Abstract: A method for service delivery to a client, in which the client selects a service, and establishes a connection with a system server to which it sends an identity associated with the client and an identifier of the service. The system server verifies that the client is authorized to access to the service and that the client is non-emulated. If this is verified, the service is provided to the client. In a preferred embodiment, the service is scrambled content and the system server provides a descrambling key to the client, and instructs a content server to provide the scrambled content to the client. Also claimed are a device, a system, and a system server.

Abstract: A system for distribution of a content item in a network, particularly a peer-to-peer network. A requesting node sends a request for the content item. An access requirement value for the content item is compared to a counter value for the requesting node to determine if the requesting node may download the content item from a sharing node. The counter value is advantageously linked to the requesting node's habit of sharing content items. The access requirement value, which preferably is not only linked to the size of the content item, is modified for at least one content item in the network, either following a time rule or when the content is downloaded. In this way it can be ensured that initial downloaders are likely to share the content item and that the content then gets more accessible to other nodes.

Abstract: Distinguishing between live and recorded content in a network comprising a rendering device, an access device, and a storage device. The rendering device broadcasts a message requesting devices in the network to respond if they diffuse a content, and sets a timer. The devices respond if they diffuse the content. The rendering device then determines that the content is: live, if it has received a response from the access device; recorded, if it has received a response from the storage device, but not from the access device; and illegal, if it has not received a response before time-out of the timer. There is further a “still live delay” after diffusion of the content during which the access device responds that it is diffusing the content, and following which it may send a content release message to the storage device that may then respond to request messages.

Abstract: A method for performing at least one evolution operation in a dynamic, evolutive community of devices in a network comprising at least a first device. The method comprises a step of sending at least one message over the network from the first device to a second device, wherein the first device continues the method without acknowledgement of the at least one message from the second device. The method is suitable for execution on clockless devices. A device for performing the method is also claimed.

Abstract: A system for distribution of a content item in a network, particularly a peer-to-peer network. A requesting node sends a request for the content item. An access requirement value for the content item is compared to a counter value for the requesting node to determine if the requesting node may download the content item from a sharing node. The counter value is advantageously linked to the requesting node's habit of sharing content items. The access requirement value, which preferably is not only linked to the size of the content item, is modified for at least one content item in the network, either following a time rule or when the content is downloaded. In this way it can be ensured that initial downloaders are likely to share the content item and that the content then gets more accessible to other nodes. Also provided are a sharing node, a server and a method.

Abstract: A method for detecting a version of a client software in a network. A server receives a first request from the client software, sends a first response comprising a first challenge to the client software, receives a second request comprising an answer to the first challenge from the client software, and detects the version of the client software from at least the second request. The answer to the challenge is dependent on the version of the client software and is expressed as a modification to a communication protocol used for the first and the second request. Also provided are a server, a client and a computer program product.

Abstract: A method for performing at least one evolution operation in a dynamic, evolutive community of devices in a network comprising at least a first device. The method comprises a step of sending at least one message over the network from the first device to a second device, wherein the first device continues the method without acknowledgement of the at least one message from the second device. The method is suitable for execution on clockless devices. A device for performing the method is also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to IP networks and, more particularly, local area networks, for example home networks. It concerns the manner in which devices connected to such networks obtain and update knowledge of the other compatible devices connected to the network. To do this, the invention is based on a finite-state machine, comprising connected, disconnected and standby states. The changes of state take place on receipt of messages, requests or replies from the other devices, or on expiry of timers in the absence of receipt of messages.

Abstract: A device receives protected content and a license for the content, unprotects the content using an input key and retrieves a rule associated with the input key. The device then processes the content to create new content, retrieves at least one output key associated with the input key in the retrieved rule, protects the content using the output key and sends the newly protected content and the corresponding license. It is thus possible to impose a work flow as it is necessary for a device to store a particular key in order to access the content and as the rule imposes a particular output key depending on the input key. In a preferred embodiment, the content is scrambled using a symmetrical key that is encrypted by an asymmetrical key in the license. An alternate embodiment uses watermarking techniques instead of encryption. The invention finds particular use in video processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to the protection by firewall of a domestic community of interconnectable appliances. The invention allows distributed and totally decentralized management of the firewall policy, implemented at the level of each appliance, which is consistent and adapts dynamically to the changes occurring within the domestic network. We shall speak of ubiquitous firewalls.

