Method, system, program, and medium for video streaming access to paywalled site

Abstract

To provide a computer execution method for promoting spread of paywalled content.SOLUTION: A method is performed by the steps of: receiving, at an intermediary site (430), a request for a URL associated with a paywalled content site (410); transferring the URL to a virtual machine (420); requesting, by the virtual machine (420), paywalled content using the URL and using available authentication information for the paywalled content, and receiving the paywalled content in response to the request; rendering the paywalled content as an image frame in a frame buffer of the virtual machine (420) or receiving an image frame stored in the frame buffer; creating, at the virtual machine (420), a video stream based on the buffer; and transferring the video stream to a user device (440).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method, system, program and medium for streaming access to a pay site. [Background technology]

[0002] Paid content sharing has obstacles due to separate and complex integrations. Integration with new partners typically requires the installation of special publishing software. There is also a risk that consumers of paid content may be tracked and / or exposed to malicious software. Another problem with available content sharing is the risk that the shared content may interfere with the search engine optimization of the originator. Available sharing of paid content also carries the risk of text copying. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present invention aims to address these problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The object of the present invention is achieved by the subject matter of claims 1, 10, 11 and 12.

[0005] In particular, the object is to provide a method for providing a method for providing a content server to an intermediary site, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving, at an intermediary site, a request, preferably from a user equipment, for a URL related to a paid content site, preferably related to content within the paid content site; b) forwarding the URL to the virtual machine; c) requesting, by the virtual machine, the paid content using the URL and using the authentication information for the paid content available on the virtual machine; d) receiving the paid content at the virtual machine in response to the request; e) rendering said paid content as image frames in a frame buffer of a virtual machine or receiving image frames to be stored in a frame buffer of a virtual machine; f) creating a video stream in the virtual machine based on the buffer; g) forwarding the video stream to a user equipment; This is achieved by a computer-implemented method comprising:

[0006] Advantages include avoiding integration issues with publishers and avoiding the installation of publishing software. Furthermore, publishers do not need to syndicate content. Users access content securely and avoid tracking risks. This solution allows publishers to maintain control over their content, such as preventing text copying, while avoiding interference with publisher content search engines.

[0007] Using a virtual server logged into a paid site, users can view content via video screen captures of that site, thereby circumventing paywalls and facilitating integration with publishers.

[0008] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of h) displaying the video stream on a display of the user equipment.

[0009] In one embodiment, in step b) the screen resolution of the user equipment is transferred to the virtual machine, and the rendering of the paid content in step e) is adapted to the screen resolution. Alternatively, other size indications can be communicated to the virtual machine, such as for example the size of a display window or frame in another application. The virtual machine can output the video stream in a way that takes into account the size indication. This ensures that the relevant information is transmitted most efficiently.

[0010] In one embodiment, the URL of the paid content site is requested as an HTTP GET or HTTP POST parameter as part of a second URL pointing to an intermediary site, and the second URL is received from the partner site at the user equipment.

[0011] In one embodiment, a bidirectional connection is established and / or maintained between the user equipment and the virtual machine, user navigation instructions, such as scrolling up and down, are transferred from the user equipment to the virtual machine, the rendered paid content is navigated in the virtual machine's browser according to the instructions, and the navigation of the rendered paid content in the browser is captured as a video stream. Of course, it should be understood that the browser as described above can be substituted with any type of software component that behaves like a browser, for example, any type of software component that issues HTTP requests or posts. In the following, the term browser is used to refer to a browser as commonly understood and to the alternative 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 in paid content are disabled.

[0015] In one embodiment, the authentication information for the paid content site is preferably looked up in the virtual machine based on the domain name portion of the URL.

[0016] The object of the invention is also achieved by a data processing system comprising a user equipment, an intermediary site, a virtual machine and a paid content site, the data processing system being configured to perform one of the methods described above. The above mentioned components can be hosted within a single virtual environment and / or distributed across multiple virtual environments and / or hardware components. The virtual machine can also be hosted as a software component at an intermediary site or other entity such as a partner site as described above.

[0017] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more computers, cause the computers to carry out one of the methods described above.

[0018] The objects of the present invention are further achieved by a computer readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to perform one of the methods described above.

[0019] The advantages of the above-mentioned system, program and medium are equivalent or similar to the advantages of the method described herein.

