Method and system for charging for repeated use of a digital content item
First Claim
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1. A method for charging a customer for use of a digital content item comprising:
- (a) providing a predetermined usage charge for said item, (b) providing a predetermined charge limit for said item, (c) providing a client system comprising a content player, (d) providing a server system comprising a storage for said item and a database for the total charge for said item to said customer, (e) providing a communication network between said client system and said server system, (f) said client system sending a request for said item to said server system over said communication network, (g) in response to said request, said server system sending said item to said client system over said communication network, (h) said client system playing back said item, (i) said client system sending an acknowledgement or a plurality of acknowledgements of the playback to said server system over said communication network, (j) in response to said acknowledgment or acknowledgements, said server system adding said usage charge to said total charge if said total charge is less than said charge limit, whereby said total charge initially increases incrementally for each use, while said total charge is limited to said charge limit.
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Abstract
A method and system for charging a customer for repeated use of a digital content item. The system charges the customer for each use of the item until the total charge for the item reaches a predetermined charge limit. Once the total charge has reached the charge limit, the system grants the customer unlimited use of the item and waives further charges to the customer.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for charging a customer for use of a digital content item comprising:
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(a) providing a predetermined usage charge for said item, (b) providing a predetermined charge limit for said item, (c) providing a client system comprising a content player, (d) providing a server system comprising a storage for said item and a database for the total charge for said item to said customer, (e) providing a communication network between said client system and said server system, (f) said client system sending a request for said item to said server system over said communication network, (g) in response to said request, said server system sending said item to said client system over said communication network, (h) said client system playing back said item, (i) said client system sending an acknowledgement or a plurality of acknowledgements of the playback to said server system over said communication network, (j) in response to said acknowledgment or acknowledgements, said server system adding said usage charge to said total charge if said total charge is less than said charge limit, whereby said total charge initially increases incrementally for each use, while said total charge is limited to said charge limit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for charging a customer for use of a digital content item comprising:
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(a) a communication network which carries said item and a plurality of communication signals, including a request for said item and an acknowledgement or a plurality of acknowledgements of a playback of said item, (b) a client system which sends out said request for said item, receives and plays back said item, and sends out said acknowledgement or acknowledgements, (c) a server system which stores the total charge for said item to said customer, stores and sends out said item, and adds a predetermined usage charge for said item to said total charge upon receiving said acknowledgement or acknowledgements if said total charge is less than a predetermined charge limit for said item, whereby said total charge initially increases incrementally for each use, while said total charge is limited to said charge limit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification