Method and system for selectively supplying media content to a user and media storage device for use therein

• US 20070250573A1
• Filed: 04/10/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rothschild Trust Holdings LLC (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Inventors: Rothschild, Leigh
• Granted Patent: US 8,504,652 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation

Abstract

A method and system for selectively supplying media content to a user includes a first media storage device acquired by the user from a media content provider. The storage device includes first media content and information related to second media content, both of which are preferably accessible from the storage device immediately upon acquisition. After the user has reviewed the storage device'"'"'s contents, the content provider receives a request from the user (e.g., at a website server) to obtain the second media content. Responsive to the request, the content provider selectively provides the user electronic access to the second media content without providing the user a second media storage device. For example, the content provider may provide the user an access code that allows the user to unlock the second media content from the first media storage device, which content was preferably prestored thereon in encrypted or another locked form.

Claims

1. A method for supplying media content to a user, the method comprising:

providing the user a first media storage device, the first media storage device including first media content and information relating to second media content, the first media content being accessible by the user from the first media storage device;

receiving a request from the user to obtain the second media content; and

responsive to the request, selectively providing the user electronic access to the second media content without providing the user a second media storage device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second media content is prestored on the first media storage device and wherein the step selectively providing the user electronic access to the second media content comprises:

electronically transmitting a code to a processing device operated by the user, the code enabling the processing device to access the second media content.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the code comprises at least one of an encryption key, a password, a passcode and a software application.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the software application enables the processing device to read the second media content from the first media storage device and restore the second media content on the first media storage device so as to facilitate subsequent access to the second media content by at least one of the processing device and a second processing device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second processing device comprises a standalone DVD player, a standalone CD player, or a standalone MP3 player.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the software application enables the processing device to read the second media content from the first media storage device and store the second media content on a second media storage device so as to facilitate subsequent access to the second media content by at least one of the processing device and a second processing device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second media content is prestored on the first media storage device and wherein the step selectively providing the user electronic access to the second media content comprises:

receiving consideration from the user for the second media content; and

responsive to receiving the consideration, electronically transmitting the second media content to a processing device operated by the user.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the consideration comprises at least payment of a purchase price of the second media content.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the consideration comprises personal information of the user.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the personal information comprises at least one of demographic information and psychographic information.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of receiving consideration from the user for the second media content comprises receiving the consideration electronically via a server connected to a wide area network.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the user a first media storage device comprises selling the first media storage device to the user directly or through a distribution channel.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the user a first media storage device comprises distributing the first media storage device to the user free of charge.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a request from the user to obtain the second media content comprises receiving an electronic request for the second media content at a first server connected to a wide area network.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second media content is stored on at least one of a second server and wherein the step selectively providing the user electronic access to the second media content comprises:

receiving consideration from the user for the second media content at the first server; and

responsive to receiving the consideration, electronically transmitting the second media content from the second server to a processing device operated by the user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second media content is electronically transmitted to the processing device in a format that is storable on a portable media storage device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the portable media storage device comprises the first media storage device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the second media content includes digital rights management software to mitigate unauthorized duplication of the second media content after electronic access thereto has been obtained by the user.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to providing the user the first media storage device, encrypting at least part of the second media content to produce encrypted content and storing the encrypted content on the first media storage device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step encrypting comprises:

separating the second media content into a plurality of data files; and

encrypting at least a portion of the plurality of data files to produce the encrypted content.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of encrypting at least a portion of the plurality of data files comprises encrypting the plurality of data files as a single group to produce the encrypted content.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the second media content comprises video content, wherein the plurality of data files includes content files and menu files, and wherein the step of encrypting at least a portion of the plurality of data files comprises encrypting at least the content files.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the second media content comprises video content, wherein the plurality of data files includes content files and menu files, and wherein the step of encrypting at least a portion of the plurality of data files comprises encrypting at least the menu files.

24. A method for storing media content on a portable storage device, the method comprising the steps:

storing first media content in a first portion of the portable storage device, the first media content being freely accessible upon acquisition of the portable media storage device;

encrypting at least a portion of second media content to produce encrypted content; and

storing the encrypted content in a second portion of the portable storage device, the encrypted content remaining inaccessible until application of an access code.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the portable media storage device comprises an optical disk, wherein the step storing the first media content comprises storing the first media content on a first side of the optical disk, and wherein the step of storing the encrypted content comprises storing the encrypted content on a second side of the optical disk.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the step encrypting at least a portion of the second media content comprises:

separating the second media content into a plurality of data files; and

encrypting at least a portion of the plurality of data files to produce the encrypted content.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step encrypting at least a portion of the plurality of data files comprises encrypting the plurality of data files as a single group to produce the encrypted content.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the second media content comprises video content, wherein the plurality of data files includes content files and menu files, and wherein the step of encrypting at least a portion of the plurality of data files comprises encrypting at least the content files.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the second media content comprises video content, wherein the plurality of data files includes content files and menu files, and wherein the step of encrypting at least a portion of the plurality of data files comprises encrypting at least the menu files.

30. A method for acquiring media content comprising:

acquiring a first media storage device that includes first media content and information relating to second media content;

reviewing the information related to the second media content;

requesting access to the second media content; and

receiving electronic access to the second media content without having to obtain a second media storage device having the second media content stored thereon.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the second media content is prestored on the first media storage device and wherein the step of receiving electronic access to the second media content comprises:

electronically receiving a code at a processing device, wherein the code enables the processing device to access the second media content.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

prior to electronically receiving the code, providing consideration for the second media content.

33. A system for supplying media content to a user, the system comprising:

a first media storage device that includes first media content and information relating to second media content, the first media content and the information related to the second media content being accessible by the user from the first media storage device; and

a server accessible over a wide area network that selectively provides the user electronic access to the second media content without necessitating acquisition of a second media storage device having the second media content stored thereon.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the second media content is stored in locked form on the first media storage device.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the first media content is stored on a first side of the first media storage device and the second media content is stored on a second side of the first media storage device.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the second media content becomes accessible by the user upon issuance of a code by the server.

37. A media storage device comprising:

first media content that is freely accessible to a user upon acquisition of the media storage device; and

second media content that is accessible to the user only upon use of an access code.

38. The media storage device of claim 37, wherein the first media content is stored on a first side of the media storage device and the second media content is stored on a second side of the media storage device.

39. The media storage device of claim 37, wherein the access code comprises at least one of an encryption key, a password, a passcode, and a software application acquired from a provider of at least the second media content.

40. The media storage device of claim 37, wherein the second media content comprises a plurality of data files, wherein a portion of the plurality of data files are encrypted.

41. The media storage device of claim 40, wherein the plurality of data files includes content files and menu files, and wherein the portion of the plurality of data files that are encrypted comprises at least the content files.

42. The media storage device of claim 40, wherein the plurality of data files includes content files and menu files, and wherein the portion of the plurality of data files that are encrypted comprises at least the menu files.