Many-to-many mediated commercial electronic publishing
First Claim
1. In a network computing environment a method for facilitating the sale of binary images, a plurality of clients, a server, a searchable binary image storage comprising plural binary images, allowing clients through the server to offer binary images and to purchase binary images, each binary image removable from the searchable binary image storage by the server, each binary image removable from the searchable binary image storage by the client offering the binary image, allowing clients to request a search of the searchable binary image storage based on a search term, and allowing a client to purchase, pay for and take immediate network delivery of any binary image identified using the search term, the method comprising:
- receiving a request from a first client to submit a first binary image;
sending the first client a binary image submission form(s);
receiving the binary image submission form(s) and the first binary image;
determining from the binary image submission form(s) a first binary image offering price;
storing the first binary image in the searchable binary image storage;
receiving a request from a second client to search for binary images, the request comprising a search term;
identifying the first binary image based on the search term;
sending a form(s) to the second client that the first binary image is available for purchase at the first binary image offering price and a proposed method for payment;
receiving a form(s) from the second client, the form(s) requesting to purchase the first binary image and authorizing payment for the first binary image offering price using the proposed method for payment;
sending a copy of the binary image to the second client; and
indicating the purchase in an account of the first client.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention introduces many-to-many mediated commercial electronic publishing, warehousing, marketing, and distribution of all types of digital content and electronic files. The system and method enables independent publishers to make available their authorial works to anyone with access to a machine capable of interpreting and displaying digital data, which includes an input means for the user to communicate with the system. The system further provides for instantaneous delivery of the purchased works. The system allows for independent authors to upload digital documents (and/or any other binary image) to a searchable database, define the terms of sale and descriptive information, protect document end-use with digital rights management, and retain all intellectual property rights and control at all times. The system also offers both publishers and purchasers the ability to conduct business without the need for individual human contact or disclosure of purchaser or seller contact information.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a network computing environment a method for facilitating the sale of binary images, a plurality of clients, a server, a searchable binary image storage comprising plural binary images, allowing clients through the server to offer binary images and to purchase binary images, each binary image removable from the searchable binary image storage by the server, each binary image removable from the searchable binary image storage by the client offering the binary image, allowing clients to request a search of the searchable binary image storage based on a search term, and allowing a client to purchase, pay for and take immediate network delivery of any binary image identified using the search term, the method comprising:
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receiving a request from a first client to submit a first binary image;
sending the first client a binary image submission form(s);
receiving the binary image submission form(s) and the first binary image;
determining from the binary image submission form(s) a first binary image offering price;
storing the first binary image in the searchable binary image storage;
receiving a request from a second client to search for binary images, the request comprising a search term;
identifying the first binary image based on the search term;
sending a form(s) to the second client that the first binary image is available for purchase at the first binary image offering price and a proposed method for payment;
receiving a form(s) from the second client, the form(s) requesting to purchase the first binary image and authorizing payment for the first binary image offering price using the proposed method for payment;
sending a copy of the binary image to the second client; and
indicating the purchase in an account of the first client. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19)
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14. In a network computing environment, a system for assembling binary images from plural clients and distributing binary images to plural clients, the system comprising:
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a means for storing binary images in a warehouse;
a means for a client to upload a binary image into the warehouse;
a means for protecting documents with digital rights management;
a means for determining whether a client is the client who uploaded a binary image to the warehouse;
a means for a client to request a search of the warehouse using a search term;
a means for searching the warehouse for binary images based on a search term;
a means for delivering information to a client indicating what binary images are available for purchase based on the client'"'"'s search request;
a means for a client to pay for a binary image; and
a means for delivering a binary image to a client upon receipt of payment;
a means for paying the client who uploaded a binary image, when the binary image is sold to a client; and
a means for the client who uploaded a binary image to the warehouse to remove the binary image from the warehouse.
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17. A system for receiving, storing, searching, selling, and delivering binary images, the system comprising:
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a network connection transferring messages to and from plural clients, the messages comprising requests to receive, search, purchase, and deliver binary images; and
a searchable warehouse for storing binary images received from plural clients, for each such binary image, the searchable warehouse comprising information indicating an identifiable client who requested uploading the binary image and an offering price set by the identifiable client;
a server for receiving a request from a client to upload a binary image and an offering price for the binary image, storing the binary image in the searchable warehouse indicating that the client is the identifiable client and the offering price is the offering price set by the identifiable client;
receiving a request from a client, the request comprising a search term, searching the searchable warehouse for a binary image identifiable by the search term, offering a binary image identifiable by the search term to the client at the offering price for the identified binary image, receiving a purchase request for the identified binary image from the client comprising a method to pay the offering price, delivering the binary image to the client; and
upon the sale of a binary image, crediting the account of the corresponding identifiable client for the binary image.
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20. A computer implemented electronic publishing method, a server, plural clients, and an electronic storage, the method comprising:
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receiving by the server from a first client, an electronic document and an offering price;
storing the electronic document and the offering price in the electronic storage;
encrypting the document and protecting with digital rights management;
receiving a search term from a second client;
determining that the electronic document is identifiable using the search term;
sending information to the second client indicating that the electronic document is available for purchase at the offering price;
receiving from the second client a request to purchase the electronic document including account payment information;
sending the electronic document, and or request for permissions to the second client; and
indicating in an account of the first client, the purchase of the electronic document.
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Specification