Proximity-Based Entitlement Sharing for DRM Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for digitally distributing protected media content restrict access to a single user, limiting the ability to share media content between users without exchanging sensitive information, which is undesirable and prone to abuse.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for proximity-based entitlement sharing, where users can temporarily access each other's protected media content by determining proximity through user devices, eliminating the need for account information exchange, and allowing sharing of DRM-protected content across different media content providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If access to protected media content is restricted to a single user, then content security is maintained, but the ability to share media content between users is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces proximity determination technology (using GPS, Bluetooth, or other location-based services) as an intermediary mechanism to enable secure sharing. This intermediary verifies physical proximity between users before granting access, allowing content sharing while maintaining security through automated verification rather than manual credential exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the access control parameter from static user credentials to dynamic proximity-based authorization. When users are determined to be physically close, the system temporarily modifies access permissions to allow sharing, and automatically revokes these permissions when proximity is lost, enabling flexible sharing while maintaining security.
2Ease of operation
If account information is exchanged between users for sharing purposes, then access to protected content is enabled, but sensitivity and abuse risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensitive account information exchange step from the sharing process entirely. Instead of requiring users to share passwords or account credentials, the system uses only proximity determination and device identifiers, removing the harmful element of sensitive information exchange while preserving the beneficial sharing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic proximity verification and authorization without requiring users to manually share account information. The sharing process is self-service in that the system automatically determines eligibility based on location data and grants access without human intervention, eliminating the need for sensitive information exchange.
3Adaptability or versatility
If proximity determination is implemented for entitlement sharing, then anonymous sharing between users is enabled, but additional technical infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional mobile devices that already possess GPS, Bluetooth, or other location-determination capabilities. By utilizing these existing universal features of modern smartphones and tablets, the system enables anonymous sharing without requiring specialized hardware, thus minimizing additional infrastructure complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for sharing protected media content are provided. Protected media content can be shared when at least a first and second user are proximately located. The first and second user can be bound or paired based on one or more identification indicia associated with first and second user devices utilized, owned, or operated by the first and second users, respectively. Upon pairing, media content from the first and second users' media content libraries can be shared. Additionally, proximate location can be leveraged to surface media content to other users, giving such other users the opportunity to discover new media content, and otherwise engage in transactions involving the new media content. Further still, the most popular media content associated with the second user or group of users proximate to the first user can be determined and used to prompt further interaction or display information regarding such popular media content.