This invention relates generally to the distribution of content in computer networks. More particularly, this invention relates to techniques for geolocation based content delivery fee computations.
Content of all types may be distributed over a computer network. For example, content in the form of streaming video, photographs, written works, games, music and the like may be distributed over a computer network. It would be desirable to provide new mechanisms for content creators to distribute their works and for content consumers to have increased content options.
A computer implemented method includes receiving from a client device a request for content. A geolocation for the client device is identified. The delivery of the content to the client device is metered to form a metered content value. License terms for consumption of the content at the geolocation are identified. A licensing fee is computed based upon the metered content value and the license terms for consumption of the content at the geolocation.
The invention is more fully appreciated in connection with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The client device 102 includes standard components, such as a central processing unit 110 connected to input/output devices 112 via a bus 114. The input/output devices 112 may include a touch display, a keyboard, mouse and the like. A network interface circuit 116 is also connected to the bus 114 to provide connectivity to network 106. A memory 120 is also connected to the bus. The memory 120 may store a browser 122, which may be used to access content over network 106. The client device 102 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a Smartphone, a game console, streaming media player, television and the like.
The server 104 also includes standard components, such as a central processing unit 130 and input/output devices 132 connected via a bus 134. A network interface circuit 136 and memory 140 are also connected to the bus 134. The memory 140 stores a content module 142. The content module includes executable instructions to display available content and deliver selected content to a requesting client device. A fee computation module 144 is also stored in memory 144. The fee computation module 144 includes executable instructions to implement operations of the invention, as discussed in connection with
An additional server 148 may also be used in the system. The additional server 148 includes standard components, such as a central processing unit 150 connected to input/output devices 152 via a bus 154. A network interface circuit 156 and memory 160 are also connected to the bus 154. The memory 160 stores a geolocation database 162. The geolocation database 162 is accessible by other machines connected to the network 106. The geolocation database 162 may be implemented as a service which receives client information and returns a geolocation for the client device.
Geolocation is the identification of the real-world geographic location of an object. The location may be specified in geographical coordinates, but is preferably specified in a more human friendly form, such as an address, a county, a country and the like. Geolocation information may be obtained by looking up an internet protocol address through a WHOIS service to retrieve the registrant's physical address.
The delivery of the content is then metered 204. Checks 206 are periodically performed to determine whether the content delivery is completed or terminated. If not (206-No), additional content is metered. If so (206-Yes), a metered content value is computed 208. The metered content value may be in any number of units. For example, the metered content value may be time units specifying the amount of time transpired to deliver the content. The metered content value may be a data size metric. Any metric that provides granular information about delivered content may be used. Observe here that fractions of content may be measured and utilized in subsequent processing.
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The computed licensing fee may be based upon a single download of the content and therefore constitute a discrete transaction. Alternately, the licensing fee may be based upon a subscription fee to a content source. In this case, the user of the client device pays a subscription fee for a time period. The subscription fee allows the user to access all content at the content source. To compensate content creators that provide content that is more frequently accessed, a license fee may be computed that represents a fractional value of all subscriber fees. Computing a fractional value may include computing a curation component characterizing collective content of a content distributor as a fraction of all available content. Computing the fractional value may include computing a popularity component characterizing total consumption of the content as a fraction of total consumption of all available content. The fee may be computed immediately after content consumption. Alternately, the fee may be computed at pre-determined time (e.g., each day at midnight).
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An embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer storage product with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The media and computer code may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to: magnetic media, optical media, magneto-optical media and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute program code, such as application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), programmable logic devices (“PLDs”) and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer code include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented using JAVA®, C++, or other object-oriented programming language and development tools. Another embodiment of the invention may be implemented in hardwired circuitry in place of, or in combination with, machine-executable software instructions.
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.