U.S. patent application number 09/810957 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for system, method and apparatus for controlling the dissemination of digital works.
Invention is credited to Nair, Mark.
Application Number | 20040193900 09/810957 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22700636 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040193900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nair, Mark |
September 30, 2004 |
System, method and apparatus for controlling the dissemination of
digital works
Abstract
A system, business methodology and apparatus for facilitating
controlled dissemination of digital works is disclosed. An audio
and video organizer, entertainment, and communication unit that
plays back audio and video media content received from a central
storage server. The unit relies on a smartcard, which has a
personalized key that unlocks encrypted content. Using the unit, a
user can purchase music or other types of media using a appropriate
ordering method. The central storage server then transmits a
double-encrypted, compressed audio file to the unit, where it is
decrypted based on the smartcard key, and available for
listening.
Inventors: |
Nair, Mark; (Amarillo,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Raymond Van Dyke, Reg. No. 34,746
Nixon Peabody LLP
401 9th Street, NW
Suite 900
Washington
DC
20004-2128
US
|
Family ID: |
22700636 |
Appl. No.: |
09/810957 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60190268 |
Mar 17, 2000 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
713/193 ;
386/E5.001; G9B/20.002 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/305 20130101;
H04N 5/76 20130101; G11C 7/16 20130101; G07F 17/30 20130101; H04N
2005/91364 20130101; G11B 20/0021 20130101; H04N 5/775 20130101;
G11B 20/0071 20130101; H04N 5/9261 20130101; G11B 20/00536
20130101; G11B 20/00231 20130101; H04N 5/781 20130101; H04N 5/765
20130101; H04N 21/454 20130101; G06Q 20/1235 20130101; G06F 21/10
20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; G11B 20/00086 20130101; G11B
20/00855 20130101; H04N 5/77 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/193 |
International
Class: |
G06F 011/30 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for facilitating the usage of digital media files, said
system comprising: a player unit having a memory therein for
storing a plurality of digital media files thereon, said player
unit only outputs analog representations of said digital media
files stored in said memory; and a modem for connecting said player
unit to a network and for downloading said digital media files to
said player unit.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said player unit
further comprises a card reader unit, said player unit is adapted
to retrieve an electronic value from a card inserted in said card
reader unit, said electronic value being used to generate said
analog representations of said digital media files.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein all of said digital
media files stored in said memory are encrypted.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said player unit
decrypts a selected one of said digital media files according to
said electronic value.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said player unit is a
portable player unit or a desktop player unit.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said player unit
further comprises browsing means for browsing digital media files
on said network.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said player unit
further comprises selecting means for selecting one of said digital
media files from said site within said network.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said selecting means is
selected from the group consisting of: a remote control unit, a
voice command unit, a keypad and a television interface
controller.
9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a stereo
component connected to said player unit for playing said digital
media files.
10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a
transmitter for selectively transmitting said analog
representations of said digital media files over a wireless
channel.
11. The system according to 1, further comprising headphones being
connected to said player unit for receiving and playing said analog
audio representations of said digital media files.
12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said player unit
comprises: a digital video interface for capturing digital video
images.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said digital video
interface connecting a digital camera and said player unit is an
IEEE-1394 connector interface.
14. The system according to claim 1, wherein said modem is an
Ethernet card for providing/establishing a broadband connection
with said network.
15. The system according to claim 1, wherein said digital media
files are encoded according to an MP3 format.
16. A player unit for facilitating digital media files playback,
said player unit comprising: a storage unit for storing downloaded
digital media files; a media processing element for generating only
analog versions of selected media files of the stored digital media
files and outputting only said analog versions; and a card reader
for retrieving an electronic value from a card inserted in said
card reader, said electronic value being used to generate said
analog versions of said digital media files.
17. The player unit according to claim 16, further comprising:
navigation means for navigating through said digital media files on
said storage unit; and user-manipulated control devices for
controlling said navigation means by a user.
18. The player unit according to claim 16, further comprising a
video output port for outputting a video signal representative of a
navigation operation of said player unit.
19. The player unit according to claim 16, further comprising an
interface for interfacing said player unit with a digital camera
and receiving digital video signals therefrom.
20. The player unit according to claim 16, wherein said player unit
is a desktop player unit.
21. The player unit according to claim 16, further comprising a
modem for downloading digital media files from a network.