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a procedure for providing streamed video streaming access to a paid content site according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 depicts a computer-implemented method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 depicts a user equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 depicts a system according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a procedure for using a virtual server 420 logged into a paid site 410, allowing users to view content via video screen captures of the site, thereby circumventing paywalls and integrating with publishers.

[0023] First, an intermediary actor procures access / subscription to a paid content site 410 (e.g., a paid publisher site). Then, a virtual machine / container (content virtual machine) 420 is set up with the credentials to access the paid content site and displays a web browser that logs into the paid content site using the credentials. The virtual machine may log into all participating paid content sites via the browser session. 130: Through partner 450, the user requests an article from the paid content site using a URL and is directed to the intermediary site, e.g., content.supertab.co's site.

[0024] The URL of the paid content is then retrieved by the intermediary site 430. The intermediary site 430 may also retrieve the user's screen resolution. The virtual machine 420 is instructed to render the URL of the paid content article. If the user's screen resolution is available, the browser window is sized appropriately for the user's device.

[0025] The content virtual machine 420 establishes a live video screen capture stream of the rendering results provided by the web browser and sends the results back to, for example, an intermediary site 430, such as a reader view at content.supertab.co. The screen capture may be driven via WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications). The stream may be forwarded via a direct connection between the user equipment 440 and the virtual machine 420 or may be routed through the intermediary site 430.

[0026] The Reader View may open an intermediary site 430, consisting of, for example, a top frame with a logo, current tab status, and navigation menu, and a frame showing the desired URL content streamed from the virtual machine 420. The user can interact with the Reader View, for example, navigating it through a simplified web interface that allows page scrolling and basic interaction. These actions are sent to the virtual machine 420, which performs the actions in the browser and renders the results that are captured as a video. (In one embodiment, the browser is locked to prevent the user from loading other pages or doing anything other than scrolling and interacting with the page. Key commands are disabled.)

[0027] Virtual machine 420 of user equipment 440 may maintain continuous two-way communication so that user commands are sent to the server and the server's video is sent to the client. This connection may be facilitated by WebSockets or other real-time communication technologies.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a computer-implemented method according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a) step 210 of receiving, at an intermediary site 430, a request for a URL, preferably from a user equipment 440, related to a paid content site 410, preferably related to content within said paid content site; b) step 220 of forwarding the URL to a virtual machine 420; c) step 230 of requesting paid content by the virtual machine 420 using the URL and authentication information for paid content available to the virtual machine 420; d) step 240 of receiving the paid content at the virtual machine 420 in response to the request; e) step 250 of rendering the paid content as image frames in a frame buffer of the virtual machine 420 or receiving the image frames to be stored in the frame buffer of the virtual machine 420; f) step 260 of creating a video stream in the virtual machine 420 based on the buffer; and g) step 270 of forwarding the video stream to the user equipment 440.

[0029] 3 depicts a display 300 of a user's device 440. The view may further include a logo, tabs, and hamburger menu bar 310, and a frame containing paid site content 320.

[0030] A hamburger menu is typically three stacked lines that indicate a hidden menu. When you click or tap on the lines, the menu slides out or a drawer appears. The menu holds a list of navigation items or other elements that the user can access.

[0031] 4 depicts a system according to the present invention comprising a paid content site 410, a virtual machine 420, an intermediary site 430, and a user equipment 440. The user equipment 440 requests paid content as part of communication with the intermediary site 430. The virtual machine receives the request for paid content from the user equipment directly or via the intermediary site. The virtual machine accesses the paid content site using paid authentication information. The response is rendered in the virtual machine as image frames that are captured as a video stream in the virtual machine. The video stream is received by the user equipment directly from the virtual machine or via the intermediary site.

