U.S. patent application number 10/331619 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-24 for digital information library and delivery system.
Invention is credited to Brenneman, Scott A., Jun, Benjamin Che-Ming, Katz, Donald R., Lau, Edwin J., Mott, Timothy, Pai, Samuel Hong-Yen.
Application Number | 20030140114 10/331619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24852684 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030140114 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Katz, Donald R. ; et
al. |
July 24, 2003 |
Digital information library and delivery system
Abstract
A computer network based digital information library system
employing authentication and encryption protocols for the secure
transfer of digital information library programs to a client
computer system and a mobile digital information playback device
removably connectable to the client computer system. The present
invention is a computer network based library and information
delivery system for accessing and obtaining selected digital
information files. The library and information delivery system
comprises: 1) a library server having a plurality of digital
information files; 2) a client computer system coupled to the
library server over a network; and 3) a mobile device removably
connectable to the client computer system, the client computer
system including logic for requesting a download of a selected one
or more of the digital information files from the library server,
the client computer system further including logic for downloading
the selected one or more of the digital information files to the
mobile device.
Inventors: |
Katz, Donald R.; (Montclair,
NJ) ; Lau, Edwin J.; (San Jose, CA) ; Mott,
Timothy; (Ketchum, ID) ; Brenneman, Scott A.;
(Menlo Park, CA) ; Jun, Benjamin Che-Ming; (Palo
Alto, CA) ; Pai, Samuel Hong-Yen; (Menlo Park,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Sheryl Sue Holloway
BLAKELY, SOKOLOFF, TAYLOR & ZAFMAN LLP
Seventh Floor
12400 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles
CA
90025-1026
US
|
Family ID: |
24852684 |
Appl. No.: |
10/331619 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10331619 |
Dec 31, 2002 |
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09234044 |
Jan 19, 1999 |
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6560651 |
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09234044 |
Jan 19, 1999 |
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08710114 |
Sep 12, 1996 |
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5926624 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/306 20130101;
G11B 20/00086 20130101; G07F 17/16 20130101; H04L 67/01 20220501;
G07F 7/1008 20130101; H04L 65/1101 20220501; Y10S 707/99945
20130101; H04L 9/40 20220501; G06Q 20/1235 20130101; H04L 2463/101
20130101; H04N 21/6131 20130101; H04L 63/0823 20130101; G11B
20/00195 20130101; H04L 67/06 20130101; G06Q 20/3552 20130101; H04L
65/612 20220501; H04L 67/02 20130101; H04L 67/04 20130101; G11B
20/00695 20130101; H04L 63/0428 20130101; H04L 69/329 20130101;
H04L 67/34 20130101; H04L 63/12 20130101; Y10S 707/99948
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/217 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A computer based library and information delivery system for
accessing and obtaining selected digital information files, said
library and information delivery system comprising: a library
server having a plurality of digital information files; a client
computer system coupled to said library server over a network; and
a mobile device removably connectable to said client computer
system, said client computer system including logic for requesting
a download of a selected one or more of said digital information
files from said library server, said client computer system further
including logic for downloading said selected one or more of said
digital information files to said mobile device.
2. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 further including an authoring system coupled to said library
server for generating or modifying said plurality of digital
information files.
3. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said plurality of digital information files includes
audio files, spoken audio files, visual image files, text files,
video files, multimedia files, operating code files, or
configuration information files.
4. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said library server further includes library management
software for interfacing with said client computer system and said
plurality of digital information files.
5. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said client computer system further includes a client
browser for interfacing with said library server and for making
selections of one or more of said digital information files from
said library server.
6. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said client computer system further includes a player for
tangibly playing said selected one or more of said digital
information files on said client computer system.
7. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said mobile device further includes a means for tangibly
playing said selected one or more of said digital information files
downloaded from said client computer system.
8. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 further including an authorization server coupled to said library
server for authorizing access to said plurality of digital
information files by said client computer system.
9. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said library server is a software process running on
several computer systems.
10. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
2 wherein said library server and said authoring system run on
different computer systems.
11. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
8 wherein said library server and said authorization server run on
different computer systems.
12. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 further including an authoring system coupled to said library
server for generating or modifying said plurality of digital
information files, said library and information delivery system
further including an authorization server coupled to said library
server for authorizing access to said plurality of digital
information files by said client computer system, said library and
information delivery system running on a single computer
system.
13. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 further including an authoring system coupled to said library
server for generating or modifying said plurality of digital
information files, said library and information delivery system
further including an authorization server coupled to said library
server for authorizing access to said plurality of digital
information files by said client computer system, said authoring
system and said authorization server running on a different
computer system than said library server.
14. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said client computer system further includes a local
library for local storage of a selected portion of said plurality
of digital information files.
15. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said mobile device further includes a network interface
for direct communication with a network without the aid of a client
computer system.
16. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said logic for downloading further includes logic for
limiting said download based on available memory of said mobile
device.
17. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said logic for downloading further includes logic for
performing authentication on each segment of said digital
information files downloaded to said mobile device.
18. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 wherein said client computer system further includes logic for
previewing said digital information files prior to being downloaded
to said mobile device.
19. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 further including authentication logic for authenticating access
to said library, said authentication logic including a means for
performing a point-to-point authentication protocol.
20. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 further including authentication logic for authenticating access
to said library, said authentication logic including a means for
performing a targeting authentication protocol.
21. The library and information delivery system as claimed in claim
1 further including authentication logic for authenticating access
to said library, said authentication logic including a means for
performing a digital signature authentication protocol.
22. In a computer based library and information delivery system,
said library and information delivery system including a library
server having a plurality of digital information files, a client
computer system coupled to said library server over a network, and
a mobile device removably connectable to said client computer
system, a method for accessing and obtaining selected digital
information files comprising the steps of: requesting a download of
a selected one or more of said digital information files from said
library server; and downloading said selected one or more of said
digital information files to said mobile device.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
generating or modifying said plurality of digital information
files.
24. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said plurality of
digital information files includes audio files, spoken audio files,
visual image files, text files, video files, multimedia files,
operating code files, or configuration information files.
25. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
activating library management software for interfacing with said
client computer system and said plurality of digital information
files.
26. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
interfacing with said library server and for making selections of
one or more of said digital information files from said library
server.
27. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
tangibly playing said selected one or more of said digital
information files on said client computer system.
28. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
tangibly playing said selected one or more of said digital
information files downloaded from said client computer system.
29. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
authorizing access to said plurality of digital information files
by said client computer system.
30. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including the steps
of generating or modifying said plurality of digital information
files, and authorizing access to said plurality of digital
information files by said client computer system, said library and
information delivery system running on a single computer
system.
31. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
locally storing a selected portion of said plurality of digital
information files.
32. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
directly communicating with a network without the aid of a client
computer system.
33. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
limiting said download based on available memory of said mobile
device.
34. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
performing authentication on each segment of said digital
information files downloaded to said mobile device.
35. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
previewing said digital information files prior to being downloaded
to said mobile device.
36. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
performing a point-to-point authentication protocol.
37. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
performing a targeting authentication protocol.
38. The method as claimed in claim 22 further including a step of
performing a digital signature authentication protocol.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a digital
information transmission, receiving, and playback system.
Specifically, the present invention pertains to a computer network
based digital information library providing interactive client
computer access.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] Recent technological advances in the compression of digital
data and the expansion of storage capacities of computer systems
together with the increased bandwidth of computer network
infrastructures have created new possibilities for personalized
access to and usage of large amounts of digital information. One
form of this type of digital information is audio information
delivered across a computer network as digitized information.
[0003] In the field of interactive digital information
transmission, receiving, and playback systems, several patents are
known to the present applicants. U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,992, issued
Jul. 21, 1992 to Yurt et al. (Yurt), describes a system of
distributing video and/or audio information employing digital
signal processing to achieve high rates of data compression. The
Yurt patent describes a transmission system including a conversion
means for placing the items from a source material library into a
predetermined format as formatted data. Audio data is compressed by
an audio compressor by application of an adaptive differential
pulse code modulation (ADPCM) process to the audio data. Stored
items are accessed in the compressed data library through the use
of a unique address code assigned to each item during storage
encoding. The unique address code is used for requesting and
accessing information and items throughout the Yurt transmission
and receiving process. The Yurt transmission system includes means
by which a user enters a customer identifier (ID) code by which the
system accesses the users account, and indicates to the system that
the user is a subscriber of the system. If a subscriber is in good
standing, the Yurt system delivers selected titles using the
described techniques.
[0004] One significant problem with the audio transmission and
receiving system described in Yurt is the lack of an effective
means for ensuring the security of the digital information library
and of the items downloaded to a user from the digital information
library. Although Yurt describes the use of a unique identification
code assigned to items in the library and a customer ID code
assigned to particular users, no authentication protocols or
encryption techniques are described to prevent the unauthorized
creation of clone libraries or the unauthorized download or copying
of library items. Secondly, Yurt and related prior art does not
describe an authentication or encryption means providing secure
transactions between a server based digital information library
supporting a client computer system having an interface to a mobile
playback device. Thirdly, the prior art does not describe a
mechanism for selecting a digital information passage to be
previewed. Prior art systems also do not describe a system whereby
only part of a program gets downloaded from a client computer
system to a mobile playback device depending on how much storage
space is available in the mobile playback device. Prior art systems
also do not describe a mechanism for specifying multiple programs
to be downloaded from a digital information library into a mobile
playback device. Prior art systems also do not detail the processes
required in the authoring system to generate content for the
digital information library. Finally, prior art systems do not
describe an accounting system whereby library content providers can
perform real-time queries on usage information related to the
access of library items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
computer network based digital information library system employing
authentication, targeting, and encryption protocols for the secure
transfer of digital information library programs to a client
computer system and a mobile digital information playback device
removably connectable to the client computer system. The present
invention is a computer network based library and information
delivery system for accessing and obtaining selected digital
information files. The library and information delivery system
comprises: 1) a library server having a plurality of digital
information files; 2) a client computer system coupled to the
library server over a network; and 3) a mobile device removably
connectable to the client computer system, the client computer
system including logic for requesting a download of a selected one
or more of the digital information files from the library server,
the client computer system further including logic for downloading
the selected one or more of the digital information files to the
mobile device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of the
present specification, illustrate the presently preferred
embodiment of the present invention and together with the general
description given above and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment given below serve to explain and teach the
principles of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical computer platform on which the
present invention may be implemented.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a high level block diagram of the
computer network based digital information library system of the
present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a high level block diagram of the
authoring system of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a
plurality of library servers.
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a
plurality of library server processes.
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a single
authoring/authorization server.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein client
computer systems have a local library.
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein mobile
playback devices have a direct network interface in lieu of a
client computer system.
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein a kiosk
is used to retain and distribute selected programming.
[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein all
system components are connected through a common network.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
computer network based digital information library system employing
authentication, targeting, and encryption protocols for the secure
transfer of digital information library programs to a client
computer system and a mobile digital information playback device
removably connectable to the client computer system. In the
following detailed description, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the art that these specific details need not be used to practice
the present invention. In other instances, well known structures,
interfaces, and processes have not been shown in detail in order
not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical data processing system upon
which one embodiment of the present invention is implemented. It
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, however
that other alternative systems of various system architectures may
also be used. The data processing system illustrated in FIG. 1
includes a bus or other internal communication means 101 for
communicating information, and a processor 102 coupled to the bus
101 for processing information. The system further comprises a
random access memory (RAM) or other volatile storage device 104
(referred to as main memory), coupled to bus 101 for storing
information and instructions to be executed by processor 102. Main
memory 104 also may be used for storing temporary variables or
other intermediate information during execution of instructions by
processor 102. The system also comprises a read only memory (ROM)
and/or static storage device 106 coupled to bus 101 for storing
static information and instructions for processor 102, and a mass
storage device 107 such as a magnetic disk drive or optical disk
drive. Mass storage device 107 is coupled to bus 101 and is
typically used with a computer readable mass storage medium 108,
such as a magnetic or optical disk, for storage of information and
instructions. The system may further be coupled to a display device
121, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display
(LCD) coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 for displaying information
to a computer user. An alphanumeric input device 122, including
alphanumeric and other keys, may also be coupled to bus 101 through
bus 103 for communicating information and command selections to
processor 102. An additional user input device is cursor control
123, such as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, or cursor direction keys
coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 for communicating direction
information and command selections to processor 102, and for
controlling cursor movement on display device 121. Another device
which may optionally be coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 is a
hard copy device 124 which may be used for printing instructions,
data, or other information on a medium such as paper, film, or
similar types of media. In the preferred embodiment, a
communication device 125 is coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 for
use in accessing other nodes of a network computer system or other
computer peripherals. This communication device 125 may include any
of a number of commercially available networking peripheral devices
such as those used for coupling to an Ethernet, token ring,
Internet, or wide area network. It may also include any number of
commercially available peripheral devices designed to communicate
with remote computer peripherals such as scanners, terminals,
specialized printers, or audio input/output devices. Communication
device 125 may also include an RS232 or other conventional serial
port, a conventional parallel port, a small computer system
interface (SCSI) port or other data communication means.
