U.S. patent application number 12/506076 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-20 for managing gifts of digital media.
Invention is credited to Adam Harris.
Application Number | 20110016182 12/506076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43466017 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110016182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harris; Adam |
January 20, 2011 |
Managing Gifts of Digital Media
Abstract
An individual may wish to make a gift of digital media to a
designated recipient. The digital media may be previously purchased
by the individual or may be new, unused digital media purchased
specifically as a gift for the recipient. The sender of the gift
sends a gift notification. The sender is then verified to ensure
that the sender is authorized to make the gift by matching an
identifier of the digital media with an identifier associated with
the sender. The digital media may be associated with a set of
rights and privileges. Further rights and privileges associated
with the digital media may be offered to the recipient.
Inventors: |
Harris; Adam; (San Diego,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARR & FERRELL LLP
120 CONSTITUTION DRIVE
MENLO PARK
CA
94025
US
|
Family ID: |
43466017 |
Appl. No.: |
12/506076 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06F 21/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method for managing authorization of a gift, the method
comprising: receiving at a server a gift notification from a client
device associated with a sender, the gift notification concerning a
digital gift to a recipient designated by the sender; executing
instructions stored in a memory of the server, wherein execution of
the instructions by a processor at the server: verifies that the
sender is authorized to give the digital gift based on matching an
identifier associated with the sender to authorization information
stored in memory, and initiates a transfer of the digital gift to
the designated recipient, and storing information regarding the
transfer of the digital gift to the designated recipient, the
information being stored in the memory of the server; and sending a
message from the server to the designated recipient concerning the
transfer of the digital gift, the message including information
concerning rights or privileges associated with the digital
gift.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier associated with
the sender is associated with an identifier of the digital
gift.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the sender transacted a sale to
the designated recipient and wherein the gift notification further
includes indication of the sale.
4.-7. (canceled)
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the message further includes an
offer concerning access to increased rights or privileges
associated with one or more digital media.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the sender further designates a
gift of increased rights or privileges associated with one or more
digital media, and the message further includes information
regarding a gift of credit from the sender, the gift of credit
applicable toward a purchase of the increased rights or privileges
associated with the digital media.
10. A system for managing authorization of a gift, the system
comprising: a first client device associated with a sender, the
first client device configured to generate and send a gift
notification concerning a digital gift to a recipient designated by
the sender; a server configured to: receive the gift notification
from the first client device, verify that the sender is authorized
to give the digital gift based on matching an identifier of
associated with the sender to authorization information stored in
memory, initiate a transfer of the digital gift to the designated
recipient, store information regarding the transfer of the digital
gift to the designated recipient, the information being stored in
the memory of the server, and send a message to the designated
recipient, the message further including information concerning
rights or privileges associated with the digital gift; and a second
client device associated with the designated recipient, the second
client device configured to receive the message.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the identifier associated with
the sender is associated with an identifier of the digital
gift.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the sender transacted a sale to
the designated recipient and wherein the gift notification further
includes indication of the sale.
13.-16. (canceled)
17. The system of claim 10, wherein the message further includes an
offer concerning access to increased rights or privileges
associated with one or more digital media.
18. The system of claim 10, wherein the sender further designates a
gift of increased rights or privileges associated with one or more
digital media, and the message further includes information
regarding a gift of credit from the sender, the gift of credit
applicable toward a purchase of the increased rights or privileges
associated with the digital media.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having
embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a
processor to perform a method for managing authorization of a gift,
the method comprising: receiving a gift notification from a client
device associated with a sender, the gift notification concerning a
digital gift to a recipient designated by the sender; verifying
that the sender is authorized to give the digital media based on
matching an identifier associated with the sender to authorization
information stored in memory, initiating a transfer of the digital
gift to the designated recipient, and storing information regarding
the transfer of the digital gift to the designated recipient; and
sending a message to the designated recipient concerning the
transfer of the digital gift, the message including information
concerning rights or privileges associated with the digital
gift.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim
19, wherein the message further includes an offer concerning access
to increased rights or privileges associated with one or more
digital media.
