Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for restricting access to content elements with content ratings. In one method, the content distributor can receive a request from a device to access a set of content elements. The content distributor can then identify at least a content descriptor and a content rating for each content element within the set of content elements, identify a range within the content ratings, and identify content elements with content ratings that are within the range. The content distributor can transmit at least the content descriptors for content elements having content ratings that are within the range to the device for display on the device. This permits a device user to access the content elements by content descriptor. In this method, at least some content descriptors for content elements having content ratings that are outside of the range are not transmitted to the device.

Abstract: Content stored on a server may be selected using a user device and enabled on a central device. The identity of the central device may be authenticated without transmitting user credentials corresponding to the user, user device, user account, etc. A central device identifier can be sent to the server via the user device. An encrypted version of the central device identifier may be returned to the user device and to the central device. The central device can send the encrypted and unencrypted version of the identifier to the server, and the server can transmit the desired content to the remote device based on a comparison of the encrypted and unencrypted identifier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method in which a portable device processor may generate an application-level certificate for an application installed on the portable device. The processor may, for example, insert an application name in a package name field of a self-signed device-level certificate of the portable device to generate an application-level self-signed certificate. A request to authenticate the application may be forwarded to the controller. The request may include the application-level certificate. The portable device processor may receive a request to form a secure communication channel between the portable device and the controller based on the authenticated application-level certificate. A controller may respond to a portable device request for services by authenticating an application-level certificate provided by the portable device so requested services may be securely provided to the portable device.

Abstract: Content stored on a server may be selected using a user device and enabled on a central device. The identity of the central device may be authenticated without transmitting user credentials corresponding to the user, user device, user account, etc. A central device identifier can be sent to the server via the user device. An encrypted version of the central device identifier may be returned to the user device and to the central device. The central device can send the encrypted and unencrypted version of the identifier to the server, and the server can transmit the desired content to the remote device based on a comparison of the encrypted and unencrypted identifier.

Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for computing device communications. According to an example implementation of the disclosed technology, a method is provided that can include determining a status and capability of at least one selected computing device, and sending a generated message to the at least one selected computing device. The at least one selected computing device is configured to retrieve content from a source identified by a uniform resource identifier in the message, and the at least one selected computing device is further configured to present the retrieved content.

Abstract: Content stored on a server may be selected using a user device and enabled on a central device. The identity of the central device may be authenticated without transmitting user credentials corresponding to the user, user device, user account, etc. A central device identifier can be sent to the server via the user device. An encrypted version of the central device identifier may be returned to the user device and to the central device. The central device can send the encrypted and unencrypted version of the identifier to the server, and the server can transmit the desired content to the remote device based on a comparison of the encrypted and unencrypted identifier.

Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for computing device communications. According to an example implementation of the disclosed technology, a method is provided that can include determining a status and capability of at least one selected computing device, and sending a generated message to the at least one selected computing device. The at least one selected computing device is configured to retrieve content from a source identified by a uniform resource identifier in the message, and the at least one selected computing device is further configured to present the retrieved content.

Abstract: Content stored on a server may be selected using a user device and enabled on a central device. The identity of the central device may be authenticated without transmitting user credentials corresponding to the user, user device, user account, etc. A central device identifier can be sent to the server via the user device. An encrypted version of the central device identifier may be returned to the user device and to the central device. The central device can send the encrypted and unencrypted version of the identifier to the server, and the server can transmit the desired content to the remote device based on a comparison of the encrypted and unencrypted identifier.