CN100589096C

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: CN100589096C
Application number: CN200580041560A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·英特兰迪; S·哈珀; D·坎纳朗格
Original assignee: Now Technologies Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Now Technologies Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-02
Filing date: 2005-12-02
Publication date: 2010-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-02
Also published as: CN101084497A

Abstract

A method for managing unprotected and protected content in a private network, the method including the steps of: receiving content; retrieving metadata associated with the received content; determining whether the received content is unprotected or protected based on the associated metadata; for unprotected content, allowing the unprotected content to be selectively stored, managed and distributedin the private network based on the associated metadata; for protected content, identifying a content protection system associated with the protected content based on the associated metadata, and performing at least one of: displaying information to a user of the private network facilitating retrieval of one or more hardware/software components required by the associated content protection system; retrieving the one or more required hardware/software components; verifying that the one or more required hardware/software components are present in the private network, before allowing the protected content to be selectively stored, managed and distributed in the private network based on the associated metadata.

Description

Translated fromChinese

在专用网络中管理未受保护和受保护的内容的设备和方法Apparatus and method for managing unprotected and protected content in a private network

发明领域field of invention

本发明涉及在专用网络中管理未受保护和受保护的内容。The present invention relates to managing unprotected and protected content in a private network.

发明背景Background of the invention

内容提供者采用各种内容保护系统来控制对内容的访问。内容保护系统包括数字权限管理(DRM)系统、复制保护(CP)系统、条件访问(CA)系统、技术保护措施(TPM)等。内容保护系统一般要求在受保护内容可由用户访问之前在专用网络内存在硬件/软件组件。Content providers employ various content protection systems to control access to content. The content protection system includes a digital rights management (DRM) system, a copy protection (CP) system, a conditional access (CA) system, a technical protection measure (TPM) and the like. Content protection systems generally require the presence of hardware/software components within a private network before protected content can be accessed by a user.

导航内容保护系统的微妙性和复杂性向希望在专用网络中存储、管理和分发内容的用户提出了问题。内容用户可能甚至不知道存在内容保护系统、它们是什么、以及它们如何在专用网络中工作。这些问题是复合的，因为不同的内容提供者采用可能不能互操作的不同的内容保护系统。The subtleties and complexities of navigating content protection systems pose problems for users wishing to store, manage, and distribute content in private networks. Content users may not even be aware that content protection systems exist, what they are, and how they work within a private network. These problems are compounded as different content providers employ different content protection systems that may not interoperate.

从而需要用于在专用网络中管理未受保护和受保护的内容的集成的解决方案。There is thus a need for an integrated solution for managing unprotected and protected content in a private network.

发明概述Summary of the invention

根据本发明，提供了一种用于在专用网络中管理未受保护和受保护的内容的方法，该方法包括以下步骤：According to the present invention, there is provided a method for managing unprotected and protected content in a private network, the method comprising the steps of:

接收内容；receive content;

检索与所接收内容相关联的元数据；retrieve metadata associated with the received content;

基于相关联的元数据确定所接收内容是未受保护的还是受保护的；determining whether the received content is unprotected or protected based on associated metadata;

对未受保护的内容，基于相关联的元数据，允许在专用网络中选择性地存储、管理和分发未受保护的内容；For unprotected content, based on associated metadata, allow selective storage, management and distribution of unprotected content in private networks;

对受保护的内容，基于相关联的元数据，标识与受保护的内容相关联的内容保护系统，并在基于相关联的元数据，允许在专用网络中选择性地存储、管理和分发受保护的内容之前，执行以下的至少其中之一：For protected content, based on the associated metadata, identify the content protection system associated with the protected content, and based on the associated metadata, allow the selective storage, management and distribution of protected content in a private network Before the contents of the , do at least one of the following:

向专用网络的用户显示信息，以便于检索相关联的内容保护系统所需的一个或多个硬件/软件组件；Display information to users of the private network to facilitate retrieval of one or more hardware/software components required by the associated content protection system;

检索一个或多个所需的硬件/软件组件；Retrieve one or more required hardware/software components;

验证一个或多个所需的硬件/软件组件存在于专用网络中。Verify that one or more required hardware/software components exist on the private network.

