Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of acquiring a license in a hub network includes: sending a license request from a client to a server; sending a connection confirmation from said client to said server; and receiving license data at said client from said server; wherein said client and said server are connected in a hub network, said license request identifies a sub-copy version stored on said client, said sub-copy version includes sub-copy locked content data, and said license data is bound to said hub network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a network media environment includes: a first hub network including a first server and a first client, and said first server is connected to said first client; a second hub network including a second server and said first client, and said second server is connected to said first client, such that said first hub network and said second hub network overlap; wherein said first client stores first content bound to said first hub network and stores second content bound to said second hub network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of presenting content data includes: receiving at a client in a hub network a present request indicating locked content data; checking a license corresponding to said locked content data to determine if said license permits said client to present said locked content data; and presenting said locked content data through a presentation component connected to said client; wherein said license of said locked content data is bound to said hub network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of adding a client as a member of a hub network includes: detecting a client connected to a server in a hub network; authenticating said client; authorizing said client; and adding said client as a member in said hub network.

Abstract: A user interface for use with a content items delivery apparatus and method which simulates the look and feel of a video rental store. Rental of the content items occurs within an online environment including one or more client computers and at least one network server connected by a communications link to the one or more client computers. The method includes providing access to an online catalog stored within a memory of a network video server computer and displayed on a main website. The online catalog includes information regarding digital video signals available for rental from the network server computer. The digital video signals may be displayed as virtual video boxes on a virtual carousel or on virtual shelves. The user may select a digital video signal and purchase a license to view the selected digital video signal based on an access level selected by the user.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems in the existing art described above by providing an online digital video signal transfer apparatus and method. Rental of the digital video signals occurs within an online environment including one or more client computers and at least one network server connected by a communications link to the one or more client computers. The method includes providing access to an online catalog stored within a memory of a network video server computer. The online catalog includes information regarding digital video signals available for rental from the network server computer. Requests are then received from client computers for rental of digital video signals selected from the online catalog for a specified period of time. The requests include electronic payment based on the selected digital video signal and the specified period of time. Once electronic payment is provided, the digital video signal is transmitted to the client computer via communications link.

Abstract: Network systems and processes for delivery of electronic content to recipient processors may be configured to facilitate the delivery of relatively large content items and/or a relatively large number of content items. In one example, a movie rental system and process delivers (downloads) movie files to customers across the Internet. System network architecture includes three or more layers of servers, including a main server supporting an interface for recipient processors to request content items, a plurality of parent servers, and a plurality of edge servers. Edge servers are distributed throughout a region in which the system provides content delivery services to recipient processors. Parent servers, spaced across the service region, support edge servers. A copy of each content item available through the service is distributed from the main server to each parent servers for storage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention overcome the problems in the existing art described above by providing a secure digital content licensing system and method. Rental of the digital content occurs within an online environment including one or more user network-enabled devices and one or more server network devices connected by a communications link to the one or more user network-enabled devices. A user selects content displayed on a main website and requests download of the selected content to the user network-enabled device. To be able to access the content the user must obtain a license. The user's request for a license for specific content comprises information about a desired rental model, an expiration date for the rental model, and information that identifies the user's user network-enabled device, along with other information. A license for the content is generated which comprises the above information and also includes an encryption key for the selected movie.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems in the existing art described above by providing an online digital video signal transfer apparatus and method. Rental of the digital video signals occurs within an online environment including one or more client computers and at least one network server connected by a communications link to the one or more client computers. The method includes providing access to an online catalog stored within a memory of a network video server computer. The online catalog includes information regarding digital video signals available for rental from the network server computer. Requests are then received from client computers for rental of digital video signals selected from the online catalog for a specified period of time. The requests include electronic payment based on the selected digital video signal and the specified period of time. Once electronic payment is provided, the digital video signal is transmitted to the client computer via communications link.