Rechargeable Media Distribution and Play System

• US 20110119308A1
• Filed: 01/21/2011
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B# On Demand, LLC
• Original Assignee: B# On Demand, LLC
• Inventors: Homer, Gregg S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,832,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/783
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3344 using natural language analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1078 Logging; Metering
• 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: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• 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: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/108 when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

An electronic media distribution/play system includes a service facility that has a communications network interface and maintains a data file catalog. The catalog is sent over the network to requesting users, and the system processes payments from customers in establishing file access authorizations. Encrypted user-selected files and a player program are transmitted to each customer for metered access to received data files as limited by the authorization, and customers can make additional selections and play the encrypted files freely while the authorization remains established. The system can transmit the data files from local storage, and also provide links to encrypted files that are stored at remote vendor facilities. Authorizations can be for selected portions or class levels of the catalog, and for terms measured as calendar time, play time, and collective number of plays. Also disclosed is a method for facilitating the distribution and accessing of electronic files.

Claims

1. A system for playing media files on a media device comprising:

means for delivering to a user an authorization to enable the user to play at least two different media files on the media device in accordance with the parameters of the authorization,

wherein at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play,

the media files are encoded in a proprietary format, and

to the extent the playing of the media files on the media device exceeds the parameters of the authorization, the playing is limited.

4. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the means for delivering comprises at least one of cable, Internet, telephone, satellite, microwave, cellular, radio, light, laser, CD-ROM, removable drive medium, regular mail, or e-mail.

5. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein at least one media file is capable of generating at least one of sound, spoken words, music, moving images, still images, or human-readable text.

6. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein at least one media file comprises a software program.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the software program comprises at least one of system software, programming software, or application software.

8. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the media device comprises a stand-alone device.

9. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the media device comprises a peripheral device.

10. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the media device comprises at least one of a computer or handheld device.

11. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the authorization comprises at least one of a password, key, license, or coding element.

12. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the parameters of the authorization are based at least in part on calendar time.

13. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the parameters of the authorization are based at least in part on play time.

14. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the parameters of the authorization are based at least in part on the number of plays.

15. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the proprietary format in which the media files is encoded is a proprietary encoding format.

16. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the proprietary format in which the media files is encoded is a proprietary file format.

17. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the manner limiting play comprises preventing play of at least a portion of at least one of the media files.

18. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the manner limiting play comprises interrupting the continuity of play of at least a portion of at least one of the media files.

19. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the manner limiting play comprises interfering with play of at least a portion of at least one of the media files.

20. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the manner limiting play comprises disabling at least a portion of the functionality of the media device.

21. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the manner limiting play comprises disabling access to at least a portion of at least one of the media files.

22. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the manner limiting play in the absence of the authorization is the same as the manner limiting play to the extent the playing of the media files exceeds the parameters of the authorization.

23. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the manner limiting play in the absence of the authorization is different, at least in part, from the manner limiting play to the extent the playing of the media files exceeds the parameters of the authorization.

47. The system of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein each of the at least two media files comprises different content.

2. A system for playing media files on a media device comprising:

means for delivering to a user at least two different media files capable of being played by the user on the media device in accordance with the parameters of an authorization,

wherein the authorization enables the playing of the at least two media files on the media device,

at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play,

the media files are encoded in a proprietary format, and

to the extent the playing of the media files on the media device exceeds the parameters of the authorization, the playing is limited.

3. A system for playing media files on a media device comprising:

means for delivering to a user a media device capable of playing at least two different media files in accordance with the parameters of an authorization,

wherein the authorization enables the playing of the at least two media files on the media device,

at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play,

the media files are encoded in a proprietary format, and

to the extent the playing of the media files on the media device exceeds the parameters of the authorization, the playing is limited.

24. A method for playing media files on a media device comprising:

(a) delivering to a user an authorization to enable the user to play at least two different media files on the media device in accordance with the parameters of the authorization,

wherein at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play, and

the media files are encoded in a proprietary format; and

(b) limiting play of the media files on the media device to the extent the play exceeds the parameters of the authorization.

27. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the means for delivering comprises at least one of cable, Internet, telephone, satellite, microwave, cellular, radio, light, laser, CD-ROM, removable drive medium, regular mail, or e-mail.

28. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein at least one media file is capable of generating at least one of sound, spoken words, music, moving images, still images, or human-readable text.

29. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the at least one media file comprises a software program.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the software program comprises at least one of method software, programming software, or application software.

31. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the media device comprises a stand-alone device.

32. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the media device comprises a peripheral device.

33. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the media device comprises at least one of a computer or handheld device.

34. The system of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the authorization comprises at least one of a password, key, license, or coding element.

35. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the parameters of the authorization are based at least in part on calendar time.

36. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the parameters of the authorization are based at least in part on play time.

37. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the parameters of the authorization are based at least in part on the number of plays.

38. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the proprietary format in which the media files is encoded is a proprietary encoding format.

39. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the proprietary format in which the media files is encoded is a proprietary file format.

40. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the manner limiting play comprises preventing play of at least a portion of at least one of the media files.

41. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the manner limiting play comprises interrupting the continuity of play of at least a portion of at least one of the media files.

42. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the manner limiting play comprises interfering with play of at least a portion of at least one of the media files.

43. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the manner limiting play comprises disabling at least a portion of the functionality of the media device.

44. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the manner limiting play comprises disabling access to at least a portion of at least one of the media files.

45. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the manner limiting play in the absence of the authorization is the same as the manner limiting play to the extent the playing of the media files exceeds the parameters of the authorization.

46. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein the manner limiting play in the absence of the authorization is different, at least in part, from the manner limiting play to the extent the playing of the media files exceeds the parameters of the authorization.

48. The method of claim 24, 25, or 26 wherein each of the at least two media files comprises different content.

25. A method for playing media files on a media device comprising:

(a) delivering to a user at least two different media files capable of being played by the user on the media device in accordance with the parameters of an authorization,

wherein the authorization enables the playing of the at least two media files on the media device,

at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play, and

the media files are encoded in a proprietary format; and

(b) limiting play of the media files on the media device to the extent the play exceeds the parameters of the authorization.

26. A method for playing media files on a media device comprising:

(a) delivering to a user a media device capable of playing at least two different media files in accordance with the parameters of an authorization,

wherein the authorization enables the playing of the at least two media files on the media device,

at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play, and

the media files are encoded in a proprietary format; and

(b) limiting play of the media files on the media device to the extent the play exceeds the parameters of the authorization.

49. A system for playing media files on a media device comprising:

means for delivering to a user an authorization to enable the user to play at least two different media files on the media device in accordance with the parameters of the authorization,

wherein at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play,

the media files are encrypted, and

to the extent the playing of the media files on the media device exceeds the parameters of the authorization, the playing is limited.

55. The system of claim 49, 50, or 51 wherein the media files comprise an encrypted format.

50. A system for playing media files on a media device comprising:

means for delivering to a user at least two different media files capable of being played by the user on the media device in accordance with the parameters of an authorization,

wherein the authorization enables the playing of the at least two media files on the media device,

at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play,

the media files are encrypted, and

to the extent the playing of the media files on the media device exceeds the parameters of the authorization, the playing is limited.

51. A system for playing media files on a media device comprising:

means for delivering to a user a media device capable of playing at least two different media files in accordance with the parameters of an authorization,

wherein the authorization enables the playing of the at least two media files on the media device,

at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play,

the media files are encrypted, and

to the extent the playing of the media files on the media device exceeds the parameters of the authorization, the playing is limited.

52. A method for playing media files on a media device comprising:

(a) delivering to a user an authorization to enable the user to play at least two different media files on the media device in accordance with the parameters of the authorization,

wherein at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play,

the media files are encrypted; and

(b) limiting play of the media files on the media device to the extent the play exceeds the parameters of the authorization.

56. The method of claim 52, 53, or 54 wherein the manner in which the media files is encoded comprises encryption of the media files.

53. A method for playing media files on a media device comprising:

(a) delivering to a user at least two different media files capable of being played by the user on the media device in accordance with the parameters of an authorization,

wherein the authorization enables the playing of the at least two media files on the media device,

at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play,

the media files are encrypted, and

(b) limiting play of the media files on the media device to the extent the play exceeds the parameters of the authorization.

54. A method for playing media files on a media device comprising:

(a) delivering to a user a media device capable of playing at least two different media files in accordance with the parameters of an authorization,

wherein the authorization authorizes the playing of the at least two media files on the media device,

at least a portion of at least one of the media files resides on the media device at the time of play,

the media files are encrypted; and

(b) limiting play of the media files on the media device to the extent the play exceeds the parameters of the authorization.