Communications device 125 may use a wireless means of data transfer
devices such as the infrared IRDA protocol, spread-spectrum, or
wireless LAN. In addition, communication device 125 is used in the
preferred embodiment to couple the mobile playback device 212 to
the client computer system 214 as described in more detail below.
One other device used in the preferred embodiment is sound
circuitry 130 either with attached speakers or headphones 132, or
with analog audio outputs suitable for input into audio
reproduction equipment such as external amplifiers and speakers,
cassette adapters, etc. Sound circuitry 130 is well known in the
art for playing audio files. Alternatively, sound circuitry may be
a radio transmitter which transmits audio data on a predefined
frequency for reception and playback by a radio receiver. Other
wireless methods are possible.
[0019] Note that any or all of the components of the system
illustrated in FIG. 1 and associated hardware may be used in
various embodiments of the present invention; however, it will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any
configuration of the system may be used for various purposes
according to the particular implementation. In one embodiment of
the present invention, the data processing system illustrated in
FIG. 1 is an IBM.RTM. compatible personal computer (PC), an Apple
MacIntosh.RTM. personal computer, or a SUN.RTM. SPARC Workstation.
Processor 102 may be one of the 80X86 compatible microprocessors
such as the 80486 or PENTIUM.RTM. brand microprocessors
manufactured by INTEL.RTM. Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif.
[0020] The software implementing the present invention can be
stored in main memory 104, mass storage device 107, or other
storage medium accessible to processor 102. It will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art that the methods and processes
described herein can be implemented as software stored in main
memory 104 or read only memory 106 and executed by processor 102.
This software may also be resident on an article of manufacture
comprising a computer usable mass storage medium 108 having
computer readable program code embodied therein and being readable
by the mass storage device 107 and for causing the processor 102 to
perform digital information library transactions and protocols in
accordance with the teachings herein.
[0021] Digital Information Library System
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates the computer network architecture used in
the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In general, the
network architecture of the present invention includes a library
site 250 coupled to a client site 210 via a conventional
distribution network infrastructure 240. This conventional
distribution network infrastructure 240 can be implemented as a
standard telephone connection provided between the library site 250
and client site 210 through an Internet provider to enable data
communication on the Internet over a conventional telephone
network. This use of the Internet as a distribution network is well
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In an alternative
embodiment having cable modem capability, communication over a
conventional cable network is possible in lieu of communication
over the telephone network. The cable network is typically much
faster (i.e. provides a much greater bandwidth) than the standard
telephone network; however, cable modems are typically more
expensive than standard POTS (plain old telephone system) modems.
In another alternative embodiment having conventional Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN) capability, the distribution
network 240 is accessed using an ISDN modem. Again, the ISDN
network is typically faster than the POTS network; however, access
to an ISDN network is generally more expensive. Cable modems and
ISDN implementations are alternative communications media to the
POTS implementation.
[0023] In addition, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art that other forms of networking may equivalently be
supported by the present invention. For example, a wireless
transmission means such as infrared or radio links may also provide
the distribution network 240 described in the present application.
As an alternative to the Internet, a proprietary network/bulletin
board such as AMERICA-ON-LINE (AOL), or COMPUSERVE may be used.
[0024] Each of the servers at library site 250 and the client
computer system 214 at client site 210 can be implemented as a
computer system such as the one described above in connection with
FIG. 1. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
that the library server 260, authoring system 280, and
authorization server 270 can be remotely located yet networked
together as a distributed system using the techniques described
above. In addition, the present invention allows for multiple
library servers, authoring systems and authorization servers.
Conversely, the servers may be implemented as separate functions of
a single machine. These alternative embodiments are illustrated in
FIGS. 4-8 and are described in more detail below.
[0025] The mobile playback device 212 is a minimally configured,
low-cost, standalone mobile unit for receiving and storing digital
information files or programs as downloaded by library server 260
and client computer system 214 and for playing back the digital
information files or programs for a user of the mobile playback
device 212. The mobile playback device 212 is temporarily removably
coupled to the client computer system 214 while the download takes
place. Once downloaded, the mobile playback device 212 may be
detached from the client computer system 214 and used as a
standalone digital information playback device. A co-pending U.S.
patent application titled, "Interactive Audio Transmission,
Receiving and Playback System", assigned Ser. No. 08/490,537, and
assigned to the Audible Words Corporation of Montclair, N.J.
describes the details of mobile playback device 212.
[0026] In its basic form, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is a digital information library system providing
selection of digital information programming on demand over a
computer network. In an alternative embodiment, the digital
information programming is selected via the computer network but
delivered using mass storage media 241. This alternative embodiment
is described in more detail below.
[0027] The digital information library is an indexed collection of
digital information programming, drawing content from digital
information sources such as books, daily news and entertainment
feeds, conferences and educational sources, other computer systems,
the host on the World Wide Web (WWW) of the Internet, and
customized audio or visual image programming. Other sources of the
digital information content include, but are not limited to,
conference or seminar proceedings, lecture or speech materials,
language lessons, readings, comedy, customized spoken digests and
related, "need-to-know" business information, computer software,
local sound studio material, text to speech conversion of machine
readable files, pre-recorded material from magnetic tape, CD-ROM,
digital audio tape, or analog cassette tape. This digital
information content is input as raw digital information content to
authoring system 280 shown in FIG. 2. In an alternative embodiment,
a raw digital information digitizer 307 is included for receiving
raw input and converting the input to a digital form which can be
manipulated as a digital information file.
[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the digital information
comprises digitized image or graphics data used to produce visual
images on a display screen or projection screen. These images may
be included in the digital information retained and maintained by
the library server 260.
[0029] Authoring System
[0030] Authoring system 280 is used to edit, index, compress,
scramble, segment, and catalog digital information content into
digital information programs in digital information files, which
are stored on mass storage media 241 or on library server 260 as
scrambled and compressed digital information files 262. The digital
information programs are initially categorized according to
traditional criteria (e.g. genre, modern fiction, mystery,
adventure, romance, non-fiction, classics, self-help, science
fiction, westerns, etc.). Categories associated with specific
authors or publishers are also provided. Both unabridged and
abridged titles are provided. In some circumstances, it may be
necessary to digitize digital information content from an
undigitized form. The raw information digitizer 307 is provided for
this purpose. Authoring system 280 also partitions digital
information content into segments, which can be identified,
searched, and skipped over if desired. All of these functions are
performed by authoring system 280.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates the authoring system 280 of the preferred
embodiment. Authoring system 280 receives digital information
content from a variety of conventional sources as raw digitized
data. This digital information data is fed to three components of
the authoring system 280 of the preferred embodiment. The digital
information compressor 314 receives the raw digital data and
compresses the digitized data. There are a variety of conventional
techniques in existence for compressing digital data. These
techniques can be optimized depending upon the type of digital data
being processed. Thus, the present invention provides several
compression methods and a means for the authoring system operator
305 to select between these methods based upon the category of
digital information content 310 being input to the digital
information compressor 314. Alternatively, the selection of
compression method may be performed automatically by interpretation
of the digital information content 310 itself. A compressed digital
information file is output by digital information compressor 314 to
scrambler 318.
