Patent Application
20070299780
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to distribution of content and tokens between mobile electronic devices and more particularly, relate to methods, apparatuses and a computer program product for distributing content and tokens from a content distributor to mobile electronic devices and/or between electronic devices.
In recent times digital media is becoming increasingly common and important. With the advent of personal computers and the like, digital media files are very easy to copy an unrestricted number of times without any degradation in the quality of subsequent copies. Given the widespread use of the Internet and files sharing mechanisms, large scale transfer of copyrighted digital media files is now a simple task. To curtail the expansive distribution of copyrighted digital media files between electronic devices and ensure that the owner of the digital media collects a fee for each copy made of a digital work, many content distributors employ Digital Rights Management (DRM) which may be used to control access to content such as software, music, images, movies, or other digital media. DRM allows artists who create the digital media to reap the benefits of their labor. By applying DRM technologies to digital media, the digital media may be prevented from being copied or disseminated other than by a paying customer. In a typical scenario, DRM dictates that the digital media be encrypted so that it may not be used or copied by unauthorized users commonly referred to as pirates. However, when an unauthorized user pays the requisite fee for the digital media, to the content distributor, an encryption key is often provided to the user so that the digital media can be decoded and activated.
To obtain the rights to use and/or copy digital media from content distributors, consumers may typically access an Internet site of the content distributor and pay the requisite fee for the digital media file(s) desired by the consumer. The purchased digital media(s) files may then be downloaded to electronic devices such as computing devices which include personal computers, laptop computers, mobile telephones, personal digital assistants and the like. For example, the consumer may access an Internet music store where he either has an account set up or establishes an account to facilitate purchases of music from the online store. The consumer may then download the music to his personal computer or a mobile device such as an MP3 player. Since it is currently common that consumers require access to the Internet to purchase and download desired digital media from a content distributor, it is oftentimes very difficult and cumbersome for the content distributor to facilitate the purchase and download of digital media when the consumer is not connected to the Internet (i.e., offline). In this regard, the content distributor may lose monetary gains associated with the purchase and download of the desired digital media due to the lack of an Internet connection by the consumer. Additionally, given that consumers normally require an Internet connection to purchase and download digital media, it is difficult and cumbersome for the content distributor to monitor and obtain payment for an offline transfer of digital media between a consumer who previously purchased and downloaded the digital media (from the content distributor) and another consumer.
Given the above described difficulties, there is an existing need to establish a mechanism in which digital media files may be easily purchased and downloaded from a content distributor by a consumer even when the consumer's electronic device (e.g. terminal), which will use the digital media, is offline, e.g., not connected to the Internet. Additionally, there is a need to develop a mechanism which allows the content distributor to easily receive payment for digital media that is transferred offline between a terminal of a consumer, who previously downloaded and purchased the digital media from the content distributor, and another terminal of a consumer who desires to have the digital media installed on his electronic terminal.
Methods, apparatuses and a computer program product code are therefore provided which enable consumers or users desiring content subject to Digital Rights Management to purchase and download the content even when terminals that will use the content are offline, e.g., not connected to the Internet. Additionally, embodiments of the invention enable content previously installed on one terminal to be transmitted offline from the Internet to another terminal desiring the content. According to embodiments of the present invention, the content distributor is able to receive payment for the subsequent offline transmission of content, so long as a user (or gift-giver) has tokens which are used for payment of the content. Once the content distributor receives the tokens as payment for the content from the user, the content distributor can pay the owner of the content a fee or royalty for allowing its subscribers (i.e., users) to utilize the content.
Additionally, in one exemplary embodiment, a method and a system for transferring at least one of content and one or more tokens is provided. The method and system include connecting to a server and purchasing content as well as one or more tokens from the server. The method further includes storing the content and the one or more tokens at the server on behalf of a user and automatically downloading the content and the one or more tokens purchased from the server.
