The generated displays, including received/stored content and any other displays may then be presented to one or more output interfaces in any desired format. In various embodiments, display processor 218 produces an Output signal encoded in any standard format (e.g., 111).656 format for standard definition television signals or any format for high definition television signals) that can be readilY converted to standard andlor high definition television signals at interface 298.
[0039] In hybrid receiverlplaceshifter devices to8, a hardware or software switch 2.26 may also be provided that allows one or more output channels to be diverted to trauscoding module 204 for placeshifting over network 1.02. In such embodiments, switch 226 suitably re-directs output from one of the output channels (e.g.õ channel 228) in decoded and decompressed form to the transcoding module 204 as appropriate. An output signal encoded in 1T1J656 format, for -example, may be provided as an input to transeoding module 204 to support digital-to-digital conversion to a media format that can be readily transmitted on network 102.
In other embodiments, digital or analog signals may be provided to transcoder 204 in any format.
[0040] To that end, transcoding module 204 is any hardware, software, firmware and/or combination thereof that is capable of producing a media stream capable of being routed on network 102. to a remote device 112. in various embodiments, transcoding module is implemented in a semiconductor chip having digital signal processing capabilities, such ass DAVINCI model processor available from the Texas instruments Corporation of Dallas, Texas, although other embodiments may use any sort of processor or other circuitry (including the same processor or other circuitry used to implement any other components shown in FIG, 2) to implement the transcoding function. Generally speaking, transcoding module 204 receives either a decoded signal 234 decoded by decoders 214 or 216 (and optionally further processed by display processors 21,8 or 220) or an already encoded stream 236, performs a digital-to-digital conversion to create a media stream in a desired format and having desired parameters, and provides the converted stream for transport on network 102. One example of a placeshifting system that includes transcoding capabilities is described in U.S. Patent Publication 2006/0095471, although other placeshifting andler transcoding features may be implemented in a wide array of alternate embodiments. FIG. 2 shows the output 238 of transcoding module 204, Which includes the placeshifted video stream, as being provided for transport using network interface 210. In an alternate embodiment, a different network interface 210 could be pro.vided, such as a stack residing within module 204 itself. In various erObodiments, it may be desirable to secure any inter-chip comrillMic.ations between transcoding module 204 and other components of device 108 through any sort of physical or logical security techniques. Signals 234, 236 and/or 238 may be provided on signal pins that are physically embedded within a printed circuit board, for example, to make access to such signals more difficult. Further, signals 234, 236 and/or 238 may be encrypted or encoded between modules in any manner to prevent unauthorized usage in the event that such signals are physically intercepted.
[0041] In operation, then, placeshilling device 108 suitably receives one or more media streams from a DBS, cable or other source 105, which may be stored in a DViR database 1.10 or the like as desired. Received andior stored content may be provided in compressed form (e.g., signal 236) and/or decompressed form (e.gõ
signal 234) to transeoding module 204, which appropriately converts the received signals to a format that can be transmitted to the remote device 112 over network 110. Control of the placeshifting process, including any communications related to smarty or authentication, may take place under the direction of control logic executing within device :L(18.
[00421 riG, 3 shows an exemplary process 300 for securely establishing a place:shifting media stream between a placeshifting device. to8 and a remote device 11(2. FIG. 3 shows messages sent and received by each of the entities to 112, involved in the security process 300, as well as other actions that may be.
performed by one or more entities within system too (FIG, 1), In practice, the overall process 300 may be implemented with various methods executed by one or more entities = CA 02728404 2010-12-15 108, 110, 112., as described more fully below. Generally speaking, each of the method steps shown in FIG. 3 may be implemented in software or firmware that may be stored in memory, mass storage or any other storage medium available to the executing device, anci. that may be executed on any processor or control circuitry associated with the executing device.
[0043] Process 300 typically begins with the remote device 112 contacting the central server with a login request (step 302). This may be initiated by, for example, a user of remote device 102 opening a media player application, or otherwise initiating the process of viewing placeshifted media. Step 302 may include providing any sort of identifYing information associated with the user, such as any sort of userid/password pair. Alternatively, step 302 could provide a digital signature, any other cryptographic credential, hiometric information, andifor any other sort of identifying information to ensure the identity of the user. Step may also .include a digital signature, identifier or Other credential associated with a media player application or other component of device -112 to ensure that the application is authorized .to participate in process 300. Central server 114 suitably validates the received information (step 303) in any manner (e.g., by querying database 116 in FIG. 1). If validation is successful, the user is identified, and a response message may be sent (step 304). In the event that the media player application is out of date, such information may be used to prompt the user to obtain updated software, or for any other purpose..
I.00441 Response message 304 includes any information that allows the remote device to estabiish a connection to a desired placeshifting device 108. In various embodiments., response 304 may include address information (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP) address) relating to One or more placeshifting devices 108 associated with the user's account in a directory or other listing. The response 304 may also include user preferences or other settings established by the user for added convenience.
[0045]1.7pon. successful authentication with the central server 114: the remote device 112 iS able to request a connection to a particular placeshifting device 108 via network 102 (step ;306), Thil-3 request may be sent using any suitable protocol or other format that can be received an interpreted by placeshifting device 108.
In an exemplary embodiment, response 304 includes an IP address or Other identifier =

