Apparatus, systems and methods for securely storing media content events on a flash memory device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016110566-A1
Application number	US-201514977320-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 21, 2015
Priority date	Mar 22, 2011
Publication date	Apr 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods are operable to securely store media content events on a flash memory device. An exemplary embodiment receives user-provided authorization information, compares the received user-provided authorization information with authorization information associated with the flash memory device, and permits access to a flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information.

First claim

1 . A method for securely storing media content events on a flash memory device, wherein a media content event received at a first media device is stored into a flash memory of the flash memory device, and wherein authorization information is saved as a portion of the stored media content event, the method comprising:
generating a flash memory device electronic program guide (EPG) that identifies the media content events stored in the flash memory device; communicating the flash memory device EPG to a display, wherein the presented flash memory device EPG indicates the media content events that are stored in the flash memory device, and indicates which of the stored media content events are secured by the authorization information that is saved as part of the media content event; receiving a user selection of one of the media content events stored on the flash memory device and user-provided authorization information from one of the first media device while the flash memory device is communicatively coupled to the first media device and a second media device while the flash memory device is communicatively coupled to the second media device; comparing, using a flash memory central processing unit (CPU) of the flash memory device, the received user-provided authorization information with the authorization information associated with the user selected media content event stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device; and permitting access to the media content event stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device only when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the authorization information is received from an authorizing user and is stored as a portion of the media content event while the media content event is being stored into the flash memory of the flash memory device.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the authorization information is stored into a header of the media content event when the media content event is being stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the authorization information is stored into a metadata file of the media content event when the media content event is being stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein permitting access to the flash memory comprises:
communicating the stored media content event from the flash memory device to another media device only when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the media content event authorization information.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein permitting access to the flash memory comprises:
erasing the stored media content event from the flash memory only when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the media content event authorization information.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flash memory device is a first flash memory device, and further comprising:
communicating the media content event with the saved authorization information therein from the first flash memory device into a second flash memory device that has a flash memory CPU therein, wherein the flash memory CPU of the second flash memory device is configured to permit access to the media content event only in response to receiving the corresponding user-provided authorization information.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
denying access to the flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information does not correspond to the media content event authorization information.

9 . The method of claim 1 ,
wherein the flash memory device is a first flash memory device, wherein the media content event is a first media content event, wherein a second media content event with the authorization information saved therein is received from a second flash memory device and is stored in the flash memory of the first flash memory device, and wherein access to the second media content event is permitted only when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the media content event authorization information.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flash memory device is a first flash memory device, and further comprising:
communicating the media content event with the saved authorization information therein from the first flash memory device into a second flash memory device that does not have a flash memory CPU configured to permit access to the media content event only in response to receiving the corresponding user-provided authorization information, wherein the stored media content event cannot be accessed by any media device unless the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

11 . A media device, comprising:
a port configured to communicatively couple the media device with a flash memory device, wherein the flash memory device comprises a flash memory central processor unit (CPU); a media content stream interface configured to receive a media content stream comprising a media content event that comprises a video potion that is presentable on a display and an audio portion that is presentable as audible sounds by at least one speaker; a memory comprising a portion configured to store flash memory identification (ID) logic that is configured to communicate user-provided authorization information to the flash memory device; and a processor system communicatively coupled to the port, the media content stream interface and the memory, and upon executing the flash memory ID logic, is configured to:
generate a flash memory device electronic program guide (EPG) that identifies the media content events stored in the flash memory device,
communicate the flash memory device EPG to the display, wherein the presented flash memory device EPG indicates the media content events that are stored in the flash memory device, and indicates which of the stored media content events are secured by the authorization information that is saved as a portion of the media content event,
receive a user selection of one of the media content events stored on the flash memory device,
receive user-provided authorization information when the selection is for one of the stored media content events that are secured by authorization information,
communicate information that identifies the selected media content event and the received user-provided authorization information to the flash memory CPU,
wherein the flash memory CPU compares the received user-provided authorization information with the authorization information stored in the portion of the selected media content event residing in the flash memory device, permits access to the selected media content event residing in the flash memory of the flash memory device only when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information, and denies access to the selected media content event when the received user-provided authorization information does not correspond to the authorization information.

12 . The media device of claim 11 , wherein the processor system of the media device accesses the selected media content event only when the user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information, and wherein the processor system of the media device is unable to access the selected media content event when the received user-provided authorization information does not correspond

Assignees

• Echostar Uk Holdings Ltd

Inventors

• Burton David
• Stephens Matthew
• Blythe Greg

Classifications

• G06F2212/1052

  Security improvement · CPC title

• G06F21/44

  Program or device authentication · CPC title

• G06F2212/7202

  Allocation control and policies · CPC title

• G06F21/78 Primary

  to assure secure storage of data (address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00) · CPC title

• G06F12/0246

  in block erasable memory, e.g. flash memory · CPC title