22. The player unit according to claim 16, further comprising a
remote transceiver for transceiving optical signals between said
player unit and a remote control, said optical signals controlling
said player unit.
23. The player unit according to claim 16, further comprising a
liquid crystal display (LCD) screen for visually displaying an
operation performed by said player unit.
24. The player unit according to claim 16, wherein said player unit
is a portable player unit.
25. The player unit according to claim 24, further comprising a
transmitter for transmitting said analog versions of said selected
digital media files over a wireless channel.
26. The player unit according to claim 24, further comprising an
interface for interfacing with a docking station for downloading
said digital media files.
27. The player unit according to claim 16, further comprising a
touch screen for visually displaying information relating to the
operation of said player unit and selecting functions performed by
said player unit.
28. A method for controlling the playback of digital media files on
a player unit, said method comprising the steps of: selecting an
encrypted digital media file from a plurality of encrypted digital
media files; retrieving a decrypting key; decrypting the selected
encrypted digital media file based upon the retrieved decrypting
key; and generating only an analog audio signal from the decrypted
digital media file.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein said step of
decrypting comprises at least two separate decryption operations,
one of said decryption operations being based on said retrieved
decryption key.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein said step of
decrypting comprises a second decryption operation based on an
identification key corresponding to said player unit.
31. The method according to claim 28, further comprising, prior to
said step of selecting, the step of: searching said encrypted
digital media files.
32. The method according to claim 28, further comprising, prior to
said step of selecting, the steps of: downloading at least one of
said encrypted digital media files; and storing said at least one
of said encrypted digital media files.
33. The method according to claim 32,further comprising, prior to
said step of downloading, the steps of: browsing digital media
files on a network; and choosing the digital media files to be
downloaded from said network.
34. The method according to claim 28, further comprising the step
of: transmitting said analog audio signal over an air
interface.
35. The method according to claim 28, wherein each of said
encrypted digital media file is in an MP3 encoded format.
36. The method according to claim 35, further comprising the step
of: decoding said digital media file.
37. A method for providing digital media files, said method
comprising the steps of: receiving from a user two encryption keys;
encrypting digital media files based on said two encryption keys;
and transmitting to said user the encrypted digital media
files.
38. The method according to claim 37, wherein said receiving step
further comprises the step of: receiving identification of said
digital media files.
39. The method according to claim 37, further comprising, prior to
said transmitting step, the step comprises: storing said encrypted
digital media files in a staging server, said digital media files
await a connection by said user to be transmitted.
40. The method according to claim 37, further comprising, prior to
said step of transmitting, the steps of: encoding said digital
media files; and compressing said digital media files.
41. The method according to claim 37, wherein said step of
encrypting comprises: performing a first encryption operation on
said digital media files based upon a first of said encryption
keys; and performing a second encryption operation on said digital
media files based upon a second of said encryption keys.
42. The method according to claim 37, wherein a first of said
encryption keys is associated with said user and a second of said
encryption keys is associated with a user device to which said
encrypted digital media file is transmitted.
43. A system for providing digital media files, said system
comprising: a receiver for receiving from a user at least one
encryption key; an encrypter for encrypting a digital media file
based on said at least one encryption key; a transmitter for
transmitting to said user the encrypted digital media file.
44. The system according to claim 43, further comprising: an
encoder for encoding said digital media file; and a compressor for
compressing said digital media file.
45. The system according to claim 43, further comprising: a staging
server for storing said encrypted digital media file until a
connection is available to transmit said encrypted digital media
file.
46. The system according to claim 43, further comprising: a digital
media file library containing a plurality of said digital media
files.
47. The system according to claim 43, wherein said encrypter
performs a first encryption operation on said digital media file
based upon a first of said at least one encryption key and a second
encryption operation on said digital media file based upon a second
of said at least one encryption key.
48. The system according to claim 43, wherein a first of said at
least one encryption key is associated with said user and a second
of said at least one encryption key is associated with a user
device to which said encrypted digital media file is transmitted.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is related to and claims priority
from U.S. Patent Application No. 60/190,268, filed Mar. 17, 2000
(Attorney Docket No. 32287-17USPL).
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to improvements in home
entertainment systems, particularly, to a system, method and
apparatus for facilitating the usage of digital works.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The growth of the Internet as a communication tool has been
phenomenal. With the increasing usage of the Internet as a platform
for business, staid industries are having to reinvent themselves to
keep ahead of or keep pace with this technological wave.
