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 for accurately determining the geographic location of a PC or other networked device on the Internet. Client software furnished by a service provider performs trace-route or other network analysis commands to known servers (e.g., eBay, Yahoo, Amazon) or even servers at random locations. The client collects an array of IP address and other network information as a result of the trace-routes, and the trace-route IP information is then transmitted to the service provider that is trying to identify the geographic location of the client. Using the array of IP addresses thus generated, the Internet server software can analyze location information of each Internet hop within each trace-route. For example, the server might look at the first five hops from the client to the server. If four of the five routers have addresses within the geographic area of interest, the server can conclude that the client is probably within the geographic area.

Abstract: A method for accurately determining the geographic location of a PC or other networked device on the Internet. Client software furnished by a service provider performs trace-route or other network analysis commands to known servers (e.g., eBay, Yahoo, Amazon) or even servers at random locations. The client collects an array of IP address and other network information as a result of the trace-routes, and the trace-route IP information is then transmitted to the service provider that is trying to identify the geographic location of the client. Using the array of IP addresses thus generated, the Internet server software can analyze location information of each Internet hop within each trace-route. For example, the server might look at the first five hops from the client to the server. If four of the five routers have addresses within the geographic area of interest, the server can conclude that the client is probably within the geographic area.