Initialization Encryption for Streaming Content

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for creating a virtual encryption session prior to video streaming content being requested to reduce or eliminate delay in initialization of the encryption session and content delivery to the customer. A virtual session may encrypt at least a portion of a stream, such as video content stream, using a cryptographic key that is not content specific. The non-content-specific cryptographic key may be, for example, a virtual entitlement control message (ECM) that is devoid of content specific information. One or more virtual sessions may be stored at a computing device, such as an edge device, and may be used to encrypt the portion of the stream while, for example, a content-specific encryption session is being initiated. The computing device may send a request for one or more additional non-content-specific cryptographic keys.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.