[0006] The music industry has had to cope with advances in
technology impinging upon artists' royalties and controlled
dissemination. Prior to the invention of the Internet and its rise
in massive popularity, digital music was distributed in fairly
traditional ways. Music was recorded and then mastered and pressed
to compact disc, which then acted as the physical medium that
consumers purchased. Compact discs, by their nature, are limited to
reproducing original mastered music at 44.1 kHz, but this
reproduction offered the closest digital copy of the master that
had ever been previously possible. To copy this music to another
format for use on another unit besides a compact disc player, such
as a cassette player, a person would have to make an analog
recording of the music, usually on a cassette recorder that is
physically attached to the audio out ports on the compact disc
player. Digital Analog Tape and the MiniDisc faced similar
limitations, namely the digital audio from the source had to be
converted, at some point, to an analog signal for transfer to these
mechanisms.
[0007] Personal computers offered a solution to this archival
problem. Computers are able to read the music off a compact disc
and then, using various software, can extract or "rip" the audio
content from the CD for storage on the computer's hard drive. The
majority of this ripping techniques still transferred the audio
through a digital to analog to digital method, but some extractors
kept the digital signal from beginning of extract to the end of
archiving. This meant that a computer could save a large amount of
compact disc content on a storage unit that allowed almost
instantaneous access to individual songs from separate compact
discs. Unfortunately, the file sizes of these songs were very
large; a single song could easily require 50 megabytes of hard
drive space. An entire CD could occupy 650 megabytes.
[0008] To ease this storage problem, several compression mechanisms
and formulations were quickly introduced, the most popular being
MPEG II layer III, commonly known as MP3. Audio content compressed
using the mp3 format could shrink in size to a tenth of its
original with arguably little or no loss in quality from the
compact disc master. At the same time, the Internet's progression
and connection to millions of personal computers enabled people to
share their music files with each other, although this was at first
a difficult exercise since one computer would need the physical
address of another computer to transfer files. Services such as
public anonymous File Transfer Protocol (FTP) sites, digital
bulletin board services, and client-based server programs such as
Hotline, acted as conduits and repositories for this compressed
music, but most of these services were underground and difficult
for the average user to find, much less operate.
[0009] The advent of peer-to-peer file sharing made transferring
digital music files between disparate computers on the Internet a
trivial matter. Peer-to-peer technology allows one computer to
broadcast its list of music files to either a centralized computer
that maintains an index of files or broadcast its ability to share
files, which other computers on the network, or node of the
network, recognize and then build their own index. Peer-to-peer
file sharing avoids placing the physical media on one central
server or bank of computer servers, but rather allows each computer
on the file sharing network to act as its own server, limited by
its own connection to the Internet and its own computer processing
power. Since peer-to-peer file sharing basically allows for an
anonymous transfer of files from one computer to another with no
layer in between and, regardless of the software facilitating the
service and creating the index, makes it a very simple matter to
find and exchange files, the technology by its very existence aids
copyright infringement by its population of users, which in turn
undermines the financial incentive for artists to continue creating
original works of art.
[0010] The Internet and file sharing, however, are now technologies
embraced by millions and millions of users and the thought of
reverting to a closed technological system of recording compact
discs to analog recordings is most certainly unacceptable.
Conflicting with this methodology of sharing files are the artists
and music labels who have a great interest in protecting their work
from illegal copying and distribution. At the same time sharing
video content, which is still in its infancy because of compression
techniques, requires a method that will protect the original
content yet retain the simplicity of peer-to-peer sharing.
[0011] The ease of copying digital works has resulted in a dilemma
to copyright owners in a work, such as music encoded per MP3, i.e.,
how to utilize this new digital medium but maintain control over
the work? In other words, the music industry and the artists are
trying to prevent unlicensed dissemination of the work.
[0012] There is, therefore, a need for a system, method and
apparatus that facilitates the dissemination of a protected digital
work while at the same time maintaining control over its
dissemination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Embodiments of the present invention overcome shortcomings
of prior systems and satisfy a need for providing a method and
system for distributing digital audio and video content to users
that supersede the aforementioned peer-to-peer file sharing
technique and also ensures that each distributed digital file is
protected from rampant copying or illicit distribution.