Abstract: A method for service delivery to a client, in which the client selects a service, and establishes a connection with a system server to which it sends an identity associated with the client and an identifier of the service. The system server verifies that the client is authorised to access to the service and that the client is non-emulated. If this is verified, the service is provided to the client. In a preferred embodiment, the service is scrambled content and the system server provides a descrambling key to the client, and instructs a content server to provide the scrambled content to the client. Also claimed are a device, a system, and a system server.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for engraving digital data received from a remote server. The inventive method consists in acquiring an identifier of a secured disc used for receiving digital data, in transmitting the identifier and a digital data loading instruction to the remote server, in receiving digital date scrambled by at least one second encryption key and second encryption keys by a first encryption key and in engraving scrambled digital data and the second encryption keys on the secured disc. A providing and distributing methods and a distribution server are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for discovering emulated clients. A verifier sends a cryptographic challenge C to a client and preferably starts a timer. The client uses a deterministic key search algorithm to find the correct key and returns the result as a number of tries needed. The verifier then stops the timer if this was started and verifies that the result is correct and preferably that the response was timely. Also provided is a verifier.

Abstract: Distinguishing between live and recorded content in a network comprising a rendering device, an access device, and a storage device. The rendering device broadcasts a message requesting devices in the network to respond if they diffuse a content, and sets a timer. The devices respond if they diffuse the content. The rendering device then determines that the content is: live, if it has received a response from the access device; recorded, if it has received a response from the storage device, but not from the access device; and illegal, if it has not received a response before time-out of the timer. There is further a “still live delay” after diffusion of the content during which the access device responds that it is diffusing the content, and following which it may send a content release message to the storage device that may then respond to request messages.

Abstract: A device for presentation of a signal having an audio-visual content, comprising means for presenting said content, means for connecting to a transmission channel which is external with respect to said device for receiving a signal, and a module for transmission of a signal which is disposed in the same container together with the presentation means, comprising means for storing a first identification information, adapted to receive the signal from the connection means and to transmit said signal to the presentation means only when the first identification information corresponds to a second identification information contained in the signal. A system and method for presenting a signal comprising an audio-visual content are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inserting a new device in a community of devices wherein each device of the community is able to store insertion requests received from at least one new device and to forward these insertion requests to a device chosen by a user of the community for confirming authorization to join the community.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for burning digital data representative of a multimedia content on a secure disc. The multimedia content is intended to be downloaded from a remote server to a client device carrying out the burning on the secure disc. The secure disc contains a first encryption key. The method comprises the following steps: (a) retrieving the first encryption key from the secure disc; (b) transmitting to the remote server the first encryption key and an identifier of the multimedia content; (c) receiving from the remote server at least a second encryption key encrypted with the first encryption key and the multimedia content scrambled with the second encryption key; and (d) burning the second encryption key and the scrambled multimedia content on the secure disc containing the encrypted first encryption key, by the client device.

Abstract: A new system for creating and updating a secure community of devices in digital networks is disclosed. A device adapted to belong to a community of networked devices contains; a provable identity and/or means for generating and/or obtaining a provable identity; means adapted to store information about devices of the community having trust relationships with the device; means adapted to store information about devices not trusted by this device; and means for trust relationships synchronization.

Abstract: The invention relates to the protection by firewall of a domestic community of interconnectable appliances. The invention allows distributed and totally decentralized management of the firewall policy, implemented at the level of each appliance, which is consistent and adapts dynamically to the changes occurring within the domestic network. We shall speak of ubiquitous firewalls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to IP networks and, more particularly, local area networks, for example home networks. It concerns the manner in which devices connected to such networks obtain and update knowledge of the other compatible devices connected to the network. This method is based on the regular transmission of signalling messages by all the compatible devices. Thus, by monitoring the network, a device is able to detect the other devices in the network.