Patent Publication Number: US-2023156254-A1

Title: Systems and methods to temporarily grant access to a digital gateway

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure relates to temporarily granting access to a digital gateway and, in particular, systems and related methods for temporarily granting access to an over-the-top content platform to a user other than the account holder of the over-the-top content platform. 
     SUMMARY 
     With the proliferation of over-the-top content platforms, there has been an increase in the number of people who wish to share their access to an over-the-top content platform. However, an account holder may wish to only temporarily share their access to an over-the-top content platform with another user, for example, to enable the user to finish watching a program on the over-the-top content platform. However, if the account holder shares their login details to the over-the-top content platform with the user, then they will have to reset their login details in order to revoke access from the user. If the account holder has multiple devices (for example, a mobile device, a tablet, a laptop and a smart TV) logged into the over-the-top content platform, it is inconvenient to have to change the login details on all of the devices following a reset of their login details in order to revoke access from the aforementioned user. Although the above example describes an over-the-top content platform, similar issues exist with any digital gateway, such as electronic locks on hotel room doors. In a similar manner, a person staying in a hotel room may require access for only a limited amount of time, and it would not be desirable for the person to be given indefinite access to a hotel room. 
     In view of the foregoing, it would be beneficial to have a system that allows temporary access to a digital gateway, such as an over-the-top content platform. 
     Systems and methods are described herein for temporarily granting access to a digital gateway, such as an over-the-top content platform. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided for temporarily granting access to a digital gateway. The method incudes receiving a request for temporary access to the digital gateway. A temporary access token is generated at a server. The temporary access token is assigned to a user. Access to the digital gateway is granted via the temporary access token. The access token automatically expires after a pre-set period. Once the temporary access token has expired, access to the digital gateway is revoked. In another aspect, the digital gateway may be an over-the-top content platform. 
     The request may be generated at a computing device not associated with the over-the-top content platform and the temporary access token is sent from the server, via a network, to the computing device. For example, a user may start watching a program on an account holder&#39;s smart TV but does not have time to finish watching it. The user may wish to obtain temporary access to the over-the-top content platform on their smartphone in order to finish watching the program at a later time. The user may initiate the request on their smartphone. In this example, the smartphone sends the request to a server via the internet and receives a temporary access token which enables the smartphone to temporarily access the over-the-top content platform. 
     When a user requests temporary access to the over-the-top content platform, in response to receiving the request, the user&#39;s identity may be verified before the temporary access token is assigned to the user. For example, the user may log in to the over-the-top platform with a username and password. In another example, the user may provide a biometric confirmation of identity such a fingerprint or facial recognition. User location information may also be used to verify the user&#39;s identity. 
     The pre-set period may be one of a time period, a content access duration and/or a content access count. For example, a time period may be one hour, two days, a week, a month or any other time period. The time period may also be for the duration of a festival, for example, Diwali, Easter and/or Ramadan. A content access duration may include watching content for a set period of time. For example, a user may be able to watch five hours of content before the user&#39;s access is revoked. A content access count may include, for example, a fixed number of episodes of a series and/or a fixed number of movies. The content access count may be more specific, for example limited to watching specific movie(s) and/or episode(s), before a user&#39;s access is revoked. 
     The request for temporary access to the over-the-top platform may be initiated in any way known in the art. For example, a user may initiate the request by providing a password at an app or a website. An account holder of the over-the-top platform may be able to access a website associated with the over-the-top content platform and may be able to input a temporary password, and optionally a username, that another user can use to gain temporary access to the over-the-top platform. This temporary password may be separate from the password used by the account holder to access the over-the-top platform. This temporary password may, in some embodiments, be used with the same username used by the account holder. In another example, a user may initiate the request by providing a code at an app or a website. This code may, for example, be generated at a website of an over-the-top content platform. The user may access a website or an app on a device that is not associated with the over-the-top content platform and may enter the code in order to gain temporary access to the over-the-top platform. 
     In another example, an account holder may be able to generate a unique link in an app associated with the over-the-top content platform. The account holder may send this link to the user who wishes to temporarily access the over-the-top platform. When the user clicks the link, for example on their mobile phone, the user may receive a temporary access token that enables the user to temporarily access the over-the-top content platform. 