[0032] While various aspects of the present disclosure have been illustratively shown and described, it is understood that the invention described herein is not limited thereto and may be embodied in various other forms as suggested by the present disclosure and set forth within the scope of the following exemplary claims. For example, notwithstanding the disclosure of systems and methods for rendering virtual worlds, such systems or methods may additionally be implemented in an augmented reality system or a holographic system, etc., in accordance with the present invention as described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 110 Intermediary Publisher Obtaining access / subscription to paid content sites. 120 The virtual machine / container is set up and displays a web browser which logs into the paid content site using the credentials received in the above step. The browser is now logged into all participating paid content sites. 130 A user, through an intermediary site partner, requests an article from a pay content site using the pay content URL and is directed to an "intermediary site," e.g., content.supertab.co site. 140 The URL of the paid content is read by the intermediary site, which also reads the user's screen resolution. 150 The virtual machine is instructed to render the URL of a paid article. 160 The browser window is sized appropriately for the user's device based on the user's screen resolution. 170 The Content Virtual Machine establishes a live video screen capture stream of the web browser displaying the paid content site's content and sends the result back to the reader view on the intermediary site, e.g. content.supertab.co. (The screen capture is likely driven by WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications)). 180 A reader view is opened on the intermediary site, which may, for example, include a top frame with a logo, current tab status and navigation menu, and a frame displaying the desired URL video feed from the virtual machine. 190 The user interacts with the reader view through a simplified web interface that allows the user to scroll the page and do basic interaction. These actions are sent to the virtual machine, which executes the actions in the browser and renders the results in the video. (The browser is locked down so that the user cannot load other pages or do anything other than scroll and interact with the page. Key commands are disabled.) 195 The client and server maintain a continuous two-way communication over which the user's interactions can be transmitted to the server and the server's video can be transmitted to the client. This connection can be facilitated by WebSockets or other real-time communication technologies. 210 The user device receives a request for a URL of the paid content through the intermediary site. 220 The URL is transferred from the user device to the virtual machine. 230 The virtual machine requests the paid content using the URL and the paid credentials available on the virtual machine. 240 Receive paid content in a virtual machine. 250 Render paid content in the virtual machine's framebuffer. 260 creates a video stream based on the virtual machine's buffer and transmits the video stream to the user equipment. 270 video stream to the user device. 280 Display the video stream on the user's device. 300 User Device Display 310 space for logotype, tabs and hamburger menu 320 Content of paid content sites 410 Paid content site 420 Virtual Machines 430 Intermediary Sites 440 User Equipment 450 partner sites

Claims

1. a) receiving (210), at an intermediary site (430), a request for a URL associated with a paid content site (410), preferably associated with content within said paid content site, preferably from a user equipment (440); b) forwarding (220) said URL to a virtual machine (420); c) requesting (230) paid content by said virtual machine (420) using said URL and authentication information for paid content available to said virtual machine (420); d) receiving (240) said paid content on said virtual machine (420) in response to said request; e) rendering (250) said paid content as image frames in a frame buffer of said virtual machine (420) or receiving image frames to be stored in a frame buffer of said virtual machine (420); f) creating (260) a video stream in said virtual machine (420) based on said buffer; g) forwarding (270) said video stream to said user equipment (440); 23. A computer-implemented method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: h) displaying (280) the video stream on a display (300) of said user equipment (440).

3. In step b), the (screen) resolution of the user equipment is transferred to the virtual machine (420), The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rendering of the paid content in step e) is adapted to the (screen) resolution.

4. the URL of the paid content site is requested as an HTTP GET or HTTP POST parameter as part of a second URL that points to the intermediary site; The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second URL is received at the user equipment (440) from a partner site (450).

5. A bidirectional connection is established and / or maintained between the user equipment (440) and the virtual machine (420); User navigation instructions, such as scrolling up or down, are transferred from the user device (440) to the virtual machine (420); the rendered paid content is navigated within a browser of the virtual machine (420) in accordance with the instructions; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein navigation of rendered pay content in the browser is captured as the video stream.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the paid content is static content such as text and / or images.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the paid content is dynamic content such as audio, video and / or interactive content such as computer games.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein downloads and / or external links in the paid content are disabled.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the authentication information of the paid content site (410) is preferably looked up in the virtual machine (420) based on the domain name part of the URL.

10. A user equipment (440); An intermediary site (430); A virtual machine (420); A paid content site (410); the intermediary site (430) is configured to receive, preferably from a user equipment (440), a request for a URL associated with a paid content site (410), preferably associated with content within the paid content site, the intermediary site (430) being further configured to forward the URL to a virtual machine (420); the virtual machine (420) is configured to request paid content using the URL and authentication information for paid content available to the virtual machine (420); The virtual machine (420) is further configured to receive the paid content at the virtual machine (420) in response to the request; the virtual machine (420) is further configured to render the paid content as image frames in a frame buffer of the virtual machine (420) or to receive image frames to be stored in a frame buffer of the virtual machine (420); The virtual machine (420) creates a video stream based on the buffer and forwards the video stream to the user equipment (440); and / or A data processing system configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more computers, cause said one or more computers to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

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