associated with the placeshifting device 108 that allows the remote device 112 to contact the. desired placeshifting device 108 directly via network i02.
[0046] Placeshifting device 1.08 is able to verify the capability to perform placeshifting in it manner (step 307). In various embodiments, device 108 receives a flag or other indication via a separate data connection other than network 1.02 that indicates availability of placeshifting "rights". For example, in embodiments wherein device io8 includes the ability- to receive cable or satellite signals, a placeshifting enablement message may be embedded within signals 105 transmitted to device 108 via the cable or satellite connection, respectively.
In other embodiments, a human physically close to device 108 may be alerted by device to authorize placeshifting. in either case, device 108 may not accept place:shifting requests until placeshifting "rights" are expressly enabled on the device.
This may be verified by checking that placeshifting is approved (step 3077) Just prior to validating the user's request for connection, as shown in FIG. .3, Or by simply ignoring requests 306 for placeshifting connections until approval for placeshliting is received, 100471 .Placeshifting may be enabled or disabled in any manner, and/or may be differently applied based upon the location or capabilities of remote device112. For example, placeshifting device 108 may be configured to recognize several "tiers" of service so that placeshifting is enabled only for local area networks, for example, or only for wide area networks, Such functionality may be implemented by comparing IF or other network addresses of devices 1.08 and 1,1,2; for example, when limited placeshifting is enabled. Plae.eshifting within any particular device 108 may be enabled, disabled, or otherwise adjusted in any manner and on any temporal basis by simply updating the placeshifting "flag' or other data provided to device 108, 10048.] If placesintling is enabled on device 108, then a response message 308 is sent to remote device 112 via network 102. In various embodiments., device 112 also submits a request 31.2 to central server 114 for an authorization credential that can be used to secure the placesbifted media stream, as described below. Lipari receipt of response 308 from placeshifting device 108, remote device 112 also submits a request. 310 to central server 11.4 to obtain the authorization credential that. permits secure communication with the particular placeshifting device 108. In various embodiments, the authorization credential is a cryptographic key, such as a symlnetric! encryption key or the like that permits subsequent secure COTT111111riiCations based upon a shared secret. Conventional keys Of any length (e.g., 64 or 128 bits) associated with advanced encryption standard (NES) 01: data encryption standard (DES) algorithms, for example, could be used in various embodiments, In various embodiments, the authorization credential is associated with the particular placeshifting device 108, and may be updated on any temporal basis. Keys may be updated on a periodic or aperiodic basis, for example, or a unique key maybe. provided in response to each request 312 for added security.
100491 Upon receiving requests 310 and 312; central server 114 suitably validates and authorizes the placeshifting session (step 314). Step 314 may involve querying a backend server 118, for example, to ensure that the placeshifting is approved for the particular user, remote device 11.2 and/or placeshifting device. 108.
Alternatively, verification may be resolved locally at central server using database lib (FIG, 1.) or the like. If the transaction iS approved, then the authorization credential is transmitted from server 114 to the remote device as message 316, and to the placeshifting device 108 as message 318. In embodiments wherein the credential is already stored within device :108., message 318 may not necessarily include another copy of the credential, but. may instead provide an indication that placeshifting with remote device 112 is approved. Authorization credentials will typically be provided using relatively secure connections (e.g., secure hypertext transport protocol (Hrrps) or the like) to prevent any third parties from obtaining the credential through eavesdropping or similar techniques.
o050] When both placeshifting device 108 and remote device 112 have received authorization 316, 318 from the central server 114, then a secure connection may be established directly between the two devices 108, 112 via network 102. A
session key 820 may be generated by each party, for example, using conventional techniques (e.g., as set forth in the AES, DES or other algorithms) and using parameters provided from central server 114. This session key may be based upon the received authentication credential, for example, to allow for mutual encryption/decryption of ensuing communications. The session key is typically negotiated based upon the received credential., and also based upon one or more other parameters known to the communicating devices. These parameters may be etillx--'dded within software previously provided (e.g., within a media player application provided to device 112, and/or within a firmware update to device 108.) to further enhance placeshiffing security. These parameters may be defined in any manner (e.g,, in accordance with well-known encryption protocols such as AF,S, DES and/or the like) and may be updated on any temporal basis. In the event that the cryptographic systems described in FIG. 3 become compromised, for .example, a firmware update to device 108 and/or a player update to device 112 may be required to update the various parameters prior to receiving any future approvals (e.g., messages 316, 31.8) from central server 114, [00511 In various embodiments, a user of remote device 112 may also authenticate separately with placeshifting device 108 (step 324) to further enhance the.
security of process 300. This authentication may involve providing a userid/password pair, a digital signature, biontetric data, and/or any other identit,ring information associated with the user to placeshifting device 108. Such 'information may be configured b the user prior to establishing the placeshifting session in any manner.