[0032] The raw digital information content 310 is also fed to
template header generator 312. Each digital information file
maintained by the library server 260 includes other descriptive
information used to identify the file's content and to provide
information used to process the digital information within the
file. Each digital information file includes a template header, a
descrambling map, selected preview clips, and the digital
information programming itself. In the preferred embodiment, the
template header comprises a number of attributes corresponding to
the digital information in the file. For example, the digital
information may be audio information generated from the content of
a book or other published work. In this example, the audio file
template header contains attributes including: 1) the title of a
book, volume, or medium from which the digital information content
originated, 2) the legal copyright associated with the digital
information content, 3) audible title(s) of the content, 4) a table
of contents of the content, and 5) playback settings for
appropriately playing or rendering the digital information. The
table of contents contains content navigation information including
but not limited to: the number of chapters, the length of the
program, and information indicative of the relevant content
sections. The table of contents is generated with input from
authoring system operator 305 or automatically by analysis of
digital information content 310. The descrambling map 322 is used
to interpret the digital information after the digital information
has been scrambled by scrambler 318 as described below. The preview
clips 324 comprise short pre-generated portions of digital
information content used to give a consumer a sense of the content
of a particular digital information file. In the preferred
embodiment, these previews are generated as conventional formatted
files which can be directly played by sound generation circuitry
130 or rendered by other means. A digital information file can have
several preview clips associated with it. The preview clips 324 are
not compressed or scrambled in the preferred embodiment. The
template header 312 remains with the digital information file as it
is transferred to the network 240 or mass storage media 241. The
other descriptive information related to a digital information file
is typically stored with digital information file, but is not
required to be so stored.
[0033] Referring again to FIG. 3, template header generator 312
generates the template header given information from a particular
portion of digital information content 310. Input from Authoring
System Operator 305 and Digital Information Compressor 314 may be
solicited during the header generation process. The template header
is provided to library server 260. Other portions of the digital
information file header are provided by scrambler 318 and preview
generator 323. These portions of the digital information file
header are assembled into the header for a particular digital
information file by library server 260. The remainder of the
digital information file is filled with compressed, scrambled, and
segmented digital information content.
[0034] After digital information compressor 314 has compressed the
raw digital information using a selected compression method
suitable for the category of digital information, the scrambler 318
scrambles the digital information. The digital information is
scrambled to prevent an unauthorized consumer from using the
digital information. In the preferred embodiment, scrambler 318
uses a conventional encryption method to render the data unusable.
A corresponding descrambling map 322 is generated to provide a
means for descrambling the scrambled digital information file. A
scrambling map 316 is used by scrambler 318 to scramble the digital
information file. The scrambler 318 can encrypt the entire digital
information file or selected critical subsets of the digital
information file. The level of scrambling can be selected depending
upon the capabilities of the authoring system 280, the mobile
playback device 212 and/or the anticipated software player 226 on
client computer system 214. In an alternative embodiment, a
proprietary digital information format is used in lieu of scrambler
318.
[0035] The scrambled digital information content is output by
scrambler 318 to segmentation logic 326. Segmentation logic 326
partitions the digital information content into blocks for
efficient storage in and transfer to a mobile playback device 212
or software player 226 and for efficient navigation during
playback. Transport integrity data is generated and appended to the
segmented digital information. In an alternate embodiment, portions
of the segmentation process may take place before or after digital
information compressor 314 and scrambler 318. Segmentation
information may also be used in the header generation process by
template header generator 312. The compressed, scrambled, and
segmented digital information blocks are provided to the library
server 260 by authoring system 280. Library server 260 assembles
the segmented digital information blocks, the descrambling map 322,
the preview clip(s) 324, and the template header 312 for a
particular item of digital information content into a digital
information program file or files, which are stored in a digital
information program file storage area 262. Other raw digital
information content is converted into digital information files
using the authoring system 280 in a similar manner.
[0036] Library Server
[0037] Referring again to FIG. 2, the library server 260 is
responsible for maintaining the digital information program files
262 created by the authoring system 280. In addition, the library
server 260 receives requests for access to the digital information
program files 262 from client computer systems 214 over network 240
and manages purchase and delivery of the selected digital
information files and/or delivery of selected preview clips 324.
The library server 260 includes library management software 261 for
performing these library server functions and a library key 263
used for the authentication protocol described below. Library
management software 261 includes processing logic for receiving and
responding to client computer system 214 requests for access and/or
purchase of a digital information program file 262. Upon receiving
such a client request, library server 260 uses authorization server
270 to authenticate the request with client information 272
generated and maintained by library server 260 or authorization
server 270. The client information 272 includes client identifiers
which are used to target content for playback on individual mobile
playback devices 212 or software players 226. Client information
272 may also contain client personal information, user content
preferences, client billing history, player usage history, and
player group lists. In an alternative embodiment, portions of
client information 272 may instead be stored in server 260. Using
the authorization protocol described in more detail below, the
library server 260 determines if the client request can be
serviced. If approved, the library server 260 accesses the digital
information program file(s) or preview clip(s) requested by the
client computer system 214, delivers the selected preview clip(s)
or builds encrypted, targeted, and digitally signed digital
information files using the authentication protocol described in
more detail below, and transfers the encrypted and compressed
digital information file(s) to the requesting client computer
system 214 via network 240. Distributable mass storage media 241
may also be used as a delivery medium for the transfer of
information to client system 214. The client computer system 214
may then independently download the selected digital information
files (or a subset thereof) into the mobile playback device 212 for
subsequent playback. The library server 260 also collects usage
statistics on the access history of the digital information files
262 and stores this usage data into usage statistic storage area
264. The library server 260 also stores operating code segments
(firmware) for the client browser 219, software player 226, and for
mobile playback device 212. This operating code can be downloaded
to the client computer system 214 in the same manner as digital
information files are transferred. Player configuration data for
playback device 212 and software player 226 is stored on the
library server 260 and can be customized or updated in the same
manner as digital information files and firmware are transferred.
