Authorized distribution of digital content over mobile networks
First Claim
1. A method for super-distribution of digital content among users with mobile devices without the digital content being directly transferred from user to user, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. sending an identifier of a mobile device and a description of a digital content to a mobile service provider, the identifier and the description of the digital content being sent by a first user, the mobile device belonging to a second user, wherein the first user wants to forward the digital content to the mobile device of the second user via the mobile service provider;
b. the mobile service provider sending a download descriptor, based on the identifier of the mobile device and the description of the digital content, to the mobile device of the second user, the download descriptor being sent by the mobile service provider if the second user is authorized to receive the digital content;
c. receiving the download descriptor on the mobile device of the second user;
d. requesting the mobile service provider to provide the digital content, the request being made by the mobile device of the second user if the second user wants to accept the digital content;
e. a download server of the mobile service provider intermediating the download of the digital content and prompting the second user regarding a payment as per a digital policy associated with the digital content;
f. the download server providing the digital content to the second user in response to the payment, the digital content being provided if it is compatible with the mobile device of the second user; and
g. storing the digital content on the mobile device of the second user.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for authorized distribution of digital content amongst a plurality of mobile devices, under the mobile service provider'"'"'s control. A mobile subscriber requests for services (digital content/applications) to a mobile service provider. The mobile service provider then sends a download descriptor to the mobile device through an SMS message. The download descriptor includes a link to the actual digital content hosted by a content provider. The user is then able to read, delete, forward the download descriptor to other mobile users or download the content on his/her mobile device at any point of time. The user also gets notified about any changes such as a new service or a version upgrade according to his/her preferences. The invention enables the mobile service provider to implement payment, licensing, copyright and other digital rights management policies while enabling a user to distribute the content to other users.
-
Citations
7 Claims
-
1. A method for super-distribution of digital content among users with mobile devices without the digital content being directly transferred from user to user, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. sending an identifier of a mobile device and a description of a digital content to a mobile service provider, the identifier and the description of the digital content being sent by a first user, the mobile device belonging to a second user, wherein the first user wants to forward the digital content to the mobile device of the second user via the mobile service provider; b. the mobile service provider sending a download descriptor, based on the identifier of the mobile device and the description of the digital content, to the mobile device of the second user, the download descriptor being sent by the mobile service provider if the second user is authorized to receive the digital content; c. receiving the download descriptor on the mobile device of the second user; d. requesting the mobile service provider to provide the digital content, the request being made by the mobile device of the second user if the second user wants to accept the digital content; e. a download server of the mobile service provider intermediating the download of the digital content and prompting the second user regarding a payment as per a digital policy associated with the digital content; f. the download server providing the digital content to the second user in response to the payment, the digital content being provided if it is compatible with the mobile device of the second user; and g. storing the digital content on the mobile device of the second user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for super-distribution of digital content among users with mobile devices without the digital content being directly transferred from user to user, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. requesting a mobile service provider to provide details of a digital content to a first mobile device, the first mobile device belonging to a first user, the first user wanting to obtain the digital content from the mobile service provider; b. sending a download descriptor to the first mobile device of the first user, the download descriptor containing the details of the digital content, the download descriptor being sent to the first mobile device of the first user by a download server associated with the mobile service provider; c. receiving the download descriptor, the download descriptor being received by the first mobile device of the first user; d. requesting the mobile service provider to provide the digital content corresponding to the download descriptor, the request being made by the first user if the first user wants to accept the digital content; e. the download server intermediating the download of the digital content to prompt the first user regarding a payment the first user needs to make as per a digital policy associated with the digital content, the download server intermediating to prompt the first user regarding the payment; f. providing the digital content to the first mobile device of the first user in response to the payment, wherein the digital content is provided to the first user by the download server, the digital content being provided if it is compatible with the first mobile device of the first user; g. the first user sending an identifier of a second mobile device and a description of the digital content to the mobile service provider, the second mobile device belonging to a second user, wherein the first user wants to forward the digital content to the second user via the mobile service provider as the first user is not capable of forwarding the digital content directly to the second user; h. the download server sending the download descriptor to the second mobile device based on the identifier of the mobile device and the description of the digital content, the download descriptor being sent by the download server if the second user is authorized to receive the digital content; i. receiving the download descriptor by the second mobile device of the second user, j. the second user requesting the mobile service provider to provide the digital content, the request being made by the mobile device if the second user wants to accept the digital content; k. the download server intermediating the download of the digital content to prompt the second user regarding the payment the second user needs to make as per the digital policy associated with the digital content; l. the download server providing the digital content to the second user in response to the payment, the digital content being provided if it is compatible with the second mobile device of the second user; and
storing the digital content on the second mobile device of the second user.
-
Specification