Although FIG. 3 shows authentication step 324 as occurring after negotiation of the session key, such authentication may take place at any point within process 300.
Authentication 324 may take place prior to placing of key request 312, for example.
Other embodiments may eliminate the additional authentication in step 324 entirely, or make such authentication optional at the discretion of the user or anY
administrator.
[0052] When authentication is complete and the various encryption parameters are properly in place, the placeshifting media stream 326 can be provided over network 102 tO remote device 102. Typically, some or all of the content contained within media stream 326 is encrypted (step 325), as described more fully below.
Trauscoding, encryption and transmission of content in media stream 326 may be adjusted in any manner during operation (step 328). In various embodiments, the media player application associated with remote player 112 provides command and control information to device 108 that may be used to adjust or otherwise control.
transcoding, encryption or transmission as desired.
[0053] From the varying perspectives of devices 108, 112 and central server 114, then, various methods for establishing a secure placeshifting session are described.
in FIG, 3. With respect to placeshifting device .108, for example, establishing a secure connection suitably includes the broad, steps of receiving a request for connection 306 from the remote device, verifying that a placeshifting feature is available within device 307, and then requesting approval for the session from the central server (step .312). In response to the received approval (step 318), which maµõ, include a cryptographic key or other authentication credential, placeshifting device t08 is able to establish the secure media stream 326 based upon the received credential. The various steps of this method may be carried out by any processing circuitry or logic associated with device i08, including control logic 205 shown operating in FIG. 2.
[00541 With respect to the remote device :112, an initial request is placed to central server 114, which responds 304 with an address or other information about placeshifting device 108. The remote device 1.12 is then able to request a connection (step 306) from the placeshifting device, and to request the key or other credential upon receipt of a response $08 from device 108. The received credential can then be used to negotiate or otherwise establish the parameters of the secure media stream 326, and to decrypt the content transferred as part of the stream. The various steps of this method may be executed within a media player application m-other software executing on remote device 112.
[0055] With respect to the central server 114, the initial request 302 is received from remote device 112 and validated (step 303) as appropriate If the request is valid, information about the placeshifting device 108 is provided (step 304) to allow the remote device 112 to contact the placeshifting device 108 directly. Upon receipt of subsequent requests 310, 312 from device .1.12, 108 (respectively), central server 11,4 suitably validates and authorizes the session in any appropriate manner, and transmits the key or other authentication credential to the remote device 112 and/or placeshifting device 112 in any manner. Devices 108 and 112 are then able to independently negotiate the parameters of the secure media stream 326 based upon the shared credential. The various functions and other features of this method may be :executed on one or more processors associated with server 114 and/or backend server 118 MG. -0, as appropriate.
too561 FIG. 4 shows additional detail about an exemplary technique for transmitting a secure media stream 326 from a placeshifting device 108 to a remote device 112. The various steps shosm in FIG, 4 may be executed in software, firmware and/or hardware logic residing within device 108, such as control logic 205 shown operating in conjunction with the various other modules (including transcoder module 2041 in FIG. 0.
1.00571 As noted above, placeshifting, device 108 receives authentication credentials (e.g., a cryptographic key) in any manner (step 402). Unique credentials may be pro.s,ided for each requested session M some embodiments, or a key/credential may be securely stored within device 108 for use in conjunction with multiple placeshifting sessions. In either event, a session key and/or other parameters for a particular placeshilting session may be negotiated with remote device 112 (step 404) based upon the secret information shared between the two devices using any technique, such as conventional AES cryptography.
[04338] in some embodiments, resources may be available to encrypt the virtual entirety of media stream 326. In other embodiments (step 406), however, it may not be necessary or desirable to encrypt the entire stream. In embodiments wherein the transcoded media stream is of relatively low quality (e.g., a relatively low bit resolution) in comparison to the received signal, for exampleõ cryptography may be reduced or eliminated. Further, when the remote device has limited computing resources (e,g, a mobile phone or the like), the computational demands of strong cryptography may detract from the user experience. Similarly, if the media stream 326 is being transferred over a relatively low bandwidth link (e.g, a relatively slow telephone connection), the added delay imposed by cryptography may be undesirable. As a result, the level of cryptography applied by the Phu-whiffing device may be selected (step 408) based upon such factors as the quality of the transmitted media stream, the processing capabilities of remote device n.2, and/or the bandwidth of the intervening communications network 102.
[00591 Cryptography may be applied in any manner (step 410). In various embodiments, cryptography may be applied in any n urn her of 'levels", ranging from no encryption, to partial encryption, to encryption of the entire stream depending upon the. various factors. "Partial encryption" in this sense can refer to encrypting only certain frames of the media stream, and/or to encrypting only certain blocks of one or more frames. That is, by encrypting only a portion of the transmitted media, security can be maintained without unduly increasing computational overhead.