Configuration data includes, but is not limited to, audio prompts,
user interface options, group ID information, and information
playback parameters. Player configuration data is transferred to
client computer system 214, software player 226, or mobile playback
device 212 as required according to client information 272.
[0038] The library server 260 interfaces with a client application
program or client browser 219 executing on client computer system
214. The client browser 219 is used to make requests of library
server 260 for various types of service including, but not limited
to, searching the digital information files 262 for a desired
program, previewing a selected preview clip associated with a
digital information file 262, purchasing a selected program,
requesting operating code segments or player configuration data,
and downloading the purchased program or other material to the
requesting client computer system 214.
[0039] The library server 260 interface with the authorization
server 270 and client computer system 214 uses the unique
authentication protocol and encryption protocol of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The preferred embodiment of
these protocols is described in the sections below.
[0040] Client Computer System
[0041] Referring again to FIG. 2, the client computer system 214
represents a consumer or end user computer system, typically a
personal computer, such as the sample system illustrated in FIG. 1,
with which a consumer may browse, preview, select, purchase, and
take delivery of digital information content from digital
information library server 260 across distribution network 240.
Client computer system 214 comprises client browser software 219, a
mobile device interface 221, storage for encrypted and compressed
digital information files 220 downloaded from the network 240,
software player 226, and segment download data 222 derived from
digital information files 220 for defining the storage segments in
mobile playback device 212 and for assisting in the downloading of
digital information files 220 from client computer system 214 to
mobile playback device 212. Client computer system 214 also
includes a server public key 215 used for authenticating digital
information and software files received from server 260. Client
browser software 219 provides the control logic with which the
client or consumer accesses and purchases titles from the digital
information library 262 of library server 260. Client browser
software 219 also provides control logic which requests and
downloads configuration information or operating code from server
260. The client browser software 219 can be configured to perform
these operations without direct human intervention. The mobile
device interface 221 is a software interface used to control the
transfer of control information, operating code, and digital
information files from client computer system 214 to mobile
playback device 212. Encrypted and compressed digital information
files 220 are received by client computer system 214 from library
server 260 over network 240. In an alternate embodiment,
distributable mass storage media 241 is used instead of network 240
to transfer information to client computer system 214. The software
player 226 is a software module used to emulate the operation of
mobile playback device 212 and for playing digital information
files through the sound circuitry 130 and audio output device 132
of client computer system 214. Operating code and configuration
information for the software player 226 can be downloaded or
updated from the server 260 in the same manner as the mobile
playback device 212 can be downloaded or updated. The software
player 226 functionality is the equivalent of the functionality and
operation of the mobile playback device 212. Thus, the use of the
term "player" throughout this document generally applies to both
the mobile playback device 212 and software player 226. Software
players 226 are assigned unique player IDs and can be assigned
group IDs that function similarly to IDs assigned to mobile
playback devices 212.
[0042] Mobile Playback Device
[0043] The mobile playback device 212 converts a digital
information file into sound or displayable imagery which is played
through audio output means or displayed on a display device. In the
preferred embodiment, the mobile playback device 212 is a minimal
capability, low-cost device primarily dedicated to playing audio
files or displaying visual images or text on a display device. The
mobile playback device 212 is minimally configured to retain its
light-weight, low cost, and readily mobile features. The preferred
embodiment does not therefore include the use of a portable
personal computer or laptop computer as the mobile playback device
212; because, such general purpose computing devices typically do
not meet the light-weight and low cost constraints of the preferred
mobile playback device 212. Such general purpose computing devices
typically have unnecessary functionality, more complicated
interfaces, and may suffer cost and performance penalties in
comparison to the special purpose mobile playback device 212. In
the preferred embodiment, the mobile playback device 212 includes a
processor, memory, and an interface to client computer system 214
over which compressed digital information files 216 are received.
As described in more detail below, mobile playback device 212 also
includes a player ID 223, group IDs 225, and server public key 215
used for authenticating digital information and software files
received from server 260 via client computer system 214. The user
controls the mobile playback device 212 using buttons and knobs
provided on the device. These controls are used to navigate through
digital information files 216, adjust configuration data and
playback parameters, or perform other functions as directed by
firmware stored in playback device 212. When coupled to the player,
client computer system 214 or other electronic devices can solicit
user input from these controls. In an alternative embodiment, a set
of additional user controls is provided on a remote control unit
that is coupled to the player via a wired or wireless connection.
Digital information output may be provided via a headphone jack, on
board speaker, or wireless transmitter to a separate wireless
receiver with speakers or headphones. Audio level can be adjusted
with a volume knob. A wireless transmitter may contain an
adjustment knob to adjust the transmission frequency or other
transmission parameters. Visual information output is provided via
LCD display, LED display, or outputs to a standard visual display
device. The mobile playback device 212 contains a limited quantity
of non-volatile memory, RAM, and ROM. Digital information content,
configuration data, and operating code are stored in the memory
space of the mobile playback device 212. Configuration data
includes but is not limited to: public and private IDs, content
playback parameters, and user interface parameters. The use of
non-volatile memory allows portions of the digital information
content, configuration data, and firmware to be updated via
download. Both digital information content and firmware (operating
software) is stored in this memory device. Portions of the firmware
and configuration information are stored permanently in a read only
memory (ROM). An internal memory allocation method is used to track
the content of mobile playback device 212 memory. This allocation
method, in conjunction with segment navigation data 218, also
provides the means for locating desired digital information,
program, configuration data, or header data resident in the mobile
playback device 212 memory. The mobile playback device 212 includes
an interface to the client computer system 214 through which the
mobile playback device 212 receives compressed digital information
files 216, software updates, and configuration changes from client
computer system 214.
[0044] Downloading Digital Information Content, Software Updates,
or Configuration Information from the Library Server to the Client
Computer System
[0045] The client browser software 219 of client computer system
214 operates in cooperation with library management software 261 of
library server 260 and the firmware resident on the mobile playback
device 212 to provide a means by which a consumer may browse,
preview, select, purchase, and take delivery of selected digital
information content from digital information library server 260
across distribution network 240. The digital information content is
typically downloaded to the client computer system 214 at the time
of purchase, but it is possible to download digital information
content either, 1) sometime after the purchase, or 2) multiple
times after an initial purchase. The client browser 219 can be
configured to download content to client computer system 214
without user intervention. In addition, portions of the client
computer system 214 software itself or mobile playback device 212
resident software/firmware may be downloaded or updated from
library server 260. The mobile playback device 212 resident
software/firmware is downloaded through client computer system 214.