本发明还提供一种存储在处理器可读存储设备中的处理器程序产品，该处理器程序产品具有用于使至少一个处理器执行以下步骤的处理器指令：The present invention also provides a processor program product stored in a processor-readable storage device, the processor program product having processor instructions for causing at least one processor to perform the following steps:

接收内容；receive content;

向专用网络的用户显示信息，以便于检索相关联的内容保护系统所需的Display information to users of the private network to facilitate retrieval of information required by the associated content protection system

一个或多个硬件/软件组件；one or more hardware/software components;

本发明还提供一种用于在专用网络中管理未受保护和受保护的内容的系统，该系统包括：The present invention also provides a system for managing unprotected and protected content in a private network, the system comprising:

连接至专用网络的一个或多个处理器；one or more processors connected to a private network;

用于使一个或多个处理器执行以下步骤的处理器指令：Processor instructions to cause one or more processors to:

接收内容；receive content;

验证一个或多个所需的硬件/软件组件存在于专用网络中；以及Verify that one or more required hardware/software components exist on the private network; and

连接至该一个或多个处理器的一个或多个处理器可读存储设备，用于存储处理器指令、所接收内容、相关联的元数据以及相关联的内容保护系统所需的一个或多个硬件/软件组件。One or more processor-readable storage devices coupled to the one or more processors for storing processor instructions, received content, associated metadata, and one or more hardware/software components.

附图简述Brief description of the drawings

现在将完全经由非限定性的示例并参考附图来描述本发明的实施例，附图中：Embodiments of the invention will now be described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

图1是根据本发明的一个实施例用于在专用网络中管理未受保护和受保护的内容的系统的示意性组件图；1 is a schematic component diagram of a system for managing unprotected and protected content in a private network according to one embodiment of the present invention;

图2是根据本发明的一个实施例用于在专用网络中管理未受保护和受保护的内容的方法的流程图；2 is a flowchart of a method for managing unprotected and protected content in a private network according to one embodiment of the present invention;

图3A-N是对所存储内容的管理的示例屏幕截图；以及3A-N are example screenshots of management of stored content; and

图4A-I是所存储内容的播放列表的示例屏幕截图。4A-I are example screenshots of playlists of stored content.

实施例的详细描述Detailed description of the embodiment

图1是用于管理未受保护和受保护的内容的分布式可缩放系统100的组件图。系统100在私有环境中，例如家庭环境中被连接至有线和/或专用网络102。专用网络102可以是例如私人车辆、私人企业、私人房屋等私有用户环境中例如内联网、蜂窝网、局域网(LAN)、虚拟专用网(VPN)、个人区域网(PAN)、授权域(AD)等。FIG. 1 is a component diagram of a distributedscalable system 100 for managing unprotected and protected content.System 100 is connected to a wired and/orprivate network 102 in a private environment, such as a home environment. Theprivate network 102 may be, for example, an intranet, a cellular network, a local area network (LAN), a virtual private network (VPN), a personal area network (PAN), an authorized domain (AD) wait.

例如数字视频、数字音频、数字照片、数字图形、数字动画、数字文本、数字多媒体等的内容经由连接至专用网络102的的服务器104和分布式客户机106、108接收到专用网络102内。内容可从例如存储卡110、因特网连接或网站链接112、照片CD 114、音乐CD 116、DVD 118、卫星下行链路120、数字调谐器、有线电视网络等接收。内容也可从其它来源接收，例如，诸如调谐器/解码器和机顶盒等设备、诸如蜂窝网和有线电视网等公共网络、诸如移动电话等移动终端、诸如MP3播放器等媒体播放器、游戏控制台、以及诸如个人数字助理(PDA)等便携式计算设备。Content such as digital video, digital audio, digital photos, digital graphics, digital animation, digital text, digital multimedia, etc. is received into theprivate network 102 via aserver 104 anddistributed clients 106, 108 connected to theprivate network 102. Content may be received from, for example, amemory card 110, an Internet connection orwebsite link 112, aphoto CD 114, amusic CD 116, aDVD 118, asatellite downlink 120, a digital tuner, a cable television network, and the like. Content may also be received from other sources such as devices such as tuner/decoders and set-top boxes, public networks such as cellular and cable networks, mobile terminals such as mobile phones, media players such as MP3 players, game controls desks, and portable computing devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs).

