Abstract: A streaming media assessment system comprises assessment servers, media clients, data collection points, helper agents, and report servers. An assessment tool is downloaded or otherwise installed on an end-user client machine and associated with its media player. An assessment server is in communication with the assessment tool over the network and can send control messages to conduct tests and gather information from the assessment tool. The client machine media player is controlled to stop and start by the assessment tool and it will provide measurements that can be forwarded to the assessment servers. Analyses are then produced by the assessment servers of the actual media streams that were received by many such client machine media players. The report servers issue various formatted reports for the system's sponsors and subscribers.

Abstract: The present disclosure allows for the downloading of large digital media files in a progressive manner by allowing for a transfer of such digital media to occur over various sessions. A file server is described that receives a request to transmit a file whereupon the file server locates such requested file in its memory. For verification purposes a unique identifier is computed for the requested file such as an MD5 checksum of the digital file. Thereafter an encryption key, K1, is chosen. Using a second key, K2, the first key and the unique identifier are encrypted, and the requested file is encrypted using the first key. Both these encrypted values are then transmitted. Subsequently, for example, after payment is received, an unencrypted form of the first key is also transmitted. The first key can then be used to decrypt the requested file to unlock full functionality of the requested file.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for a method and system for facilitating content download to one or more remote devices via an insecure communication channel. The method comprises the steps of receiving at least one shared secret from a device via an insecure communications channel, each shared secret encoded and functioning as an identifier for the device, transmitting an encrypted file, from a file server, to the device associated with the encoded shared secret, receiving the shared secret in a plaintext form a via a secure communications channel, receiving a confirmation authorizing the release of a decryption key, and sending a decryption key corresponding to the transmitted file, for which the authorization for the release of the decryption key has been received. The decryption key is encrypted using the shared secret if transmission is via the insecure channel.

Abstract: A streaming media assessment system comprises assessment servers, media clients, data collection points, helper agents, and report servers. An assessment tool is downloaded or otherwise installed on an end-user client machine and associated with its media player. An assessment server is in communication with the assessment tool over the network and can send control messages to conduct tests and gather information from the assessment tool. The client machine media player is controlled to stop and start by the assessment tool and it will provide measurements that can be forwarded to the assessment servers. Analyses are then produced by the assessment servers of the actual media streams that were received by many such client machine media players. The report servers issue various formatted reports for the system's sponsors and subscribers.