Method and system for authenticating a data stream

Abstract

A method and apparatus for obtaining digital content. A credential is extracted from a first data stream that corresponds to a media item. The credential is provided to a content provider. If the credential is authenticated, the content provider sends a second data stream that corresponds to the media item.

1 . A method for obtaining digital content, comprising:
 obtaining a credential from a first data stream that corresponds to a media item;   providing the credential to a content provider; and   in response to providing the credential to the content provider, receiving from the content provider a second data stream, wherein the second data stream corresponds to the media item.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising combining the second data stream with the first data stream to generate a combined data stream, and causing the presentation of the combined data stream. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the first data stream from the content provider, and wherein obtaining the credential from the first data stream that corresponds to the media item further comprises extracting the credential from the first data stream. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising extracting a digital watermark from the first data stream, and wherein extracting the credential from the first data stream comprises extracting the credential from the digital watermark. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the credential from the first data stream that corresponds to the media item further comprises receiving on a second device the credential from a first device that had extracted the credential from the first data stream. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein providing the credential to the content provider comprises providing, by the second device, the credential to the content provider. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising causing the presentation of the second data stream on the second device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising receiving the first data stream from the first device, combining the first data stream with the second data stream to generate a combined data stream, and causing the presentation of the combined data stream on a display communicatively coupled to the second device. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for obtaining digital content, comprising:
 a network interface adapted to communicate with a network; and   a control system comprising a processor coupled to the network interface and adapted to:   obtain a credential from a first data stream that corresponds to a media item;   provide the credential to a content provider; and   in response to providing the credential to the content provider, receive from the content provider a second data stream, wherein the second data stream corresponds to the media item.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the control system is further adapted to:
 combine the second data stream with the first data stream to generate a combined data stream; and   cause the presentation of the combined data stream.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the control system is further adapted to:
 receive the first data stream from the content provider; and   wherein to obtain the credential from the first data stream that corresponds to the media item, the control system is further adapted to extract the credential from the first data stream.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the control system is further adapted to:
 extract a digital watermark from the first data stream; and   wherein to extract the credential from the first data stream, the control system is further adapted to extract the credential from the digital watermark.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein to obtain the credential from the first data stream that corresponds to the media item, the control system is further adapted to receive the credential from a first device that had extracted the credential from the first data stream. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the control system is further adapted to receive the first data stream from the first device, combine the first data stream with the second data stream to generate a combined data stream, and cause the presentation of the combined data stream on a display communicatively coupled to the second device. 
     
     
         15 . A content server, comprising:
 a network interface adapted to communicate with a network; and   a control system comprising a processor and coupled to the network interface, and adapted to:
 embed a credential in a first data stream corresponding to a media item; 
 provide the first data stream to a first device; 
 receive the credential from a device; and 
 in response, provide a second data stream corresponding to the media item to the device. 
   
     
     
         16 . The content server of  claim 15 , wherein the device comprises the first device. 
     
     
         17 . The content server of  claim 15 , wherein the device comprises a second device. 
     
     
         18 . The content server of  claim 17 , wherein the control system is further adapted to:
 authenticate the credential to determine that the second device is authorized to receive the second data stream.   
     
     
         19 . The content server of  claim 15 , wherein the first data stream is a first version of the media item encoded at a first bit rate, and the second data stream is a second version of the media item encoded at a second bit rate. 
     
     
         20 . The content server of  claim 15 , wherein the first data stream is a base layer bit stream of the media item, and the second data stream is an enhancement layer bit stream of the media item.