     In another embodiment, the request may be initiated via a communication between a computing device associated with the account holder and a computing device associated with the user. For example, an account holder may indicate via an app on their mobile phone that they would like to give another person (a “user”) temporary access to the over-the-top platform. The user may open a corresponding app on their mobile phone and the user&#39;s identity may be verified via Near-Field-Communication (NFC) and/or Bluetooth communication between the mobile phone of the account holder and a mobile phone of the user. Once the user has been identified via Near-Field-Communication and/or Bluetooth communication between the two devices, the server may generate a temporary access token and send it to the user&#39;s device, so that the user can temporarily access the over-the-top content platform on their own device. An advantage of such an arrangement is ease of use. For example, two friends may be watching a movie on a smart TV but not have time to finish the movie. The account holder may initiate the request the allow the other friend to temporarily access their account by holding their mobile device to the friend&#39;s mobile device. The friend does not need to remember or note down any codes. 
     In a further embodiment, a user may initiate the request by scanning a Quick Response (QR) code, for example, with a camera of a mobile device. The QR code may link to a website through which a user can temporarily access the over-the-top content platform. In an example, a promoter of a TV series may distribute QR codes that enable users to temporarily access an over-the-top platform and watch the first few episodes of the series. 
     The over-the-top content platform may further comprise a chatroom. The chatroom may enable people who are viewing content to talk to one another via speech and/or text. When a user is granted temporary access to the over-the-top content platform, they may also be granted temporary access to a chatroom. When a user accesses the over-the-top platform via the temporary access token, the user&#39;s computing device may automatically be put in the same chatroom as a computing device of the account holder, if the user and the account holder are viewing content at the same time. 
     A user who accesses an over-the-top content platform may be granted access to only a subset of available content on the over-the-top content platform. For example, the user may be able to view only standard and high definition content, but not ultra-high definition content. In another example, the user may not be able to access adult and/or pay-per-view content. In a further example, the user may be able to access only series and live TV, but not movies. These limitations may be set by the account holder via a website or a settings section of an app. Additionally and/or alternatively, these limitations may be set by the over-the-top content provider. 
     The request may comprise receiving, from a first user, a command at a smart speaker, wherein the command comprises a request to enable a second user to temporarily access to an over-the-top platform to which the first user is subscribed. The smart speaker may communicate the request to a server, the communication comprising contact information about the second user. Assigning the temporary access token to a user may further comprise assigning the temporary access token to the second user via the contact information. For example, an account holder may issue a command to a smart speaker by saying “Give Alice temporary access to my account.” The smart speaker may look up contact information about the second user. This contact information may be obtained, for example, at the smart speaker; at a device connected to the smart speaker, such as a smartphone connected via Bluetooth; and/or from a server remote to the smart speaker. The smart speaker may send the request to a server. A temporary access token may be generated at the server and sent, using the contact information, to Alice&#39;s smartphone. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout and in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows an exemplary environment in which temporary access to an over-the-top content platform is granted, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 A  shows another exemplary environment in which temporary access to an over-the-top content platform is granted, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 B  shows another exemplary environment in which temporary access to an over-the-top content platform is granted, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    shows another exemplary environment in which temporary access to an over-the-top content platform is granted, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram representing a data flow for granting temporary access to an over-the-top content platform, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram representing components of a computing device and data flow therebetween for granting temporary access to an over-the-top content platform, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart representing a process for granting temporary access to an over-the-top content platform, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Systems and methods are described herein for temporarily granting access to an over-the-top content platform. As referred to herein, an over-the-top content platform is a service that enables users to access content via the internet. The content may be streamed live and/or streamed on demand to a computing device. On-demand content may also be downloaded to a computing device in response to a user request and/or according to a pre-set rule. Content includes audio, video and/or any other media content that may be delivered over the internet. Audio includes audio only content, such as songs. Video includes audiovisual content such as movies and/or television programs. Other media content includes e-books. The over-the-top content platform may be accessed via a website and/or an app running on a computing device. 
     Generally, a token is a generated code that grants a computing device access to a specific resource. An example of such a token is a JSON web token. A JSON web token comprises a header, a payload and a signature. The header comprises metadata that may include the type of token and the hashing algorithm being used to sign the token. The payload includes the claims (data) that the token is encoding, for example the issuer of the token and the expiry date/time of the token. The signature is used to verify the token and may be a hash of the header, the payload and a secret. The JSON token may be in the format of three strings separated by “.”, for example, “A3jC9x.na8Ss1.POak65”. The token may be used, for example, in a URL, a POST request added as header and/or as a GET request added as an appended parameter. 
     The disclosed methods and systems may be implemented on a computing device. As referred to herein, the computing device can be any device comprising a processor and memory, for example, a television, a Smart TV, a set-top box, an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) for handling satellite television, a digital storage device, a digital media receiver (DMR), a digital media adapter (DMA), a streaming media device, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, a connected DVD, a local media server, a BLU-RAY player, a BLU-RAY recorder, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a WebTV box, a personal computer television (PC/TV), a PC media server, a PC media center, a handheld computer, a stationary telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a portable video player, a portable music player, a portable gaming machine, a smartphone, an augmented reality device, a mixed reality device, a virtual reality device, or any other television equipment, computing equipment, or wireless device, and/or combination of the same. 
