Patent ID: 8667152

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, by a home network community server, first policy information and second policy information from a first home network manager device and second home network manager device, respectively, wherein: the first home network device manager and the second home network device manager manage a first home network and a second home network, respectively; the first home network and the second home network each include one or more content rendering devices and one or more content storing devices; the home network community server serves as an intermediary between the first home network and the second home network; and the first policy information and the second policy information identify users who are authorized to access the first home network and the second home network, respectively; receiving, by the home network community server, a first presence table from the first home network manager device, wherein the first presence table indexes all content stored on the first home network; receiving, by the home network community server, a second presence table from the second home network manager device, wherein the second presence table indexes all content stored on the second home network; receiving, by the home network community server and from a device operated by a user from outside of a physical proximity of the first home network and the second home network, a message from the user requesting that particular content be provided from the first home network to a particular content rendering device or a particular content storing device of the second home network; determining, by the home network community server and based on the first presence table, that the particular content is stored on the first home network; determining, by the home network community server and based on the first policy information, that the user is authorized to access the particular content on the first home network; determining, by the home network community server and based on the second policy information, that the user is authorized to access the particular content rendering device or the particular content storing device of the second home network; and providing, by the home network community server, the particular content from the first home network to the particular content rendering device or the particular content storing device of the second home network based on determining that: (i) the particular content is stored on the first home network, (ii) the user is authorized to access the particular content, and (ii) the user is authorized to access the particular content rendering device or the particular content storing device of the second home network.