Method, system, program and medium for streamed video access to a paid website

Abstract

A computer-implemented method is provided which includes the following steps: a) Receiving (210) a request for a URL associated with a page containing paid content at an intermediate page (430), wherein an objective of the present invention is to facilitate the distribution of paid content.The goal is achieved by the steps b) forwarding (220) the URL to a virtual machine (420); c) requesting (230) paid content by the virtual machine (420) using the URL and using access credentials for the paid content; d) receiving (240) the paid content at the virtual machine (420); e) rendering (250) the paid content as a frame in a frame buffer on the virtual machine (420) or receiving frames to be stored in a frame buffer on the virtual machine; f) generating (260) a video stream based on the buffer on the virtual machine (420); and g) forwarding (270) the video stream to the user device (440).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method, a system, a program and a medium for streamed access to a paid site. Problems to be solved with the invention

[0002] Sharing paid content is hampered by the complexity of integration on a case-by-case basis. Each integration with a new partner typically requires the installation of specialized publishing software. Furthermore, users of paid content are at risk of being tracked and / or exposed to malware. Another problem with sharing available content is the risk that the shared content could negatively impact the creators' search engine optimization. Sharing paid content also carries the risk of copywriting.

[0003] The invention aims to solve these problems. Means to solve the problems

[0004] The objects of the present invention are achieved by the subject matters of claims 1, 10, 11 and 12.

[0005] In particular, the objectives are achieved by a computer-implemented method comprising the following steps: a) receiving, at an intermediate site, preferably from a user device, a request for a URL associated with a paid site, preferably associated with content within the paid site; b) forwarding the URL to a virtual machine; c) Requesting paid content through the virtual machine using the URL and using access data for the paid content available in the virtual machine; d) receiving the paid content on the virtual machine in response to the request; e) rendering the paid content as image frames in a frame buffer on the virtual machine or receiving image frames to be stored in a frame buffer on the virtual machine; f) generating a video stream based on the buffer in the virtual machine; and g) Forwarding the video stream to the user device.

[0006] Advantages include avoiding publisher integration issues and the installation of publishing software. Publishers also don't have to syndicate content. Users have secure access to the content and avoid the risk of tracking. The solution also prevents the publisher's search engine from interfering with the content and allows the publisher to retain control over the content, for example, by preventing copying of text.

[0007] Using a virtual server logged into a paid site, a user can view the content via a video screen recording of that site, bypassing the paid site and allowing for easy publisher integration.

[0008] In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of: h) Displaying the video stream on a display of the user device.

[0009] In one embodiment, in step b), a screen resolution of the user device is passed to the virtual machine, and the display of the paid content in step e) is adjusted to the screen resolution. Alternatively, any other size specification, such as the size of a display window or frame, e.g., within another application, can be transmitted to the virtual machine. The virtual machine can output the video stream in such a way that the size specification is taken into account. In this way, the relevant information is transported as efficiently as possible.

[0010] In one embodiment, the URL to the paid page of the content is requested as an HTTP GET or HTTP POST parameter in the scope of a second URL to locate the intermediate page, and the second URL is received on the user device from a partner page.

[0011] In one embodiment, a bidirectional connection is maintained between the user device and the virtual machine; wherein navigation instructions from the user, such as scrolling up and down, are forwarded from the user device to the virtual machine; wherein the rendered paid content is navigated within a browser of the virtual machine according to the instructions; and wherein the navigation of the rendered paid content within the browser is recorded as a video stream. It goes without saying that the browser described above can be replaced by any type of software component that behaves like a browser, e.g., issues HTTP requests or posts. In the following, the term browser is used both for a browser in the usual sense and for the replacing component.

[0012] In one embodiment, the paid content is static content, such as text and / or images.

[0013] In one embodiment, the paid content is dynamic content, such as audio, video and / or interactive content, such as computer games.

[0014] In one embodiment, downloads and / or external links are disabled in the paid content.

[0015] In one embodiment, the access data for the paid page of the content in the virtual machine is preferably requested based on a domain name range of the URL.

[0016] The objects of the present invention are further achieved by a data processing system comprising: a user device; an intermediary site; a virtual machine; and a paid content site; wherein the system is configured to perform any of the methods described herein. The component described above may be hosted in a single virtual environment and / or distributed across multiple virtual environments and / or hardware components. The virtual machine may also be hosted as a software component on the intermediary site or other entities, such as the partner site described above.

[0017] The objects of the present invention are further achieved by a computer program including instructions which, when executed by one or more computers, cause the computers to perform one of the methods described above.

