Rechargeable Media Distribution and Play System with Tracking Cookies

• US 20110119769A1
• 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 9,031,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/27
• 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 metering digital file usage on a user device comprising:

means for setting a cookie on a computer-readable medium associated with the user device,

wherein the cookie stores data comprising usage of the data file.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the digital file comprises a software program.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the software program comprises at least one of system software, programming software, or application software.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the digital file comprises an authorization.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the authorization comprises payment data.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the authorization comprises a key.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the authorization comprises a password.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the usage comprises storage of the digital file on the user device.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the usage comprises accessing the digital file on the user device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the usage data comprises, at least in part, one of calendar time, accessing time, or number of accesses.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the usage comprises playing the digital file on the user device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the usage data comprises, at least in part, one of calendar time, play time, or number of plays.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the user device comprises at least one of a computer or handheld device.

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

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for setting the cookie comprises creating a new cookie.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for setting the cookie comprises modifying an existing cookie.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer-readable medium comprises a hard drive.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer-readable medium comprises a removable drive medium.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the removable drive medium comprises at least one of a CD-ROM or disk.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer-readable medium is associated with the user device by means of embodiment on the user device.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer-readable medium is associated with the user device as a peripheral to the user device.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer-readable medium is associated with the user device by means of communication with the user device.

23. A method for metering digital file usage on a user device comprising:

setting a cookie on a computer-readable medium associated with the user device,

storing on the cookie data comprising usage of the data file.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the digital file comprises a software program.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the software program comprises at least one of system software, programming software, or application software.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the digital file comprises an authorization.

30. The system of claim 23 wherein the usage comprises storage of the digital file on the user device.

31. The system of claim 23 wherein the usage comprises accessing the digital file on the user device.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the usage data comprises, at least in part, one of calendar time, accessing time, or number of accesses.

33. The system of claim 23 wherein the usage comprises playing the digital file on the user device.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the usage data comprises, at least in part, one of calendar time, play time, or number of plays.

35. The system of claim 23 wherein the user device comprises at least one of a computer or handheld device.

36. The system of claim 23 wherein the means for setting the cookie comprises at least one of cable, Internet, telephone, satellite, microwave, cellular, radio, light, laser, CD-ROM, removable drive medium, or e-mail.

37. The system of claim 23 wherein the means for setting the cookie comprises creating a new cookie.

38. The system of claim 23 wherein the means for setting the cookie comprises modifying an existing cookie.

39. The system of claim 23 wherein the computer-readable medium comprises a hard drive.

40. The system of claim 23 wherein the computer-readable medium comprises a removable drive medium.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the removable drive medium comprises at least one of a CD-ROM or disk.

42. system of claim 23 wherein the computer-readable medium is associated with the user device by means of embodiment on the user device.

43. The system of claim 23 wherein the computer-readable medium is associated with the user device as a peripheral to the user device.

44. The system of claim 23 wherein the computer-readable medium is associated with the user device by means of communication with the user device.

27. The system of claim 27 wherein the authorization comprises payment data.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the authorization comprises a key.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein the authorization comprises a password.