21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim
20, wherein the sender further designates a gift of increased
rights or privileges associated with one or more digital media, and
the message further includes information concerning a gift of
credit from the sender, the gift of credit applicable toward a
purchase of the increased rights or privileges associated with the
digital media.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital gift includes one or
more redeemable points.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the redeemable points can be
used to acquire a digital object to be associated with the
designated recipient during play of or interaction with one or more
digital media.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the digital gift includes a
discount applicable toward a purchase of a real or digital
object.
25. The system of claim 10, wherein the digital gift includes one
or more redeemable points.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the redeemable points can be
used to acquire a digital object to be associated with the
designated recipient during play of or interaction with one or more
digital media.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the gift includes a discount
applicable toward a purchase of a real or digital object.
28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim
19, wherein the digital gift includes one or more redeemable
points.
29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim
28, wherein the redeemable points can be used to acquire a digital
object to be associated with the designated recipient during play
of or interaction with one or more digital media.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to gifts of digital
media. More specifically, the present invention relates to managing
gifts of digital media.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Digital media encompasses a range of audio, video, video
games, and other software applications. Digital media is typically
sold or transferred via download over a communications network or
on some form of digital storage media including optical discs such
as a compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD) as well as
non volatile memory such as flash memory. Initial purchasers of
digital media, either through a download or on a storage medium,
buy the digital media new, unused, and directly from the publisher,
manufacturer, or authorized retailer. Following acquisition and
play of the digital media, an initial purchaser may lose interest
in the digital media. Some initial purchasers may only desire to
have the digital media for a short period of time, until they view
a movie once or twice, or `beat` a particular game. Subsequent to
achieving that short term goal, the initial purchaser may wish to
resell, swap, rent, lend, or otherwise give away the digital media
to others for their use or enjoyment.
[0005] Various intermediaries may facilitate the transfer to a
secondary user, including intermediate secondary users (e.g.,
another short-term user), resellers (e.g., eBay, GameStop), lenders
(e.g., a public library), or lessors of the media (e.g., GameFly).
Rather than having to buy a new copy of a video game or other
digital content on a corresponding digital storage medium (e.g., a
DVD), a secondary user is provided with a copy that has been
previously owned and/or used. Because the digital media has been
previously owned or has been used by any number of secondary users
when borrowed or rented, the price of an item of digital media on
the secondary market is generally lower than those prices paid by
initial purchasers.
[0006] Such secondary markets can be an important part of the
distribution and development lifecycle. For example, secondary
markets may be useful to publishers and authors because secondary
markets may allow for promotion a particular title or series
through word-of-mouth publicity or viral marketing. These
grass-root efforts allow for sampling of lesser-known titles and
publishers and may contribute to building future dedication to or
interest in the titles or publisher. Secondary markets also allow
for physical media to be recycled for use by multiple users who
might not otherwise make the investment in a particular game
platform if there is a lack of available content at a moderate
price.
[0007] Notwithstanding the importance of the secondary user market,
secondary users--and parties that facilitate secondary
purchases--can cause a significant financial loss to the publisher,
manufacturer, and/or authorized retailer of initial copies of
digital media. Secondary users are usually motivated by the lower
purchase or rental prices offered by secondary markets. Secondary
users may not desire to acquire a catalog of content or to re-watch
or replay a particular movie or game over time. These
considerations and corresponding effects become even more
pronounced as the costs of producing content and digital media
increase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention include managing gifts
of digital media. A sender of such a gift designates the digital
media to be given to a particular recipient. The digital media may
have been previously purchased and/or registered by the individual.
Alternatively, the digital media may be new and unused and
purchased specifically as a gift for the recipient. The sender may
use a client device to send a gift notification to a server that
verifies that the sender is authorized to make the gift.
