Methods and apparatus for optimizing digital asset distribution

• US 20060170759A1
• Filed: 06/03/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Navio Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Navio Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Chan, Nathan, Collins, Kevin, Clark, Alex F., Roever, Stefan
• Application Number:
  US11/146,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20060170759A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.30
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for the distribution of digital assets in title-enabled systems. More specifically, these methods and apparatus employ title objects, i.e., unique instances of digital bearer instruments, to optimize the distribution of digital assets.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for interacting with a title-enabled system which is operable to conduct transactions using title objects, each title object comprising a unique instance of a digital bearer instrument representing at least one right which may be redeemed by presentation of the title object, the method comprising:

receiving an asynchronous message from a first device with the title-enabled system, the asynchronous message instructing the title-enabled system to conduct a first transaction involving transfer of at least one of title objects, the first device not being configured to conduct the first transaction;

interpreting the asynchronous message; and

conducting the first transaction on behalf of the first device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the asynchronous message comprises one of an email message, and SMS message, an MMS message, an instant messaging message, an SMTP message, a UDP message, and a SOAP message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the asynchronous message comprises a representation of the at least one of the title objects involved in the first transaction.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first device comprises a wireless device having limited storage capabilities, the method further comprising storing at least one other of the title objects on behalf of the first device in a wireless locker associated with the title-enabled system for subsequent access by the first device.

5. A computer-implemented method for guaranteed delivery of digital content using title objects, each title object comprising a unique instance of a digital bearer instrument representing at least one right which may be redeemed by presentation of the title object, the method comprising:

transmitting a first title object to a recipient in response to selection of the digital content and the recipient by a sender, the first title object defining a proof-of-delivery mechanism;

in response to presentation of the first title object by the recipient, facilitating completion of the proof-of-delivery mechanism by the recipient; and

facilitating access to the digital content by the recipient in response to completion of the proof-of-delivery mechanism.

6. A computer-implemented method for delivery of digital content using title objects, each title object comprising a unique instance of a digital bearer instrument representing at least one right which may be redeemed by presentation of the title object, the method comprising:

transmitting a first title object to a recipient, the first title object representing a right to receive the digital content upon completion of a specified action;

in response to presentation of the first title object by the recipient, facilitating completion of the specified action by the recipient;

transmitting a second title object to the recipient in response to completion of the specified action, the second title object representing a right to access the digital content; and

facilitating access to the digital content by the recipient in response to presentation of the second title object.

7. A computer-implemented method for facilitating interaction with a game which includes a plurality of sequential steps using title objects, each title object comprising a unique instance of a digital bearer instrument representing at least one right which may be redeemed by presentation of the title object, the method comprising:

transmitting a first title object to a player, the first title object representing a right to participate in a first step of the game;

facilitating participation of the player in the first step of the game in response to presentation of the first title object;

transmitting a second title object to the player in response to completion of the first step of the game, the second title object representing a right to participate in a second step of the game; and

facilitating participation of the player in the second step of the game in response to presentation of the second title object.

8. A computer-implemented method for facilitating voting using title objects, each title object comprising a unique instance of a digital bearer instrument representing at least one right which may be redeemed by presentation of the title object, the method comprising:

providing a first title object to a voter, the first title object representing a right of the voter to cast a vote; and

facilitating casting of the vote by the voter in response to presentation of the first title object.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first title object represents rights of the voter to cast a plurality of different votes, the method further comprising altering the first title object to reflect casting of each of the votes by the voter.

10. A computer-implemented method for tracking a transaction involving title objects, each title object comprising a unique instance of a digital bearer instrument representing at least one right which may be redeemed by presentation of the title object, the method comprising:

facilitating the transaction with a title-enabled system by facilitating transfer of the title objects between entities involved in the transaction, selected ones of the title objects representing rights of the title-enabled system to capture tracking information for corresponding aspects of the transaction; and

in conjunction with facilitating transfer of each of the selected title objects, invoking the rights to capture the tracking information.

11. A computer-implemented method for providing access to digital content using title objects, each title object comprising a unique instance of a digital bearer instrument representing at least one right which may be redeemed by presentation of the title object, the method comprising:

transmitting a digital content file to a user;

in response to selection of the digital content file by the user, presenting a try option, a buy option, and an earn option to the user, the try option enabling the user to preview at least a portion of the digital content file, the buy option enabling the user to purchase the digital content file, and the earn option enabling the user to purchase the digital content file and earn value for providing the digital content file to other users; and

in response to selection of one of the try, buy, and earn options by the user, facilitating the selected option using the title objects.