Personal Digital Server (PDS)

• US 20100174918A1
• Filed: 02/22/2010
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woodstock Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Woodstock Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Hoffman, James, Friskel, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,862,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/189
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1068 Discovery involving direct consultation or announcement among potential requesting and potential source peers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1091 Interfacing with client-server systems or between P2P systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1093 Some peer nodes performing special functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 705/908 Software or content usage protection

Abstract

Personal Digital Server (“PDS”) is a unique computer application for the storage, updating, management and sharing of all types of digital media files, including audio, video, images and documents, irrespective of their format. PDS provides users with a single location to store and access, both locally and remotely, all of their digital media. It also provides the user total control of the overall management of these assets.

Claims

1. A method for electronically sharing content on a first computer among a plurality of computer users, whereby said first computer can allow said plurality to borrow said content, comprising:

a. rejecting access to said content if said content is currently borrowed; and

b. accepting said access if said content is not borrowed.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

a. maintaining an index of all said content contained on said computer;

wherein said index comprises title of said content, and whether said content is currently borrowed;

b. checking said list when one of said plurality attempts to access said content;

c. rejecting said access if said index indicates said content is currently borrowed;

d. accepting said access if said content is not borrowed; and

e. updating said index to denote said content is borrowed after accepting said access.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said content is copyrighted.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first user determines a time period for which said content can be borrowed.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said index further comprises the date that said content was borrowed.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said index further comprises the date when said borrowing will expire.

7. The method of claim 1, whereby exactly one of said plurality can access said content at a time.

8. The method of claim 1, whereby said content become unusable to said borrower after the period of said borrowing has expired.

9. A method of encrypting a file so as to allow a first computer user to borrow said file from a second computer user such that said file is only usable by said first computer user from a predetermined time, by adding encrypted metadata denoting when said predetermined time expires.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said second computer user is unable to use said file until said predetermined period expires.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said metadata further comprises information denoting said first user as the borrower of said file.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said metadata further comprises information denoting said second user as the owner of said file.