客户机106是专用网络102的内容接收及用户界面节点。客户机106包括DVD/CD驱动器、存储卡槽以及对上述其它内容来源的连接。客户机106还包括供用户接口至系统100的触摸屏显示器122。客户机108是专用网络102向回放/呈现设备，例如等离子显示器124、投影仪126、声音系统128和LCD显示器130分发并提供内容的内容分发节点。客户机108还包括DVD/CD驱动器和接收内容的存储卡槽。提供遥控设备132来用于对系统100的集成用户控制。Client 106 is a content receiving and user interface node ofprivate network 102 .Client machine 106 includes a DVD/CD drive, memory card slot, and connections to the other content sources mentioned above.Client 106 also includes atouch screen display 122 for user interface tosystem 100 .Clients 108 are content distribution nodes that distribute and provide content overprivate network 102 to playback/presentation devices, such asplasma display 124 ,projector 126 ,sound system 128 , andLCD display 130 . Theclient machine 108 also includes a DVD/CD drive and a memory card slot to receive content. Aremote control device 132 is provided for integrated user control of thesystem 100 .

服务器104是专用网络102的内容存储和管理节点，且使用用于管理未受保护和受保护的内容的内容管理软件来编程。服务器104也包括DVD/CD驱动器、存储卡槽、和对上述其它内容来源的连接。与服务器104相关联的触摸屏显示器134也提供对系统100的用户界面。Server 104 is the content storage and management node ofprivate network 102 and is programmed with content management software for managing unprotected and protected content.Server 104 also includes a DVD/CD drive, memory card slot, and connections to the other content sources mentioned above. Atouch screen display 134 associated withserver 104 also provides a user interface tosystem 100 .

连接至专用网络102的物理介质存储设备136是专用网络102的内容保护和验证节点。物理介质存储设备136物理地存储与例如数字权限管理(DRM)系统、复制保护(CP)系统、条件访问(CA)系统和技术保护措施(TPM)等内容保护系统相关联的例如音乐CD 116和DVD 118等可移动存储介质。物理介质存储设备136还存储与内容保护系统相关联的软件组件，例如，加密/解密密钥、数字许可证、数字证书、数字水印、产品注册、用户注册、激活码、订阅、数字签名、设备ID和用户ID。物理介质存储设备136还是在没有用户交互的情况下可缩放地处理n个存储、管理和内容验证的批量加载设备。所有存储和管理的内容的日志在被请求时或当内容验证和/或使用完成时被提供给用户。附加的物理介质存储设备136(未示出)可连接至专用网络102来提供可缩放的内容保护和验证功能。此外，内容保护硬件/软件组件也可被存储在服务器104中。The physicalmedia storage device 136 connected to theprivate network 102 is the content protection and authentication node of theprivate network 102 . Physicalmedia storage device 136 physically storesmusic CDs 116, for example, andmusic CDs 116 associated with content protection systems, such as digital rights management (DRM) systems, copy protection (CP) systems, conditional access (CA) systems, and technical protection measures (TPM).DVD 118 and other removable storage media. Physicalmedia storage device 136 also stores software components associated with the content protection system, such as encryption/decryption keys, digital licenses, digital certificates, digital watermarks, product registration, user registration, activation codes, subscriptions, digital signatures, device ID and user ID. The physicalmedia storage device 136 is also a bulk load device that scales to handle n storage, management, and content verification without user interaction. A log of all stored and managed content is provided to the user when requested or when content verification and/or usage is complete. Additional physical media storage devices 136 (not shown) may be connected toprivate network 102 to provide scalable content protection and authentication functionality. Additionally, content protection hardware/software components may also be stored in theserver 104 .

系统100可经由防火墙138和因特网140连接至web服务器142。web服务器142为系统100提供内容元数据、软件更新和远程配置。System 100 is connectable toweb server 142 viafirewall 138 andInternet 140 . Theweb server 142 provides thesystem 100 with content metadata, software updates, and remote configuration.

