Abstract: Against this backdrop systems and methods have been developed for selecting a least-cost transmission route for streaming data between a server and client. In an embodiment, a client sends a request for data to a gateway. The gateway maintains information regarding the servers available to stream the data and the costs associated with the different networks available between the servers and the client. From this information the gateway identified what transmission routes are available and selects the lowest cost transmission route for streaming the data. If comparable cost transmission routes are found, a selection is made based on secondary criteria. The client is the directed by the gateway to send a request to the appropriate server to stream the data via the selected transmission route.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media. The system includes a web server, media server and end user processor, such as a personal computer, coupled to a network. The web server cryptographically generates a ticket in response to an end user's request for access to a file. The ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the ticket is generated. The media server generates an authorization ticket, preferably using the same cryptographic algorithm as the web server. The media server authorization ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the media server receives the request for access to the file. The media server determines whether to grant access to the file by comparing the ticket, as generated by the web server, to the ticket, as generated by the media server.

Abstract: A system and method for the delivery of a portion of a library of data to an end user. The system includes a plurality of data servers and at least one gateway server operatively connected to the end user. When the gateway server receives request from the end user for delivery of at least a portion of the library of data, the gateway server selects one of the plurality of data servers using a stateless addressing method and transmits instructions to the end user which enable the end user to issue a second request to the selected data servers for delivery the data to the end user. When the selected data server receives the second request, the server transmits the requested data to the end user.

Abstract: Against this backdrop systems and methods have been developed for selecting a least-cost transmission route for streaming data between a server and client. In an embodiment, a client sends a request for data to a gateway. The gateway maintains information regarding the servers available to stream the data and the costs associated with the different networks available between the servers and the client. From this information the gateway identified what transmission routes are available and selects the lowest cost transmission route for streaming the data. If comparable cost transmission routes are found, a selection is made based on secondary criteria. The client is the directed by the gateway to send a request to the appropriate server to stream the data via the selected transmission route.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media. The system includes a web server, media server and end user processor, such as a personal computer, coupled to a network. The web server cryptographically generates a ticket in response to an end user's request for access to a file. The ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the ticket is generated. The media server generates an authorization ticket, preferably using the same cryptographic algorithm as the web server. The media server authorization ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the media server receives the request for access to the file. The media server determines whether to grant access to the file by comparing the ticket, as generated by the web server, to the ticket, as generated by the media server.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media. The system includes a web server, media server and end user processor, such as a personal computer, coupled to a network. The web server cryptographically generates a ticket in response to an end user's request for access to a file. The ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the ticket is generated. The media server generates an authorization ticket, preferably using the same cryptographic algorithm as the web server. The media server authorization ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the media server receives the request for access to the file. The media server determines whether to grant access to the file by comparing the ticket, as generated by the web server, to the ticket, as generated by the media server.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media. The system includes a web server, media server and end user processor, such as a personal computer, coupled to a network. The web server cryptographically generates a ticket in response to an end user's request for access to a file. The ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the ticket is generated. The media server generates an authorization ticket, preferably using the same cryptographic algorithm as the web server. The media server authorization ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the media server receives the request for access to the file. The media server determines whether to grant access to the file by comparing the ticket, as generated by the web server, to the ticket, as generated by the media server.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media. The system includes a web server, media server and end user processor, such as a personal computer, coupled to a network. The web server cryptographically generates a ticket in response to an end user's request for access to a file. The ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the ticket is generated. The media server generates an authorization ticket, preferably using the same cryptographic algorithm as the web server. The media server authorization ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the media server receives the request for access to the file. The media server determines whether to grant access to the file by comparing the ticket, as generated by the web server, to the ticket, as generated by the media server.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media. The system includes a web server, media server and end user processor, such as a personal computer, coupled to a network. The web server cryptographically generates a ticket in response to an end user's request for access to a file. The ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the ticket is generated. The media server generates an authorization ticket, preferably using the same cryptographic algorithm as the web server. The media server authorization ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the media server receives the request for access to the file. The media server determines whether to grant access to the file by comparing the ticket, as generated by the web server, to the ticket, as generated by the media server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying real time media broadcasts with pages of related information. The systems and methods allow a user to interact with related online information while simultaneously viewing a video presentation or listening to an audio presentation. A client application executing on a client system processes a streaming data signal and displays an associated real time media presentation, live or archived, on one portion of a display. Reference data pushed to the client application in the streaming data signal identifies pages of related information. The client application retrieves the pages, e.g., via HTTP requests, and displays the pages in a data frame on a second portion of the display. The pages can be created in advance of the media presentation, and when retrieved and displayed, include current information related to the subject matter of the media presentation. Information included in the pages can include links to other related information.