In another exemplary embodiment, a method and system for transferring content and one or more tokens is provided. The method and system include communicating with a server and purchasing one or more tokens stored at the server. The method and system further includes downloading the one or more tokens from the server and generating one or more copies of the content. The method and system further includes using the one or more tokens against the value of the one or more copies of the content and writing data corresponding to the one or more copies of content into the used one or more tokens. The method and system further includes transferring the one or more copies of the content.
In another exemplary embodiment, a method and a system for transferring content and one or more tokens is provided. The method and system include purchasing and downloading the one or more tokens from a server and generating one or more copies of the content. The method and system further include locking the one or more copies of content, and transferring one or more locked copies of content.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method and a system for transferring tokens from a first terminal to a second terminal are provided. The method and system include purchasing and downloading, at a first terminal, one or more tokens from a server, storing the one or more tokens on the first terminal and transferring the one or more tokens to a second terminal. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention a method and system for transferring tokens and content are provided. The method and system include connecting to and purchasing one or more tokens from a server. The method and system further include downloading and storing the one or more tokens purchased from the server and transmitting the one or more tokens.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
In addition, while several embodiments of the method of the present invention are performed or used by a mobile terminal 10, the method may be employed by other than a mobile terminal. Moreover, the system and method of the present invention will be primarily described in conjunction with mobile communications applications. It should be understood, however, that the system and method of the present invention can be utilized in conjunction with a variety of other applications, both in the mobile communications industries and outside of the mobile communications industries. For example, network devices as shown in
The mobile terminal 10 includes an antenna 12 in operable communication with a transmitter 14 and a receiver 16. The mobile terminal 10 further includes a controller 20 or other processing element that provides signals to and receives signals from the transmitter 14 and receiver 16, respectively. The signals include signaling information in accordance with the air interface standard of the applicable cellular system, and also user speech and/or user generated data. In this regard, the mobile terminal 10 is capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. By way of illustration, the mobile terminal 10 is capable of operating in accordance with any of a number of first, second and/or third-generation communication protocols or the like. For example, the mobile terminal 10 may be capable of operating in accordance with second-generation (2G) wireless communication protocols IS-136 (TDMA), GSM, and IS-95 (CDMA) or third-generation wireless communication protocol Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA).
It is understood that the controller 20 includes circuitry required for implementing audio and logic functions of the mobile terminal 10. For example, the controller 20 may be comprised of a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, and various analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, and other support circuits. Control and signal processing functions of the mobile terminal 10 are allocated between these devices according to their respective capabilities. The controller 20 thus may also include the functionality to convolutionally encode and interleave message and data prior to modulation and transmission. The controller 20 can additionally include an internal voice coder, and may include an internal data modem. Further, the controller 20 may include functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in memory. For example, the controller 20 may be capable of operating a connectivity program, such as a conventional Web browser. The connectivity program may then allow the mobile terminal 10 to transmit and receive Web content, such as location-based content, according to a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), for example.
The mobile terminal 10 also comprises a user interface including an output device such as a conventional earphone or speaker 24, a ringer 22, a microphone 26, a display 28, and a user input interface, all of which are coupled to the controller 20. The user input interface, which allows the mobile terminal 10 to receive data, may include any of a number of devices allowing the mobile terminal 10 to receive data, such as a keypad 30, a touch display (not shown) or other input device. In embodiments including the keypad 30, the keypad 30 includes the conventional numeric (0-9) and related keys (#, *), and other keys used for operating the mobile terminal 10. The mobile terminal 10 further includes a battery 34, such as a vibrating battery pack, for powering various circuits that are required to operate the mobile terminal 10, as well as optionally providing mechanical vibration as a detectable output.
