Electronic book selection and delivery system having encryption and security features

• US 7,299,501 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adrea LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Discovery Communications, Inc. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hendricks, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moise; Emmanuel L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Teslovich; Tamara
• Application Number:
  US09/964,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20020040472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,244 Days
• Field of Search: 380/200, 380/231, 725/34, 725/39, 725/60, 725/61, 725/151, 725/153, 726/26, 705 52- 54, 713/193
• US Class Current: 726/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2351 involving encryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4353 involving decryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0882 for the transmission of character code signals, e.g. for teletext circuits for the digital non-picture data signal H04N7/035
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0884 for the transmission of additional display-information, e.g. menu for programme or channel selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/10 Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable H04N7/12 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, is a new way to distribute books and other textual information to bookstores, libraries and consumers. The primary components of the system are a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting text that is placed in the video signal format. The system configuration for consumer use contains additional components and optional features that enhance the system, namely: (1) an operation center, (2) a video distribution system, (3) a home subsystem, including reception, selection, viewing, transacting and transmission capabilities, and (4) a billing and collection system. The operation center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, messaging center, and uplink functions. The home subsystem performs the functions of connecting to a video distribution system, menu selecting text, storing text, and transacting through phone or cable communicating mechanisms. A portable book-shaped viewing device is used for viewing the textual material delivered. The billing and collection system performs the transaction, management, authorization, collection and publisher payments automatically utilizing the telephone system.

Claims

1. A method for restricting access to electronic books displayed on a viewer, the method comprising:

storing an encrypted electronic book on a viewer, the electronic book having a plurality of pages;

receiving a request to view the electronic book; and

decrypting the pages for viewing on a page-by-page basis, including;

retrieving a selected page;

decrypting and displaying the selected page; and

encrypting the selected page when no longer displayed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the decrypting the pages step includes decrypting the pages on a page-by-page basis upon receiving a unique key associated with the electronic book.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving step includes displaying a menu providing an identification of the electronic book for selection.

4. A method for restricting access to electronic books displayed on a viewer, the method comprising:

associating an identification of the electronic book with a unique viewer;

storing an encrypted electronic book on a viewer only if the identification associated with the electronic book matches an identification of the viewer;

restricting access to the electronic book to the unique viewer for display on the unique viewer; and

decrypting the pages for viewing on a page-by-page basis, including;

retrieving a selected page;

decrypting and displaying the selected page; and

encrypting the selected page when no longer displayed.

5. The method of claim 4, further including displaying a menu providing an identification of the electronic book for selection.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the restricting step includes:

receiving an identification of the viewer; and

determining if the identification of the viewer corresponds with the unique viewer.

7. A method for restricting access to electronic books displayed on a viewer, the method comprising:

storing an electronic book on a viewer;

associating a predetermined amount of time after the electronic book is stored on the viewer with the electronic book;

allowing access to and display of the electronic book for the predetermined amount of time; and

restricting access to the electronic book, for display of the electronic book on the viewer, once the predetermined amount of time has passed.

8. The method of claim 7, further including deleting the electronic book from the viewer based upon the time parameter.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the deleting step includes automatically erasing the electronic book from the viewer upon expiration of a particular time period.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the restricting step includes providing permanent storage of the electronic book on the viewer.

11. A method for restricting access to electronic books displayed on a viewer, the method comprising:

associating an identification of a viewer unique key with an electronic book;

storing the electronic book on a viewer only if the identification associated with the electronic book matches the identification of the viewer;

encrypting the stored electronic book based upon the viewer unique key;

decrypting the electronic book only upon receipt of the viewer unique key, and

decrypting the pages for viewing on a page-by-page basis, including;

retrieving a selected page;

decrypting and displaying the selected page; and

encrypting the selected page when no longer displayed.

12. A portable viewer for displaying electronic books, comprising:

a memory for storing instructions;

a memory for storing electronic books; and

a display for displaying the electronic books; and

a processor that operates under control of the instructions and is capable of;

storing an encrypted electronic book on the viewer;

receiving a request to view the electronic book; and

decrypting the encrypted electronic book for viewing on a page-by-page basis following a decrypting process that comprises;

retrieving a selected page;

decrypting and displaying the selected page; and

encrypting the selected page when no longer displayed.

13. The portable viewer of claim 12 wherein the processor is further capable of decrypting the pages on a page-by-page basis upon receiving a unique key associated with the electronic book.

14. The portable viewer of claim 12 wherein the processor is further capable of displaying a menu providing an identification of the electronic book for selection.

15. A portable viewer for displaying electronic books, comprising:

a memory for storing instructions;

a memory for storing electronic books,

a display for displaying the electronic books; and

a processor that operates under control of the instructions and is capable of;

storing an encrypted electronic book on the viewer;

associating an identification of the electronic book with a unique viewer; and

restricting access to the electronic book to the unique viewer for display on the unique viewer; and

decrypting the pages for viewing on a page-by-page basis, including;

retrieving a selected page;

decrypting and displaying the selected page; and

encrypting the selected page when no longer displayed.

16. The portable viewer of claim 15, wherein the processor is further capable of displaying a menu providing an identification of the electronic book for selection.

17. The portable viewer of claim 16 wherein the processor is further capable of:

receiving an identification of the viewer; and

determining if the identification of the viewer corresponds with the unique viewer.

18. A portable viewer for displaying electronic books, comprising:

a memory for storing instructions;

a memory for storing electronic books;

a display for displaying the electronic books; and

a processor that operates under control of the instructions and is capable of;

storing an electronic book on the viewer;

associating a predetermined amount of time after the electronic book is stored on the viewer with the electronic book;

allowing access to and display of the electronic book for the predetermined amount of time; and

restricting access to the electronic book, for display of the electronic book on the viewer, once the predetermined amount of time has passed.

19. The portable viewer of claim 18, wherein the processor is further capable of deleting the electronic book from the viewer based upon the time parameter.

20. The portable viewer of claim 19 wherein the processor is further capable of automatically erasing the electronic book from the viewer upon expiration of a particular time period.

21. The portable viewer of claim 18, wherein the processor is further capable of providing permanent storage of the electronic book on the viewer.

22. A portable viewer for displaying electronic books, comprising:

a memory for storing instructions;

a memory for storing electronic books;

a display for displaying the electronic books; and

a processor that operates under control of the instructions and is capable of;

storing an encrypted electronic book on the viewer;

storing an identification of a viewer unique key;

encrypting the stored electronic book based upon the viewer unique key;

decrypting the electronic book only upon receipt of the viewer unique key; and

decrypting the pages for viewing on a page-by-page basis, including;

retrieving a selected page;

decrypting and displaying the selected page; and

encrypting the selected page when no longer displayed.