# US 2013/0160146 A1 · Startup times of streaming digital media playback > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0160146 A1 - Document ID: US20130160146A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/326,122 - Filed: 2011-12-14 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-14 - Assignees: Netflix, Inc. - Inventors: Christian KAISER; Jean-Marie WHITE; Yung-Hsiao LAI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130160146A1 ## CPC - H04N 21/64322: {IP} - H04N 21/2541: {Rights Management (protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08)} - H04N 21/4405: involving video stream decryption - H04N 21/63345: {by transmitting keys (key distribution for secret or secure communication H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06)} - H04N 21/835: Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates {(protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10)} - H04N 21/84: Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors {(systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73)} - H04L 2463/101: applying security measures for digital rights management - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Techniques are provided for streaming digital media content. In one embodiment, metadata associated with a digital media content title is retrieved prior to receiving any user request to play the digital media content title. Upon receiving a user request to play the digital media content title, a license is requested based on the retrieved metadata. Upon receiving the license, streaming playback of digital media content title begins. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method for a client device to obtain authorization to stream a requested media title, the method comprising: outputting, for display in a user interface, a plurality of media titles available for streaming playback; prior to receiving a user request to begin streaming playback of any of the plurality of media titles, retrieving, by operation of one or more computer processors, digital rights management (DRM) data associated with at least a first one of the plurality of media titles; upon receiving the request to play the first media title, generating, based at least in part on the DRM data, a request for a license authorizing playback of the first media title; and upon receiving the license for the first media title, beginning streaming playback of the first media title. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the DRM data is retrieved upon detecting that a trigger condition is satisfied. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the trigger condition comprises receiving a user request to view information associated with the first media title. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the trigger condition comprises a user-controlled cursor hovering over a display element associated with the first media title, for a predefined period of time. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the trigger condition comprises a display element being visible in the user interface, wherein the display element is associated with the first media title. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the DRM data includes a DRM header associated with the first media title, wherein the DRM header includes an authentication and authorization token, and stream DRM information. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the DRM data further includes a stream header associated with the first media title, wherein the stream header includes one or more attributes associated with the first media title. ### Claim 8 A computer-readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation for a client device to obtain authorization to stream a requested media title, the operation comprising: outputting, for display in a user interface, a plurality of media titles available for streaming playback; prior to receiving a user request to begin streaming playback of any of the plurality of media titles, retrieving digital rights management (DRM) data associated with at least a first one of the plurality of media titles; upon receiving the request to play the first media title, generating, based at least in part on the DRM data, a request for a license authorizing playback of the first media title; and upon receiving the license for the first media title, beginning streaming playback of the first media title. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the DRM data is retrieved upon detecting that a trigger condition is satisfied. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the trigger condition comprises receiving a user request to view information associated with the first media title. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the trigger condition comprises a user-controlled cursor hovering over a display element associated with the first media title, for a predefined period of time. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the trigger condition comprises a display element being visible in the user interface, wherein the display element is associated with the first media title. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the DRM data includes a DRM header associated with the first media title, wherein the DRM header includes an authentication and authorization token. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the DRM data further includes a stream header associated with the first media title, wherein the stream header includes one or more attributes associated with the first media title. ### Claim 15 A system, comprising: one or more computer processors; a memory containing a program, which when executed by the one or more computer processors is configured to perform an operation for obtaining authorization to stream a requested media title, the operation comprising: outputting, for display in a user interface, a plurality of media titles available for streaming playback; prior to receiving a user request to begin streaming playback of any of the plurality of media titles, retrieving, digital rights management (DRM) data associated with at least a first one of the plurality of media titles; upon receiving the request to play the first media title, generating, based at least in part on the DRM data, a request for a license authorizing playback of the first media title; and upon receiving the license for the first media title, beginning streaming playback of the first media title. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the DRM data is retrieved upon detecting that a trigger condition is satisfied. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the trigger condition comprises receiving a user request to view information associated with the first media title. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the trigger condition comprises a user-controlled cursor hovering over a display element associated with the first media title, for a predefined period of time. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the trigger condition comprises a display element being visible in the user interface, wherein the display element is associated with the first media title. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the DRM data includes a DRM header associated with the first media title, wherein the DRM header includes an authentication and authorization token.