METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ACCESSING LICENSABLE ITEMS IN A GEOGRAPHIC AREA

• US 20120136998A1
• Filed: 10/26/2011
• Published: 05/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: KIES, Jonathan K., MANDYAM, Giridhar D., HOUGH, Jason M., KERGER, Kameron K., VOGELSANG, Brian D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,262,595 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• 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: G06Q 50/184 Intellectual property management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1076 Resource dissemination mechanisms or network resource keeping policies for optimal resource availability in the overlay network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for accessing licensable items unique to a geographic area via a wireless device are provided. The method and apparatus may include obtaining access to licensable items available in a first location of the wireless device. The methods and apparatus may further include downloading a licensable item. The licensable item is associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item. The methods and apparatus may also include leaving a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second location of the wireless device different from the first location using the right to distribute.

Claims

1. A method for accessing licensable items unique to a geographic area via a wireless device, the method comprising:

obtaining access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device;

downloading the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

leaving a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the license provides the wireless device with a right to access the licensable item within one of a geographic area, a configurable time period, or any combination thereof

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the geographic area comprises a geo fence surrounding one of a set of geo coordinates, a landmark, or a distance surrounding a center point.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the geographic area is dynamically configurable.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the license provides one or more levels of access to the licensable item based upon a proximity of the wireless device to the geographic area.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the level of access to the licensable item increases as the wireless devices moves closer to the geographic area.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving a notification that the geographic area for accessing the licensable item is approaching.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving a notification when the wireless device crosses a threshold.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the threshold comprises one of the wireless device entering into the geographic area or the wireless device leaving the geographic area.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the notification comprises one of a short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), an electronic mail notification, or in-application messaging.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising, receiving, via augmented reality, instructions or directions to the geographic area.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining access to the licensable item further comprises:

receiving a notification of a critical mass requirement before obtaining access to the licensable item; and

obtaining access to the licensable item upon an occurrence of the critical mass requirement.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the critical mass requirement comprises one of a minimum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area trying to access the licensable item, a maximum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area capable of accessing the licensable item, a configurable time period for accessing the licensable item, or any combination thereof

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the critical mass requirement varies based upon characteristics of a user associated with the wireless device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein a value of the critical mass requirement is a function of a user characteristic associated with another wireless device attempting to access the virtual copy of the licensable item.

16. At least one processor configured to access licensable items unique to a geographic area via a wireless device, the processor comprising:

a first module for obtaining access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device;

a second module for downloading the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

a third module for leaving a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

17. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to obtain access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to download the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

at least one instruction for causing the computer to leave a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

means for obtaining access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device;

means for downloading the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

means for leaving a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

19. An apparatus for accessing licensable items unique to a geographic area via a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:

a licensable item searching component operable to obtain access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device;

a licensable item requesting component operable to download the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

a sharing component operable to leave a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the license provides the wireless device a right to access the licensable item within one of a geographic area, a configurable time period, or any combination thereof

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the geographic area comprises a geo fence surrounding one of a set of geo coordinates, a landmark, or a distance surrounding a center point.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the geographic area is dynamically configurable.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the license provides one or more levels of access to the licensable item based upon a proximity of the wireless device to the geographic area.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the level of access to the licensable item increases as the wireless devices moves closer to the geographic area.

25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the licensable item searching component is further operable to receive notifications that the geographic area for accessing the licensable item is approaching.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the licensable item searching component is further operable to receive notifications when the wireless device crosses a threshold.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the threshold comprises one of the wireless device entering into the geographic area or the wireless device leaving the geographic area.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the notification comprises one of a short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), an electronic mail notification, or in-application messaging.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the licensable item searching component is further operable to receive, via an augmented reality component, instructions or directions to the geographic area.

30. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the licensable item searching component is further operable to receive a notification of a critical mass requirement before obtaining access to the licensable item and obtain access to the licensable item upon an occurrence of the critical mass requirement.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the critical mass requirement comprises one of a minimum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area trying to access the licensable item, a maximum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area capable of accessing the licensable item, a configurable time period for accessing the licensable item, or any combination thereof

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the critical mass requirement varies based on characteristics of a user associated with the wireless device.

33. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein a value of the critical mass requirement is a function of a user characteristic associated with another wireless device attempting to access the virtual copy of the licensable item.

34. A method for distributing licensable items within a geographic area, comprising:

receiving a location for a wireless device within a geographic area;

notifying the wireless device of an availability of one or more licensable items within the geographic area;

receiving a request to access at least one of the one or more licensable items;

determining whether a license is associated with the requested licensable item; and

providing access to the requested licensable item based upon the license.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein providing access to the requested licensable item further comprises assigning the geographic location to the requested licensable item.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein providing access to the requested licensable item further comprises:

determining whether obtaining a critical mass requirement is required before providing access to the requested licensable item;

notifying the wireless device of the critical mass requirement; and

providing access to the requested licensable item upon an occurrence of the critical mass requirement.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the critical mass requirement comprises one of a minimum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area trying to access the requested licensable item, a maximum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area capable of accessing the requested licensable item, a configurable time period for accessing the requested licensable item, or any combination thereof.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the critical mass requirement varies based upon characteristics of a user associated with the wireless device.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein a value of the critical mass requirement is a function of a user characteristic associated with another wireless device attempting to access a virtual copy of the requested licensable item.

40. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

notifying the wireless device that the geographic area for accessing the requested licensable item is approaching.

41. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

notifying the wireless device when the wireless device crosses a threshold.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the threshold comprises one of the wireless device entering into the geographic area or the wireless device leaving the geographic area.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the notification comprises sending one of a short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), an electronic mail notification, or in-application messaging.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein notifying the wireless device further comprises providing instructions or directions to the geographic area.

45. At least one processor configured to distribute licensable items within a geographic area, comprising:

a first module for receiving a location for a wireless device within a geographic area;

a second module for notifying the wireless device of an availability of one or more licensable items within the geographic area;

a third module for receiving a request to access at least one of the one or more licensable items;

a fourth module for determining whether a license is associated with the requested licensable item; and

a fifth module for providing access to the requested licensable item based upon the license.

46. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive a location for a wireless device within a geographic area;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to notify the wireless device of an availability of one or more licensable items within the geographic area;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to receive a request to access at least one of the one or more licensable items;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to determine whether a license is associated with the requested licensable item; and

at least one instruction for causing the computer to provide access to the requested licensable item based upon the license.

47. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a location for a wireless device within a geographic area;

means for notifying the wireless device of an availability of one or more licensable items within the geographic area;

means for receiving a request to access at least one of the one or more licensable items;

means for determining whether a license is associated with the requested licensable item; and

means for providing access to the requested licensable item based upon the license.

48. An apparatus for distributing licensable items within a geographic area, comprising:

a licensable item distribution component operable to receive a location for a wireless device within a geographic area;

a notification component operable to send a notification to the wireless device of an availability of one or more licensable items within the geographic area; and

the licensable item distribution component further being operable to receive a request to access at least one of the one or more licensable items, determine whether a license is associated with the requested licensable item, and provide access to the requested licensable item based upon the license.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the licensable item distribution component is further operable to assign the geographic location to the licensable items.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the licensable item distribution component is further operable to determine whether obtaining a critical mass requirement is required before providing access to the requested licensable item, and provide access to the requested licensable item upon an occurrence of the critical mass requirement;

and

the notification component is further operable to send a notification to the wireless device of the critical mass requirement.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the critical mass requirement comprises one of a minimum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area trying to access the requested licensable item, a maximum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area capable of accessing the requested licensable item, a configurable time period for accessing the requested licensable item, or any combination thereof.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the critical mass requirement varies based upon characteristics of a user associated with the wireless device.

53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein a value of the critical mass requirement is a function of a user characteristic associated with another wireless device attempting to access a virtual copy of the licensable item.

54. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the notification component is further operable to send the notification when the geographic area for accessing the requested licensable item is approaching.

55. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the notification component is further operable to send the notification when the wireless device crosses a threshold.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the threshold comprises one of the wireless device entering into the geographic area or the wireless device leaving the geographic area.

57. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the notification comprises sending one of a short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), an electronic mail notification, or in-application messaging.

58. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the notification component is further operable to send the notification with instructions or directions to the geographic area.

59. A method for accessing licensable items unique to a geographic area via a wireless device, the method comprising:

obtaining access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device based upon an occurrence of a critical mass requirement;

downloading the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

leaving a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the critical mass requirement comprises one of a minimum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area trying to access the licensable item, a maximum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area capable of accessing the licensable item, a configurable time period for accessing the licensable item, or any combination thereof

61. The method of claim 59, further comprising receiving a notification of the critical mass requirement before obtaining access to the licensable item.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein the critical mass requirement varies based on characteristics of a user associated with the wireless device.

63. The method of claim 59, wherein a value of the critical mass requirement is a function of a user characteristic associated with another wireless device attempting to access the virtual copy of the licensable item.

64. At least one processor configured to access licensable items unique to a geographic area via a wireless device, the processor comprising:

a first module for obtaining access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device based upon an occurrence of a critical mass requirement;

a second module for downloading the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

a third module for leaving a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

65. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

at least one instruction for causing a computer to obtain access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device based upon an occurrence of a critical mass requirement;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to download the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

at least one instruction for causing the computer to leave a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

66. An apparatus, comprising:

means for obtaining access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device based upon an occurrence of a critical mass requirement;

means for downloading the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

means for leaving a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

67. An apparatus for accessing licensable items unique to a geographic area via a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:

a licensable item searching component operable to obtain access to at least one licensable item available in a first geographic area corresponding to a first location of the wireless device based upon an occurrence of a critical mass requirement;

a licensable item requesting component operable to download the licensable item, the licensable item being associated with a license providing the wireless device with a right to distribute the licensable item; and

a sharing component operable to leave a virtual copy of the licensable item in a second geographic area corresponding to a second location of the wireless device using the right to distribute, the virtual copy of the licensable item being associated with the license, the license further providing another wireless device with a right to access the virtual copy of the licensable item in the second geographic area and to redistribute the virtual copy of the licensable item.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the critical mass requirement comprises one of a minimum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area trying to access the licensable item, a maximum number of wireless devices in the second geographic area capable of accessing the licensable item, a configurable time period for accessing the licensable item, or any combination thereof

69. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the licensable item searching component is further operable to receive a notification of the critical mass requirement before obtaining access to the licensable item.

70. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the critical mass requirement varies based upon characteristics of a user associated with the wireless device.

71. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein a value of the critical mass requirement is a function of a user characteristic associated with another wireless device attempting to access the virtual copy of the licensable item.