Authorization may be based on matching an identifier of the digital
media with an identifier associated with the sender. The transfer
of the digital media may then be initiated and recorded in memory
of the server. The transferred digital media may be associated with
a set of rights and privileges. Further rights and privileges
associated with the digital media may be offered to the recipient.
A sender may also send the recipient a gift of credit that can be
applied toward a purchase of the additional rights and
privileges.
[0009] An exemplary method for managing gifts of digital media
includes receiving a gift notification concerning a gift of digital
media to a recipient designated by the sender of the gift
notification, verifying that the sender is authorized to give the
digital media, initiating the transfer of the digital media to the
designated recipient, storing information regarding the transfer of
the digital media to the designated recipient in the memory of the
server, and sending a message from the server to the designated
recipient concerning the transfer of the digital media. The message
may include an offer concerning rights or privileges associated
with the digital media.
[0010] An exemplary system for managing gifts of digital media may
include a first client device associated with a sender of the
digital media, a server for verifying that the sender is authorized
to make a gift of the digital media, and a second client device
associated with a recipient designated by the sender. The client
device associated with the sender sends a gift notification to the
server. To verify that the sender is authorized to send the digital
media, the server matches an identifier of the designated digital
media with an identifier associated with the sender and/or sender
client device. The transfer may then be initiated and recorded in
memory. A message concerning the gift is sent from the server to
the second client device, which is associated with the designated
recipient of the gift.
[0011] A further claimed embodiment includes a computer-readable
storage media for managing gifts of digital media. Embodied on the
storage medium is a program, the execution of which by a processor
provides a method for managing gifts of digital media in general
accordance with that method previously set forth above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary server-client environment
where a digital device is in communication with a server via a
communications network.
[0013] FIG. 2A illustrates a user database accessible to the server
of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 2B illustrates a media database accessible to the
server of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for
managing a gift of digital media.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments of the present invention allow for managing
transfers of digital media from a sender to a recipient. Digital
media may include downloadable media, streaming media, digital
media stored in a storage medium (e.g., CD or DVD), and various
combinations of the foregoing. Such transfers may be referred to as
"gifts" and may encompass transactions involving sales purchases,
trades/exchanges, and renting in addition to non-reciprocated
transfers. Regardless of the motivations of the sender, the sender
may wish to make a gift (i.e., transfer) of certain digital media
to a certain recipient. To effectuate the transfer, the sender is
verified as being authorized to give the digital media. The gift
may affect the rights or privileges associated with the digital
medium in cases where such rights or privileges depend on whether
the recipient receives new, unused digital media or previously used
or played digital media.
[0017] The management of such gifts of digital media may occur in a
client-server environment. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary
client-server environment 100 where client devices 140A and 140B
are in communication with a server 160 via a communications network
110. A digital storage medium 120 having a unique medium identifier
130 may be played on the client device 140A. Each client device
140A and 140B has a unique device identifier: 150A and 150B,
respectively. The client device 140A may communicate information
regarding both the client device 140A and the digital storage
medium 120 to server 160 over communication network 110.
[0018] The server 160 of FIG. 1 is in further communication with a
user database 170 and a media database 180, which may be local or
remote to the server 160. Server 160 can access stored data in both
the user database 170 and the media database 180 and provide that
data, or information derived from or related to the same, to client
devices 140A and/or 140B. Conversely, the server 160 may receive
information from client devices 140A or 140B and store the same in
user database 170 or media database 180 as is appropriate.
[0019] Communication network 110 may be a local, proprietary
network (e.g., intranet) and/or may be a part of a larger wide-area
network. The network 110 may be a local area network (LAN), which
may be communicatively coupled to a wide area network (WAN) such as
the Internet. The Internet is a broad network of interconnected
computers and servers allowing for the transmission and exchange of
Internet Protocol (IP) data between users connected through a
network service provider. Examples of network service providers are
the public switched telephone network, a cable service provider, a
provider of digital subscriber line (DSL) services, or a satellite
service provider. Network 110 allows for communication between the
various components of server-client environment 100.