in a =conventional MPEG-type video stream, for example, the more fundamental video frames (e.g. I-frames) can be encrypted, with reduced encryption applied to the more heavily compressed frames (e4,õ P-frames and/or B-frames). Encrypting (mly a portion of the macroblocks making up the various frames can similarly reduce co in pu t ati on al demands. As one example, a "high" level of encryption could encrypt every outgoing frame of media stream 326, whereas a "medium" level could encrypt a lesser amount, for example between 25-75 percent or so of the blocks in sonic or all of the I, P and/or B frames. .Additional levels could be added for any level of resol ut i on desired.
[0060] in further embodiments, the particular blocks that are encrypted could be assigned in any manner, including randomly. That is, the particular blocks may be randomly selected to further enhance the security of the system. Randomizing the encrypted blocks could have a further advantage in terms of spreading processor loading as well, thereby further improving system performance during encryption.
The particular randomly-selected blocks may be called Out to the receiving party in any manner, such as through header identification, control messages and/or the like to facilitate efficient decryption of media stream $26.
[00611 Media stream 326 is therefore encrypted, and transmitted to remote device ]08 in any manner (step 412) until the placeshifting session is complete (step 44).
As noted above, various transooding, encryption and/or transmission parameters of stream $26 may be adjusted during operation as desired (step 416), if the bandwidth of the connection 102 should degrade, for example, or the processing capabilities of remote device 112 become overloaded, it may be desirable to reduce the quality of the media stream and or to reduce the amount of encryption applied in step $10. Any of the various parameters used in transcoding and/or encrypting media stream 32:6 may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly as appropriate to compensate for changing conditions (step 418). in an exemplary embodiment, the encryption level may be set and/or adjusted according to the video bitrate and/or video resolution, 'Ugh definition video, for example, may always be encrypted at a relatively high level, whereas standard definition video may be encrypted at lower levels in some embodiments, particularly if the video bitrate is relatively low.
Various encryption parameters and criteria. could be established across a viide range of alternate embodiments.
100621 Using the various systems, methods and other concepts described herein, a number of advantages may be achieved. By requiring authentication to a central server and/or to the pia ceshitting device, for example, access to placeshifted content can be limited to authorized users. Moreover, by unauthorized media player applications can be rejected through authentication to the central server and/or the use of system secrets for generating session keys. The use of a central server allows for eorwenient upgrading/updating of keys or player applications in the event of securitY breach, thereby greatly enhancing system renewability. Moreover, streaming co tent is encrypted end-to-end, thereby reducing access. by 'untrusted or unapproved third parties. The -level of encryption applied may be adjusted based upon video quality, environmental factors and/or the like, further improving system performanceõAs noted at. the outset, the various features may be selectively applied, and not all features will be found in all embodiments.
100631 AS used herein, the word "exemplary" means ."serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not.
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over Other implementations, to o641 While the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing various embodiments of the invention, it should be appreciated that the particular embodiments described above are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. To the contrary, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method executable by a place shifting device for securely providing a place-shifted media stream from the place shifting device to a remote player via a communications network, the method comprising:
receiving a request for a connection from the remote player at the place shifting device via the communications network;
in response to the request for the connection, requesting an authorization credential from a remotely located central server via the communications network, wherein the remotely-located central server is separate from but communicates with both the remote player and the place shifting device, wherein the authorization credential is generated by the central server to authorize a placeshifting session between the remote device and the place shifting device, and wherein the authorization credential is provided from the central server to both the remote player and the place shifting device via the communications network; and establishing the placeshifting session as a direct connection between the place shifting device and the remote player over the communications network using the authorization credential received from the remotely located central server to thereby securely provide the place-shifted media stream from the place shifting device to the remote device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the place-shifted media stream is encrypted based upon the authorization credential that is received from the remotely-located central server.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising verifying that place shifting is approved between the place shifting device and the remote player prior to requesting the authorization credential.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the verifying is based at least in part upon a location of the remote player.

