Abstract: A playback device includes a port configured to receive content from an external memory device, a device memory residing in the device, and a controller programmed to execute instructions that cause the controller to read a read data pattern from the defined region in the external memory device and determine if the read data pattern correlates to an expected data pattern to a predetermined level, wherein the expected data pattern is derived at least in part from a defect map of the defined region.

Abstract: A playback device includes a port configured to receive content from an external memory device, a device memory residing in the device, and a controller programmed to execute instructions that cause the controller to read a read data pattern from the defined region in the external memory device and determine if the read data pattern correlates to an expected data pattern to a predetermined level, wherein the expected data pattern is derived at least in part from a defect map of the defined region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing back a media content instance is disclosed. The method permits the use of downloadable variants to upgrade or change cryptographic functions performed by the playback device, thus permitting content protection schemes to be renewed.

Abstract: A playback device includes a port configured to receive content from an external memory device, a device memory residing in the device, and a controller programmed to execute instructions that cause the controller to read a read data pattern from the defined region in the external memory device and determine if the read data pattern correlates to an expected data pattern to a predetermined level, wherein the expected data pattern is derived at least in part from a defect map of the defined region.

Abstract: A playback device includes a port configured to receive content from an external memory device, a device memory residing in the device, and a controller programmed to execute instructions that cause the controller to read a read data pattern from the defined region in the external memory device and determine if the read data pattern correlates to an expected data pattern to a predetermined level, wherein the expected data pattern is derived at least in part from a defect map of the defined region. A memory device includes an array of memory cells configured to store at least one bit of data, the array of memory cells being organized into regions, at least one first region of the array of memory cells having stored therein a defect map of the array of memory cells, and at least one second region of the array of memory cells being designated as a defined region having a known defect pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing back a media content instance is disclosed. The method permits the use of downloadable variants to upgrade or change cryptographic functions performed by the playback device, thus permitting content protection schemes to be renewed.

Abstract: A method of playing content across a network includes receiving, at a media player, an input from a user selecting media located on a network, sending a request across a network comprised of devices employing a common security protocol, the request to identify peer devices on the network, receiving a response across the network from a peer device, and accessing the media from a content memory of the peer device. A method of tracking valid peers on a secure media network, includes receiving, at a media player, an input from a user selecting media located on a peer device on the network, performing an authentication test of the peer player, determining if a latency associated with the peer player meets a criteria, and updating a latency log on the media player to include the peer player.

Abstract: A Secure Non-autonomous Peering (SNAP) system includes a hierarchical digital watermarking scheme, a central licensing authority, licensed fabricators and assemblers.

Abstract: A method of playing content across a network includes receiving, at a media player, an input from a user selecting media located on a network, sending a request across a network comprised of devices employing a common security protocol, the request to identify peer devices on the network, receiving a response across the network from a peer device, and accessing the media from a content memory of the peer device. A method of tracking valid peers on a secure media network, includes receiving, at a media player, an input from a user selecting media located on a peer device on the network, performing an authentication test of the peer player, determining if a latency associated with the peer player meets a criteria, and updating a latency log on the media player to include the peer player.

Abstract: A Secure Non-autonomous Peering (SNAP) system includes a hierarchical digital watermarking scheme, a central licensing authority, licensed fabricators and assemblers.

Abstract: A method of renewing encryption applied to a content file in a playback device comprising determining a specified variant of at least one microcode function to be used in playing back the content file, determining if variants are stored in internal memory on the playback device to determine if the specified variant is included in the stored variants, retrieving the specified variant from a variant storage in a memory located in a media device in communication with the playback device, if the specified variant is not included in the stored variants, and using the specified variant to access the content file.

Abstract: A method of playing content across a network includes receiving, at a media player, an input from a user selecting media located on a network, sending a request across a network comprised of devices employing a common security protocol, the request to identify peer devices on the network, receiving a response across the network from a peer device, and accessing the media from a content memory of the peer device. A method of tracking valid peers on a secure media network, includes receiving, at a media player, an input from a user selecting media located on a peer device on the network, performing an authentication test of the peer player, determining if a latency associated with the peer player meets a criteria, and updating a latency log on the media player to include the peer player.

Abstract: A playback device includes a port configured to receive content from an external memory device, a device memory residing in the device, and a controller programmed to execute instructions that cause the controller to read a read data pattern from the defined region in the external memory device and determine if the read data pattern correlates to an expected data pattern to a predetermined level, wherein the expected data pattern is derived at least in part from a defect map of the defined region. A memory device includes an array of memory cells configured to store at least one bit of data, the array of memory cells being organized into regions, at least one first region of the array of memory cells having stored therein a defect map of the array of memory cells, and at least one second region of the array of memory cells being designated as a defined region having a known defect pattern.

Abstract: A method of renewing encryption applied to a content file in a playback device comprising determining a specified variant of at least one microcode function to be used in playing back the content file, determining if variants are stored in internal memory on the playback device to determine if the specified variant is included in the stored variants, retrieving the specified variant from a variant storage in a memory located in a media device in communication with the playback device, if the specified variant is not included in the stored variants, and using the specified variant to access the content file.

Abstract: A Secure Non-autonomous Peering (SNAP) system includes a hierarchical digital watermarking scheme, a central licensing authority, licensed fabricators and assemblers.

Abstract: A method of protecting media files includes dividing a media file into segments. Each segment is encrypted multiple times with a different encryption key each time. Downloads of the segments are controlled such that different combinations of segments and keys are downloaded. Key bundles are provided to user devices, with each key bundle is a combination of keys only for that user device combination of segments and keys.

Abstract: A method of protecting media files includes dividing a media file into segments. Each segment is encrypted multiple times with a different encryption key each time. Downloads of the segments are controlled such that different combinations of segments and keys are downloaded. Key bundles are provided to user devices, with each key bundle is a combination of keys only for that user device combination of segments and keys.

Abstract: A non-autonomous peer network includes a network of media devices, each device having a storage for storing media content, a processor, a communications port to allow the processor to interact with the network, and a media port to allow the processor to deliver the media content to a user. The network also has a media module to authenticate each device to allow it to receive content and control download of media to a requesting one of the devices, wherein control includes an ability to direct other devices to transfer media content to the requesting device.