The mobile terminal 10 may further include a user identity module (UIM) 38. The UIM 38 is typically a memory device having a processor built in. The UIM 38 may include, for example, a subscriber identity module (SIM), a universal integrated circuit card (UICC), a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), a removable user identity module (R-UIM), etc. The UIM 38 typically stores information elements related to a mobile subscriber. In addition to the UIM 38, the mobile terminal 10 may be equipped with memory. For example, the mobile terminal 10 may include volatile memory 40, such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM) including a cache area for the temporary storage of data. The mobile terminal 10 may also include other non-volatile memory 42, which can be embedded and/or may be removable. The non-volatile memory 42 can additionally or alternatively comprise an EEPROM, flash memory or the like, such as that available from the SanDisk Corporation of Sunnyvale, Calif., or Lexar Media Inc. of Fremont, Calif. The memories can store any of a number of pieces of information, and data, used by the mobile terminal 10 to implement the functions of the mobile terminal 10. For example, the memories can include an identifier, such as an international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying the mobile terminal 10.
Referring now to
The MSC 46 can be coupled to a data network, such as a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), and/or a wide area network (WAN). The MSC 46 can be directly coupled to the data network. In one typical embodiment, however, the MSC 46 is coupled to a GTW 48, and the GTW 48 is coupled to a WAN, such as the Internet 50. In turn, devices such as processing elements (e.g., personal computers, server computers or the like) can be coupled to the mobile terminal 10 via the Internet 50. For example, as explained below, the processing elements can include one or more processing elements associated with a computing system 52 (two shown in
The BS 44 can also be coupled to a signaling GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) support node (SGSN) 56. As known to those skilled in the art, the SGSN 56 is typically capable of performing functions similar to the MSC 46 for packet switched services. The SGSN 56, like the MSC 46, can be coupled to a data network, such as the Internet 50. The SGSN 56 can be directly coupled to the data network. In a more typical embodiment, however, the SGSN 56 is coupled to a packet-switched core network, such as a GPRS core network 58. The packet-switched core network is then coupled to another GTW 48, such as a GTW GPRS support node (GGSN) 60, and the GGSN 60 is coupled to the Internet 50. In addition to the GGSN 60, the packet-switched core network can also be coupled to a GTW 48. Also, the GGSN 60 can be coupled to a messaging center. In this regard, the GGSN 60 and the SGSN 56, like the MSC 46, may be capable of controlling the forwarding of messages, such as MMS messages. The GGSN 60 and SGSN 56 may also be capable of controlling the forwarding of messages for the mobile terminal 10 to and from the messaging center.
In addition, by coupling the SGSN 56 to the GPRS core network 58 and the GGSN 60, devices such as a computing system 52 and/or content/token server 54 may be coupled to the mobile terminal 10 via the Internet 50, SGSN 56 and GGSN 60. In this regard, devices such as the computing system 52 and/or content/token server 54 may communicate with the mobile terminal 10 across the SGSN 56, GPRS core network 58 and the GGSN 60. By directly or indirectly connecting mobile terminals 10 and the other devices (e.g., computing system 52, content/token server 54, etc.) to the Internet 50, the mobile terminals 10 may communicate with the other devices and with one another, such as according to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), to thereby carry out various functions of the mobile terminals 10.
Although not every element of every possible mobile network is shown and described herein, it should be appreciated that the mobile terminal 10 may be coupled to one or more of any of a number of different networks through the BS 44. In this regard, the network(s) can be capable of supporting communication in accordance with any one or more of a number of first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, third-generation (3G) and/or future mobile communication protocols or the like. For example, one or more of the network(s) can be capable of supporting communication in accordance with 2G wireless communication protocols IS-136 (TDMA), GSM, and IS-95 (CDMA). Also, for example, one or more of the network(s) can be capable of supporting communication in accordance with 2.5G wireless communication protocols GPRS, Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), or the like. Further, for example, one or more of the network(s) can be capable of supporting communication in accordance with 3G wireless communication protocols such as Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) network employing Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) radio access technology. Some narrow-band AMPS (NAMPS), as well as TACS, network(s) may also benefit from embodiments of the present invention, as should dual or higher mode mobile stations (e.g., digital/analog or TDMA/CDMA/analog phones).
