Method for computer network operation providing basis for usage fees

• US 20050080910A1
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Francois-Xavier Nuttall
• Original Assignee: Francois-Xavier Nuttall
• Inventors: Nuttall, Francois-Xavier
• Granted Patent: US 7,581,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/229
• 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

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A method for assuring security in a content delivery system, the method comprising:

determining absence from a first report of indicia of a particular permit indicated by a second report, wherein;

(1) the first report comprises indicia of a plurality of permits, the first report being prepared in response to a plurality of first requests, each first request being for a respective permit of the plurality of permits; and

(2) the second report comprises indicia of a second request for a digital work; and

determining that a security violation has occurred in response to determining absence of the indicia of the particular permit.

19. The method of claim 18 being performed by a reconciling node.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the reconciling node receives the first report from a content providing node.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the reconciling node receives the second report as a consequence of delivery by the system of the digital work.

22. A memory device comprising instructions for performing the method of claim 18.

23. A memory device comprising instructions for performing the method of claim 19.

24. A memory device comprising instructions for performing the method of claim 20.

25. A memory device comprising instructions for performing the method of claim 21.

26. A reconciling system for assuring security in content delivery, the system comprising:

means for determining absence from a first report of indicia of a particular permit indicated by a second report, wherein;

(1) the first report comprises indicia of a plurality of permits, the first report being prepared in response to a plurality of first requests, each first request being for a respective permit of the plurality of permits; and

(2) the second report comprises indicia of a second request for a digital work; and

means for determining that a security violation has occurred in response to determining absence of the indicia of the particular permit.

27. A reconciling node comprising the reconciling system of claim 26.

28. The reconciling system of claim 26 further comprising means for receiving the first report from a content providing node.

29. The reconciling system of claim 26 wherein receipt of the second report is a consequence of delivery of the digital work.