[0014] The present invention is directed to a system, business
methodology and apparatus for facilitating controlled dissemination
of digital works. An audio and video unit (hereinafter "unit")
plays back audio and video media content received from a central
storage server. The unit includes a storage unit for storing
downloaded digital media files, and a media processing element for
generating only analog versions of selected media files of the
stored digital media files and outputting only the analog versions.
In this way, exact duplicates of downloaded media files stored in
the unit are not available for widespread distribution.
[0015] The unit further includes a card reader for retrieving an
electronic value from a card, such as a smartcard, inserted in the
card reader. The electronic value is used to generate the analog
versions of the digital media files, such as by decrypting the
digital files based upon the electronic value. As a result, only
units having the appropriate card inserted therein are able to
output analog versions of the digital media files.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] A more complete understanding of the system, method and
apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to
the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with
the accompanying Drawings wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a presently preferred configuration of
the system and apparatus of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the player unit
(console version) of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the player unit
(portable version) of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an operation for browsing and ordering
media through a web server according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates an operation browsing and ordering media
through the player's remote control according to embodiments of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates an operation for browsing and ordering
media through the on-screen catalog according to embodiments of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates an encryption/decryption operation of the
media according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 illustrates the connection of the console version of
the player unit with system components;
[0025] FIG. 9 illustrates the connection of the portable player
unit with system components;
[0026] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the connection of a digital
camera to the player unit according to a preferred connection of
the present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an operation for sending video
by the player unit; and
[0028] FIG. 12 illustrates an operation for the delivery of the
video according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY
EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art.
[0030] The unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention contains digital media in a local, closed system that can
receive a digital file and then playback the file through analog
connections. The unit, sometimes referred to as player unit, is
controlled by a central microprocessor and has networking
connections. It also has an audio and video output connections and
an interface for digital video cameras. All media is stored in the
unit on an internal hard drive.
[0031] With reference now to FIG. 1 of the Drawings, there is
illustrated a presently preferred system, generally designated by
the reference numeral 100, that implements the principles of the
present invention. As shown, a player unit 105, for playing the
digital music (as well as non-digital music or any digital work)
may represent a tabletop unit for the home or a handheld unit. In
order to control improper dissemination of protected works, player
unit 105 has no digital output ports or connections, thereby
preventing or at least hindering the copying of any digital
downloaded copyrighted digital works. Player unit 105 does,
however, have an audio analog output, such as to a speaker 110,
which may be a separate component or integral with player unit 105,
by which to play a previously downloaded digital work.
[0032] Preferably, the sole source of digital communication with
player unit 105 is via a modem 115, which may also be a separate
component or integral to the player unit 105. As shown in FIG. 1,
modem 115 connects the player unit 105 to a network 120 via TCP/IP
or other communications protocols. The player unit 105 may also
have a video output to suitably connect to a television or computer
monitor 125 for reviewing the musical contents stored within the
player unit 105.
[0033] With the growing convergence of appliances and computers, it
should be apparent that player unit 105 need not connect to a
computer to access the network 120 and a consumer may instead
connect to the network 120 directly from unit 105. For example, the
consumer may download digital files stored on the network 120
directly into the player unit 105 via the modem 115. In particular,
the consumer may use player unit 105 to access a music website or
other Internet repository to obtain copyrighted digital works,
e.g., from an Internet music club. It is understood that even
though unit 105 is not a conventional web browser used by a general
purpose computer to access the Internet, it is nonetheless capable
of navigating a web site and downloading media therefrom. The
consumer could control the downloading via a keypad 130 attached or
integral with the player unit 105 or a remote 135, e.g., typing or
keying-in an identifier corresponding to a desired selection, which
could be identified in a club booklet of available titles. The
desired music/audio files would then be downloaded from the music
seller to the player unit 105.
[0034] Player unit 105 preferably has enough memory storage therein
to hold a considerable amount of audio and/or media files, e.g.,
five hundred CD's worth. By way of the video link to the television
125, the consumer may catalog and navigate through the one or more
databases and/or libraries of music and/or audio files stored
within the user's player unit 105, i.e., on a memory therein. Since
no digital copies can be made from the downloaded file, e.g.,
backup memory storage within the player unit 105 is fixed, meaning
that deletion of stored songs may be needed to store a current
selection, thereby making music a commodity rather than a
collectible.
