Methods and Systems Employing Digital Content

• US 20090177742A1
• Filed: 03/19/2009
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Levy, Kenneth L., Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,155,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/683 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• 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 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/10 Usage protection of distributed data files
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/16 Copy protection or prevention
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking

Abstract

The presently claimed invention relates to methods and system employing digital content. One claim recites a method including: receiving indentifying data from a remotely located handheld device, the remotely located handheld device utilizing a multi-purpose electronic processor to extract the identifying data from data representing audible portions of an audio signal, the handheld device having captured the audio signal with a microphone; using the identifying data to identify a song corresponding to the audio signal; providing a tag including information pertaining to the song to an online-based music library associated with the remotely located handheld device or a user of the remotely located handheld device. A variety of other claims and combinations are also provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving indentifying data from a remotely located handheld device, the remotely located handheld device utilizing a multi-purpose electronic processor to derive or extract the identifying data from data representing audible portions of an audio signal, the handheld device having captured the audio signal with a microphone;

using the identifying data to identify a song corresponding to the audio signal;

providing a tag including information pertaining to the song to an online-based music library associated with the remotely located handheld device or a user of the remotely located handheld device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the tag comprises a song identifier.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the remotely located handheld device or the user of the remotely located handheld device is provided access to the online music library to stream the song.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the remotely located handheld device or the user of the remotely located handheld device is provided access to the online music library to download the song.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving user or account information from remotely located handheld device, the information identifying the online music library.

6. A programmed computing device storing instructions in memory, said instructions are executable by said programmed computing device to perform the acts of claim 1.

7. A computer readable media comprising instructions stored thereon to cause a multi-purpose electronic processor to perform the acts of claim 1.

8. A method comprising:

obtaining an electronic signal representing audible sound captured with a microphone in a handheld device;

utilizing a multi-purpose electronic processor to extract identifying data from the electronic signal,

determining whether the handheld device can establish a wireless connection with a remotely located server, and

if a wireless connection can be established, communicating the identifying data to the remotely located server, or

if a wireless connection can not be established, implementing a store-and-later-forward function, wherein the identifying data is stored in electronic memory of the handheld device for later communication by the hand held device to the remotely located server, and then retrying to establish communication with the remotely located server at a later time.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein further comprising receiving a link to buy or license a song corresponding to the audible sound.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving a link from the remotely located server to access an online music library associated with the handheld device or a user of the handheld device, the online music library including a song or information corresponding to the audible sound.

11. A programmed cell phone storing instructions in memory, said instructions are executable by said programmed cell phone to perform the acts of claim 8.

12. A computer readable media comprising instructions stored thereon to cause a multi-purpose electronic processor to perform the acts of claim 8.

13. A method comprising:

obtaining an electronic signal representing audible music captured with a microphone in a handheld device;

utilizing a multi-purpose electronic processor to derive or extract identifying data from the electronic signal,

when it is determined that the handheld device can not currently establish a wireless connection with a remotely located server, storing the identifying data in the handheld device for later communication by the handheld device to the remotely located server;

establishing communication with the remotely located server at a later time relative to said act of storing;

communicating the identifying data to the remotely located server when communication with the handheld device is established;

in response to communicating the identifying data to the remotely located server, receiving a link from the remotely located server, the link being associated with the audible music.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the link provides access a music video associated with the music.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the link provides access an audio file, and the link also provides access to purchase or license the audio file.

16. A programmed cell phone storing instructions in memory, said instructions are executable by said programmed cell phone to perform the acts of claim 13.

17. A computer readable media comprising instructions stored thereon to cause a multi-purpose electronic processor to perform the acts of claim 13.

18. A method comprising:

obtaining an electronic signal representing audible portions of music captured with a microphone in a handheld device;

utilizing a multi-purpose electronic processor to derive or extract identifying data from the electronic signal;

creating a tag including the identifying data;

providing the tag for interaction with a remotely located server which is to provide a person acquainted with but different than a user of the handheld device access to a digital file associated with the music.

19. A programmed cell phone storing instructions in memory, said instructions are executable by said programmed cell phone to perform the acts of claim 18.

20. A computer readable media comprising instructions stored thereon to cause a multi-purpose electronic processor to perform the acts of claim 18.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the audible portions of music were ripped from tangible media form prior to capture by the microphone.