The mobile terminal 10 can further be coupled to one or more wireless access points (APs) 62. The APs 62 may comprise access points configured to communicate with the mobile terminal 10 in accordance with techniques such as, for example, radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth (BT), infrared (IrDA), very fast infrared (VFIR) or any of a number of different wireless networking techniques, including wireless LAN (WLAN) techniques such as IEEE 802.11 (e.g., 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, etc.), WiMAX techniques such as IEEE 802.16, and/or ultra wideband (UWB) techniques such as IEEE 802.15 or the like. The APs 62 may be coupled to the Internet 50. Like with the MSC 46, the APs 62 can be directly coupled to the Internet 50. In one embodiment, however, the APs 62 are indirectly coupled to the Internet 50 via a GTW 48. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the BS 44 may be considered as another AP 62. As will be appreciated, by directly or indirectly connecting the mobile terminals 10 and the computing system 52, the content/token server 54, and/or any of a number of other devices, to the Internet 50, the mobile terminals 10 can communicate with one another, the content/token server 54, etc., to thereby carry out various functions of the mobile terminals 10, such as to transmit data, content or the like to, and/or receive content, data or the like from, the content/token server 54. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Although not shown in
Referring now to
As described herein, the client application(s) may each comprise software operated by the respective entities. It should be understood, however, that any one or more of the client applications described herein can alternatively comprise firmware or hardware, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Generally, then, the content/token server 54 can include one or more logic elements for performing various functions of one or more client application(s). As will be appreciated, the logic elements can be embodied in any of a number of different manners. In this regard, the logic elements performing the functions of one or more client applications can be embodied in an integrated circuit assembly including one or more integrated circuits integral or otherwise in communication with a respective network entity (i.e., computing system, content/token server, etc.) or more particularly, for example, a processor 84 of the respective network entity. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. In this regard, complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate. These software tools automatically route conductors and locate components on a semiconductor chip using well established rules of design as well as huge libraries of pre-stored design modules. Once the design for a semiconductor circuit has been completed, the resultant design, in a standardized electronic format (e.g., Opus, GDSII, or the like) may be transmitted to a semiconductor fabrication facility or “fab” for fabrication.
In addition to the memory 86, the processor 84 can also be connected to at least one interface or other means for displaying, transmitting and/or receiving data, content or the like. In this regard, the interface(s) can include at least one communication interface 88 or other means for transmitting and/or receiving data, content or the like. For example, the communication interface(s) can include a first communication interface for connecting to a first network, and a second communication interface for connecting to a second network. In addition to the communication interface(s), the interface(s) can also include at least one user interface that can include one or more earphones and/or speakers, a display 80, and/or a user input interface 82. The user input interface, in turn, can comprise any of a number of devices allowing the entity to receive data from a user, such as a microphone, a keypad, a touch display, a joystick, image capture device (e.g., digital camera) or other input device.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to
Referring now to
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the initiation of transfer may occur by using radio-frequency identification (RFID). (For examples of initiation of transfers of data using RFID see e.g. EP1712047, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,052, assigned to the assignee of the present application i.e., Nokia Corp., the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference) Thereafter, the copied content is transferred to the second terminal 10. As previously pointed out the mobile terminals 10 can communicate with one another while they are disconnected from the Internet, by using a number of known communication techniques, including but not limited to serial, USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet (i.e., WiFi), cellular, infrared (IrDA) and VFIR.
During a subsequent connection with the content/token server 54, the first mobile terminal 10 (from which the content 15 was copied) reports the usage of the tokens 11 against the value of the copied content to the content distributor's server. (See block 56; See also Step D) For example, data written into used tokens is transmitted along with the tokens to the content/token server of the content distributor. The data written (e.g. Content ID (e.g., MP3 file) and Content License) into the used tokens 11 identifies the copied content 15. Given that the content distributor receives the information regarding the usage of the tokens and since data written into the used tokens identifies the content transferred to the second mobile terminal 10, the content distributor, is able to pay royalties to the owner of the content (e.g. artist of the music file or copyright holder of the music file) or otherwise appropriately account for usage of the content.