图2是示出由系统100执行的用于管理未受保护和受保护的内容的过程200的流程图。当在专用网络中接收到内容(步骤202)之后，例如从内容本身、公共网络、远程数据库、本地数据库、元数据提供者和专用网络的用户检索与所接收内容相关联的元数据(步骤204)。将在以下描述对例如内容类型等元数据的检索。当检索了相关联的元数据之后，基于相关联的元数据作出所接收到的内容是未受保护还是受保护的判断(步骤206)。基于相关联的元数据，然后可在专用网络中自由且选择性地存储、管理和分发未受保护的内容(步骤208)。另一方面，相关联的元数据被用于标识与受保护的内容相关联的内容保护系统(步骤210)。与受保护的内容相关联的内容保护系统包括，例如数字权限管理(DRM)系统、复制保护(CP)系统、条件访问(CA)系统、技术保护措施(TPM)等。FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process 200 performed bysystem 100 for managing unprotected and protected content. After content is received in the private network (step 202), metadata associated with the received content is retrieved (step 204), for example, from the content itself, public networks, remote databases, local databases, metadata providers, and users of the private network. ). Retrieval of metadata such as content type will be described below. After the associated metadata is retrieved, a determination is made based on the associated metadata whether the received content is unprotected or protected (step 206). Based on the associated metadata, the unprotected content can then be freely and selectively stored, managed and distributed in the private network (step 208). In another aspect, the associated metadata is used to identify the content protection system associated with the protected content (step 210). Content protection systems associated with protected content include, for example, digital rights management (DRM) systems, copy protection (CP) systems, conditional access (CA) systems, technical protection measures (TPMs), and the like.

一旦标识了相关联的内容保护系统，即向专用网络的用户显示信息以便于检索相关联内容保护系统所需的硬件/软件组件(步骤212)。此外或作为替换，与所需的硬件/软件组件和/或内容保护系统有关的信息可被记入日志以便在被请求时供用户审阅。例如从内容本身、公共网络、本地数据库、远程数据库、内容提供者、存储介质、存储设备和专用网络的用户检索相关联的内容保护系统所需的硬件/软件组件。所需的硬件/软件组件包括，例如存储介质、存储设备、智能卡、道尔芯片、加密/解密密钥、数字许可证、数字证书、数字水印、媒体播放器、产品注册、用户注册、激活码、订阅、数字签名、设备ID、用户ID等。内容保护系统可能需要在专用网络中存在两个或多个硬件/软件组件的不同组合，例如MP3 DRM系统可能需要便携式MP3媒体播放器和MP3 DRM软件的存在。对专用网络中受保护内容的访问的本质和范围可至少部分基于所需的硬件/软件组件。所需的硬件/软件组件被检索(步骤214)和/或被验证为存在于专用网络中(步骤216)。之后，可基于相关联的元数据在专用网络中选择性地存储、管理和分发受保护的内容。Once the associated content protection system is identified, information is displayed to the user of the private network to facilitate retrieval of hardware/software components required by the associated content protection system (step 212). Additionally or alternatively, information related to required hardware/software components and/or content protection systems may be logged for user review when requested. The associated hardware/software components required by the content protection system are retrieved eg from users of the content itself, public networks, local databases, remote databases, content providers, storage media, storage devices and private networks. Required hardware/software components include, for example, storage media, storage devices, smart cards, dongles, encryption/decryption keys, digital licenses, digital certificates, digital watermarks, media players, product registration, user registration, activation codes , subscriptions, digital signatures, device IDs, user IDs, etc. A content protection system may require the presence of two or more different combinations of hardware/software components in a dedicated network, for example an MP3 DRM system may require the presence of a portable MP3 media player and MP3 DRM software. The nature and extent of access to protected content in the private network may be based at least in part on required hardware/software components. The required hardware/software components are retrieved (step 214) and/or verified as present in the private network (step 216). The protected content can then be selectively stored, managed and distributed within the private network based on the associated metadata.

由服务器104和/或物理介质存储设备136执行的软件验证所需的硬件/软件组件存在于专用网络102中。所需的硬件/软件组件可被存储在服务器104和/或物理介质存储设备136中以便随后进行的检索和/或验证。服务器104和/或物理介质存储设备136可被编程来检测所需的硬件组件，例如便携式媒体播放器、道尔芯片等是否经由系统100的组件直接或间接地连接至专用网络102。Hardware/software components required for software verification performed byserver 104 and/or physicalmedia storage device 136 reside inprivate network 102 . Required hardware/software components may be stored inserver 104 and/orphysical media storage 136 for subsequent retrieval and/or verification.Server 104 and/or physicalmedia storage device 136 may be programmed to detect whether required hardware components, such as portable media players, dongles, etc., are directly or indirectly connected toprivate network 102 via components ofsystem 100 .

