Content Distribution Systems and Methods

• US 20080288106A1
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul Germeraad, Robert D. Widergren
• Original Assignee: Paul Germeraad, Robert D. Widergren
• Inventors: Germeraad, Paul, Widergren, Robert D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,028,173 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/234
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1014 to tokens
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like

Abstract

An electronic device comprises a first interface operable to receive from a user a selection of a first data set and a processor coupled to the first interface. The processor is operable to access the selected first data set, determine if the user is authorized to receive the first data set, and store the first data set on a memory device.

Claims

1. A content vending device, comprising:

memory storing a plurality of data sets and a plurality of computer programs, each of the computer programs compatible with a respective operating system of a multiplicity of distinct operating systems, each of the computer programs for execution by a respective target device, having the operating system with which the computer program is compatible, for enabling performance of a data set stored on the target device; and

a device interface to transfer information to a target device, the target device comprising a portable device having a respective operating system that is one of the multiplicity of operating systems;

the information transferred to the target device including (A) a data set of the plurality of data sets selected by a user of the target device, and (B) a computer program of the plurality of computer programs that is compatible with the operating system of the target device.

2. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the target device is a cell phone or personal digital assistant or hand held electronic device.

3. The content vending device of claim 2, wherein the target device includes a removable storage device.

4. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data sets comprises digital multimedia content.

5. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of computer programs comprises decoder software and decryption software for decoding and decrypting data sets.

6. The content vending device of claim 5, wherein the decoder software and decryption software comprises an autoload program executable by the operating system on the target device.

7. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a self contained vending machine.

8. The content vending device of claim 7, wherein the vending machine comprises a strong physical housing with internal power to physically protect content and electronic components.

9. The content vending device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configurable to receive user selection of a requested data set.

10. The content vending device of claim 9, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive payment for content.

11. The content vending device of claim 10, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive identification of a memory device on which content will be stored.

12. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the device interface is configurable to encode a requested data set and to transfer to the target device the encoded data set and a decoder compatible with the operating system of the target device.

13. The content vending device of claim 12, wherein encoding a requested data set comprises encoding a unique serial number in the encoded dataset.

14. The content vending device of claim 13, wherein encoding comprises encoding a limited number of plays in the encoded data set.

15. The content vending device of claim 14, wherein the decoder in the encoded data set comprises a count down of the number of plays and a total of remaining plays on the memory device.

16. The content vending device of claim 12, wherein encoding a requested data set comprises encoding a serial number of a memory device into the encoded data set so the encoded content may only be decoded from the memory device with matching serial number.

17. The content vending device of claim 12, wherein the device interface includes a wireless interface to transmit content to the target device.

18. The content vending device of claim 12, wherein the device interface includes an interface to transmit content over a cable to the target device.

19. The content vending device of claim 12, wherein the device interface includes an interface to write data to a storage memory compatible with the target device.

20. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a supply unit that is operable to store and dispense memory devices.

21. A method of dispensing content, comprising:

in a self-contained vending device;

storing a plurality of data sets and a plurality of computer programs, each of the computer programs compatible with a respective operating system of a multiplicity of distinct operating systems, each of the computer programs for execution by a respective target device, having the operating system with which the computer program is compatible, for enabling performance of a data set stored on the target device; and

transferring information to a target device, the target device comprising a portable device having a respective operating system that is one of the multiplicity of operating systems;

the information transferred to the target device including (A) a data set of the plurality of data sets selected by a user of the target device, and (B) a computer program of the plurality of computer programs that is compatible with the operating system of the target device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the target device is a cell phone or personal digital assistant or hand held electronic device.

23. The method of claim 21, further including receiving user selection of a requested data set, the information transferred to the target device including the requested data set, and receiving or confirming payment for the requested data set.

24. The method of claim 21, including encoding a requested data set and transferring to the target device the encoded data set and a decoder compatible with the operating system of the target device.