Network-Based Purchase and Distribution of Media

• US 20110040658A1
• Filed: 10/14/2010
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dave Heller, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Max Muller, Mike Wiese, Patrice Gautier, Thomas Burkholder, Thomas Dowdy
• Original Assignee: Dave Heller, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Max Muller, Mike Wiese, Patrice Gautier, Thomas Burkholder, Thomas Dowdy
• Inventors: Dowdy, Thomas, Gautier, Patrice, Burkholder, Thomas, Robbin, Jeffrey L., Wiese, Mike, Heller, Dave, Muller, Max
• Granted Patent: US 9,582,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/433 using audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/44 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

Methods and systems for network-based purchase and distribution of media are disclosed. The purchase and distribution of media by these methods and systems are not only secure but also controlled. The security restricts access to media within media files during downloads as well as while stored at a server and/or client. For example, a potential purchaser can search and browse through numerous media items on-line that are available for purchase. The potential purchaser can thereafter purchase one or more media items on-line with great ease. Upon purchasing a media item, the content for the media item can be downloaded over the network to the purchaser. The content for the media item is then encrypted for the purchaser'"'"'s use and stored on the purchaser'"'"'s machine. Thereafter, the purchaser can make use of the media item (e.g., play the media item). Improved graphical user interfaces suitable for reviewing, browsing, previewing and/or purchasing numerous media items are also disclosed.

Claims

1-64. -64. (canceled)

65. A method for purchasing access to a media item over a network, said method comprising:

(a) receiving, over the network, a buy request from a user requesting to buy a particular media item, the buy request being initiated by the user through a single graphical user interface action by the user once an identifier for the particular media item is displayed on a display screen for the user, and the buy request including an account identifier for the user;

(b) initiating payment for the particular media item being purchased in response to the buy request being received, the payment being processed using information previously stored in a user account associated with the user;

(c) determining media access information pertaining to the particular media item; and

(d) sending, over the network, the media access information to a user machine of the user, the media access information thereafter being used by the user machine to access the particular media item.

66. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein the payment of the particular media item is a fixed price per media item.

67. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein the media item is one of an audio song, a video, or an audiobook.

73. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein the particular media item retrieved from the remote storage server is encrypted with a user key.

74. A method as recited in claim 65,

wherein the media access information further includes a download key,

wherein the particular media item retrieved from the remote storage server is encrypted using the download key, and

wherein said method further comprises:

(e) retrieving the particular media item from the remote storage server;

(f) decrypting the particular media item using the download key;

(g) re-encrypting the particular media item with a user key; and

(h) storing the particular media item to local storage following said re-encrypting (g).

75. A method as recited in claim 65,

wherein the media access information further includes a download key,

wherein the particular media item retrieved from the remote storage server is encrypted using the download key, and

wherein said method further comprises:

(e) retrieving the particular media item from the remote storage server;

(f) transcrypting the particular media item using the download key and a user key; and

(g) storing the particular media item to local storage following said transcrypting (f).

76. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein said sending (d) is prevented from being performed when the payment of the particular item is flagged as having a problem.

77. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein the particular media item is an audio file and/or a video file.

78. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein the particular media item is a group of audio files.

79. A method as recited in claim 78, wherein the group of audio files pertains to a playlist or an album.

80. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein the buy request requests to buy a group of particular media items.

81. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code for purchasing access to a media item over a network, said computer readable medium comprising:

computer program code for receiving, over the network, a buy request from a user requesting to buy a particular media item, the buy request being initiated by the user, the buy request including an identifier for the particular media item and an account identifier for the user;

computer program code for initiating payment for the particular media item being purchased in response to the buy request being received, the payment being processed using information previously stored in a user account associated with the user;

computer program code for determining media access information pertaining to the particular media item; and

computer program code for sending, over the network, the media access information to a user machine of the user, the media access information thereafter being used by the user machine to access the particular media item.

82. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 81, wherein said computer readable medium further comprises:

computer program code for retrieving the particular media item from the remote storage server using the URL to locate the particular media item and using the security token to provide authentication.

83. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 82, wherein said computer program code for retrieving can be repeated until the user machine confirms receipt of the particular media item.

84. A method for processing an electronic payment for an online purchase, said method comprising:

receiving purchase information for an online purchase made by a user;

deferring processing of electronic payment for the online purchase;

accumulating the purchase information for the online purchase together with one or more other online purchases of the user being deferred;

determining whether a deferral limit for the online purchases of the user being deferred has been reached; and

initiating an aggregate electronic payment transaction for the online purchases being deferred after said determining determines that the deferral limit has been reached.