可从内容来源检索相关联的元数据，例如CD可由诸如其目录(TOC)等元数据来标识。该二进制结构被转换成十六进制串，并作为对例如web服务器140上的元数据数据库等元数据数据库的元数据查询的一部分提交。所查询的元数据数据库然后返回一组唯一的id串，它们被串接来产生标识CD的元数据。该id串被存储在本地数据库中，例如服务器104中，以便标识CD。照片CD可例如由其卷名标识。例如使用Windows(商标)32API函数GetVolumeInformation来检索卷名。Associated metadata can be retrieved from the content source, for example a CD can be identified by metadata such as its table of contents (TOC). This binary structure is converted to a hexadecimal string and submitted as part of a metadata query to a metadata database, such as the metadata database onweb server 140 . The metadata database queried then returns a set of unique id strings which are concatenated to produce the metadata identifying the CD. This id string is stored in a local database, such asserver 104, to identify the CD. A photo CD can be identified, for example, by its volume name. For example, use the Windows(TM) 32 API function GetVolumeInformation to retrieve the volume name.

与DVD相关联的元数据可基于三个单独的标识符来检索。当DVD首次被添加到系统100时，Microsoft(商标)DirectX接口IDVDInfo2为该DVD获取系统生成的64位号码。然后在例如web服务器142上的元数据数据库中搜索匹配的条目。如果未在元数据数据库中找到记录，则从DVD盘读取唯一产品码(UPC)。如果找不到，则向用户提示输入该UPC，它一般作为条形码在后盖上找到。然后使用UPC来查询元数据数据库以获取该DVD的信息和封面样式。元数据数据库也返回与该UPC一起存储在服务器104上的数据库中的盘ID。当DVD被存储在服务器104中时，Microsoft(商标)ID被用作密钥。当DVD被再次放入DVD驱动器时，Microsoft(商标)ID被用于查找服务器104中的记录。标识DVD的其它合适的方法对本领域的技术人员而言是显而易见的。Metadata associated with DVDs can be retrieved based on three separate identifiers. When a DVD is first added to thesystem 100, the Microsoft(TM) DirectX interface IDDVDInfo2 acquires a system-generated 64-bit number for the DVD. A matching entry is then searched, eg, in a metadata database onweb server 142 . If no record is found in the metadata database, the Unique Product Code (UPC) is read from the DVD disc. If not found, the user is prompted for the UPC, which is typically found on the back cover as a barcode. The UPC is then used to query the metadata database for the DVD's information and cover style. The metadata database also returns the disc ID stored in the database onserver 104 with the UPC. When a DVD is stored in theserver 104, a Microsoft (trademark) ID is used as a key. The Microsoft(TM) ID is used to look up the record in theserver 104 when the DVD is put into the DVD drive again. Other suitable methods of identifying DVDs will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

与内容相关联的元数据包括，例如标题、海报或封面样式、音频和/或视频剪辑、概述、作者、表演者、制片人、流派、评级、版本、评论等。对DVD和CD，从元数据提供者检索元数据。对数字电视或无线电广播，元数据可包括例如电子节目指南(EPG)。此外或作为替换，可经由用户界面122、134从专用网络的用户处检索与所接收的内容相关联的元数据。Metadata associated with content includes, for example, titles, poster or cover styles, audio and/or video clips, summaries, authors, performers, producers, genres, ratings, versions, reviews, and the like. For DVDs and CDs, metadata is retrieved from the metadata provider. For digital television or radio broadcasts, metadata may include, for example, an Electronic Program Guide (EPG). Additionally or alternatively, metadata associated with the received content may be retrieved via theuser interface 122, 134 from a user of the private network.

