The present invention provides methods, apparatuses, and systems for delivering protected streaming content to a receiving device. In an aspect of the present invention, a broadcaster provides streaming content. To ensure viewers are properly authorized, the streaming content is encrypted with a traffic key. The traffic key is provided to the users via a key stream message, which is encrypted with a service key. The user obtains at least one rights object from a rights issuers and the at least one rights object includes the service key so that the streaming content may be used. The at least one rights object also contains information regarding usage rights that may be configured by the rights issuer so that, depending on the user and/or the receiving device, different rights may be available. The key stream message may include a program category variable value that indicates the type of content and in conjunction with the rights object, determines what usage rights exist for the streaming content.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a user device that attaches to a radio access network of a mobile network and requests services. The user device creates a virtual network function on the device to support the service. The virtual network function may include a user plane virtual network function, a control plane virtual network function, or both. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a user device that attaches to a radio access network of a mobile network and requests services. The user device creates a virtual network function on the device to support the service. The virtual network function may include a user plane virtual network function, a control plane virtual network function, or both. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A method of selectively decrypting encrypted data may include selecting a plurality of encrypted data bits between and including a first encrypted data bit and a last encrypted data bit; for each encrypted data bit from the plurality of encrypted data bits: determining a corresponding encrypted block and a block number that contains the encrypted data bit, determining a corresponding counter for the determined block number, determining a bit position of the encrypted data bit within the determined encrypted block, selecting a counter bit at the bit position within the counter, encrypting the counter, and executing an XOR operation between the encrypted data bit and the corresponding encrypted counter bit.

A method of selectively decrypting encrypted data may include selecting a plurality of encrypted data bits between and including a first encrypted data bit and a last encrypted data bit; for each encrypted data bit from the plurality of encrypted data bits: determining a corresponding encrypted block and a block number that contains the encrypted data bit, determining a corresponding counter for the determined block number, determining a bit position of the encrypted data bit within the determined encrypted block, selecting a counter bit at the bit position within the counter, encrypting the counter, and executing an XOR operation between the encrypted data bit and the corresponding encrypted counter bit.

Techniques for embedding watermarks are described. In accordance with various embodiments, a server (e.g., a cloud in a core network) generates a profile for an encoded media content item and packages the profile as corresponding watermark metadata. The server then transmits the encoded media content item and the corresponding watermark metadata to at least one edge node in an edge cloud. A respective edge node in the edge cloud, upon receiving a request from a client device for the encoded media content item, where the request includes a client identifier associated with the client device, obtains a first portion of the encoded media content item and the corresponding watermark metadata. A watermark embedder of the edge node then embeds the client identifier in the embedded media content item according to the watermark metadata and transmits the watermark embedded media content item to the client device.

There is disclosed a streaming technique in which a distributed playback, DP, master device receives a media stream from a content provider and transmits the media stream to a plurality of DP client devices. The DP master device may follow different policies. In case one DP client device has not a level of security sufficient for a particular quality, one policy provides that the stream is degraded, while another policy provides that the stream is to be transmitted by a content provider at a reduced quality.

There is disclosed a streaming technique in which a distributed playback, DP, master device receives a media stream from a content provider and transmits the media stream to a plurality of DP client devices. The DP master device may follow different policies. In case one DP client device has not a level of security sufficient for a particular quality, one policy provides that the stream is degraded, while another policy provides that the stream is to be transmitted by a content provider at a reduced quality.

Techniques are disclosed for improving user experience of multimedia streaming over computer networks. More specifically, techniques presented herein reduce (or eliminate) latency in playback start time for streaming digital media content resulting from digital rights management (DRM) authorizations. A streaming media client (e.g., a browser, set-top box, mobile telephone or tablet “app”) may request a “fast-expiring” license for titles the streaming media client predicts a user is likely to begin streaming. A fast-expiring license is a DRM license (and associated decryption key) which is valid for only a very limited time after being used for playback. During the validity period of such a license, the client device requests a “normal” or “regular” license to continue accessing the title after the fast-expiring license expires.

Techniques are disclosed for improving user experience of multimedia streaming over computer networks. More specifically, techniques presented herein reduce (or eliminate) latency in playback start time for streaming digital media content resulting from digital rights management (DRM) authorizations. A streaming media client (e.g., a browser, set-top box, mobile telephone or tablet “app”) may request a “fast-expiring” license for titles the streaming media client predicts a user is likely to begin streaming. A fast-expiring license is a DRM license (and associated decryption key) which is valid for only a very limited time after being used for playback. During the validity period of such a license, the client device requests a “normal” or “regular” license to continue accessing the title after the fast-expiring license expires.