Authorized distribution of digital content over mobile networks

• US 20040176080A1
• Filed: 03/07/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: July Systems, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Reddy, Rajesh T.S., Chakravorty, Jyotirmoy
• Granted Patent: US 7,139,372 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for authorized distribution of digital content amongst a plurality of mobile devices, under the mobile service provider'"'"'s control. A mobile subscriber requests for services (digital content/applications) to a mobile service provider. The mobile service provider then sends a download descriptor to the mobile device through an SMS message. The download descriptor includes a link to the actual digital content hosted by a content provider. The user is then able to read, delete, forward the download descriptor to other mobile users or download the content on his/her mobile device at any point of time. The user also gets notified about any changes such as a new service or a version upgrade according to his/her preferences. The invention enables the mobile service provider to implement payment, licensing, copyright and other digital rights management policies while enabling a user to distribute the content to other users.

Claims

1. A method of distribution of digital content amongst a plurality of mobile devices and at least one mobile service provider, each mobile device being connected to at least one mobile service provider, the method comprising the steps of:

a. sending a request for services from the mobile device to the mobile service provider, the services including provision of digital content to a plurality of mobile devices;

b. sending a download descriptor from the mobile service provider to the mobile device depending on user preferences, the download descriptor including information relating to the requested services;

c. storing the download descriptor on the mobile device, and

d. processing the information in the download descriptor using a user interface, the step of processing comprising forwarding the data in the download descriptor to a second mobile device through the mobile service provider, the data being forwarded based on the preferences of the second mobile device.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of mobile device sending a request for services to the mobile service provider comprises the mobile device sending a message to the mobile service provider.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of mobile service provider sending a download descriptor to the mobile device depending on user preferences comprises:

a. detecting an update in content available through the mobile service provider;

b. identifying the mobile devices that have to be notified regarding the update in content, the identification being done on the basis of user preferences;

c. the mobile service provider generating the download descriptor that is to be sent to the identified mobile device, and

d. sending the generated download descriptor to the identified mobile device through messaging services.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of storing the download descriptor on the mobile device comprises:

a. giving a user of the mobile device an option of storing the download descriptor in the mobile device using a virtual vault, and

b. storing the download descriptor on a SIM card.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of processing the data in the download descriptor using a user interface further comprises reading the contents of the download descriptor.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of processing the data in the download descriptor using a user interface further comprises downloading the content

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of processing the data in the download descriptor using a user interface comprises downloading the content stored at a URL provided by the download descriptor.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of processing the data in the download descriptor using a user interface comprises deleting the download descriptor stored in a SIM card.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of processing the data in the download descriptor using a user interface comprises providing a modification prompt to inform the user in case a descriptor already stored in the SIM card is received or modified.

10. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the step of downloading the content comprises the steps of:

a. invoking a browser to download content, and

b. providing the URL name as the parameter for the download.

11. A system suitable for distribution of digital content in accordance with licensing, copyright and digital rights management policies, the system comprising:

a. at least one mobile device, the mobile device further comprising;

i. a SIM card for identification of the mobile device;

ii. a SIM application toolkit for enabling the mobile device for the service, and

iii. means for storing a download descriptor, the storing means being simulated on the SIM card by the SIM application toolkit.

b. at least one mobile service provider for providing mobile communication services to the mobile device, the mobile service provider further comprising;

i. a database for storing data related to the service;

ii. means for managing payment and digital rights intermediation during download; and

iii. a push module for intimating a user about content updates;

c. at least one content provider to provide for the necessary contents being provided by the service.

12. The system as recited in claim 11 wherein the database for storing data related to the service further comprises:

a. a user database for storing user profiles and preferences on the mobile service provider;

b. a database for storing policies determining the licensing, distribution and management of service, and

c. a database storing links to content available for download.

13. The system as recited in claim 11 wherein the means for managing payment and digital rights intermediation during download further comprises a means for prompting a user for payments.

14. A system suitable for distribution of digital content amongst a plurality of mobile devices and at least one mobile service provider, each mobile device being connected to at least one mobile service provider, the system comprising:

a. an service-enabling module for enabling the service on the mobile device, the service-enabling module being present on the mobile device,

b. a push module for informing a user about content updates, the push module being present on the mobile service provider;

c. a plurality of databases for storing data related to the service, the databases being present on the mobile service provider, the databases further comprising;

i. a user database for storing user profiles and preferences on the mobile service provider;

ii. a database for storing policies determining the licensing, distribution and management of service, and

iii. a database storing links to content available for download;

d. a download descriptor being provided on the mobile device for intimating the user of the updated content, and

e. a module for generating the download descriptor, the module being provided on the mobile service provider.

15. The system as recited in claim 14 wherein the download descriptor further comprises:

a. the name of the content;

b. the version number of the content;

c. the description of the content;

d. the link from which the content can be downloaded, and

e. the number of bytes in the content to be downloaded.