内容可按其本来或原始的格式被存储在服务器104上的数据库中以优化回放或呈现。或者，内容可按压缩格式存储。相关联的元数据也可被存储在服务器104中的数据库中。所支持的照片格式由文件内的扩展名和签名字节检测。每一有效文件然后使用操作系统文件复制操作被复制到服务器104中的目标目录。在复制过程期间，测试并缩小图片分辨率以适于回放设备108的最大呈现分辨率，从而允许所存储的任何图像分辨率向回放或呈现设备122、124、126、128显示。Content may be stored in a database onserver 104 in its native or raw format for optimized playback or presentation. Alternatively, the content may be stored in a compressed format. Associated metadata may also be stored in a database inserver 104 . Supported photo formats are detected by the extension and signature bytes within the file. Each valid file is then copied to a target directory inserver 104 using an operating system file copy operation. During the copy process, the picture resolution is tested and scaled down to fit the maximum rendering resolution of theplayback device 108 , allowing any image resolution stored to be displayed to the playback orrendering device 122 , 124 , 126 , 128 .

图3A-N是基于相关联元数据管理服务器104上所存储的内容的屏幕截图。图3A示出服务器104中所存储的内容可被分类为电影(movies)、音乐(music)、照片(photos)、因特网内容(internet)和播放列表(playlist)。在图3B-D中，电影内容可按所有可用的标题(title)、流派(genre)、演员(actor)、导演(director)和标题(title)管理。也可显示电影的海报样式图像。如图3E-H中所示，音乐内容可按所有可用的标题(title)、流派(genre)、艺术家(artist)、专辑名(albumtitle)和音轨标题(track title)管理。也可显示专辑的封面样式图像。图3I-J示出照片可按流派(genre)、相册标题(photo album title)和单张照片标题(photo title)来分类。如图3L-M中所示，所存储的web链接(web link)和因特网搜索引擎(searchengine)也可被分类。图3A示出可用于设置和管理用户的安全设定的安全图标/按钮(security)，图3N示出用于对所存储的内容的安全管理的用户代码(user code)的使用。3A-N are screenshots based on content stored on the associatedmetadata management server 104 . FIG. 3A shows that the content stored in theserver 104 can be classified into movies (movies), music (music), photos (photos), Internet content (internet) and playlist (playlist). In Figures 3B-D, movie content can be managed by all available titles, genres, actors, directors and titles. Poster style images of movies can also be displayed. As shown in Figures 3E-H, music content can be managed by all available titles (title), genre (genre), artist (artist), album title (album title) and track title (track title). An album cover style image can also be displayed. 3I-J show that photos can be classified by genre (genre), album title (photo album title) and individual photo title (photo title). As shown in Figures 3L-M, stored web links (web links) and Internet search engines (searchengines) may also be categorized. Figure 3A shows a security icon/button (security) that can be used to set and manage a user's security settings, and Figure 3N shows the use of a user code (user code) for security management of stored content.

图3K和4A-I是示出创建服务器104上所存储的内容的播放列表的屏幕截图。播放列表可使用图3A中所示的音乐、照片或播放列表按钮来创建。可创建不同类型内容的混合，诸如伴有音轨的照片幻灯片演示，以便经由客户机108在回放设备124、126、128、130上回放或呈现。如图4A-F中所示，可使用所存储的音频内容的主题(theme)、流派、艺术家和标题来创建所存储的音轨的播放列表。图4G-H示出可预览并选择所存储的数字照片来伴随音轨的播放列表。图4I是播放列表概述，它包括例如，单个音轨和照片的标题、播放列表的总持续时间(duration)。系统软件可用于生成电影、音乐和照片的组合的播放列表，并可用于控制不同类型的内容之间的过渡，诸如场景、音轨等之间音乐和/或视频的淡入和淡出。3K and 4A-I are screen shots illustrating creating a playlist of content stored on theserver 104 . Playlists can be created using the music, photos or playlist buttons shown in Figure 3A. A mix of different types of content can be created, such as a photo slideshow accompanied by an audio track, for playback or presentation onplayback devices 124 , 126 , 128 , 130 viaclient 108 . As shown in Figures 4A-F, a playlist of stored audio tracks may be created using the theme, genre, artist, and title of the stored audio content. 4G-H illustrate a playlist in which stored digital photos can be previewed and selected to accompany an audio track. Figure 4I is a playlist overview, which includes, for example, the titles of individual tracks and photos, the total duration of the playlist. The system software can be used to generate combined playlists of movies, music and photos, and can be used to control transitions between different types of content, such as fading in and out of music and/or video between scenes, audio tracks, etc.