[0018] The objects of the present invention are further achieved by a computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to perform an embodiment of the methods described herein.

[0019] The advantages of the system, program and medium described are the same or similar to the advantages of the method described here.

[0020] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures, in which: Fig. 1 shows a method for providing streamed video streaming access to paid content sites according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 illustrates a computer-implemented method according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 illustrates a user device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a method using a virtual server 420 logged on to a paywall site 410 so that a user can view content via a video screen capture of that site, thereby bypassing the paywall and avoiding publisher integration.

[0022] First, an intermediary actor obtains access / subscription to a paid site 410 (e.g., a paid publisher site). Second, a virtual machine / container (Content Virtual Machine) 420 is set up with credentials for accessing the paid content site and displays a web browser logged into the paid content site with the credentials.

[0023] 130: Via a partner 450, a user requests an article from a paid content site via a URL and is redirected to an intermediate page, e.g. the page “content.supertab.co”.

[0024] The URL of the paid content is then read from the intermediary page 430. The intermediary page 430 can also read the user's screen resolution. The virtual machine 420 is instructed to render the URL of the paid content. If the user's screen resolution is available, the browser window is adjusted to the appropriate size for the user's device.

[0025] The virtual machine 420 creates a live video screen capture stream of the rendering results provided by the web browser and sends the result back, e.g., to the reader view on the intermediary page 430, e.g., content.supertab.co. The screen capture can be controlled via WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication). The stream can be transported via a direct connection between the user device 440 and the virtual machine 420 or routed via the intermediary page 430.

[0026] A reader view may be opened on the intermediate page 430, which may consist, for example, of a top frame with a logo, the current tab status, and a navigation menu, as well as a frame displaying the desired URL content streamed from the virtual machine 420. The user may navigate the reader view, for example, via a simplified web interface that allows page scrolling and basic interactions. These actions are passed to the virtual machine 420, which then performs the actions in its browser and plays the result, which is in turn recorded as a video. (In one embodiment, the browser is locked so that the user cannot load other pages or do anything other than scroll and interact with the page. Keyboard commands would be disabled.)

[0027] The virtual machine 420 of the user device 440 can maintain continuous bidirectional communication, allowing the user's instructions to be sent to the server and the server's video to the client. This connection could be facilitated by websockets or other real-time communication technologies.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a computer-implemented method according to an embodiment of the present invention, including the following steps: a) receiving 210 at an intermediate page 430, preferably from a user device 440, a request for a URL associated with a paid page 410, preferably associated with content within the paid page; b) forwarding 220 the URL to a virtual machine 420; c) requesting 230, by the virtual machine 420, paid content using the URL and using access data for the paid content available on the virtual machine 420; d) receiving 240 the paid content on the virtual machine 420 in response to the request;e) rendering 250 the paid content as image frames in a frame buffer on the virtual machine 420 or receiving image frames to be stored in a frame buffer on the virtual machine; f) generating 260 a video stream based on the frame buffer on the virtual machine 420; and g) forwarding 270 the video stream to the user device 440.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a display 300 on a device of the user 440. The illustration may further include a logo, a tab and hamburger menu bar 310, and a frame containing paid content of the page 320.

[0030] A hamburger menu typically consists of three overlapping lines that reveal a hidden menu. When the lines are clicked or tapped, a menu slides into view or a drawer / window appears. The menu contains a list of navigation items or other elements that the user can access.

[0031] Fig.4 shows a system according to the present invention, including paid sites 410, a virtual machine 420, an intermediary site 430, and a user device 440. The user device 440 requests paid content by communicating with an intermediary site 430. The virtual machine receives the request for paid content either directly from the user device or via the intermediary site. The virtual machine accesses the paid content site using paid credentials. The response is displayed in the virtual machine as image frames, which are recorded in the virtual machine as a video stream. The video stream is received by the user device, either directly from the virtual machine or via the intermediary site.

