Switching network supporting media rights management

Abstract

A communication infrastructure containing a plurality of templates stored in an intermediate routing node and data rights management service function that determines an incoming packet contains media content by comparing the packet contents with the plurality of predefined templates and verifies whether associated license in the packet is valid. The intermediate routing node triggers the data rights management service function, if the associated license is not valid. The data rights management service function verifies rights of the user of the destination device to use the media content and interacts with the destination device to verify the validity of the license. In addition, the intermediate routing node interacts with a media manufacturer's server to verify the validity of the license. An external data rights management server may in part or full carry out the DRM functionality, to assist the intermediate routing node.

1 . A communication infrastructure supporting routing of a packet with media content, the communication infrastructure comprising:
 a packet switched network;   a destination device communicatively coupled to the packet switched network;   a source device communicatively coupled to the packet switched network, the source device delivering the packet into the packet switched network in an attempt to reach the destination device;   a data rights management service;   the packet switched network comprising an intermediate routing node;   the intermediate routing node receives and compares the packet to a plurality of templates and identifies the media content of the packet; and   the intermediate routing node, upon identifying the media content of the packet triggers the data rights management service prior to delivery of the packet to the destination device.   
     
     
         2 . The communication infrastructure of  claim 1 , wherein the data rights management service confirms an existence of licensing. 
     
     
         3 . The communication infrastructure of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate routing node comprising at least a portion of the data rights management service. 
     
     
         4 . The communication infrastructure of  claim 1 , further comprising a server that hosts at least a portion of the data rights management service. 
     
     
         5 . The communication infrastructure of  claim 1 , wherein the data rights management service identifies a licensing issue. 
     
     
         6 . The communication infrastructure of  claim 5 , wherein the data rights management service sends a message identifying the licensing issue. 
     
     
         7 . The communication infrastructure of  claim 6 , wherein the message comprising a payment request. 
     
     
         8 . The communication infrastructure of  claim 1 , wherein the message comprising a request for information needed to confirm licensing. 
     
     
         9 . The communication infrastructure of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate routing node interrupts delivery of the packet toward the destination device until the data rights management service confirms licensing. 
     
     
         10 . A method for use in a packet switched communication network supporting routing of a packet with media content from a source device to a destination device, the method comprising:
 receiving, at an intermediate routing node included in the packet switched communication network, a packet sent from the source device to the destination device;   prior to delivery of the packet to the destination device:
 identifying, at the intermediate routing node, media content included in the packet by comparing the packet to a plurality of templates; 
 in response to identifying the media content of the packet, using the intermediate routing node to trigger a data rights management service, the data rights management service verifying that the media content requires a license. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate routing node comprises a wireless router. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate routing node comprises a wireless access point. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 transcoding the packet at the intermediate routing node.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 performing the data rights management function in the intermediate node.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 performing the data rights management function, at least in part, using an external server coupled to the packet switched communication network.   
     
     
         16 . A method for use in a communication network supporting routing of a packet including media content from a source device towards a destination device, the method comprising:
 receiving, at an access point included in the communication network, a packet including media content requiring a license;   prior to routing the packet to the destination device:
 comparing the packet with a plurality of templates; 
 identifying, based on the comparing, the media content requiring a license; and 
 triggering, in response to the identifying, a data rights management function to determine if the media content requiring a license, is licensed. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein triggering the data rights management function comprises triggering a data rights management function internal to the access point. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein triggering the data rights management function comprises triggering a data rights management function on an external server, the external server configured to interact with at least one of the destination device and the source device to verify that licensing terms associated with the media content item requiring a license are followed. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 using the access point to verify licensing based on interactions with one of the destination device and the source device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the data rights management function comprises offering to sell a license.