所存储的内容可由客户机108选择性地从服务器104分发给回放设备124、126、128、130。系统软件包括服务器104上的网络流服务(NSS)，以及每一客户机108上的网络流客户程序(NSC)。NSS可访问服务器104上所存储的所有内容，以及一组数字电视调谐器和卫星/有线电视解扰器卡。内容由NSS作为分组流来供应，这些流可包含任何支持的播放器媒体类型，例如MPEG-2、MPEG-4、WMA、WAV、WMV、DV等。也可对流加密以防止“中间人”复制攻击。Stored content may be selectively distributed fromserver 104 toplayback devices 124 , 126 , 128 , 130 byclient 108 . The system software includes a Network Streaming Service (NSS) on theserver 104 and a Network Streaming Client (NSC) on eachclient 108 . The NSS has access to all content stored onserver 104, as well as a set of digital TV tuner and satellite/cable descrambler cards. Content is served by NSS as packetized streams, which may contain any supported player media type, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMA, WAV, WMV, DV, etc. The stream can also be encrypted to prevent "man-in-the-middle" copy attacks.

响应于用户选择，客户机108上的NSC为当前流表(CST)查询NSS，该表是当前正在播放的流的列表。CST的内容可向用户显示，这允许NSC参与该流的回放。一NSC从而可参与另一NSC正在使用的TV频道的流传送，或者只要有调谐器可用即可将频道添加到CST。或者，客户机108可参与电影或其它视频流的组播。CST包含描述内容类型的流元数据，诸如“视频”、“音频”或流名，诸如“Channel 7”或“The Fifth Element”以及其它信息，例如控制客户机108。流元数据被显示为与流本身有关的信息的屏幕上显示(OSD)。In response to user selections, the NSC onclient 108 queries the NSS for the current stream table (CST), which is a list of streams currently playing. The content of the CST can be displayed to the user, which allows the NSC to participate in the playback of the stream. An NSC can then participate in streaming a TV channel that another NSC is using, or add channels to the CST as soon as a tuner is available. Alternatively,clients 108 may participate in a multicast of movies or other video streams. The CST contains stream metadata describing the content type, such as "Video", "Audio", or stream name, such as "Channel 7" or "The Fifth Element" and other information, such as the controllingclient 108. Stream metadata is displayed as an on-screen display (OSD) of information about the stream itself.

当用户选择流，例如电影、幻灯片演示或音乐来回放时，NSC建立至NSS的连接，并请求该流开始。对单播流，NSS创建流传送线程，它将处理至客户机108的流数据的传输以及来自客户机108的特技播放请求，例如回退、FF播放暂停等。对至单播流的连接，向NSC给出在其上接收组播流分组的端口。当设置流传送线程之后，NSS继续监听连接请求。When the user selects a stream, such as a movie, slideshow or music, to play back, the NSC establishes a connection to the NSS and requests that the stream start. For unicast streams, the NSS creates a streaming thread that will handle the transmission of streaming data to theclient 108 as well as trick-play requests from theclient 108, such as rollback, FF play pause, etc. For connections to unicast streams, the NSC is given the port on which to receive packets of the multicast stream. After setting up the streaming thread, NSS continues to listen for connection requests.

实时协议(RTP)和实时流传送协议(RTSP)被用于传输和控制流的回放。这些协议允许客户机108暂停和执行对媒体流的特技播放，诸如内容的书签部分。NSC将执行对它所连接的每一流的缓冲，以解决网络延迟。Real Time Protocol (RTP) and Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) are used for transmission and playback of control streams. These protocols allowclients 108 to pause and perform trick-play of media streams, such as bookmarked portions of content. The NSC will perform buffering for each stream it is connected to to account for network latency.