5. The method of claim 3 or 4 wherein the verifying is based at least in part upon an approval received via a medium separate from the communications network.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising authenticating a user of the remote player at the place shifting device prior to establishing the place-shifted media stream.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the authorization credential comprises a symmetric encryption key that is also provided from the remotely-located central server to the remote player.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the symmetric encryption key is provided from the remotely-located central server to the remote player over the communications network in response to a request received from the remote player at the remotely-located central server.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the establishing of the place-shifted media stream comprises negotiating encryption parameters for the place-shifted media stream between the remote player and the place shifting device based at least in part upon the symmetric encryption key received from the remotely-located central server.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting one of a plurality of available encryption levels for the place-shifted media stream, and wherein at least a portion of the place-shifted media stream is encrypted based upon the authorization credential.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the selected encryption level is determined at least in part upon a quality of the place-shifted media stream.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11 wherein the selected encryption level is determined at least in part upon a processing capability of the remote player.

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the selected encryption level is determined at least in part upon a bandwidth of the communications network.

14. The method of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the place-shifted media stream is provided based upon media content received via a medium separate from the communications network and decoded at the place shifting device.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising verifying that place shifting is approved between the place shifting device and the remote player prior to requesting the authorization credential, wherein the verifying is based at least in part upon an approval received via the medium separate from the communications network.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15 wherein the medium separate from the communications network comprises a satellite link.

17 A system for securely providing a place-shifted media stream to a remote player via a communications network, the system comprising:
a network interface to the communications network;
a receiver configured to receive media content from a medium separate from the communications network;
a transcoder configured to packetize the received media content for transport over the communications network; and control circuitry in communication with at least the network interface and the transcoder, wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive a request for a connection from the remote player via the network interface, to request an authorization credential from a remotely-located central server via the network interface in response to the request for the connection, and to establish a placeshifting session as a direct connection with the remote player via the network interface after receiving the authorization credential from the remotely located central server to thereby provide the place-shifted media stream to the remote device via the network interface, and wherein the remotely-located central server is separate from but communicates with both the remote player and the system, and wherein the authorization credential is generated by the remotely-located central server and provided from the remotely-located central server to both the remote player and to the system via the communications network to thereby authorize the placeshifting session between the remote device and the system from the remotely-located central server.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to negotiate encryption parameters for the place-shifted media stream with the remote player based at least in part upon the authorization credential received from the remotely-located central server.

