System, method and article of manufacture for remote control and navigation of local content
First Claim
1. A method for remotely controlling digital content, the digital content being stored locally on a client device, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) coupling the client with a network to retrieve a client identification from the client device;
(b) generating a query, based upon the client identification, to determine whether the client should have access to the digital content; and
(c) sending an unlock command via the network to the client device, if the client should have access to the content stored on the client device, the command being operable to allow the client device to access and utilize the digital content stored locally on the client device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for remotely controlling content stored on a local computer connected to a network system such as the Internet. The invention allows content such as DVD Video content to be locked so that play can only be accomplished through verification of user identity and also allows augmentation and supplementation of the content provided by the video from a remote server. In addition, upon verification of user client credentials, the present invention allows the locally stored content to be supplemented with additional content delivered over the network system. Furthermore, the present invention allows content stored locally on a client device to be remotely controlled to play synchronously on a plurality of client devices.
143 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for remotely controlling digital content, the digital content being stored locally on a client device, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) coupling the client with a network to retrieve a client identification from the client device;
(b) generating a query, based upon the client identification, to determine whether the client should have access to the digital content; and
(c) sending an unlock command via the network to the client device, if the client should have access to the content stored on the client device, the command being operable to allow the client device to access and utilize the digital content stored locally on the client device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for remotely controlling digital content which has been stored locally on a client device, the computer program comprising:
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(a) a code segment that receives an input delivered over a network from the client device, the input including a client identifier;
(b) a code segment that queries the client input to determine, based upon the client identifier, whether the client should have access to the content;
(c) a code segment that unlocks the digital content stored on locally on the client device, allowing access to the content by the client device based upon the results of the query; and
(d) a code segment that delivers to the client device, via the network, the code segment that unlocks the locally stored content. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for remotely controlling digital content, the digital content being stored locally on a client device, the system comprising:
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(a) a processor, remote from the client device;
(b) a memory, remote from the client device, that stores information under control of the processor;
(c) logic stored on the memory that retrieves and interprets input from the client device, the input being delivered over a network and including a client device identification;
(d) logic stored on the memory, that responds to the input from the client device to generate an unlock command, based upon the client device identification, to allow use of the locally stored digital content by the client device having the digital content stored thereon; and
(e) logic stored on the memory that delivers the unlock command over the network to the client device. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification