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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9218300-B2
Application number	US-201514727212-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 1, 2015
Priority date	Mar 22, 2011
Publication date	Dec 22, 2015
Grant date	Dec 22, 2015

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

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for securely storing media content events on a flash memory device, the method comprising:
storing a media content event received from a first media device into a flash memory of the flash memory device, wherein the flash memory device is slidably coupled to a port of the first media device,
wherein the first media device received the media content event in a media content stream,
wherein the media content event comprises a video portion that is presentable on a display and an audio portion that is presentable as audible sounds by at least one speaker, and
wherein authorization information is saved as a part of the media content event;
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 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 part of the media content event;
receiving a user selection of one of the media content events stored on the flash memory device;
communicating information to the flash memory device that identifies the user selected media content event and the received user-provided authorization information to the flash memory CPU;
receiving, at the flash memory device, user-provided authorization information and the identification of the user selected media content event, wherein the user-provided authorization information is received from one of:
the first media device while the flash memory device is slidably coupled to the first media device, and
a second media device while the flash memory device is slidably coupled to a port of 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 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 storing comprises:
receiving the authorization information at the flash memory device, wherein the authorization information is received as part of the storing process while the media content event is being stored into the flash memory of the flash memory device; and
storing the authorization information into a header of the media content event as part of the storing process while the media content event is being stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the storing comprises:
receiving the authorization information at the flash memory device, wherein the authorization information is received as part of the storing process while the media content event is being stored into the flash memory of the flash memory device; and
storing the authorization information into a metadata file of the media content event as part of the storing process while the media content event is being stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media content event is a first media content event, wherein the user-provided authorization information is first user-provided authorization information, wherein the authorization information is first authorization information that is further associated with the stored first media content event, and further comprising:
storing a second media content event into the flash memory,
wherein the second media content event comprises a video portion that is presentable on the display and an audio portion that is presentable as audible sounds by the at least one speaker,
wherein the second media content event includes second authorization information saved as a part of the storing process while the second media content event is being stored in the flash memory of the flash memory device,
wherein the second authorization information is different from the first authorization information,
wherein the second authorization information is associated with second user-provided authorization information,
wherein access to the stored second media content event is permitted in response to receiving the second user-provided authorization information that corresponds to the second authorization information, and
wherein access to the stored second media content event is denied in response to receiving the first user-provided authorization information.

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

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 authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

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 authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
identifying media content events that have been previously stored on the flash memory;
generating a flash memory device electronic program guide (EPG) that identifies the stored media content events; and
communicating the flash memory device EPG to a presentation device,
wherein the presented flash memory device EPG indicates the stored media content events, 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.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flash memory device is a first flash memory device, and further comprising:
communicating the previously stored media content event with the authorization information saved therein to a second flash memory device,
wherein the second flash memory device stores the received media content event with the authorization information saved therein, and
wherein access to the media content event is permitted when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information saved as part of the media content event.

11. 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 fla

Assignees

• Echostar Uk Holdings Ltd

Inventors

• Burton David
• Stephens Matthew
• Blythe Greg

Classifications

• G06F21/44

  Program or device authentication · CPC title

• G06F2212/1052

  Security improvement · 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

• G06F12/1458 Primary

  by checking the subject access rights · CPC title

• G06F21/31

  User authentication · CPC title