[0032] It should be understood that, although various aspects of the present invention have been illustrated and described by way of example, the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be embodied in other ways as suggested in the description and within the scope of the following exemplary claims. For example, although the invention relates to a system and method for displaying a virtual world, such a system or method may additionally be implemented in an augmented reality or holographic system or the like in accordance with the invention described above. List of reference symbols 110 An actor of an intermediary site provides access / subscription to a site with paid content; 120 A virtual machine / container is set up and displays a web browser logged into the paid site using the credentials obtained in the above step. The browser would be logged into all participating paid sites; 130 A user requests an article from a paid content site via a partner on an intermediary site and is redirected to an “intermediary site”, e.g., the site “content.supertab.co”, 140 The URL to paid content is read by the intermediary page. The intermediary page also reads the user's screen resolution; 150 The virtual machine is instructed to render the URL of the paid item; 160 The virtual machine is instructed to render the URL of the paid item based on the user's screen resolution; the browser window is adjusted to the size appropriate for the user's device; 170 The content virtual machine creates a live video screen recording stream of the web browser displaying the paid content of the page and sends the result back to the reader view on the intermediate page, e.g., content.supertab.co. (Screen recording probably via WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication)); 180 A reader view is opened on the intermediate page, which consists, for example, of a top frame with a logo, the current tab status and a navigation menu, as well as a frame showing the desired URL video feed from the virtual machine; 190 The user interacts with the reader view through a simplified web interface that allows them to scroll the page and perform basic interactions. These actions are transmitted to the virtual machine, which then performs the actions in its browser and plays the result via video. (The browser would be locked so that the user could not load other pages or do anything other than scroll and interact with the page. Keyboard commands would be disabled.) 195 The client and server are in constant bidirectional communication, allowing the user's interactions to be sent to the server and the server's video to the client. This connection could be facilitated by websockets or other real-time communication technologies; 210 Receiving a request for a URL to paid content via an intermediary page on a user device; 220 Forwarding the URL from the user device to a virtual machine; 230 Requesting paid content through the virtual machine using the URL and paid access data available on the virtual machine; 240 Receiving paid content on the virtual machine 250 Rendering the paid content in a frame buffer on the virtual machine; 260 Creating a video stream based on the buffer on the virtual machine and forwarding the video stream to the user device; 270 Forwarding the video stream to the user device; 280 Displaying the video stream on the user device; 300 Display on the user device; 310 space for logo, The Tab and hamburger menu; 320 Paid content, page content; 410 Paid content site; 420 Virtual Machine; 430 Intermediate page; 440 user devices; 450 partner site.

Claims

[1] Computer-implemented method that includes the following steps: a) receiving (210), at an intermediate page (430), preferably from a user device (440), a request for a URL associated with a paid page (410), preferably associated with content within the paid page; b) forwarding (220) the URL to a virtual machine (420); c) requesting (230) paid content by the virtual machine (420) using the URL and using access data for the paid content available on the virtual machine (420); d) receiving (240) the paid content on the virtual machine (420) in response to the request; e) rendering (250) the paid content as image frames in a frame buffer on the virtual machine (420) or receiving image frames to be stored in a frame buffer on the virtual machine (420); f) generating (260) a video stream based on the buffer on the virtual machine (420), and g) forwarding (270) the video stream to the user device (440). [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: h) displaying (280) the video stream on a display (300) of the user device (440). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in step b) a user device (screen) resolution is forwarded to the virtual machine (420); and whereby the rendering of the paid content in step e) is adapted to the (screen) resolution. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the URL to the paid content page is requested as an HTTP GET or HTTP POST parameter as part of a second URL that locates the intermediate page; and wherein the second URL is received at the user device (440) from a partner site (450). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a bidirectional connection is established and / or maintained between the user device (440) and the virtual machine (420); wherein navigation instructions of the user, such as scrolling up and down, are forwarded from the user device (440) to the virtual machine (420); wherein the played paid content is navigated within a browser of the virtual machine (420) according to the instructions; and where the navigation of the rendered paid content within the browser is recorded as a video stream. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, where the paid content is static content, such as text and / or images. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the paid content is dynamic content, such as audio, video and / or interactive content, such as computer games. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein downloads and / or external links are deactivated in the paid content. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the access data for the paid page (410) of the content are looked up in the virtual machine (420), preferably on the basis of a domain name range of the URL. [10] Data processing system comprising: a user device (440); an intermediate page (430); a virtual machine (420); a page with paid content (410); wherein the intermediate page (430) is configured to receive (210), preferably from the user device (440), a request for a URL associated with a paid page (410), preferably associated with content within the paid page; and is further configured to forward (220) the URL to the virtual machine (420); wherein the virtual machine (420) is configured to request paid content using the URL and using access data for the paid content available on the virtual machine (420); wherein the virtual machine (420) is further configured to receive (240) the paid content at the virtual machine (420) in response to the request; wherein the virtual machine (420) is further configured to render (250) the paid content as image frames in a frame buffer on the virtual machine (420) or to receive image frames to be stored in a frame buffer on the virtual machine (420); and wherein the virtual machine (420) is further configured to generate (260) a video stream based on the buffer; and forward (270) the video stream to the user device (440); and / or wherein the system is configured to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims. [11] A computer program including instructions which, when executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. [12] A computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

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