     The methods and/or any instructions for performing any of the embodiments discussed herein may be encoded on computer-readable media. Computer-readable media includes any media capable of storing data. The computer-readable media may be transitory, including, but not limited to, propagating electrical or electromagnetic signals, or may be non-transitory, including, but not limited to, volatile and non-volatile computer memory or storage devices such as a hard disk, floppy disk, USB drive, DVD, CD, media cards, register memory, processor caches, random access memory (RAM), etc. 
       FIG.  1    shows an exemplary environment in which temporary access to an over-the-top content platform is granted, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. A user requests temporary access to an over-the-top content platform at a mobile device  100 . The user may initiate the request by, for example, providing a code at a website of the over-the-top content platform. The request is transmitted, via a communications network  102 , to a server  104 . The communications network  102  may be a local network and/or the internet and may include wired and/or wireless components. At the server  104 , a temporary access token is generated  106 . The temporary access token is assigned to the mobile device  100 . For example, the token may be sent, via the communications network  102 , to the mobile device  100 . Access to the over-the-top content platform is granted via the temporary access token. For example, the mobile device  100  may send, via the communications network  102 , the temporary access token to the over-the-top content platform provider. The over-the-top content platform provider may verify the token and grant the mobile device  100  access to the over-the-top content platform for the period of time defined by the token. Once the period of time defined by the token has expired, the mobile device&#39;s access to the over-the-top platform may be revoked. 
       FIG.  2 A  shows another exemplary environment in which temporary access to an over-the-top content platform is granted, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. An account holder initiates the request by selecting an option to enable temporary access to the over-the-top content platform at an app running on a first mobile device  208 . The first mobile device  208  may transmit the request, for example, via Bluetooth, to a second mobile device  200 . The request is received at the second mobile device  200  by an app running on the second mobile device. The request is transmitted from the second mobile device  200 , via a communications network  202 , to a server  204 . Again, the communications network  202  may be a local network and/or the internet and may include wired and/or wireless components. At the server  204 , a temporary access token is generated  206 . The temporary access token is assigned to the second mobile device  200 . For example, the token may be sent, via the communications network  202 , to the second mobile device  200 . Access to the over-the-top content platform is granted via the temporary access token. For example, the second mobile device  200  may send, via the communications network  202 , the temporary access token to the over-the-top content platform provider. The over-the-top content platform provider may verify the token and grant the mobile device  200  access to the over-the-top content platform for the period of time defined by the token. Once the period of time defined by the token has expired, the mobile device&#39;s access to the over-the-top platform may be revoked. 
       FIG.  2 B  shows another exemplary environment in which temporary access to an over-the-top content platform is granted, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. A user requests temporary access to an over-the-top content platform at a mobile device  200 . The user initiates the request by capturing a QR code  212  via a camera  214  of the mobile device  200 . The QR code may comprise an internet link and a code for requesting temporary access to the over-the-top content platform. The request is transmitted, via a communications network  202 , to a server  204 . At the server  204 , a temporary access token is generated  206 . The temporary access token is assigned to the mobile device  200 . For example, the token may be sent, via the communications network  202 , to the mobile device  200 . Access to the over-the-top content platform is granted via the temporary access token. For example, the mobile device  200  may send, via the communications network  202 , the temporary access token to the over-the-top content platform provider. The over-the-top content platform provider may verify the token and grant the mobile device  200  access to the over-the-top content platform for the period of time defined by the token. Once the period of time defined by the token has expired, the mobile device&#39;s access to the over-the-top platform may be revoked. 
       FIG.  3    shows another exemplary environment in which temporary access to an over-the-top content platform is granted, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. A user requests temporary access to an over-the-top content platform at a smart speaker  316 . The user initiates the request by issuing a command  314  to the smart speaker  316 . In this example, the command is “Give Alice temporary access to my video account.” The smart speaker looks up contact information about Alice. This contact information may be obtained, for example, at the smart speaker, at a device connected to the smart speaker, such as a smartphone connected via Bluetooth, and/or from a server remote to the smart speaker. The request and Alice&#39;s contact information are transmitted, via a communications network  302 , to a server  304 . Again, the communications network  302  may be a local network and/or the internet and may include wired and/or wireless components. At the server  304 , a temporary access token is generated  306 . The temporary access token is assigned to Alice&#39;s mobile device  300 , utilizing Alice&#39;s contact information. For example, the token may be sent, via the communications network  302 , to the mobile device  300 . Access to the over-the-top content platform is granted via the temporary access token. For example, the mobile device  300  may send, via the communications network  302 , the temporary access token to the over-the-top content platform provider. The over-the-top content platform provider may verify the token and grant the mobile device  300  access to the over-the-top content platform for the period of time defined by the token. Once the period of time defined by the token has expired, the mobile device&#39;s access to the over-the-top platform may be revoked. 
