Encrypted URL Embedding for Secure Content Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current URL-based access to remote networks lacks secure user identification, authorization, and time-limited access, posing security risks for content providers and remote networks, as well as enabling unauthorized sharing and prolonged access obligations.
Innovation Solution
A method of embedding authentication data, a delivery session ID, and a timestamp in a URL, followed by encryption, to create a unique and secure URL that prevents unauthorized access and limits access duration, ensuring only authorized users can access content for a specified time period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional URL-based access is used for remote network content delivery, then ease of access is improved, but security and access control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds multiple layers of control information within the URL structure itself. Authentication data, session identifiers, and time-stamps are nested within the URL parameters, creating a self-contained access control mechanism that maintains ease of use while enhancing security. The encrypted URL acts as a container that holds all necessary authorization information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary encryption layer between the user and the content server. By encrypting the URL with embedded authentication data before transmission, the system creates a secure intermediary mechanism that verifies user identity and access rights without complicating the user's access process. The encrypted URL serves as a mediator that carries authorization information securely.
2Ease of operation
If URL sharing is allowed for content access, then user convenience is improved, but unauthorized access and content piracy are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each URL instance unique and non-transferable through embedded subscriber-specific authentication data. Each user receives a customized encrypted URL containing their unique identifier and session information, which cannot be effectively shared with other users. The URL's security properties are localized to each individual user's authentication credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the URL by embedding dynamic authentication data, session identifiers, and time-stamps within the URL structure. These parameter changes transform the static, shareable URL into a dynamic, user-specific access token that expires and becomes invalid for unauthorized users, thereby preventing content piracy while maintaining user convenience.
3Reliability
If indefinite access is granted to purchased content, then customer satisfaction is improved, but content provider obligations and security risks are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by embedding time-stamps and expiration data within the encrypted URL. Access rights are granted for specific time periods rather than indefinitely, allowing content providers to automatically manage access duration. The URL naturally expires after the predetermined time period, eliminating the need for manual access management while ensuring customer satisfaction through guaranteed access during the subscription period.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for accessing a remote network includes identifying a content server associated with the remote network, generating a uniform resource locator, embedding additional data in the uniform resource locator, encrypting the uniform resource locator, and accessing a server in the remote network identified by the uniform resource locator. The method further includes wherein the additional data comprises authentication data, a delivery session identification, a time stamp, or comprises subscriber identification data. The URL may provide access to the content server for a time period indicated by the time stamp. The method includes wherein at least the subscriber identification data prevents unauthorized sharing of the URL.