[0035] As should be understood, hard drive space is finite, which
necessities a user to delete music or video files from their
personal catalog. This does not mean that the media is no longer
available. It simply is a way to clear up more space on their local
unit. The user does not need to re-purchase the songs, since the
entire catalog of purchased music is always stored safely at the
central media server.
[0036] Unit 105 gives a user the ability to download audio and
video content from a central server in network 120 to a unit. The
media is protected from relatively simple mass duplication by a
double-encryption methodology on the player unit that is keyed to
the media, as will be explained in detail hereinafter.
[0037] The player unit 105, according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention, may include a processing element, such as a
microprocessor, that runs a media-centric operating system whose
function is to decode and play back audio and video content, which
is stored on an internal hard drive within unit 105.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a console version of the player unit,
generally designated by the reference numeral 200. The user
accesses and controls the stored content using either a remote
control that communicates to the player unit 200 through the
infrared remote receiver port 205 or using the navigation and
control buttons 210 on the front of the unit. These buttons 210
allow the user to navigate entirely through one or more libraries
of content (media files) on the unit, select a particular media
file, begin playing the media file, suspend play of the media file,
stop playback and other functionalities such as setting an
equalizer, controlling the volume, adjusting the balance, etc. A
display 215, which can be a variation of liquid crystal display
(LCD), light emitting diode (LED), or a stimulated plasma display,
shows the name of the music track of the media file selected, the
time remaining in the track, the artist of the track, and any
ancillary information that may be relevant to the user.
[0039] The unit has several interfaces to connect to other
equipment. The unit, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention has both a 10/100 Base-T Ethernet connection 220
and a modem connection 225 to link to the network 120 and download
files therefrom. Audio is played back through RCA audio out port
230 or a headphone jack 235. Video, which is either video content
or menu navigation screens, is played back through the RCA video
out connection 240. An IEEE-1394 (245) interface allows the
connection of digital video cameras to the unit 200. A smartcard
interface 250 reads the smartcard that will unlock the encrypted
music and video content for the particular user and unit.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a portable version of the player unit,
generally designated by the reference numeral 300. Similar to the
console version described with reference to FIG. 2, this version
contains an RCA audio out port 330, an RCA video out port 340, an
IEEE-1394 interface 345, a smartcard interface 350, and navigation
buttons 310. This version of the unit also contains an 1/8 inch
mini audio out connection 335 for headphones. The screen is
touch-sensitive 355, so the user merely has to touch the screen to
navigate the catalog and/or database of media files stored in the
unit. This version of the unit contains antennae 360 hidden within
the sides of the unit, a rechargeable battery 365 for power, and a
new message light 370 to warn of new video content or messages on
the unit.
[0041] The portable unit communicates to the server in the network
by using a docking station 375. When the user wishes the unit to
download new media, the unit is inserted into docking station 375
by pushing the unit therein so that the docking station interface
380 of the unit attaches solidly to the docking station. The
docking station 375 may include both a 10/100 Base-T Ethernet
connection 385 and a modem connection 390 as well as an A/C power
supply 395 to recharge the battery 365 in the portable unit.
[0042] The user can navigate audio and video content using a
television attached to the video out connection. Here users can
search their own catalogs, make play lists, read biographical
information, view artwork, and customize their jukeboxes according
to their preference. The television is the control hub for the
unit, although a user can easily navigate their music and video
collection without it. The television, however, provides a more
entertaining easy to navigate experience.
[0043] The unit also allows an easily accessible catalog of media
on a server that the user can access and download simply and
quickly. According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention a user has three alternative ways to find and retrieve
media from a server: by using a web browser on a personal computer
to search through a web-based media catalog, find and then order
the media using the same environment, by using a physical catalog
mailed to the user, and by navigating the central media server
library from the unit.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates an operation for downloading a media file
using a web browser to find media for the unit. The user initially
accesses the main media database on the desired web server using a
standard web browser 405 and searches the desired databases using a
variety of queries. For example, users can search for their
favorite artist, favorite song, songs or recordings performed
within a certain time frame, songs or artists that are similar to
other songs or artists. The central web server responds with a list
of results that match the user's queries. If the user finds
something desirable, the user can order the desired digital work,
but the user first needs to be identified by the central ordering
server as a subscriber for billing purposes and to know which unit
to send the media. The user can be identified by the user entering
a unique identification number at 410 received at registration of
the unit, entering a unique username and password at 415 or
entering the unit's identification number and password at 420. Once
the user logs on to the web ordering server, the user may requests
a desired media file to be downloaded to the unit at 425. There
will be times that a user will desire to download media to a
different unit than usual, so the system will be flexible enough to
embrace these requests. Every unit, if necessary, has a unique
identification number, much like every house has a unique physical
address.
