A method of controlling ability of a client device to access media content available from a server device on a network is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving with the server device a request from the client device via the network for media content and determining with the server device a type of the client device and a type of the media content. Thereafter, a step of applying a policy stored in software form in the server device for determining actions allowable for the client device with respect to the media content is performed. After the applying step, access of the media content is provided to the client device only to an extent defined and permitted by the policy. A server device for functioning as a Digital Media Server (DMS) on a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network is also disclosed.

A method of controlling ability of a client device to access media content available from a server device on a network is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving with the server device a request from the client device via the network for media content and determining with the server device a type of the client device and a type of the media content. Thereafter, a step of applying a policy stored in software form in the server device for determining actions allowable for the client device with respect to the media content is performed. After the applying step, access of the media content is provided to the client device only to an extent defined and permitted by the policy. A server device for functioning as a Digital Media Server (DMS) on a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network is also 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.

The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for controlling access to multimedia content. In an access control system, each device operates as a gateway or node in the access control network and is linked to the other devices in the access control network. Each device in the network has a hash value that identifies the device and the type of media content or content providers the device can access. When a device requests to access media content, nodes in the access control system can compare the hash value of the user device to hash values in an allocation table to determine whether the user is authorized access the media content. In some implementations, a device connected to the access control network can verify or validate the hash value of the requesting device by comparing the hash value to hash values in an allocation table stored on a blockchain.

The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for controlling access to multimedia content. In an access control system, each device operates as a gateway or node in the access control network and is linked to the other devices in the access control network. Each device in the network has a hash value that identifies the device and the type of media content or content providers the device can access. When a device requests to access media content, nodes in the access control system can compare the hash value of the user device to hash values in an allocation table to determine whether the user is authorized access the media content. In some implementations, a device connected to the access control network can verify or validate the hash value of the requesting device by comparing the hash value to hash values in an allocation table stored on a blockchain.

Systems and methods for performing adaptive bitrate streaming using alternative streams of protected content in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor, and memory containing a client application. In addition, the client application configures the processor to: request a top level index file identifying a plurality of alternative streams of protected content, where each of the alternative streams of protected content are encrypted using common cryptographic information; obtain the common cryptographic information; request portions of content from at least the plurality of alternative streams of protected content; access the protected content using the common cryptographic information; and playback the content.

Systems and methods for performing adaptive bitrate streaming using alternative streams of protected content in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor, and memory containing a client application. In addition, the client application configures the processor to: request a top level index file identifying a plurality of alternative streams of protected content, where each of the alternative streams of protected content are encrypted using common cryptographic information; obtain the common cryptographic information; request portions of content from at least the plurality of alternative streams of protected content; access the protected content using the common cryptographic information; and playback the content.

The surveillance video playback method includes receiving, by a video surveillance management device, a surveillance video browsing request from a client device, and performing, according to the request, authentication on a user that sends the surveillance video browsing request using the client device; if the user that sends the surveillance video browsing request has permission to view collected data, sending a first link address corresponding to the user request to the client device; and sending video data and the collected data to the client device according to a data request that carries the first link address and is returned by the client device, so that the client device can superimpose the collected data on the video data and then play them.

The surveillance video playback method includes receiving, by a video surveillance management device, a surveillance video browsing request from a client device, and performing, according to the request, authentication on a user that sends the surveillance video browsing request using the client device; if the user that sends the surveillance video browsing request has permission to view collected data, sending a first link address corresponding to the user request to the client device; and sending video data and the collected data to the client device according to a data request that carries the first link address and is returned by the client device, so that the client device can superimpose the collected data on the video data and then play them.

Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.