[0020] The digital medium 120 of FIG. 1 may include a media storage
device such as a CD or DVD. Digital media can include information
and content that may be accessed on digital medium 120 and played
on client devices 140A or 140B (e.g., a file of content rather than
the storage medium for that content). Digital media may include
portions of data or locked or `secure` data whereby further
information and/or interaction with server 160 may be required in
order to unlock, access, or play that data. In some instances, the
information or content may be downloaded over network 110. In such
an instance, the content may be stored in memory at the client
device 140A or in some other form of storage. The downloaded
content may still embody a unique identifier or other information
to delineate one download from another (e.g., watermarks, file
headers, DRM wrappers).
[0021] Each digital medium 120 is associated with a medium
identifier 130 to uniquely identify the digital medium 120. The
medium identifier 130 may be physically stamped on a CD-ROM,
DVD-ROM, or associated documentation (thereby requiring manual
entry of the information by a user), and/or be part of the
information stored in the digital medium 120 and readable by the
client devices 140A or 140B. The medium identifier 130 may be
assigned to the digital medium 120 by a manufacturer or publisher
in the course of producing the digital medium 120. In the case of
downloaded content, and as noted above, the identifier 130 may be a
watermark, file header, DRM wrappers, or some other indicia
embedded in or otherwise associated with the downloaded content
file.
[0022] Client devices 140A and 140B of FIG. 1 are electronic
devices, such as an electronic gaming system, a general-purpose
computer, a set-top box, a Blu-Ray player, or a portable gaming
device that may access the contents of the digital storage medium
120. Each client device 140 may also be configured to access data
from other storage media, such as memory cards or disk drives as
may be appropriate in the case of downloaded content. Client
devices 140A and 140B include standard computing components such as
network and media interfaces, computer-readable storage (memory),
and processors for executing instructions that may be stored in
memory.
[0023] Each client device 140 is associated with a unique device
identifier 150. During a use of the client device 140, a user may
register (either manually or through an automatic exchange of data
over network 110) the client device 140 (and device identifier 150)
with the server 160. The client device 140 may be registered and
identified thereafter by reference to the device identifier 150, a
corresponding user identifier, or both. The server 160 stores a
device identifier 150, a corresponding user identifier (or
identifiers), or both in the user database 170. A first-time user
of client device 140 may be prompted by the server 160 to enter
further user information, which may also be stored in user database
170. Either the device identifier 150 or a user identifier may be
used to identify a particular user.
[0024] Information may be sent from the client device 140 over the
network 110 to the server 160 for storage in one or more databases,
including the user database 170 and/or the media database 180. The
server 160 can later access data stored in either the user database
170 or the media database 180 for various purposes including
providing rewards to classifications of purchasers of content.
Databases 170 and 180 are discussed in more detail in conjunction
with FIGS. 2A-B. Server 160, like client devices 140A and 140B,
includes standard computing components such as network and media
interfaces, computer-readable storage (memory), and processors for
executing instructions that may be stored in memory.
[0025] FIG. 2A illustrates a user database 170 accessible to the
server 160 of FIG. 1. The user database 170 includes user
information 210 with respect to a multitude of users. Stored user
information 210 may include name, user identifier, address,
preferences, one or more device identifiers of digital client
devices associated with the user, and one or more media identifiers
of media associated with the user or a device. The user database
170 may receive information and/or updates concerning users based
on a user registration, registration of a new digital device 140,
registration of new digital media, including a digital medium 120,
association with digital storage media, and corresponding medium
identifier 130, registration for a service, and requests for
updates.
