US 8566461

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 8566461:

Title: Managed access to media services

Assignee: Digital River Inc

Inventors: Gyuchang Jun, Kurt Huang, Duane Kuroda

Filing Date: 2005-06-08

Issue Date: 2013-10-22

Abstract: The patent describes methods, apparatuses, and systems for managing account-based access to media services. A media access controller server validates a "voucher" (an authorization for content access) and generates a "token." A separate media access manager server then validates this token to grant access to the content. This manager server can employ a custom plug-in to enforce publisher-defined terms of service, such as limiting the number of simultaneous streams per voucher or enforcing a time window for voucher validity, terminating streams if the voucher's end time has passed.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim describes a method for controlling access to online media. It involves two main steps:

  1. Validating a token: Before allowing access to network content at a specific "publishing point," a system first validates a "token." This token is distinct from, but created based on, an initial "voucher." The voucher itself has been validated as a legitimate authorization and includes the publisher's rules for how the content can be delivered (terms of service). The token itself contains a unique identifier linked to the original transaction that granted access via the voucher.
  2. Denying access based on terms of service: If the validated token doesn't comply with the publisher's terms of service, access to the content is denied. A key term of service mentioned is a "maximum number of streams" allowed simultaneously on a server for a single transaction (identified by the unique ID). Access is denied if the current number of active streams associated with that unique ID meets or exceeds this maximum.

• Independent Claim 9 (Apparatus Claim): This claim describes a system (apparatus) designed to manage access to network content, comprising:

  1. A token validator: This component is configured to check the validity of each token before granting access to network content. Each token signifies authorization to access content at a publishing point, having been generated from a validated voucher. The voucher includes the publisher's terms of service and a unique transaction ID.
  2. A compliance checker: This component determines if the validated token adheres to the publisher's terms of service linked with the voucher. These terms include a maximum number of concurrent streams allowed per voucher on a server. The checker reports non-compliance if the number of active streams linked to that voucher on the server goes over this maximum, and consequently, the checker denies access to the network content.

Uncertainty Regarding CAFC Dockets:
As of June 10, 2026, searches for US patent 8566461 (or US8566461B1) within the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for 2026 did not yield any specific cases or related proceedings. Therefore, there is no authoritative information available through the conducted search indicating active litigation or appeal concerning this patent in the CAFC for the current year.