Method for computer network operation providing basis for usage fees

• US 20010032187A1
• Filed: 01/10/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Solutions Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Audiosoft, Inc.
• Inventors: Nuttall, Francois - Xavier
• Granted Patent: US 6,999,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/29 characterised by micropayments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Claims

1. A method for transferring data from a content providing node to a content requesting node, the method at the content requesting node comprising:

transmitting a first request to the content providing node, the first request for notifying an authorizing node;

receiving a permit from the authorizing node in response to notification from the content providing node;

determining a file name in response to the permit;

transmitting to the content providing node a second request comprising the file name;

transmitting to an event reporting node a first report in response to receiving the permit;

receiving data from the file; and

transmitting to the event reporting node a second report in response to receiving the file.

2. The method of

claim 1

wherein the second request is transmitted in further response to receiving an acknowledgement that the first report has been received by the event reporting node.

3. The method of

claim 1

wherein the second report comprises a duration of use of the data.

4. The method of

claim 1

wherein the step of determining the file name comprises decrypting at least a portion of the permit.

5. The method of

claim 1

further comprising identifying the event reporting node in response to the permit.

6. The method of

claim 5

wherein the identity of the event reporting node is independent of an identity of the content providing node.

7. A method for transferring data that provides pay-per-use accounting, the method comprising:

providing the data in a file on a content providing node, the file comprising a payee identifier, the content providing node having a first node identifier;

providing on a content managing node a value for validating a request, the request conveying the first node identifier, the payee identifier, and a second node identifier of a content requesting node;

logging at the content managing node a first event in response to the request;

logging at an event monitoring node a second event in response to a report, the report provided in response to a permit provided by the content managing node, the permit responsive to validating the first request, the first report conveying the first node identifier, the payee identifier, and the second node identifier; and

adjusting a pay-per-use account for the payee in response to the first event and the second event.

8. The method of

claim 7

further comprising providing a reconciliation node in communication with the event reporting node and the content managing node for performing the step of adjusting.