Electronic book alternative delivery systems

• US 7,835,989 B1
• Filed: 04/13/1999
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Discovery Patent Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Discovery Communications, Inc. (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: McCoskey, John S., Hendricks, John S., Asmussen, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hewitt, II; Calvin L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Winter; John M
• Application Number:
  US09/289,957
• Time in Patent Office: 4,235 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/50, 348/7, 348/12
• US Class Current: 705/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• 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 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47805 Electronic banking banking in general G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8126 involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, distributes electronic text and graphics to subscribers. The system contains an operations center, a video distribution system or a variety of alternative distribution systems, a home subsystem, and a billing and collection system. The operations center and/or distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, message center, and uplink functions. The home subsystem connects to a video distribution system or variety of alternative distribution systems, generates menus and stores text, and transacts through communicating mechanisms. A portable book-shaped viewer is used for viewing the text. The billing system performs the transaction, management, authorization, collection and payments utilizing the telephone system or a variety of alternative communication systems.

Claims

1. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of a library unit, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the library unit has a library ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book from an operation center;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code from the operation center to the library unit, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the library unit, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code;

matching by the library unit the at least two unique ID numbers with the library ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer,

and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

displaying pages of the electronic book;

storing the electronic book in a memory, and controlling viewing of the electronic book via a control panel of the electronic book viewer, wherein the electronic viewer is separate from the library unit and communicates with library unit via a wired or wireless interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the library unit further comprises an external interface to an external receiver, the external receiver receiving the data, the external interface transmitting the data to the library unit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the external receiver is a television receiver.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the external receiver is a radio receiver.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the external receiver is a spread spectrum receiver.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the external receiver is a modem.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the library unit is a set top terminal operably connected to a television, and wherein the step of receiving the data signal receives broadcast television program signals, the data signal multiplexed with the television program signals, the method further comprising demultiplexing the data signal and the television program signals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the library unit is a smart card incorporated into a digital television, and wherein the step of receiving the data signal receives broadcast television program signals, the data signal multiplexed with the television program signals, the method further comprising demultiplexing the data signal and the television program signals.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the library unit is a smart card incorporated into a digital television, and wherein the digital television comprises a receiver that receives broadcast television program signals.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the digital television further comprises a demultiplexer that demultiplexes the received digital broadcast television program signals and the data signal.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the library unit is a personal computer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the personal computer further comprises a connector that couples the personal computer to a digital television, the digit television comprising a second receiver that receives the digital broadcast television program signals and the data signal, and wherein the personal computer sends the data signal and the local authorization code to decrypt the data signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the connector is one of a radio frequency connector, an infra red connector and a wired connector.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the wired connector comprises RS-232 connections and an RS-232 cable.

15. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has an endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code;

and matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the step of transmitting the data signal and the local authorization code to the endpoint site is performed by one of a telephone modem, a cable modem, a wireless modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) connector, a fiber optic connector, a local area net (LAN) connector and a satellite antenna connector.

16. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the data signal and the authorization code are received through an interface, wherein the interface comprises one of a radio frequency connector, a telephone modem, a cable modem, a wireless modem, an integrated digital services network connector, a fiber optic connector, and a local area net connector and a satellite antenna connector.

17. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the step of communicating generates an electronic book menu, and wherein the method further comprising sending commands, via a remote control, to scroll the electronic book menu and to select a desired electronic book for ordering.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the remote control is one of a wired control, an infra red control, and a radio frequency control.

19. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the electronic book is provided using a cable television network.

20. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the electronic book is provided via a broadcast.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the broadcast is provided from a national broadcaster.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the broadcast is provided from a broadcast affiliate.

23. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the electronic book is provided using a satellite broadcast, and wherein the satellite broadcast includes one or more of a direct to-home broadcast, a video network distribution broadcast, a regional broadcast, and a forward communications service broadcast.

24. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the ordering site includes one of a local cable system, a broadcast affiliate, a national broadcaster, an intranet site, an electronic book store and an electronic library.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of transmitting sends an electronic book selection to the local cable system, the local cable system returning the local authorization code.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the local authorization code is multiplexed with digital broadcast television program signals.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of transmitting sends an electronic book selection to the broadcast affiliate, the broadcast affiliate returning the local authorization code.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the local authorization code is multiplexed with digital broadcast television program signals.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of transmitting sends a program selection to the national broadcaster, the national broadcaster returning the local authorization code.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the local authorization code is multiplexed with digital broadcast television program signals.

31. The method of claim 24, wherein the ordering site comprises an authorization system, the authorization system receiving the request of the electronic book and generating an authorization signal, the authorization signal providing the local authorization code.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the ordering site is co-located with one of the local cable company, the broadcast affiliate and the national broadcaster.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the ordering site system includes a billing system, the billing system receiving the authorization signal and generating a billing record.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the billing record debits a subscriber'"'"'s account.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the billing system sends the billing record to a subscriber for payment.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the billing system charges a subscriber'"'"'s credit card account.

37. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the ordering site includes an electronic book menu, receives the electronic book selection and receives the processor identification.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the ordering site includes a billing system, the billing system receiving the local authorization code and generating a billing record.

39. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the local authorization code, comprises;

an identification code;

an address; and

one or more electronic book identifiers, wherein the identification code uniquely identifies the electronic book viewer receiving electronic book access authorization, the address identifies a location of the electronic book viewer and routing instructions, and the one or more electronic book identifiers specify the electronic books that are authorized for decrypting.

40. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the electronic book selection comprises a subscription.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the subscription is for an electronic newspaper.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the subscription is for an electronic magazine.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the subscription is received at the endpoint site periodically upon a log on of the method.

44. A method for providing electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

receiving, via a processor of an endpoint site, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the end point site has a endpoint ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the endpoint site, the data signal and the local authorization code;

storing the received authorization code; and

matching at endpoint site the at least two unique ID numbers with the endpoint ID and the electronic book viewer ID, transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the electronic book viewer, and at the electronic book viewer, prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

wherein the data signal further comprises a menu of available electronic books.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the menu includes an electronic book abstract, author, cost and year of publication of an original hard copy text.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the menu includes a review of the electronic book.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the menu includes a hypertext link to a web site on an Internet.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein the menu includes submenus.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the submenus include an electronic book selection confirmation submenu.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein the menu is displayed on a web page of an Internet, the web page including a home page and additional pages, the home page and the additional pages accessible by operation of forward, back and home buttons.

51. The method of claim 44, wherein the menu is provided in a hard-copy format, the hard copy format including electronic book identifiers.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein one or more of the electronic book identifiers are entered into the endpoint site to send the electronic book selection.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the electronic book identifiers are entered into the endpoint site by operation of a remote control coupled to the endpoint site.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the electronic book identifiers are entered into the endpoint site by operation of a soft key board displayed on a viewer.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the electronic book identifiers are entered into the endpoint site by operation of a key board coupled to a personal computer.

56. A system that provides electronic books to a subscriber, comprising:

means for receiving, via a processor of a library unit, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the library unit has a library ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

means for requesting the electronic book from an operation center;

means for determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

means for transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the endpoint site, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

means for receiving, at the library unit, the data signal and the local authorization code;

means for matching by the library unit the at least two unique ID numbers with the library ID and the electronic book viewer ID, means for storing the received authorization code;

means for transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code to the means for viewing, and

the means for viewing comprising;

means for prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

means for displaying pages of the electronic boo;

means for storing the electronic book, and means for controlling viewing of the electronic book via a control panel of the electronic book viewer, wherein the means for viewing is separated from the library unit and communicates with the library unit via a wired or wireless interface.

57. A non transitory computer-readable medium having control logic stored therein that when executed causes a computer to perform the steps of:

receiving, via a processor of a library unit, a request for an electronic book from an electronic book ordering site, wherein the library unit has a library ID, and wherein the electronic book ordering site includes an electronic book viewer that has a electronic book viewer ID;

requesting the electronic book from an operation center;

determining that a status of an account associated with the electronic book viewer is current, determining that the electronic book viewer is an authorized viewer;

transmitting a data signal and a local authorization code to the library unit, wherein the data signal comprises an encrypted content of the requested electronic book, and at least two unique ID numbers,

receiving, at the library unit, the data signal and the local authorization code and matching by the library unit the at least two unique ID numbers with the library ID and the electronic book viewer ID;

storing the received authorization code;

transmitting based upon the matching the data signal and the local authorization code,

and viewing comprising;

prior to viewing decrypting the encrypted content of the electronic book using the local authorization code;

displaying pages of the electronic book;

storing the electronic book, and

controlling viewing of the electronic book via a control panel of the electronic book viewer, wherein viewing is separated from the library unit and communicates with the library unit via a wired or wireless interface.