If library server 260 has an updated or more recent copy of client
computer system 214 software or mobile playback device 212
software/firmware, the library server copy is downloaded to replace
the outdated version of the corresponding client computer system
214 software or mobile playback device software 212. The software
is encrypted, scrambled, and digitally signed in a manner similar
to the scrambling and delivery of the digital information files.
Changes to the ID list, audio prompts, and other configuration data
for playback device 212 can be downloaded in a manner similar to
the downloading of software updates from library server 260.
[0046] The preferred embodiment utilizes three authentication
processes to protect the transfer of information from server 260 to
client system 214 and playback device 212. First, a point-to-point
authentication protocol is performed whereby the library server 260
must verify that the requesting client computer system 214 is an
authorized client and the client computer system 214 must verify
that the library server 260 is an authorized provider. Secondly, a
targeting protocol is performed whereby the library server 260
utilizes a set of identifiers (i.e. player IDs) for mobile playback
devices 212 authorized to receive the selected download data from
library server 260. The mobile playback device identifiers are
provided by client computer system 214 or are referenced from user
profiles stored on library server 260. In the targeting process,
library server 260 formats and downloads data that can only be read
by mobile devices 212 with these identifiers. Thirdly, a library
server digital signature is appended to the downloaded data for use
by the mobile playback device 212 to verify that the downloaded
data was originated by an authorized library server. These three
authentication processes of the present invention are described in
detail in the following sections.
[0047] Point-to-Point Authentication Protocol
[0048] The library server 260, client computer system 214, and
mobile playback devices 212 each have a unique verification
sequence which is used to verify the authenticity of another
system. In communications between library server 260 and client
system 214, both systems alternately act to (1) request
verification of the other system and (2) provide an authenticating
response to a verification request. Communication between mobile
devices 212 and client computer system 214 use a similar
authentication protocol, as well as real-time communication between
mobile devices 212 and library server 260 via client system 214.
This verification sequence comprises a pre-defined set of bit
streams or data structures which are sent by the requesting system
(i.e. the system requesting verification) to the receiving system
being authenticated (i.e. the respondent) in a point-to-point
transmission. The receiving system must respond to the verification
sequence in a pre-defined manner by sending particular response bit
streams or data structures to the requesting system. If the
appropriate response data from the respondent is received by the
requesting system, the system being verified is considered an
authorized system. Conversely, the system being verified is
considered unauthorized if the appropriate response data is not
received by the requesting system prior to a pre-defined time-out
period. Both systems begin communication by acting as requesters
and respondents in separate verification cycles. Upon completion of
these point-to-point authentication cycles, further client/server
processing only continues if both systems deem each other to be
authorized systems.
[0049] In an alternate embodiment, point-to-point authentication is
used in a subset of the communications among library server 260,
client computer system 214, and mobile playback devices 212. In
another embodiment, point-to-point authentication is not used and
system security rests on the use of targeting and/or digital
signature authentication.
[0050] Targeting Protocol
[0051] The targeting protocol of the present invention is a means
and method for limiting the playback of digital information
content, the adjustment of player configuration data, and the
download of player operating code to a specified player 212/226 or
a specified set of mobile playback devices 212. Each player 212/226
contains a unique player ID 223. The player ID 223 comprises a
public player ID and a private player ID. The public player ID is a
unique identifier and serves as a serial number for player
identification. The private player ID is used to target data for
individual mobile playback devices 212. Private player IDs are
never sent through any communications link or network path, except
during installation. In the preferred embodiment, private player
IDs should be sufficiently diverse, but need not be unique.
[0052] Mobile playback devices 212 may be logically grouped
together using a Group ID. Digital information content, software,
or configuration data changes may be targeted to a group of mobile
playback devices 212 defined by a group ID. Each player 212/226
includes memory space for storage of one or more group IDs 225 of
which the particular player 212/226 is a member. Each group ID
includes a public portion and a private portion, each of which is
equivalent to the public and private player IDs, respectively. Each
group is identified by a uniquely valued public ID that is not
shared with other player or group IDs. Digital information content,
software, or configuration data can be targeted to a particular
group ID in the same way as it would be targeted for a specific
player ID. Mobile playback devices 212 in the same group share the
same Group ID. A particular Group ID. is pre-defined as the global
group to which all mobile playback devices 212 are a member. Mobile
playback devices 212 may be members of more than one group. A
particular player 212/226 is added to a new group by appending the
new group ID to the set of group IDs 225 maintained in the
particular player 212/226. The new group ID is appended after the
server 260 provides a public group ID and a group key to the player
212/226 via client computer system 214. The player 212/226
generates a private group ID from the combination of the group key
and the mobile playback device's 212 private player ID. As with the
private player ID, the private group ID is never sent through any
communications link or network path, except during installation. In
an alternative embodiment, players receive the group private ID
directly or by combining the group key with the players public ID
or other known numeric value. In another alternative embodiment,
the private group ID is not used in the targeting process and is
not transferred to the player. The group assignment process may be
restricted to using real-time communications between server 260 and
the player via client system 214, or it may take place sometime
after group assignments have been downloaded to client system 214.
Having described the player IDs and group IDs defined in the
present invention, the use of these IDs in the targeting protocol
is described next.
[0053] Library server 260 includes a player ID table 266 as shown
in FIG. 2. Player ID. table 266 includes a storage area for private
IDs and public IDs. The private IDs are pre-loaded into player
table 266 when a new mobile playback device is installed into the
system or when a new group is established. In another embodiment,
ID table 266 is a mathematical function which converts group or
player public IDs. Public player and group IDs are sent by a client
computer system 214 to the server 260 when the client computer
system 214 desires to target a particular player 212/226 or set of
mobile playback devices 212 to a particular specified digital
information, software content, or configuration data selection.
Digital information selection is made from the files 262 stored on
library server 260. Software or configuration data selection is
made from files stored on server 260 or from data generated upon
request by server 260. Software content and configuration data is
prepared and scrambled in a manner similar to the authoring process
for digital information content. Once an association is made by
client computer system 214 between a set of targeted public IDs and
the associated data to be transferred from server 260, library
server 260 creates a targeted header for the selected files. The
library management software 261 consults the public ID to private
ID table 266 to locate the corresponding targeted private ID(s).
The targeted header comprises a combination of the descrambling map
322 from the selected files with the private player IDs
corresponding to the targeted mobile playback devices 212. The
descrambling map 322 is thereby encrypted using the secret IDs of
the targeted mobile playback device(s) 212. This targeted header is
linked with the corresponding digital information or software
content of the selected file in a network transport ready data
block. A digital signature is applied to the data block as
described below in connection with the data signature protocol.
