Information filling station facilitating wireless transfer of data content to a portable device or other pre-defined locations

• US 20040002359A1
• Filed: 06/27/2002
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Russell William, Suryanarayana, Lalitha, Stuckman, Bruce Edward, Grannan, Michael, Deas, David A., Muhamed, Rias, Wolter, David Randall
• Granted Patent: US 8,666,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 applying security measure for e-commerce data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/816 involving special video data, e.g 3D video

Abstract

Data content providers transfer data content (including DRM protected content) over a broadband network onto one or more information filling stations (IFSs) situated at one or more physical locations. Users are able to wirelessly communicate with the IFSs via one or more of portable devices that are operable in close proximity to the IFS. Data content requested by the portable devices include, but are not limited to: multimedia files, WWW data, real-time and interactive games, e-mail (with or without attachments), electronic newspapers, news and sports information, traffic and weather information, e-books, interactive messaging, and/or data files. Additionally, the portable devices are also capable of facilitating point-of-sale purchases and electronic funds transfers. Optionally, the IFS also forwards advertisements promoting products and services to the portable devices. The portable device is also able to instruct the IFS to selectively send each content of interest or product of interest to one or more identified locations (e.g., users can send large multimedia to their home PCs).

Claims

1. A method for selectively routing data content based upon wireless interaction between a portable device and an information filling station (IFS), said method as implemented in said IFS comprising the steps of:

a. authenticating said portable device;

b. receiving, from said portable device, one or more content requests;

c. extracting, from one or more databases, information regarding availability of each of said requested content and information identifying which of said content requests are associated with protected content;

d. identifying, if available, a price associated with each of said available requested content including any fees that are payable with respect to said protected content;

e. transmitting, to said portable device;

said information regarding availability and any identified prices associated with said requested content;

f. receiving, from said portable device, instructions identifying content of interest and routing instructions identifying one or more locations for selectively transferring each of said content of interest; and

g. performing a financial transaction based upon any pricing information associated with said content of interest, and upon successful completion of said financial transaction, selectively sending to said one or more identified locations corresponding content of interest.

2. A method as per claim 1, wherein said step of performing a financial transaction further comprises the step of paying, to one or more content providers, said identified fees that are due with respect to said protected content.

3. A method as per claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the steps of

a. transmitting, to said portable device, one or more advertisements promoting one or more products, said advertisements either providing for, or indicating, a location for accessing pricing information related to said products;

b. receiving, from said portable device, instructions identifying any products of interest and one or more locations for selectively routing each of said products of interest; and

c. identifying, if available, pricing associated with said products of interest.

4. A method as per claim 3, wherein said financial transaction is additionally based upon any pricing information associated with said products of interest, and upon successful completion of said financial transaction, said IFS aiding in selectively sending said identified products of interest to corresponding identified locations.

5. A method as per claim 1, wherein said wireless interaction is based upon the IEEE 802.11b wireless protocol.

6. A method as per claim 1, wherein said one or more content requests is for any of, or a combination of, the following content:

data files, rental of multimedia content, purchase of multimedia content, WWW data content, rental of digital movie content, purchase of digital movie content, real-time games, interactive games, e-mail with attachments, electronic newspapers, news information, sports information, traffic information, electronic books, or interactive messaging.

7. A method as per claim 6, wherein said digital movie content is in a MPEG4 format.

8. A method as per claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

i. receiving one more requests for telematic services from said portable device;

ii. identifying, if available, a price associated with said requested telematic services;

iii. performing a financial transaction based upon any identified price associated with said requested telematic services; and

iv. performing or scheduling said requested telematic services.

9. A method as per claim 8, wherein said requested telematic services comprises any of, or a combination of:

requests for point of sale transactions, purchase of lottery tickets, electronic transfer of funds, or electronic directory services.

10. A method as per claim 1, wherein said portable device is integrated in an automobile.

11. A method as per claim 1, wherein said IFS is distributed at geographical locations accessible by said portable devices.

12. A method as per claim 1, wherein said one or more databases interact with said IFS over a network, wherein said network is any of, or a combination of the following networks:

local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or the Internet.

13. A method as per claim 1, wherein processing and delivery of said protected content is based upon the Digital Rights Management (DRM) model.