每一客户机108具有运行允许任何遵循的UPnP(通用即插即用)控制点(CP)向客户机播放器108发出命令的UPnP播放器服务(UPS)。通过组合UPnP协议和数字内容流传送服务，NSS可被配置成将流组播至希望参与的客户机108。这便于一个或多个流向多个客户机108的同步化的回放。一个客户机108被指定为组播的控制器，并通过服务器104发出命令以控制内容的回放或呈现。其它客户机108可在组播期间的任何时刻加入或退出。Eachclient 108 has a UPnP Player Service (UPS) running that allows any compliant UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) Control Point (CP) to issue commands to theclient player 108 . By combining the UPnP protocol and the digital content streaming service, the NSS can be configured to multicast the stream to participatingclients 108 . This facilitates synchronized playback of one or more streams tomultiple clients 108 . Aclient 108 is designated as the controller of the multicast and issues commands through theserver 104 to control the playback or presentation of the content.Other clients 108 may join or leave at any time during the multicast.

客户机播放器108可独立地呈现多个流。核心播放器引擎基于DirextX过滤器图表来控制一组流播放器。这些流播放器可使用Microsoft(商标)DirextX视频混合呈现器(VMR)来混合在一起。Client player 108 can render multiple streams independently. The core player engine controls a set of streaming players based on the DirextX filter graph. These streaming players can be mixed together using the Microsoft(TM) DirextX Video Mixing Renderer (VMR).

web服务器140包括允许用户远程存储所选内容以便存档和保护的虚拟储藏或存档数据库。用户可选择或取消选择服务器104上所存储的、为安全性和保险要求而需要被远程存储的内容。该储藏库可用于存档或备份对用户个人意义重大的数字内容，例如数字照片和家庭电影。储藏库也可用于存储用户本地系统100上所拥有和所存储的内容的分类列表，例如个人所获取的DVD、CD和MP3音频文件的列表。用户可选择或取消选择内容来存储在储藏库中，且系统100经由因特网140将所选内容和/或相关联元数据传送到web服务器142上。服务器104与web服务器142之间的连接可以是安全VPN。所存档的内容可被加密，使得仅授权的用户可移除或查看储藏库中所存储的内容。Theweb server 140 includes a virtual repository or archive database that allows users to store selected content remotely for archiving and protection. A user may select or deselect content stored on theserver 104 that needs to be stored remotely for security and insurance requirements. This repository can be used to archive or back up digital content that is personally significant to the user, such as digital photos and home movies. The repository may also be used to store a categorized list of content owned and stored on the user'slocal system 100, such as a list of personally acquired DVDs, CDs, and MP3 audio files. A user may select or deselect content for storage in the repository, andsystem 100 transmits the selected content and/or associated metadata toweb server 142 viaInternet 140 . The connection betweenserver 104 andweb server 142 may be a secure VPN. Archived content can be encrypted so that only authorized users can remove or view content stored in the repository.

web服务器142也可用于远程更新和远程管理系统100的硬件/软件组件。服务器104定期向web服务器142请求更新。如果有更新可用，则服务器104将从web服务器142中拉取信息，并在适当的时候，服务器104和客户机106、108将被更新并验证。可创建恢复文件作为失败的更新的备份。更新可对系统100的硬件和软件两者作出改变。此外，每一系统100具有其自己的操作系统，其恢复被存储在web服务器142上。Theweb server 142 may also be used to remotely update and remotely manage hardware/software components of thesystem 100 .Server 104 periodically requests updates fromweb server 142 . If an update is available, theserver 104 will pull the information from theweb server 142, and when appropriate, theserver 104 andclients 106, 108 will be updated and authenticated. A recovery file can be created as a backup for failed updates. Updates can make changes to both hardware and software ofsystem 100 . Furthermore, eachsystem 100 has its own operating system, the recovery of which is stored on theweb server 142 .

本发明的实施例提供了用于在专用网络中管理未受保护和受保护的内容的有效、集成且用户友好的解决方案。Embodiments of the present invention provide an efficient, integrated and user-friendly solution for managing unprotected and protected content in a private network.

本发明不限于所述和所示实施例，可作出变化和修改，而不背离本发明的范围。例如，本发明的实施例不限于用于标识、存储和流传送不同内容类型的示例方法和技术。可以理解，本发明的实施例可替换地使用用于标识和/或处理内容的任何和所有常规方法和技术来实现。The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, and changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, embodiments of the invention are not limited to the example methods and techniques for identifying, storing and streaming different content types. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention may alternatively be implemented using any and all conventional methods and techniques for identifying and/or processing content.