In an exemplary embodiment, one mobile terminal and/or one content/server is designed such that upon the establishment of a subsequent network connection, e.g., upon subsequently establishing Internet access, the mobile terminal (for example MP3 player) is automatically directed to the content/token server and the status of each token or the used token(s) is provided to the content/token server. The mobile terminal may establish the network connection and be automatically directed to the content/token server by using a near field communication RFID capability of the mobile terminal. (See WO 2005038678 (assigned to the Applicant of the present application, i.e., Nokia Corp., the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety), which describes mobile terminals using NFC RFID capabilities)
Reference will now be made to
During a subsequent connection to the content/token server (e.g., via a connection to the content distributor's website or kiosk), the first mobile terminal 10 reports the usage of the tokens to the server. (See block 68; See also Step E). Since the content distributor receives the information regarding the usage of the tokens and given that data written into the used tokens identifies the content transferred to the first mobile terminal 10, the content distributor is able to pay royalties and otherwise account to the owner of the content.
Referring now to
It should be understood that each step of the flowcharts illustrated in
Accordingly, steps of the flowchart support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will be understood that each step of the flowchart, and combinations of steps in the flowchart, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
While the foregoing embodiments discuss the purchasing of content and tokens from a common content/token server 54, content and tokens can be obtained from separate sources. As such, the system of one embodiment includes one or more content servers and one or more token servers, each of which is generally represented by
In addition to the content which is usually associated with an MP3 file, video, wall paper or other digital material may be associated with the MP3 type content. As such, this additional content may also be copyright material from which users need to pay for the rights of its usage. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, some of the tokens may also be used against this additional material when they are delivered between the terminals. Thus, token usage may relate to the delivery of this additional content. The additional content may have an ID which is included in a field of a TAG, described above. Additionally or alternatively, the additional content may have an ID that is embedded in a Content ID.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
For example, in an exemplary embodiment in which the mobile terminals 10 comprise a gift key, gift button or gift soft key to effectuate the transfer of copied content, the gift key, gift button or gift soft key which needs to be selected to effectuate the transfer of copied content is visible to the user of the mobile terminal based on a function or activity the user is expected to select, which can be carried out by using LED techniques. In an another exemplary alternative embodiment, it is beneficial that when the user of the mobile terminal 10, which has the potential to share content to different users of other terminals, knows when it is time to share or give a gift (i.e., share or transfer content) to one or more of the users of the other terminals. In this regard, the user of the mobile terminal having the content may receive an indication on his/her mobile terminal indicating that it is possible to share or transfer content to one or more other terminals.
In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the user of the mobile terminal 10, might include a calendar and/or notes or the like with specific information relating to, for example birthdays, anniversaries, appointments, meeting schedules, or other important times, dates and the like, and once these times, dates, etc, occur, the user of the mobile terminal will be notified by the mobile terminal that now it is time for transferring, sharing, i.e., giving a gift of content to one or more users of other terminals. Also, when users of other terminals are around or in the physical proximity of the user of the mobile terminal 10, the user of the mobile terminal 10 will be informed (via mobile terminal 10) that now it is possible to share i.e., give the gift to one or more of the users of the other terminals. The sharing, i.e., gifting or transferring of content from the mobile terminal 10 to users of other terminals in the physical proximity of mobile terminal 10, may take place over a Bluetooth connection or other suitable short range communication.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a specific music file, i.e., a song that the user of the mobile terminal is listening to may trigger an option on his/her mobile terminal for sharing i.e., giving a gift (e.g., the song) to another user of a terminal and an option to select the gift key, gift button or gift soft key is shown to the user of the mobile terminal, for example on display 28. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the display 28 may be a touch display which may enable different icons to be shown to the user of the mobile terminal, in which the user may select.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/795,029 filed Apr. 26, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60795029 | Apr 2006 | US |