[0026] FIG. 2B illustrates a media database 180 accessible to the
server 160 of FIG. 1. The media database 180 includes media
information 220 concerning a variety of digital media. Each digital
medium 120 may be listed by medium identifier 130. Information
concerning a particular digital medium 120 may include title,
publisher, one or more digital client devices 140 that have played
the digital medium 120, the number of times the medium 120 has been
played, the number of times a particular medium 120 has been
transferred or exchanged, or combinations of the same. The media
database 180 may be populated with information from user
registrations, from publishers, or a combination of the
foregoing.
[0027] When a media identifier 130 is received by server 160, media
database 180 and media information 220 are surveyed to determine
whether the particular identifier 130 has previously been
registered in the database 180. If the database 180 lacks media
information 220 corresponding to that particular media identifier
130, then the system presumes that the corresponding digital
storage medium 120 is newly purchased and is being registered for
the first time The medium identifier 130 is also associated with
the digital device 140 that played the digital medium 120 for the
first time. A user associated with the digital device 140 is then
characterized as a purchaser of the digital medium 120 and granted
certain capabilities as further described below.
[0028] If the medium identifier 130 received from the digital
device 140 has been previously registered in media database 180,
then a determination may be made as to whether the digital device
140 that is playing the corresponding digital medium 120 is that
digital device 140 that initially registered the newly purchased
digital storage medium 120. If the digital device 140 that is
currently playing the digital medium 120 matches the same digital
device 140 that registered the digital medium 120, then it is
presumed that the current user of the digital medium 120 is the
previously registered purchaser of that storage medium 120.
[0029] If it is determined that a different digital device 140 is
playing the storage medium 120, the server 160 may instantiate a
query operation to the digital device 140. Through this query, the
server 160 may notify the digital device 140 as a user currently
operating the same the device identifier 150 as it corresponds to
that particular digital device 140 does not match the device
identifier 150 as it pertains to the medium identifier 130
previously stored in database 180. The operator of the disparate
digital device 140 may be requested to provide user information as
the user database 170 maintains information pertaining to devices,
users, and certain media as described above.
[0030] In some instances, an initial purchaser of content may have
simply taken the content to another location to engage in game play
or to view a movie (e.g., to a friend's house, that friend having
their own digital device 140). If the user of the digital device
140 is able to provide user identification that corresponds to the
medium identifier 130 notwithstanding the disparity in device
identifier 150, then certain rights and privileges may continue to
be granted. If the requisite identification or information is not
provided, then the user and/or device playing the medium 120 may be
characterized as a secondary user or gift recipient as is further
addressed below.
[0031] Among the rights and privileges associated with a particular
digital medium 120 is the ability to transfer the digital medium
120 to another user. For example, an individual may wish to sell or
otherwise give digital medium 120 to another user. A sender of a
gift of digital medium 120 may therefore generate a gift
notification indicating the particular digital medium being gifted
(i.e., digital medium 120) and a particular recipient. Upon
receiving the gift notification, server 160 may search user
database 170 to determine the identity of the sender and whether
the digital medium 120 is associated with the identified sender. If
the sender is associated with the digital medium 120, the sender is
authorized to transfer the digital medium 120 to the designated
recipient.
[0032] In some instances, the sender may wish to purchase new,
unused digital media (i.e., digital medium 120) specifically as a
gift for the designated recipient. In some embodiments, server 160
may host or be otherwise associated with a sales application for
selling new digital media. Upon purchase of new digital medium 120
by the sender, the information regarding the digital medium 120 may
be saved to both user database 170 and media database 180. The
sender may, however, designate the purchase for transfer to another
user (i.e., the recipient of the gift of digital media 120). The
recipient may be designated by name, address, user ID, email
address, or various combinations thereof.
[0033] The designation of a recipient of a gift of digital media
may be recorded in both the user database 170 and media database
180. A database entry about the recipient stored in user database
170 would therefore reflect the association with the digital media
120. Likewise, the database entry about the digital medium 120
includes information regarding the association with the
recipient.