       FIG.  4    is a diagram representing a data flow for granting temporary access to an over-the-top content platform, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. At a client  400 , such as a mobile device, an account owner  404  requests a token generation  408 . The request includes the duration of temporary access for a temporary user  406  as well as an identifier for the temporary user  406 . The request is sent from the client  400  to a web service of a server  402 . The account owner  404  is validated  410 . Following the validation of the account owner  404 , a token request  412  is sent to a token generator of the server  402 . At the token generator, a token is generated and encrypted  414 . The token is sent  416  from the server  402  and is received  418  by the client  400 . The token is shared  420  with the temporary user  406 . The temporary user  406  uses the temporary token to log in  422  to the over-the-top content provider. The over-the-top content provider validates the token  424  and provides time-based access  426  to the temporary user  406 . 
       FIG.  5    is a block diagram representing components of a computing device and data flow therebetween for granting temporary access to an over-the-top content platform, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Computing device  500  (e.g., a mobile device  100 ,  200  as discussed in connection with  FIGS.  1 - 2   ) comprises input circuitry  504 , control circuitry  508  and an output module  518 . Control circuitry  508  may be based on any suitable processing circuitry (not shown) and comprises control circuits and memory circuits, which may be disposed on a single integrated circuit or may be discrete components. As referred to herein, processing circuitry should be understood to mean circuitry based on one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc., and may include a multi-core processor (e.g., dual-core, quad-core, hexa-core, or any suitable number of cores). In some embodiments, processing circuitry may be distributed across multiple separate processors or processing units, for example, multiple of the same type of processing units (e.g., two Intel Core i7 processors) or multiple different processors (e.g., an Intel Core i5 processor and an Intel Core i7 processor). Some control circuits may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or software. 
     A user provides an input  502  that is received by the input circuitry  504 . The input circuitry  504  is configured to receive a user input related to a computing device. For example, this may be via a touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, microphone and/or infra-red controller of the computing device  500 . The input circuitry  504  transmits  506  the user input to the control circuitry  508 . 
     The control circuitry  508  comprises a transceiver  510 , a digital gateway access module  514  and an output module  518 . The user input is transmitted to the transceiver  510 . At the transceiver  510 , a request for temporary access a digital gateway (such as an over-the-top content platform), based on the user input  502 , is transmitted via a communications network to a server. The communications network may comprise wired and/or wireless means, for example, the internet and/or a Wi-Fi network. At the server a temporary access token is generated and is transmitted back to the computing device, via the transceiver  510 . The temporary access token is transmitted  512  to the digital gateway access module  514 . The digital access module  514  transmits the token to the over-the-top content platform. Upon verification, the over-the-top content platform grants temporary access to the computing device  500 . This is transmitted  516  to the output module  518 . The output module  518  displays content  520  from the digital gateway to the user via a display of the computing device. 
       FIG.  6    is a flowchart representing a process for granting temporary access to an over-the-top content platform, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Process  600  may be implemented on any aforementioned computing device  100 ,  200 . In addition, one or more actions of the process  600  may be incorporated into or combined with one or more actions of any other process or embodiments described herein. 
     At  602 , a request for temporary access to an over-the-top content platform is received. At  604 , a temporary access token is generated at a server. At  606 , the temporary access token is assigned to a user. At  608 , access to the over-the-top content platform is granted via the temporary access token. At  610 , the temporary access token automatically expires after a pre-set period. At  612 , access to the over-the-top content platform is revoked once the temporary access token has expired. 
     The processes described above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the steps of the processes discussed herein may be omitted, modified, combined, and/or rearranged, and any additional steps may be performed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. More generally, the above disclosure is meant to be exemplary and not limiting. Furthermore, it should be noted that the features and limitations described in any one embodiment may be applied to any other embodiment herein, and flowcharts or examples relating to one embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment in a suitable manner, done in different orders, or done in parallel. In addition, the systems and methods described herein may be performed in real time. It should also be noted that the systems and/or methods described above may be applied to, or used in accordance with, other systems and/or methods.