14. An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for aiding in selective routing of data content based upon a wireless interaction between a portable device and an information filling station (IFS), said medium comprising:

a. computer readable program code authenticating said portable device;

b. computer readable program code aiding in the reception of one or more content requests from said portable device;

c. computer readable program code aiding in extracting, from one or more databases, information regarding availability of each of said requested content and information identifying which of said content requests are associated with protected content;

d. computer readable program code identifying, if available, a price associated with each of said available requested content including any fees that are payable with respect to said protected content;

e. computer readable program code aiding in transmitting, to said portable device;

said information regarding availability and any identified prices associated with said requested content;

f. computer readable program code aiding in receiving, from said portable device, instructions identifying one or more content of interest and routing instructions identifying one or more locations for selectively transferring each of said content of interest; and

g. computer readable program code aiding in performing a financial transaction based upon any pricing information associated with said content of interest, and upon successful completion of said financial transaction, computer readable program code aiding in selectively sending to said one or more identified locations corresponding content of interest.

15. An article of manufacture as per claim 14, wherein said medium further comprises computer readable program code aiding in paying one or more content providers, said identified fees that are due with respect to said protected content.

16. An article of manufacture as per claim 14, wherein said medium further comprises:

i. computer readable program code aiding in the reception of one more requests for telematic services from said portable device;

ii. computer readable program code identifying, if available, a price associated with said requested telematic services;

iii. computer readable program code aiding in performing a financial transaction based upon any identified price associated with said requested telematic services; and

iv. computer readable program code aiding in performing or scheduling said requested telematic services.

17. An article of manufacture as per claim 14, wherein said medium further comprises:

a. computer readable program code aiding in transmitting, to said portable device, one or more advertisements promoting one or more products, said advertisements either providing for, or indicating, a location for accessing pricing information related to said products;

b. computer readable program code aiding in receiving, from said portable device, instructions identifying any products of interest and one or more locations for selectively routing each of said products of interest; and

c. computer readable program code aiding in identifying, if available, pricing associated with said products of interest.

18. An article of manufacture as per claim 17, wherein said medium further comprises computer readable program code aiding in performing a financial transaction based upon any pricing information associated with said products of interest and upon successful completion of said financial transaction, selectively sending said identified products of interest to corresponding identified locations.

19. A method implemented in a portable device for instructing an information filling station (IFS) to selectively route data content to one or more locations based upon a wireless interaction between said portable device and said IFS, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing authentication information to said IFS;

b. receiving an indication from said IFS upon successful authentication;

c. transmitting, to said IFS, one or more content requests;

d. receiving from said IFS information regarding availability of each of said requested content, information identifying which of said content requests are associated with protected content, and if available, a price associated with each of said available requested content including any fees that are payable with respect to said protected content;

e. transmitting, to said IFS, instructions identifying one or more content of interest and routing instructions identifying one or more locations for selectively transferring each of said content of interest;

f. performing a financial transaction based upon any pricing information associated with said content of interest, and upon successful completion of said financial transaction, receiving, from said IFS, a confirmation indicating selective transfer to said one or more identified locations corresponding content of interest.

20. A method as per claim 19, wherein said method further comprises the step of receiving authorization for use of said protected content upon payment to one or more content providers, said identified fees that are due with respect to said protected content.

21. A method as per claim 19, wherein said wireless interaction is based upon the IEEE 802.11b wireless protocol.

22. A method as per claim 19, wherein said one or more content requests is for any of, or a combination of, the following content:

data files, rental of multimedia content, purchase of multimedia content, WWW data content, rental of digital movie content, purchase of digital movie content, real-time games, interactive games, e-mail with attachments, electronic newspapers, news information, sports information, traffic information, electronic books, or interactive messaging.

23. A method as per claim 19, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

i. transmitting one more requests for telematic services to said IFS;

ii. receiving, if available, a price associated with said requested telematic services;

iii. performing a financial transaction based upon any identified price associated with said requested telematic services; and

iv. upon successful completion of said financial transaction, receiving confirmation indicating completion or scheduling of requested telematic services.

24. A method as per claim 23, wherein said requested telematic services comprises any of, or a combination of:

requests for point of sale transactions, purchase of lottery tickets, electronic transfer of funds, or electronic directory services.

25. A method as per claim 19, wherein said method further comprises the steps of

a. receiving, from said IFS, one or more advertisements promoting one or more products, said advertisements either providing for, or indicating, a location for accessing pricing information related to said products;

and

b. transmitting, to said IFS, instructions identifying any products of interest, one or more locations for selectively routing each of said products of interest, and pricing information associated with said products of interest.

26. A method as per claim 25, wherein said financial transaction is additionally based upon any pricing information associated with said products of interest, and upon successful completion of said financial transaction, said IFS aiding in selectively sending said identified products of interest to corresponding identified locations.

27. A method as per claim 19, wherein processing and delivery of said protected content is based upon the Digital Rights Management (DRM) model.