Transport integrity data (such as the use of checksums or cyclic
redundancy check) is applied to the data block and the data block
is sent to the client computer system 214 via network 240. Because
the data block can only be unscrambled using the corresponding
descrambling block 322 in its header and because the descrambling
block 322 was combined (i.e. encrypted) with a private ID known
only by the targeted mobile playback device(s) 212, only the
targeted mobile playback device(s) 212 will be able to unscramble
and read the data block. The selected digital information, software
content, and configuration data is thereby targeted to a particular
set of mobile playback devices 212.
[0054] For small groups of mobile playback devices 212, each
targeted header of a digital information file may contain a
plurality of descrambling maps, each associated with a different
player 212/226. In this manner, multiple mobile playback devices
212 can read a single file 220 stored on the client computer system
214.
[0055] A person of ordinary skill in the art will note that
alternative methods of targeting exist. In an alternative
embodiment, library server 260 uses the targeted recipient's
private player 212/226 identifier or the targeted group's private
group identifier to generate scrambling map 316. Descrambling map
322 is not stored with the file as it is already known by the
recipient player or group. This method targets content to a single
player 212/226 or group and achieves the identical result of
preventing unauthorized playback of content.
[0056] In another alternative embodiment, library server 260 does
not scramble the digital information content or uses a known key to
scramble the digital information content. In this embodiment,
descrambling map 322 is unnecessary and is not stored with the
file. Either the public or private player 212/226 identifier can be
stored in the header for targeting identification purposes. Upon
receipt of data from library server 260, the player 212/226 checks
if its player 212/226 identifier or group identifier is included in
the header. This method assumes unmodified mobile playback devices
212 and achieves the identical result of preventing unauthorized
playback of content.
[0057] In another alternative embodiment, the player IDs for the
targeted mobile playback devices 212 are sent to the library server
260 by the client computer system 214 when the user registers with
the library server 260 to obtain the user's client ID. In this
alternative embodiment, these player IDs are stored on the library
server 260 in a user profile. In this embodiment, the library
server 260 manages the player IDs for the targeted mobile playback
devices 212.
[0058] Digital Signature Protocol
[0059] The third authentication protocol used in the present
invention is the digital signature protocol. For selected data
blocks generated by library server 260 and downloaded to a client
computer system 214, library server 260 uses its private library
key 263 to apply a digital signature to the data block. The digital
signature comprises a known bit string or data pattern which is
combined with the data in data blocks that are downloaded from
library server 260 to client computer system 214. The library
server 260 may perform this operation on all the data blocks or a
selected subset of the data blocks. After a data block is
downloaded to a player 212/226 through a client computer system
214, the player 212/226 can retrieve the digital signature applied
by the library server 260 using a public server key known to the
player 212/226. The player 212/226 can thereby verify that the data
block originated with an authorized library server 260. The public
server key is also known to client computer system 214, which can
perform the identical operation to verify that the data block
originated with an authorized library server 260. In this
embodiment, library server 260 performs signatures on the content.
A person of ordinary skill in the art would realize that the
signatures may also be performed on the digital information by
authoring system 280. The signatures may also be performed in a
multiple step process shared by authoring system 280 and library
server 260.
[0060] In an alternate embodiment, digital signatures are applied
to downloaded material by a trusted client computer system 214. In
another alternate embodiment, digital signatures are not applied to
downloaded material and system security rests on the use of
targeting and/or point-to-point authentication.
[0061] Downloading Digital Information Content, Software Updates,
or Configuration Information from the Client Computer System to the
Mobile Playback Device
[0062] In a first step, the client computer system 214 and the
mobile device use the point-to-point authentication protocol
described above to verify that an authorized mobile playback device
212 is communicating with an authorized client computer system 214.
If this is the case, the mobile playback device 212 transmits its
memory map to the client computer system 214 via the mobile device
interface 221. A table of contents defining the available digital
information files 220 and player configuration profiles resident in
client computer system 214 is displayed along with the mobile
playback device 212 memory map for a user of client computer system
214. The user selects which files 220 of client computer system 214
should replace portions or segments of specified mobile playback
device 212 memory as defined by the mobile playback device 212
memory map. Alternately, client browser 219 can be configured to
automatically perform this selection process. In either case, the
user is prevented from selecting digital information content larger
than the available memory of playback device 212. In addition,
control software and/or configuration data for playback device 212
may be automatically updated by client computer 214. The specified
digital information files 220, associated headers, operating code,
or configuration data are thereafter downloaded into mobile
playback device 212 memory. The mobile playback device 212 uses
checksums to verify the integrity of the download. The mobile
playback device 212 uses the server public key 215, the header, and
the digital signature to authenticate the download as described
above. The header descrambling map is used by targeted mobile
playback devices 212 to unscramble the downloaded data. In other
embodiments, mobile playback device 212 may unscramble the
downloaded data and/or decompress the downloaded data before
authenticating the signature. Each segment of the digital
information content may be independently authenticated and
validated using any of the techniques described above. Digital
information prompts on the mobile playback device 212 guide the
user to the desired portion of the downloaded digital information
content as specified by the table of contents residing in the
header of the downloaded data. The user may preview selected
portions of the digital information content by selecting a preview
option. The preview option plays a predetermined portion of a
selected digital information program. Upon selection of a
particular digital information program, the selected digital
information program is played for the user after the mobile
playback device 212 converts the digital information content into
sound or displayable imagery which is played through an audio
output means or displayed on a display device.
[0063] The software player 226 of client computer system 214 may
also receive digital information content in approximately the same
form as the digital information content downloaded to the mobile
playback device 212; however, the digital information content for
the software player 226 does not need to be downloaded to the
software player 226. The software player 226 has direct access to
the digital information content; because, it shares memory and/or
disk storage space with the client computer system 214. Therefore,
there are no downloading or memory map concerns. In the same manner
as the mobile playback device 212, the software player 226 performs
digital signature verification, verification of checksums, and
receiving targeted information. In an alternative embodiment,
software player 226 may use a communication protocol similar to
that of mobile playback device 212 when receiving digital
information content, configuration information, and dynamically
downloaded software.
[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 4, authoring system 280 can support a
plurality of library servers 260. Each library server can be
configured to support a specific type of digital information
content. In the same manner described above, the client computer
systems 214 access network 240 and obtain digital information
content from any of the library servers 260 after performing the
authentication process described above. Authorization server 270 is
provided for this purpose. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 4
provides a more distributed architecture thereby dispersing the
load across several server platforms. A site with many client
computer systems 214 may have its own library server 260 to reduce
demand on network 240. This architecture scales well as the number
of client computer systems 214 grows and the content provided by
the library server 260 grows.