[0034] The stored information regarding the transfer may further
indicate whether the recipient has received and/or registered the
gift of digital medium 120. For example, where the digital medium
120 is downloadable, the information stored in user database 170
and/or media database 180 may indicate whether the recipient has
downloaded the digital medium 120. Likewise, if the digital medium
120 is embodied in a storage medium (e.g., CD or DVD), the
information stored in user database 170 and/or media database 180
may indicate whether the digital medium 120 has been played or
registered on a client device (i.e., client device 140B) associated
with the recipient.
[0035] Where the digital medium 120 being transferred is not newly
purchased as a gift (e.g., where the sender has previously used or
played the digital medium 120), the information regarding the
transfer may further indicate that the recipient of the gift is a
secondary user. If the digital storage media (e.g., CD or DVD) is
simply given or handed over to a secondary user, the secondary user
may be prompted to register the digital media 120 before play on
client device 140B. As such, server 160 may encounter a disparity
between device identifier 150B and medium identifier 130, because
the original purchaser of the digital medium 120 is no longer the
owner of the medium 120 and has sold or given the same to the
secondary user. If the current user of the digital storage medium
120 is unable to provide the correct corresponding user
identification or expressly indicates that they are a secondary
owner of the digital storage medium 120 as noted above, then
records at the user database 170 and media database 180 are updated
to reflect, at the very least, that the current user of digital
medium 120 corresponding to a particular medium identifier 130
should now be considered a secondary user.
[0036] The status of secondary user (versus an initial purchaser)
may be associated with a different set of rights and privileges
with respect to the digital medium 120. The secondary user may be
able to acquire the same rights and privileges as an initial
purchaser, but only after purchasing those rights or upgrading to a
higher classification of owner. Toward this end, the sender of the
gift of digital medium 120 may also include a gift of credit that
can be applied toward the upgrade. The gift of credit may also be
applied to other purchases of digital media in the context of an
online sales application or other sales outlet associated with the
credit. Information regarding the credit may also be stored in user
database 170 in association with other recipient information.
[0037] In some instances, a purchaser or seller of the digital
storage medium 120 might preemptively update user information 210
and media information 220. Information may be updated directly from
a digital client device 140 or through a secondary interface such
as a web-based browser on a computer. As discussed above, certain
updates to user and media information (210/220) may also be made at
the initial point of sale as a part of the sales transaction. A
user may also update a record to indicate that while they remain
the original owner that they have since acquired a new digital
client device 140 that should be associated with the user
identification or replace a preexisting device identifier 150.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 300
for managing a gift of digital media. The method 300 of FIG. 3 may
be embodied as executable instructions embodied in a computer
readable storage medium including but not limited to a CD, DVD, or
non-volatile memory such as a hard drive. The instructions of the
storage medium may be executed by a processor (or processors) to
cause various hardware components of a computing device hosting or
otherwise accessing the storage medium to effectuate the method.
The steps identified in FIG. 3 (and the order thereof) are
exemplary and may include various alternatives, equivalents, or
derivations thereof including but not limited to the order of
execution of the same.
[0039] In method 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3, a sender may
designate a digital medium (digital medium 120) via a digital
client device (client device 140A), as a gift to a designated
recipient. The designation triggers delivery of a gift notification
to server or other computing device (server 160) over a
communications network (network 110). The notification may include
information concerning the sender, client device, and digital
medium, each of which may be associated with unique identifiers.
Based on information in the gift notification, the sender is
identified. A determination is then made as to whether the sender
is authorized to give the digital medium (e.g., the sender is a
purchaser of new digital media or owner of previously-used digital
media). If the sender is authorized to transfer the digital medium,
the transfer is initiated and recorded in memory. If the digital
media is new, a message is sent to the recipient concerning the
gift of digital media and the rights and privileges associated with
the digital media. If the digital media is not new (e.g.,
previously played by the sender or a previous owner) an offer may
be presented to either the sender or the recipient concerning an
upgrade with respect to rights or privileges associated with the
digital medium.
