IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,659,173
Granted Patent B2
US 12,659,173 · App. 18/771,365 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Systems and methods for managing digital rights

Inventor: Ross Gilson (Philadelphia, PA)
Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
H04L9/3247G06F12/0813G06F12/0864G06F12/1408H04L9/0618H04L9/088H04L9/0894H04L9/3239H04L63/0471H04L63/061G06F2212/1052G06F2212/6032H04L9/50H04L2209/603
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,659,173
App. No.
18/771,365
Filed
Jul 12, 2024
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2407
USPC
713/171
Abstract

Systems and methods are described for managing digital rights. A transaction may be generated and may comprise an identifier and a decryption key. The decryption key may be configured to decrypt at least a portion of an encrypted content asset accessible by one or more user devices. The transaction may be caused to be stored in a distributed database.

Claims (38)

1 . A method comprising:

receiving an identifier associated with an encrypted content asset;

determining, based on using the identifier to locate a transaction in a distributed ledger, decryption information; and

causing, based on using the decryption information to decrypt the encrypted content asset, output of at least a portion of the content asset.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the content asset comprises one or more of a video, an image, an audio file, or an executable file.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising accessing the encrypted content asset from one or more of a content server, a hosting server, a distribution server, a database server, or a content delivery network.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving an additional identifier and using the identifier to locate additional decryption information in an additional transaction of the distributed ledger, wherein the decryption information is used to decrypt a first portion of the encrypted content asset and the additional decryption information is used to decrypt a second portion of the encrypted content asset.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifier comprises one or more of an input address or an output address of the transaction in the distributed ledger.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the identifier comprises receiving the identifier by a user device and based on authorization to access the content asset being granted by an entity managing the encrypted content asset.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving an indication of a plurality of portions of the encrypted content asset for output of the encrypted content asset.

8 . A device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to:

receive an identifier associated with an encrypted content asset;

determine, based on using the identifier to locate a transaction in a distributed ledger, decryption information; and

cause, based on using the decryption information to decrypt the encrypted content asset, output of at least a portion of the content asset.

9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the content asset comprises one or more of a video, an image, an audio file, or an executable file.

10 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the device to access the encrypted content asset from one or more of a content server, a hosting server, a distribution server, a database server, or a content delivery network.

11 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the device to receive an additional identifier and use the identifier to locate additional decryption information in an additional transaction of the distributed ledger, wherein the decryption information is used to decrypt a first portion of the encrypted content asset and the additional decryption information is used to decrypt a second portion of the encrypted content asset.

12 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the identifier comprises one or more of an input address or an output address of the transaction in the distributed ledger.

13 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to receive the identifier comprises instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to receive the identifier by a user device and based on authorization to access the content asset being granted by an entity managing the encrypted content asset.

14 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the device to receive an indication of a plurality of portions of the encrypted content asset for output of the encrypted content asset.

15 . A system comprising:

an output device; and

a computing device configured to:

receive an identifier associated with an encrypted content asset;

determine, based on using the identifier to locate a transaction in a distributed ledger, decryption information; and

cause, based on using the decryption information to decrypt the encrypted content asset, the output device to output of at least a portion of the content asset.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the content asset comprises one or more of a video, an image, an audio file, or an executable file.

17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the computing device is further configured to access the encrypted content asset from one or more of a content server, a hosting server, a distribution server, a database server, or a content delivery network.

18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the computing device is further configured to receive an additional identifier and use the identifier to locate additional decryption information in an additional transaction of the distributed ledger, wherein the decryption information is used to decrypt a first portion of the encrypted content asset and the additional decryption information is used to decrypt a second portion of the encrypted content asset.

19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the identifier comprises one or more of an input address or an output address of the transaction in the distributed ledger.

20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause:

receiving an identifier associated with an encrypted content asset;

determining, based on using the identifier to locate a transaction in a distributed ledger, decryption information; and

causing, based on using the decryption information to decrypt the encrypted content asset, output of at least a portion of the content asset.

21 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause accessing the encrypted content asset from one or more of a content server, a hosting server, a distribution server, a database server, or a content delivery network.

22 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause receiving an additional identifier and using the identifier to locate additional decryption information in an additional transaction of the distributed ledger, wherein the decryption information is used to decrypt a first portion of the encrypted content asset and the additional decryption information is used to decrypt a second portion of the encrypted content asset.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2024
From: GILSON, ROSS
To: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 067977/0544 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17745721 · May 16, 2022
Continuation 15657848 · Jul 24, 2017
Related Publication 20240364537A1 · Oct 31, 2024
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