Method and system for network-based purchase and distribution of media
First Claim
1. A network-based media purchase system, said system being configured to support a plurality of client media player programs, each of said client media player programs being resident on a different client machine, said system comprising:
- a media storage server machine that stores media items in an encrypted format; and
a media commerce server machine programmed to interact with each of said client media player programs, and said media commerce server machine being programmed to support operations on said client media player programs, wherein said client media player programs are programmed to;
(i) initiate payment for the media items, (ii) download the media items that have been purchased, (iii) store the media items, and (iv) subsequently use the stored media items,wherein, for a particular one of the media items, said media commerce server machine is further programmed to;
(i) determine media access information pertaining to the particular media item; and
(ii) send, over the network, the media access information to the client machine of the user that has purchased the particular media item, the media access information adapted to be used by the client machine to access the particular media item,wherein the media access information includes (i) a URL to the particular media item at said media storage server machine that stores the particular media item, (ii) a security token, and (iii) a download key,wherein said media commerce server machine is further programmed to create the security token provided in the media access information by applying a predetermined algorithm to at least the URL and an identifier for said media commerce server machine,wherein said media storage server machine is programmed to receive, via the client machine that has purchased the particular media item, a request for the particular media item from said media storage server machine, the request including at least the URL to locate the particular media item and using the security token to provide authentication for download of the particular media item, andwherein said media storage server machine is further programmed to create, in response to receiving the request from the client machine of the user, a resultant value by applying the predetermined algorithm to at least the URL and the identifier for said media commerce server machine to produce the resultant value, wherein said media storage server machine is further programmed to compare the resultant value with the security token received in the request and to determine whether the security token received in the request matches the resultant value, and wherein said media storage server machine is further programmed to permit the particular media item to be downloaded to the client machine from said media storage server machine if the resultant value is determined to match the security token.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
60 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A network-based media purchase system, said system being configured to support a plurality of client media player programs, each of said client media player programs being resident on a different client machine, said system comprising:
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a media storage server machine that stores media items in an encrypted format; and a media commerce server machine programmed to interact with each of said client media player programs, and said media commerce server machine being programmed to support operations on said client media player programs, wherein said client media player programs are programmed to;
(i) initiate payment for the media items, (ii) download the media items that have been purchased, (iii) store the media items, and (iv) subsequently use the stored media items,wherein, for a particular one of the media items, said media commerce server machine is further programmed to;
(i) determine media access information pertaining to the particular media item; and
(ii) send, over the network, the media access information to the client machine of the user that has purchased the particular media item, the media access information adapted to be used by the client machine to access the particular media item,wherein the media access information includes (i) a URL to the particular media item at said media storage server machine that stores the particular media item, (ii) a security token, and (iii) a download key, wherein said media commerce server machine is further programmed to create the security token provided in the media access information by applying a predetermined algorithm to at least the URL and an identifier for said media commerce server machine, wherein said media storage server machine is programmed to receive, via the client machine that has purchased the particular media item, a request for the particular media item from said media storage server machine, the request including at least the URL to locate the particular media item and using the security token to provide authentication for download of the particular media item, and wherein said media storage server machine is further programmed to create, in response to receiving the request from the client machine of the user, a resultant value by applying the predetermined algorithm to at least the URL and the identifier for said media commerce server machine to produce the resultant value, wherein said media storage server machine is further programmed to compare the resultant value with the security token received in the request and to determine whether the security token received in the request matches the resultant value, and wherein said media storage server machine is further programmed to permit the particular media item to be downloaded to the client machine from said media storage server machine if the resultant value is determined to match the security token. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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27. A network-based media purchase system, said system being configured to support a plurality of client media player programs, each of said client media player programs being resident on a different client machine, said system comprising:
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a media storage server machine that stores media items in an encrypted format; and a media commerce server machine programmed to interact with each of said client media player programs, and said media commerce server machine being programmed to support operations on said client media player programs, wherein said client media player programs are programmed to;
initiate payment for purchase of the at least one media item, and download and store the at least one media item that has been encrypted for storage on the client machine operating the one of said client media player programs,wherein, for a particular one of the media items, said media commerce server machine is further programmed to;
(i) determine media access information pertaining to the at least one media item; and
(ii) send, over the network, the media access information to the client machine of the user that has purchased the at least one media item, the media access information adapted to be used by the client machine to access the at least one media item,wherein the media access information includes (i) a URL to the at least one media item at said media storage server machine that stores the at least one media item, (ii) a security token, and (iii) a download key, wherein said media commerce server machine is further programmed to create the security token provided in the media access information by applying a predetermined algorithm to at least the URL and an identifier for said media commerce server machine, wherein said media storage server machine is programmed to receive, via the client machine that has purchased the at least one media item, a request for at least one media item from said media storage server machine, the request including at least the URL to locate the at least one media item and the security token to provide authentication for download of the at least one media item, and wherein said media storage server machine is further programmed to create, in response to receiving the request from the client machine, a resultant value by applying the predetermined algorithm to at least the URL and the identifier for said media commerce server machine to produce the resultant value, wherein said media storage server machine is further programmed to compare the resultant value with the security token received in the request and to determine whether the security token in the request matches the resultant value, and wherein said media storage server machine is further programmed to permit the at least one media item to be downloaded to the client machine from said media storage server machine if the resultant value is determined to match the security token. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification