Device, system and method for delivering digital media content to a user

• US 20080016533A1
• Filed: 11/09/2005
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Reagan Inventions L.L.C. (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Original Assignee: Reagan Inventions L.L.C. (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Inventors: Rothschild, Leigh
• Application Number:
  US11/270,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20080016533A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/835 Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8453 by locking or enabling a set of features, e.g. optional functionalities in an executable program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A device, system and method for delivering media content to a user are provided. The present disclosure utilizes push technology to send media content, e.g., audio, video, photos, etc., to a user without the user requesting the media content. The method includes the steps receiving a first request for at least one selection of media content; selecting at least one second selection of media content based a profile of the user; and transmitting to the user the at least one selection of media content and the at least one second selection of media content, wherein a portion of the at least one second selection of media content is locked to prevent user access and includes a preview of the locked portion. The method further includes the step charging a transaction fee to an account of the user for unlocking the second selection of the media content.

Claims

1. A method for delivering media content to a user over a computer network, the method comprising the steps:

receiving a first request for at least one selection of media content;

selecting at least one second selection of media content based a profile of the user; and

transmitting to the user the at least one selection of media content and the at least one second selection of media content, wherein a portion of the at least one second selection of media content is locked to prevent user access.

2. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the steps:

receiving a second request to view the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content; and

transmitting to the user a code for unlocking the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content.

3. The method as in claim 2, further comprising the step charging a transaction fee to an account of the user for unlocking the at least one second selection of the media content.

4. The method as in claim 2, wherein the second request includes payment information of the user, further comprising the step charging the user to unlock the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content.

5. The method as in claim 3, wherein the at least one second selection includes a preview of the locked media content.

6. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the steps:

receiving an indication the user accessed the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content; and

charging a transaction fee to an account of the user for unlocking the at least one second selection of the media content.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein upon approval of the charging step, transmitting the approval to the user.

8. The method as in claim 6, wherein if the charging step is refused, denying a subsequent request of the user for a new selection of media content.

9. The method as in claim 2, wherein the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content is encrypted.

10. The method as in claim 9, wherein the code for unlocking is a decryption key.

11. The method as in claim 2, wherein the user profile includes psychographics, demographics, and past purchase/usage habits of the user.

12. A method of delivering media content to a user over a computer network, the method comprising the steps:

broadcasting at least one selection of media content over a broadcast channel, a portion of the at least one selection is locked to prevent user access;

receiving a request to access at the locked portion of the at least one selection of media content; and

transmitting a code for unlocking the locked portion of the at least one selection of media content.

13. The method as in claim 12, further comprising the step charging a transaction fee to an account of the user for unlocking the at least one selection.

14. The method as in claim 12, wherein the request includes payment information of the user, further comprising the step charging the user to unlock the locked portion of the at least one selection of media content.

15. The method as in claim 12, wherein the at least one selection includes a preview of the locked media content.

16. The method as in claim 12, further comprising the steps:

receiving an indication the user accessed the locked portion of the at least one selection of media content; and

charging a transaction fee to an account of the user for unlocking the at least one selection of the media content.

17. A device for playing media content, the device comprising:

a display module configured to display video and image media content and to produce audio media content;

a communication module configured to receive at least one selection of media content, a portion of the at least one selection is locked to prevent user access;

an input module configured to input user instructions to indicate a request to access the locked media content; and

a processing module configured for receiving the user instructions and for unlocking the locked media content.

18. The device as in claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to flag the unlocked media content and transmit the flag to the communication module for submission to a remote server for purchasing the unlocked media content.

19. The device as in claim 18, further comprising an encryption module for encrypting the flag.

20. The device as in claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to transmit the request to the communication module for submission to a remote server for purchasing a code to unlock the locked media content.

21. The device as in claim 20, wherein the input module is further configured to input payment information for purchasing the code.

22. The device as in claim 20, further comprising a tuner module for receiving media content over a broadcast channel.

23. A system for delivering media content to a user comprising:

at least one device for playing media content comprising;

a display module configured to display video and image media content and to produce audio media content;

a communication module configured to transmit a first request for at least one selection of media content to a server; and

a processing module configured for playing the at least one selection of media content;

the server configured for receiving the first request for at least one selection of media content, selecting at least one second selection of media content based a profile of the user and transmitting to the at least one device the at least one selection of media content and the at least one second selection of media content, wherein a portion of the at least one second selection of media content is locked to prevent user access; and

a communications network for coupling the at least one device to the server.

24. The system as in claim 23, wherein the at least one device further includes an input module configured to input user instructions to indicate a second request to access the locked media content and the server further configured to receive the second request to access the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content and transmit to the at least one device a code for unlocking the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content.

25. The system as in claim 24, wherein the server is further configured to charge a transaction fee to an account of the user for unlocking the at least one second selection of the media content.

26. The system as in claim 24, wherein the second request includes payment information of the user and the server is further configured to charge the user to unlock the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content.

27. The system as in claim 25, wherein the second selection includes a preview of the locked media content.

28. The system as in claim 23, wherein the processor module marks an indication that the locked portion of the media content has been accessed and the communication module transmits the indication to the server and wherein the server is configured to receive the indication the user accessed the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content and to charge a transaction fee to an account of the user for unlocking the at least one second selection of the media content.

29. The system as in claim 24, wherein the locked portion of the at least one second selection of media content is encrypted.

30. The system as in claim 29, wherein the code for unlocking is a decryption key.

31. The system as in claim 23, wherein the user profile includes psychographics, demographics, and past purchase/usage habits of the user.

32. A method for delivering media content to at least one device over a computer network, the method comprising the steps:

receiving a first request for at least one selection of media content;

selecting at least one second selection of media content; and

transmitting to the at least one device the at least one selection of media content and the at least one second selection of media content.

33. The method as in claim 32, wherein the selecting step further comprises selecting the at least one second selection of media content based on a profile of a user of the at least one device.

34. The method as in claim 33, wherein the user profile includes psychographics, demographics, and past purchase/usage habits of the user.

35. The method as in claim 32, wherein the at least one second selection is a preview of at least one third selection of media content.

36. The method as in claim 32, wherein the at least one device comprises:

an input module configured to input user instructions to indicate the first request;

a communication module configured to transmit the first request and receive the at least one first and second selection of media content;

a display module configured to display video and image media content and to produce audio media content; and

a processing module configured for receiving the user instructions, transmitting the received instructions to the communication module, and playing the at least one first and second selection of media content.

37. The method as in claim 36, wherein the at least one device is portable.