System and method for distributing digital content over a network

• US 7,571,328 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2005
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hendrickson, Gregory L., Cluts, Jonathan C., Heath, Pamela J., Goldthwaite, Flora P., Baumert, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Augustin; Evens J
• Application Number:
  US11/048,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20060173789A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 713/192, 713/168, 725/87
• US Class Current: 713/192
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect

Abstract

A system and method for distributing digital content over a computer network. A set of digital content is provided in a storage location that is accessible by the network. One or more physical tokens store data related to accessing the set of digital content. When a token is at a remote location, a request for the set of digital content to be presented at the remote location is received. In response to this request, presentation of the digital content is allowed at the remote location.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for distributing digital content over a computer network, the method comprising:

providing a set of digital content in a storage location accessible by one or more computers connected to a computer network;

providing multiple physical tokens that store data related to access rights to a portion of said set of digital content, wherein said multiple physical tokens includes a first token storing data for accessing a first set of digital content, and wherein said multiple physical tokens includes a second token storing data for accessing a second set of digital content;

detecting at least two of said multiple physical tokens within a predetermined proximity to a token reading device residing at a remote location, wherein the detected physical tokens are not in physical contact with said token reading device;

in response to said detecting, generating a request for at least a portion of said set of digital content to be presented at said remote location, wherein the request is transmitted over said computer network from said remote location; and

in response to said request, utilizing said data from at least said first token and said second token to select a third set of digital content for presentation at the remote location, wherein said third set of content is made accessible for presentation in response to detection of said first token and said second token at said remote location.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising adding content to or removing content from said set of digital content.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said set of content is related to a subscription-based content service.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said physical token is a smartcard.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said physical token utilizes radio-frequency identification.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said data includes authentication information.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing at least a portion of said data associated with accessing said set of digital content to determine whether said request should be granted.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising detecting the presence of said multiple tokens at said remote location and transmitting said request over said network.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said request includes data from a plurality of said tokens.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein allowing presentation of at least a portion of said set of digital content includes selecting said portion of content allowable for presentation based on the number or type of tokens residing at said remote location.

11. A computer system for distributing digital content over a computer network, the system comprising:

a set of digital content residing in a storage location accessible by one or more computers connected to a computer network;

two or more physical tokens that store data related to access rights to a portion of said set of digital content, wherein said two or more physical tokens includes a first token storing data for accessing a first set of digital content, and wherein said two or more physical tokens includes a second token storing data for accessing a second set of digital content;

a token reader device configured to read said data from multiple of said two or more physical tokens detected at a remote location;

a presentation device capable of rending at least a portion of said set of digital content; and

a content access device capable of utilizing said data from at least said first token and said second token to select a third set of digital content for presentation at the remote location, wherein said third set of content is made accessible for presentation in response to detection of said first token and said second token at said remote location.

12. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising an application host residing at a remote location, wherein said application host is configured to communicate said data from said remote location to said content access device.

13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein said application host is configured to access at least a portion of said set of digital content over said network when said content access device permits presentation of at least a portion of said set of digital content.

14. The computer system of claim 11, wherein said set of content is periodically altered.

15. The computer system of claim 11, wherein said set of content includes at least one of audio, video or image content.

16. The computer system of claim 11, wherein said data related to said set of digital content includes licensing information.

17. A computer system for managing access to digital content, the system comprising:

two or more physical tokens that store data related to access rights to one or more pieces of digital content and that store one or more content identifiers which identify at least a portion of said one or more pieces of digital content, wherein said one or more pieces of digital content are stored on a storage device accessible by one or more computers, wherein said two or more physical tokens includes a first token storing data for accessing a first set of digital content, and wherein said two or more physical tokens includes a second token storing data for accessing a second set of digital content;

a token reader device configured to read said data from at least said first token and said second token detected at a remote location and to utilize said data from said first token and said second token to create a request for a third set of digital content to be presented at the remote location, wherein said third set of content is made accessible for presentation in response to detection of said first token and said second token at said remote location;

an interface device capable of transmitting said request and capable of accessing at least a portion of said pieces of digital content when said request is granted; and

a presentation device capable of rending at least a portion of said one or more pieces of digital content when said request is granted.

18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein said data related to said set of digital content includes an indicia that identifies each of said two or more physical tokens.

19. The computer system of claim 17, wherein said data related to said set of digital content restricts the duration of time which said two or more physical tokens may be utilized to gain access to said set of digital content.

20. The computer system of claim 17, wherein said token reader device utilizes radio frequency identification.