Content distribution systems and methods

• US 8,028,173 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mo-DV, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mo-DV, Inc.
• Inventors: Widergren, Robert D., Germeraad, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Zand; Kambiz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Powers; William
• Application Number:
  US12/184,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20080288106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 713/193, D20 1- 9
• US Class Current: 713/193
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1014 to tokens
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• 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: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like

Abstract

An electronic device comprises a first interface operable to receive from a user a selection of a first data set and a processor coupled to the first interface. The processor is operable to access the selected first data set, determine if the user is authorized to receive the first data set, and store the first data set on a memory device.

Claims

1. A content vending device, comprising:

memory storing a plurality of data sets and a plurality of computer programs, each of the computer programs compatible with a respective operating system of a multiplicity of distinct operating systems, each of the computer programs for execution by a respective target device, having the operating system with which the computer program is compatible, for enabling performance of a data set stored on the target device; and

at least one interface to transfer information to the target device in response to a user selection of a respective data set of the plurality of data sets, the target device comprising a portable device having a respective operating system that is one of the multiplicity of operating systems;

the information transferred to the target device including (A) the respective user-selected data set, and (B) a computer program of the plurality of computer programs that is compatible with the operating system of the target device;

the content vending machine further configured;

to determine whether the target device has sufficient space to store the respective user-selected data set and the computer program compatible with the operating system of the target device;

upon determining that the target device has insufficient space, to provide a list of storage devices available for purchase from the self-contained vending device; and

upon determining that the target device has sufficient space, to transfer the respective user-selected data set and the computer program compatible with the operating system of the target device;

wherein the data set transmitted to the target device is constrained to play from only the target device.

2. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the target device is a cell phone or personal digital assistant or hand held electronic device.

3. The content vending device of claim 2, wherein the target device includes a removable storage device.

4. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data sets comprises digital multimedia content.

5. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of computer programs comprises decoder software and decryption software for decoding and decrypting data sets.

6. The content vending device of claim 5, wherein the decoder software and decryption software comprises an autoload program executable by the operating system on the target device.

7. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a self contained vending machine.

8. The content vending device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to receive user selection of a requested data set.

9. The content vending device of claim 8, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive payment for content.

10. The content vending device of claim 9, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive identification of the target device.

11. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the device interface is configurable to transfer to the target device an encoded data set and a decoder compatible with the operating system of the target device.

12. The content vending device of claim 11, wherein the encoded data set includes a limited number of plays.

13. The content vending device of claim 12, wherein the decoder in the encoded data set comprises a count down of the number of plays and a total of remaining plays on the target device.

14. The content vending device of claim 11, wherein the at least one interface includes a wireless interface to transmit content to the target device.

15. The content vending device of claim 11, wherein the at least one interface includes an interface to transmit content over a cable to the target device.

16. The content vending device of claim 11, wherein the at least one interface includes an interface to write data to a storage memory compatible with the target device.

17. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the content vending device is configured to utilize an anti-copy mechanism that utilizes a serial number of the target device when transferring the data set to the target device.

18. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein content vending device is configured to include a serial number of the target device as part of the data set transferred to the target device.

19. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein the computer program transmitted to the target device includes an anti-copy mechanism that utilizes a serial number of the target device.

24. The content vending device of claim 1, wherein each of the computer programs for execution by the respective target device is for enabling performance and rendering of a data set stored on the target device.

20. A method of dispensing content, comprising:

in a self-contained vending device;

storing a plurality of data sets and a plurality of computer programs, each of the computer programs compatible with a respective operating system of a multiplicity of distinct operating systems, each of the computer programs for execution by a respective target device, having the operating system with which the computer program is compatible, for enabling performance of a data set stored on the target device; and

in response to a user selection of a respective data set of the plurality of data sets;

determining whether a target device, comprising a portable device having a respective operating system that is one of the multiplicity of operating systems, has sufficient space to store the respective user-selected data set and a computer program of the plurality of computer programs that is compatible with the operating system of the target device;

upon determining that the target device has insufficient space, providing a list of storage devices available for purchase from the self-contained vending device; and

upon determining that the target device has sufficient space, transferring information to the target device;

the information transferred to the target device including (A) the respective user-selected data set, and (B) the computer program of the plurality of computer programs that is compatible with the operating system of the target device;

wherein the data set transmitted to the target device is constrained to play from only the target device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the target device is a cell phone or personal digital assistant or hand held electronic device.

22. The method of claim 20, further including receiving user selection of a requested data set, the information transferred to the target device including the requested data set, and receiving or confirming payment for the requested data set.

23. The method of claim 20, including transferring to the target device an encoded data set and a decoder compatible with the operating system of the target device.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein each of the computer programs for execution by the respective target device is for enabling performance and rendering of a data set stored on the target device.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the self-contained vending device is configured to utilize an anti-copy mechanism that utilizes a serial number of the target device when transferring the data set to the target device.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein the self-contained vending device is configured to include a serial number of the target device as part of the data set transferred to the target device.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein the computer program transmitted to the target device includes an anti-copy mechanism that utilizes a serial number of the target device.