[0065] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention except the library server 461 has been implemented as a
plurality of separate processes or tasks 460 running concurrently
on a single library server platform 461. Each library server
process 460 services requests for access to its corresponding
portion of the digital information content. This content is created
using authoring system 280 in the manner described above. The
authorization server 270 is used to validate the links between the
client computer systems 214 and the library server processes 460.
The configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 is advantageous in that the
convenience of a single server is maintained while the scalability
of multiple libraries is also supported.
[0066] This concept can also be used for the authoring and
authorization servers 280 and 270, respectively. As shown in FIG.
6, the authoring system 280 and the authorization server 270 is
implemented on a single platform 685 as authoring process 680 and
authorization process 670. These processes perform the same
functions as described above, except the implementation provides
the convenience of a single server and the scalability of multiple
processes for the authoring and authorization tasks.
[0067] FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment
wherein the client computer systems 214 include a local library
710. The local library 710 provides a local storage area and
library access control functionality which provides access to a
subset of the archived digital information from library server 260.
In the manner described above, the user of a client computer system
214 identifies the titles or items of digital information in
library server 260 that the user wishes to access. In the preferred
embodiment, these content selections are transferred to a client
storage area 220 (as shown in FIG. 2) for subsequent downloading to
mobile playback device 212. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 expands
upon the client storage area 220 and creates a local library 710.
The local library 710 is used for storage of selected content; but
also for searching, sorting, categorizing, and abstracting the
locally stored content. The local library 710 allows a client
computer system 214 to maintain a small subset of the full library
which may be used to create custom collections of content in a
variety of user selected configurations. Client systems 214 may be
permitted to access the contents of local libraries 710 on other
client systems 214. In a related alternate embodiment, library
server processes 460 may also reside on selected client systems
214. This embodiment allows client systems 214 to browse and
purchase content that is scrambled, targeted, and delivered from
library server process 460 executing on a locally positioned client
system 214. By maintaining the library locally, a portion of the
network access and transfer overhead is eliminated.
[0068] FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
present invention wherein the client computer system 214 is
eliminated and the mobile playback device 212 is connected directly
to the network 240 through network interface 810. In the preferred
embodiment, the mobile playback device 212 is a minimal capability
device primarily dedicated to playing audio files or displaying
visual images or text on a display device. The mobile playback
device 212 is minimally configured to retain its light-weight, low
cost, and readily mobile features. The preferred embodiment does
not therefore include the use of a portable personal computer or
laptop computer; because, such devices typically do not meet the
light-weight and low cost constraints of the preferred mobile
playback device 212. However, the minimal mobile playback device
212 may be augmented to add network interface 810 which comprises a
conventional hardware connector, hardware buffers and controllers,
and firmware support for a particular conventional network
protocol. For example, the mobile playback device 212 may be
augmented with an integrated modem that includes a telephone jack
with which the playback device may be connected to a telephone
network. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
that network interface 810 may be implemented in a low cost and
light-weight device such as mobile playback device 212. Because the
client system browser 219 would not be available in the alternative
embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a simplified user interface may be
provided in firmware or other non-volatile memory of mobile
playback device 212 with which the user may select items of digital
information for download and playback from library server 260. As
described above, the authentication process to validate the link
between the mobile playback device 212 and the library server 260
must also be performed prior to user access to the library server
260 content. Alternatively, a client system 814 coupled to network
240 may be provided to support client browser 219 and thereby
enable selection of items of digital information for download and
playback from library server 260 directly to any of the mobile
playback devices 212. Client systems 814 may support local storage
of digital information, software, and configuration data in a form
similar to storage space 220 or local library 710. In addition, a
more simplified implementation of network interface 810 may be
designed to communicate via network 240 to client system 814
instead of library server 260.
[0069] In another alternative embodiment of the present invention,
digital information programming selections are made using the
client computer system 214 and library server 260 as described
above; however, the selections are delivered on mass storage medium
241. Mass storage medium 241 represents any of a variety of
conventional mass storage technologies including CD-ROM, PCMCIA
cards, DVDs, floppy disks, removable hard drives, digital magnetic
tape, optical cards, flash memory or other optical, magnetic,
electronic, or semiconductor memory devices.
[0070] Upon selection by a user of a client computer system 214,
selected programming is targeted and scrambled as described above
and transferred to a selected mass storage medium 241 and mailed,
hand-delivered, or held for pickup by the user. Once the user takes
physical possession of the selected mass storage media 241, the
selected programming may be read from the mass storage medium 241
by the client browser 219 and thereafter transferred to the mobile
playback device 212 as described above. FIG. 9 illustrates another
embodiment of the system that does not include the use of client
computer 214 to transfer data to mobile playback device 212. Kiosk
910 consists of a computer system such as the one described above
in FIG. 1. Kiosk 910 is a publicly accessible unit that can perform
browse, content purchase, and download functions in a manner
equivalent to a client computer system 214. The kiosk 910 is
special because it contains its own library server for fast local
access and download of content. Kiosk 910 contains a mobile device
interface 221, a special version of client browser 219, and local
library server process 460. Kiosk library server process 460 has
local storage of scrambled and compressed digital information files
262. These compressed information files 262 originate from remote
authoring system 280 and may be delivered via physical transport of
mass storage media 241 or via distribution network 240. A customer
operates client browser 219 to browse, select, and purchase digital
information files that are delivered to the customer's mobile
playback device 212. Authentication, targeting, and download
processes are performed within the kiosk by library server process
460 that is connected to remote authorization server 270 over
network 240. In a related embodiment, FIG. 7 shows a client system
214 with local library 710 that can be converted into a kiosk with
functionality similar to kiosk 910. In this system, a special
version of client browser 219 provides the same user functionality
as the previous kiosk embodiment.
[0071] An alternate embodiment of the system uses a common
communication network to connect all system components. In FIG. 10,
network 240 is directly coupled to client system 214 and 814,
network interface(s) 810, library server(s) 260, authorization
server 270, and authoring system(s) 280. One of ordinary skill in
the art will realize that network 240 can also be segmented into a
number of independent networks or communication links without
changing the functionality of the system.
[0072] Thus, a method and apparatus for implementing a computer
network based digital information library system employing
authentication and encryption protocols for the secure transfer of
digital information library programs, software, and configuration
data to a client computer system and a mobile digital information
playback device removably connectable to the client computer system
is disclosed. Although the present invention has been described
with respect to specific examples and subsystems, it will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention
is not limited to these specific examples or subsystems but extends
to other embodiments as well. The present invention includes all of
these other embodiments as specified in the claims that follow.
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