Apparatus and methods for content delivery and message exchange across multiple content delivery networks
View Patent ↗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.
1. An apparatus of a managed content distribution network configured to enable distribution of protected content to a subscriber of said managed content distribution network via an unmanaged content distribution network, said apparatus comprising:
a first interface configured to communicate with a third party content source within said unmanaged network yet affiliated to said managed content distribution network, said affiliation being identified via utilization of a uniform description language; and
a storage apparatus configured to store at least one computer program thereon, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed by a processor, cause said apparatus of said managed content distribution network to:
receive a request for said protected content from said third party content source, said request being rendered in said uniform description language and comprising at least network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed content distribution network;
utilize at least portions of said network login information to access a subscriber database maintained by said managed content distribution network to determine whether said subscriber associated with said network login information is entitled to access said requested protected content; and
issue a message in said uniform description language to said third party content source to authorize or deny delivery of said requested protected content to said subscriber;
wherein when said delivery is authorized, said third party content source being further configured to deliver said content to said subscriber; and
wherein when said delivery is denied, said third party content source being further configured to provide a message in said uniform description language to said subscriber that indicates said denial.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said third party content source comprises a website, said unmanaged content distribution network comprises an Internet, and said subscriber logs into said website via said network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed network in order to cause said communication to be sent to said managed network.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said request for said protected content from said third party content source is carried over at least a portion of said managed content distribution network, and wherein said delivery of said content to said subscriber comprises delivery over at least a portion of said unmanaged content distribution network.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said request from said subscriber is issued via a mobile device associated with said subscriber yet not registered with, known to, or in communication with said managed content distribution network.
5. A method of enabling distribution of protected content to a subscriber of a managed network via an unmanaged content distribution network, said method comprising:
receiving, at a content server, a request for said protected content from a third party content source within said unmanaged content distribution network yet affiliated to said managed network, said request being rendered in a uniform description language and comprising at least network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed network;
utilizing, at said content server, at least portions of said network login information to access a subscriber database maintained by said managed network to determine whether said subscriber associated with said network login information is entitled to access said requested protected content; and
issuing, at said content server, a message in said uniform description language to said third party content source authorizing or denying delivery of said requested protected content to said subscriber;
wherein when said delivery is authorized, said third party content source being further configured to deliver said content to said subscriber; and
wherein when said delivery is denied, said third party content source being further configured to provide a message in said uniform description language to said subscriber that indicates said denial.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said third party content source comprises a website, said unmanaged content distribution network comprises an Internet, and said subscriber logs into said website using said network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed network in order to cause said request to be sent to said managed network.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein said request for said protected content from said third party content source is carried over at least a portion of said managed network, and wherein said delivery of said content to said subscriber comprises delivery over at least a portion of said unmanaged content distribution network.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein said request from a subscriber is issued using a mobile device associated with said subscriber yet not registered with, known to, or in communication with said managed network.
9. The method of claim 5 , further comprising authenticating said third party entity using at least a Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) exchange.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising authenticating said third party entity using at least an eXtensible Access Control Markup Language (XACML)-based digitally signed certificate and a Common Secure Interoperability (CSI) session.
11. The method of claim 5 , wherein said request is issued using consumer premises equipment (CPE) registered within said managed network and in operative communication therewith.
12. The method of claim 5 , wherein said delivery occurs without using said managed network.
13. A non-transitory computer readable apparatus having a storage medium, said medium comprising at least one computer program configured to enable distribution of protected content to a subscriber of a managed network via an unmanaged content distribution network, said at least one program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed, cause said apparatus to:
receive a request for said protected content from a third party content source within said unmanaged content distribution network yet affiliated to said managed network, said request being rendered in a uniform description language and comprising at least network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed network;
utilize at least portions of said network login information to access a subscriber database maintained by said managed network to determine whether said subscriber associated with said network login information is entitled to access said requested protected content; and
issue a message in said uniform description language to said third party content source to authorize or deny delivery of said requested protected content to said subscriber;
wherein when said delivery is authorized, said third party content source being further configured to deliver said content to said subscriber; and
wherein when said delivery is denied, said third party content source being further configured to provide a message in said uniform description language to said subscriber that indicates said denial.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said third party content source comprises a website, said unmanaged content distribution network comprises an Internet, and said subscriber logs into said website via said network login information specific to said subscriber of said managed network in order to cause said request to be sent to said managed network.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said request for said protected content from said third party content source is carried over at least a portion of said managed network, and wherein said delivery of said content to said subscriber comprises delivery over at least a portion of said unmanaged content distribution network.
16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said request from a subscriber is issued via a mobile device associated with said subscriber yet not registered with, known to, or in communication with said managed network.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, authenticate said third party entity using at least a Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) exchange.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, authenticate said third party entity using at least an eXtensible Access Control Markup Language (XACML)-based digitally signed certificate and a Common Secure Interoperability (CSI) session.
19. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said request is issued by use of a consumer premises equipment (CPE) registered within said managed network and in operative communication therewith.
20. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein said delivery occurs without use of said managed network.