Content Management Server Token Authentication for Media Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide secure and convenient access to private digital content for devices that cannot request user credentials or establish secure sessions with media servers, limiting their ability to render or play privately stored content.
Innovation Solution
A method using a content management server, such as PeCMan, generates and authenticates tokens to enable secure access to private content, allowing devices without authentication capabilities to access content by transferring necessary credentials or using proxy servers to calculate authentication parameters, thereby establishing secure connections without exposing user credentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a device without authentication capabilities attempts to access private content directly, then the device cannot retrieve private content, but if credentials are transferred to the device, then security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A content management server acts as an intermediary between the rendering device and the content server. The server manages authentication credentials and generates time-limited access tokens that enable the rendering device to access private content without storing sensitive credentials locally. This mediator approach allows devices without authentication capabilities to access content while maintaining security through centralized credential management.
2Ease of operation
If user credentials are stored on the rendering device, then access is convenient, but security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temporary, time-limited access tokens instead of permanent credentials. These tokens have limited validity periods and can be revoked, providing short-lived access that maintains convenience while minimizing security risks. The tokens are generated by the content management server and used by the rendering device to access content without exposing long-term credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the authentication parameter from permanent credentials to temporary tokens with different validity parameters. Tokens include expiration times and can be revoked, transforming the authentication mechanism from static credential storage to dynamic, parameter-based access control that balances convenience and security.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a proxy server calculates authentication parameters, then devices without capabilities can access content, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The content management server provides multiple functions: credential management, token generation, authentication parameter calculation, and access coordination. This multi-functional server handles various device types (mobile phones, tablets, PCs, HDTVs) through a unified interface, reducing the need for device-specific authentication implementations while maintaining system manageability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is disclosed for providing access to private digital content, owned by an owner and installed on a content server, to a first client which is capable of rendering said digital content, comprising - generating predetermined information by a second client, required for gaining authorised access to said content server by said first client; - transferring said predetermined information from said second client to said first client; - using said predetermined information by said first client to get access to said private digital content. Also a corresponding system is described.