[0045] Once the central media web server 430 receives the user's
request, the media web server pulls the necessary media from a
media library at 435 and sends the files through a real-time
encoding and compression system 440. The encoding and compression
specifications are flexible. A variety of encoding and compression
techniques may be supported. Once the media is encoded, it is sent
to a staging server at 445 to connect directly to the specified
unit for downloading or to wait for a request from the unit for
downloading. If the unit is attached to a high-speed, broadband
line to the Internet attached to the unit's Ethernet connection,
the unit will have its own Internet Protocol address (IP address).
The staging server can then immediately associate the unit's IP
address with that same unit's unique ID number and begin
transferring the media files at 450. However, if the unit uses its
modem connection at 460, the unit will then automatically dial into
the local, proprietary connection at a later time, such as at night
(or, if forced by the user, it will dial up when commanded) and
pull the files from the staging server 445.
[0046] For example, if a user is in another city and uses the web
to make an order for some digital music, the staging server will
know if the user's unit has its own IP address or if it uses a
modem (the unit will be inaccessible by the staging server if the
unit uses a modem). If the unit has an IP address, the staging
server will send the media files directly to the unit. If the unit
uses the modem, the staging server knows to wait for the unit's
call. Later, the unit will automatically connect to the staging
server and see whether any new media files are available for
downloading. Since there is in this example, the unit will begin
downloading the previously ordered, presently available media
files.
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates another method for downloading digital
media files to the unit by using a physical catalog hardcopy that
the user can receive in the mail (or in a store or by other
methods). The media catalog 505 lists some or a majority of the
media on the server in various ways. The user simply identifies an
item and makes a note of that item's ID number and then, either
with a remote control 515 or by direct entry on the unit's screen
520, enters the ID number into the unit 525 and requests to
download the media. The unit 525 contacts the central media server
530 and requests the media based on the media ID number 535. The
central media server, similar to the central media web server
described with reference to FIG. 4, performs similar operations
described above for accessing, compressing and delivering the media
to the requesting unit.
[0048] As should be understood, a physical catalog is limited in
its breadth and depth of material, thus another method of
downloading media files is illustrated to FIG. 6. This method
allows the user to access and download digital files to a unit by
navigating the entire media catalog 615 on the central server
through the unit. The unit's video output port is connected to a
television 605, so as to present a visual representation of one or
more database/libraries of media files in the media catalog. When
connected to the central media catalog, the user is able to
navigate the media catalog by manipulating navigation buttons on
the unit. The user can then browse and search through the entire
media catalog using the remote control 620 or touch screen
interface 625 on the unit. The media may be downloaded using a
similar mechanism as described hereinabove with reference to FIG.
4.
[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, media is
double-encrypted at the staging server 445 before being transmitted
to the unit. The encryption used is preferably 128 bit, although
this, like compression and encoding of media assets, is flexible
depending on the security level. FIG. 7 illustrates the two levels
of encryption in the staging server and the two corresponding
decryption levels in the unit. The first layer of encryption at 720
is based on the specific unit that will receive the selected media
file 705. The second layer of encryption at 735 is based on the
user's smartcard ID number. The server reconciles the user's name
with the user's smartcard ID key at 730 and then encrypts the media
to this key at 735. The server then transfers at 740 the file to
the specific unit making the request or queued to receive it. The
unit then checks if the smartcard is in its reader at 745. If there
is a smartcard, it verifies that the smartcard ID can decode the
encrypted file with a checksum. This ensures that only the specific
smartcard that the media is keyed to can unlock the file. Other
smartcards having different key values stored therein will not
work. If the smartcard is successfully inserted into the unit, the
unit decodes the second encrypted pass at 750 and then decodes the
first encrypted pass at 760. The unit then audibly plays the media
file at 765. All decryption is done immediately prior to the time
of playback time. The original media files remain encrypted on the
unit and are unplayable if the smartcard is removed. If the unit
cannot find the smartcard, it will prompt the user for one.
