Method and apparatus for delivering encoded content

Abstract

A method and system for delivering encoded content are provided. A holdback representing a portion of the encoded content is extracted, thereby damaging the encoded content. The damaged encoded content is distributed. The holdback is transmitted to enable reintegration of the holdback with the damaged encoded content to restore the encoded content.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of delivering encoded content, comprising:
 extracting, using a computing device, a selected subset of data of said encoded content that is to be delivered, thereby rendering the remainder of the encoded content damaged;   encrypting the on said remainder of the encoded content using computing device;   prior to authorization, distributing said encrypted damaged remainder of the encoded content; and   upon authorization, transmitting the extracted selected subset of data to one or more recipients of the distributed damaged remainder of the encoded content for reintegration with said distributed damaged remainder of the encoded content;   wherein:
 the extracted selected subset of data comprises discrete data segments of said encoded content and a reintegration map specifying locations of said damaged remainder of the encoded content into which said data segments are to be inserted. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 modifying the extracted selected subset of data, using the computing device, such that for each recipient a distinct instance of said encoded content is created when the extracted selected subset of data is reintegrated with the said distributed damaged remainder of the encoded content.   
     
     
         3 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 2 , wherein during said modifying the extracted selected subset of data is modified to include steganographically-embedded information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 2 , wherein during said modifying the extracted selected subset of data is modified to include information identifying an authorized end-user. 
     
     
         5 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 4 , wherein said information identifies a record in a license database identifying said authorized end-user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 5 , wherein said license database also identifies distribution rights for said encoded content that the end-user is authorized to restore. 
     
     
         7 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 2  wherein during said modifying the extracted selected subset of data is modified to include information identifying license terms. 
     
     
         8 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 1 , wherein said encrypting utilizes a cipher block chain method. 
     
     
         9 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 1  further comprising:
 prior to said extracting of the selected subset of data, encrypting said encoded content using the computing device. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 1 , comprising using an extraction scheme to extract the selected subset of data from the encoded content, wherein the extraction scheme is based on encoded content type. 
     
     
         11 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 1  wherein said extracting of the selected subset of data comprises extracting a plurality of selected data segments from the encoded content. 
     
     
         12 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 1  further comprising concatenating said encrypted damaged remainder of the encoded content after said extracting and prior to said distributing. 
     
     
         13 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 1 , the method further comprising concatenating said extracted selected subset of data after said extracting and prior to said transmitting. 
     
     
         14 . The method of delivering encoded content of  claim 1 , wherein said encoded content that is to be delivered comprises MPEG content that includes a header and one or more I-frames, and wherein step of extracting a selected subset of data comprises extracting: (i) a block of one or more bytes from a location in the header, and (ii) a block of one or more bytes from an I-frame. 
     
     
         15 . A system for delivering encoded content, comprising:
 a computing device configured to:
 select a subset of data of said encoded content that is to be delivered, thereby rendering the remainder of the encoded content damaged; 
 encrypt said damaged remainder of the encoded content; 
 prior to authorization, distribute said encrypted damaged remainder of the encoded content; and 
 upon authorization, transmit the extracted selected subset of data to one or more recipients of the distributed damaged remainder of the encoded content for reintegration with said distributed damaged remainder of the encoded content; 
   wherein:
 the extracted selected subset of data comprises discrete data segments of said encoded content and a reintegration map specifying locations of said damaged remainder of the encoded content into which said data segments are to be inserted. 
   
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to:
 extract, using the computing device, a selected subset of data of said encoded content that is to be delivered, thereby rendering the remainder of the encoded content damaged;   encrypt said damaged remainder of the encoded content using the computing device;   prior to authorization. distribute said encrypted damaged remainder of the encoded content; and   upon authorization, transmit the extracted selected subset of data to one or more recipients of the distributed damaged remainder of the encoded content for reintegration with said distributed damaged remainder of the encoded content;   wherein:
 the extracted selected subset of data comprises discrete data segments of said encoded content and a reintegration map specifying locations of said damaged remainder of the encoded content into which said data segments are to be inserted.