19. The system of claim 17 or 18 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to encrypt at least a portion of the place-shifted media stream based upon the authorization credential received from the remotely-located central server.

20. The system of any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to encrypt only a portion of the place-shifted media stream.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the size of the portion is determined at least in part upon a quality of the place-shifted media stream.

22. The system of claim 20 or 21 wherein the encrypted portion corresponds to selected blocks of video frames contained within the place-shifted media stream.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the blocks are randomly selected.

24. The system of any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein the receiver is a direct broadcast satellite receiver, wherein the medium separate from the communications network is a satellite broadcast receivable by the direct broadcast satellite receiver, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to verify that place shifting is approved between the place shifting device and the remote player prior to requesting the authorization credential from the remotely-located central server, wherein the verification is performed at the place shifting device based upon an approval received at the place shifting device via the satellite broadcast receivable by the direct broadcast satellite receiver.

25. The system of any one of claims 17 to 24 wherein the receiver is configured to decode the media content and to provide the decoded media content to the transcoder.

26. A method of presenting a place-shifted media stream to a user of a remote device, wherein the place-shifted media stream is provided from a place shifting device to the remote device over a communications network, the method comprising:
authenticating the user to a central server via the communications network, wherein the remotely-located central server is separate from but communicates with both the remote player and the place shifting device;
after successful authentication with the central server, requesting a connection to the place shifting device;
after receiving a response from the place shifting device, requesting authorization to connect to the place shifting device from the central server via the communications network;

receiving an authorization response from the central server via the communications network, wherein the authorization response comprises an authorization credential that is generated by the central server to authorize a placeshifting session between the remote device and the place shifting device, and wherein the authorization credential is provided from the central server to both the remote device and to the place shifting device via the communications network; and in response to receiving the authorization response, establishing the place shifting session as a direct connection with the place shifting device over the communications network using the authorization credential to thereby securely receive the place-shifted media stream from the place shifting device at the remote device.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein at least a portion of the place-shifted media stream is encrypted based at least in part upon the authorization credential.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27 further comprising authenticating the user to the place shifting device via the communications network.

29. The method of any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein the authorization credential comprises a symmetric encryption key that is also provided from the central server to the place shifting device.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising negotiating encryption parameters for the place-shifted media stream with the place shifting device based at least in part upon the received authorization credential.

31. The method of claim 27 further comprising decrypting only a portion of the place-shifted media stream.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the size of the portion is determined at least in part upon a quality of the place-shifted media stream.

33. A method executable by a central server to securely allow a place-shifted media stream to be provided to a user of a remote device, wherein the place-shifted media stream is provided from a remotely located place shifting device to the remote device over a communications network and wherein the remotely-located central server is separate from but communicates with both the remote player and the place shifting device, the method comprising:
receiving a first request from the remote device via the communications network at the central server, wherein the first request comprises a user credential associated with the user;
verifying the user credential at the central server and, in response to successful verification, transmitting a first response from the central server to the remote device that identifies the remotely located place shifting device;
and in response to a second request from the remote device received at the central server, the central server generating an authentication credential that authorizes a video streaming session between the remote device and the place shifting device, and transmitting the authorization credential generated by the central server to both the remote device and the remotely located place shifting device to thereby allow the remote device and the remotely located place shifting device to establish the place-shifted media stream as a direct connection from the place shifting device to the remote device using the authorization credential generated by the central server.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the place-shifted media stream is encrypted at least in part based upon the authentication credential.

35. The method of claim 33 or 34 wherein the authentication credential is transmitted to the remotely-located place shifting device in response to a key request from the place shifting device.

36. The method of any one of claims 33 to 35 further comprising validating that the user is authorized to connect to the remotely-located place shifting device.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the validating comprises querying an account server having an entry associated with the user.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the account server is associated with a service provider providing media content to the remotely-located place shifting device via a medium separate from the communications network.