[0050] The music or video content that someone owns is not
necessarily tied to their specific unit but rather is tied to the
user's smartcard. For example, a user who has a library of 500
songs on one particular unit can remove the smartcard and then
attach that smartcard to another unit. The new unit, consequently,
has privileges and decryption abilities to play all 500 songs in
the library. This will, of course, probably demand downloading the
files from the central server for this new machine. In this
example, the old machine, without the smartcard, is unable to play
any of the 500 songs.
[0051] Once the media is downloaded to the unit, the user can
listen, view, and control it in various ways. FIG. 8 illustrates
the operation and interworking of the console version of the player
unit, described with reference to FIG. 2. The unit 810 receives the
media from the Master Data Servers 815 on either a broadband
connection to the Internet 820 or modem 825. The smartcard,
inserted within the unit, unlocks the audio decryption so that the
user can play back the selected audio file through stereo
components 830, that are hooked up to the RCA analog audio port on
the unit or through headphones 835. The user can view the currently
playing music using the television/monitor 840 which provides a
visual display of unit's library of media files. Using the remote
control 845, the user can navigate through the unit's media file
library. Here the user has the flexibility of searching for any
artist, track, CD name, song title, date, and genre of media on the
unit. The user can also sort song tracks into unique playlists, for
example, a playlist of Jazz, Classical, or Blues music. These
playlists are automatically indexed to the smartcard so that the
user can attach the smartcard to another, different unit and pull
up the playlists he has already created.
[0052] A digital video camera or other video source that supports
IEEE-1394 (850) connects to the IEEE-1394 connection on the media
player to supply video signals and compress digital video, as will
be explained with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 10-13.
[0053] FIG. 9 illustrates in greater detail the portable, wireless
unit according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3. The portable
player unit 910 connects to a docking station 960 to download media
from the Master Data Servers 915. The docking station 960 is a
cradle that the unit 910 rests in which connects to the server
using either the broadband 10/100 Base-T Ethernet connection 920 or
a modem connection 925. The docking station has RCA audio out and
video out as well as an A/C connection for power. While the unit is
on the docking stations cradle, the user can listen or view media
as it is transferred through these analog connections to the
television 940 or to the stereo system 930. The docking station
also supplies power to recharge the battery on the portable
unit.
[0054] If the portable unit is removed from the docking station, it
uses a wireless network to broadcast its content to various
receivers 990. The receivers 990 are modular attachments that
connect to the analog audio inputs on a variety of units, mainly
television 940, stereo components 930, portable miniature audio
units 970, and car stereos 980. For example, when a user is
listening to his portable unit through headphones 935 and he walks
within the range of a receiver attached to his stereo system and
unplugs his headphones. The portable unit immediately senses the
modular wireless receiver 990 attached to the stereo 930 and begins
transmitting the media to that receiver. The wireless attachment
receives the signal and sends the analog audio in to the stereo
system where the user begins to hear the music over the external
speakers in the room. If the user moves from his stereo to his car,
and if the car has a wireless receiver 990 attached to its car
stereo system 980, the car speakers will begin to play the music as
soon as the user enters the range of that car's wireless
receiver.
[0055] As is described hereinabove, the unit's main functionality
is for audio. However, as will be shown hereinafter with reference
to FIGS. 10-12, the unit has a substantial communicative ability
with video messages, which may use the same technology and
encryption as music.
[0056] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrates a digital camera 1030 being
connected to the unit according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Using, an IEEE-1394 compliant digital video
camera, a user can have the unit acquire video content for
compression and delivery to other users. According to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera can be
connected using a IEEE-1394 cable 1010 between the digital camera
1030 and the unit 1040, as illustrated in FIG. 10A. The unit 1040
immediately sense that the camera 1030 is attached, and the user
can control the camera, both searching the tape and capturing
content, from the unit's interface. Alternatively, the camera may
have a modular attachment 1020 that connects physically to the unit
1040 through the IEEE-1394 port 1115. In this case, the camera may
be nothing more than a simple camera and network attachment. The
unit itself may digitize the footage and controls the lens. The
unit itself will, as suggested hereinabove with reference to the
audio feature of the unit, hold a finite amount of video footage
due to the limited capacity of the hard drive and the compression
technology utilized.
[0057] When the video is on the unit, the user is asked for the
video's destination 1115, as shown in FIG. 11A. The user can watch
another preview of the video 1120, this time in a small window on
the unit's display 1110 and select a name from the unit's address
book 1125. According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the window size for previewing the video on the display
unit can be configurable by the user according to his/her
preference. The video may be sent to another user in the address
book of the unit. The address book is initially empty; so the user
needs to input names 1130 and unit ID numbers 1135 into the book in
order for the unit knows where to send content, as illustrated in
FIG. 11B. The user does this by entering names 1130 and unique unit
IDs 1135 using the on-screen keyboard 1140. This feature, as well
as other features, as suggested hereinabove may work in both the
console and portable unit configurations.
[0058] FIG. 12 illustrates the video transfer between the units.
The user can send the video immediately or delay the transmission
until late that night to avoid trying up the phone line. This
depends on the network connection and bandwidth speed. This choice
is preferably done to reduce bandwidth consumption during peak
hours. For example, if the user has a video file that is 10
megabytes in size, that file might take a substantial amount of
time to transfer over the unit's 56k modem, tying up the user's
phone line for that extended period. This feature gives the user
the choice to send the file late at night or very early in the
morning when the risk of the user needing the phone line for a
voice call is much smaller. Once the unit 1210 sends the video, it
is temporarily stored on the Master Central Server 1220 where it
waits to be downloaded by the destination unit 1230. The unit 1210
with the original video content compresses and encodes the video
and then either sends the video immediately on the broadband
connection 1215 or delays sending until later to use the modem
connection 1225. Once the video content arrives at the Central
Master Server 1220, it is stored in a temporary area 1235. If the
user who originally made the video has requested the video to be
sent to a web page, the Central Master transfers the content to a
web server 1240 and then sends an e-mail from an e-mail server 1245
to the destination user's address. The destination user then can
access the web page through a personal computer 1250 at any
time.
[0059] If the original video creator has requested that the video
be delivered to another unit instead of a web page, the Central
Master Server 1220 either waits for a summons from the destination
unit (this will happen during the nightly dial-up 1265) or, if the
destination unit has a unique IP address and is on a broadband line
1275, the server will send the file immediately to the receiving
unit 1230. The destination unit now has a video waiting on the
Central Server, the server then sends a message to the unit
informing it of the awaiting video. As soon as the destination unit
receives the message, an alert light glows on the receiving unit,
indicating to the user that a new video message is waiting. The
user can then request the video message to be downloaded to their
unit immediately or wait to download the message later, as
described above. The user can then watch the video message on the
unit's screen or, as will most certainly be the case with console
units, watch the video message directly on the television through
the video out connection. The user then has the option, much like
e-mail, to respond to the video message with a new message, to
delete the message from the unit, or catalog the message, depending
on hard drive space.
[0060] As should be clear, video message content is temporal and
transitory and requires server-side hard drive space for a limited
amount of time. Users can easily save these video messages to a
video tape or other archival system.
[0061] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the unit may be flexible in its development and
operation and have the capability for upgrades. Moreover, the user
interface such as the television navigation screens and the
on-screen look and feel should also be flexible. For instance,
semi-customizable user interfaces "Skins" can be implemented in the
player unit.
[0062] It should be understood that although the MP3 standard has
been illustrated, the present invention offers a methodology
applicable to other digital standards.
[0063] The unit enables secure and simple digital distribution of
media and relieves the control of these types of digital assets
from personal computers, thus as described hereinabove controlling
the reproduction of digital copyrighted works. The unit can be seen
as a dedicated entertainment, digital delivery consumer unit. The
unit is flexible in construction and simple in use.
[0064] The unit, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, is flexible to read various types of audio and video
which allows the compressed files sent from the central server to
be in different formats. The unit is able to play the music or
video using a variety of techniques.
[0065] The unit may, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, include a CD-player for audio playback from
regular CDs or from custom MP3 CDs that are recorded and encrypted
according to the techniques set forth in the present invention.
Thus, the custom MP3 CD can be played only using a unit containing
the user's smartcard.
[0066] It is understood that cards other than smartcards may be
used by the unit for storing the personalized key used in
performing the encryption and decryption operations. A smartcard
may be a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
(PCMCIA) card, Japan Electronic Industry Development Association
(JEIDA), etc.
[0067] As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the
innovative concepts described in the present application can be
modified and varied over a wide range of applications. Accordingly,
the scope of patented subject matter should not be limited to any
of the specific exemplary teachings discussed, but is instead
defined by the following claims.
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