[0040] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in
the context of recommendations of digital media. A first party (who
may or may not own the actual media being recommended, such as a
particular digital download) may make a recommendation to another
party. This recommendation may be based on personal experience
through ownership or first-hand game play by the first party.
Alternatively, the recommendation may be based solely on the first
party having knowledge of the particular likes (or dislikes) of a
second party. The recommendation may include a base component of
the recommended digital media (i.e., an actual file) or a reference
or link to the same (e.g., instructions for accessing the
recommended media or a hyperlink to the recommended media). The
base component accessed as a part of or in light of the
recommendation may be upgraded in accordance with a contextually
appropriate variation of the methodology set forth herein.
[0041] If the sender accepts the offer (e.g., purchases the
upgrade), the message to the recipient may be updated accordingly.
For example, the message may simply indicate that the gift of the
digital medium is associated with certain specified rights or
privileges, including the upgraded rights or privileges.
Alternatively, the message may further indicate that in addition to
the gift of the digital medium, the sender is also giving the
recipient a gift of credit that can be applied toward a purchase of
the upgraded rights or privileges. In some instances, it is the
recipient that accepts the offer and initiates the purchase of the
upgraded rights or privileges.
[0042] In step 310, a gift notification is received at a server or
other computing device tasked with determining whether a sender
authorized to give away particular digital media. The gift
notification may concern a gift of a digital medium 120 with media
identifier 130 and previously played or otherwise associated with a
digital client device 140A with device identifier 150A. When the
sender designates the particular digital media 120 for a particular
recipient, a gift notification may be generated concerning the gift
designation, including the details of the digital media 120.
[0043] A sender of the gift notification and the designated digital
medium is identified in step 320 following receipt of the gift
notification of step 310. Using the notification information
received in step 310, the server 160 may formulate a search based
on identifying the sender (i.e., user of digital device 140A).
Specifically, the server 160 may search the user database 170 for
the unique device identifier 150A of the digital client device
140A. The device identifier 150A may be found, for example, in user
information 210 associated with the sender. The user information
210 may also indicate whether the sender has previously registered
the digital medium 120. The server 160 may also formulate a search
for the medium identifier 130 associated with the designated
digital medium 120 and determine whether medium identifier 130 is
associated with a device identifier 150A of a client device 140A
associated with the sender.
[0044] Based on the user information 210 of the identified sender,
it is then determined in step 330 whether the sender is authorized
to transfer the digital medium 120 to another individual. In an
exemplary embodiment, it is determined whether the sender is an
initial purchaser of a new, unused copy of the digital medium 120
specifically as a gift for the designated recipient. Alternatively,
it may be determined that the sender has previously registered the
digital media for his/her own personal use or play. Such
information may be used to determine whether the sender is
authorized to make a gift of the digital media and whether the
digital media is newly purchased as a gift or previously used by
the sender or previous owners.
[0045] Once the sender is determined to be authorized to make a
gift of the digital medium 120, the transfer is initiated, and
information regarding the transfer may be stored in memory (i.e.,
user database 170 and/or media database 180) in step 340. Where the
digital medium 120 is downloadable, the initiation of the transfer
may involve providing the recipient with access to the downloadable
digital medium (e.g., generating a link for download). In some
instances, the initiating the transfer may involve creating a user
account and allowing the recipient access to various online
services or forums associated with the digital medium 120. Where
the digital medium 120 is previously used/played by the sender, the
sender may be denied further access to the digital medium 120 and
any associated rights or privileges.
[0046] The degree of such access may depend on whether the digital
medium 120 is new or previously used/played. In step 350, the
digital medium 120 may be identified as being new, unused, and/or
purchased specifically as a gift for the recipient. Such a
determination may be made based on an evaluation of information
related to the unique medium identifier 130 of the digital medium
120. For example, user information 210 may indicate that a user is
an initial or secondary purchaser of digital medium 120 and
further, whether the user has used or played the digital medium
120. Media information 220 may also be searched for indication that
the digital medium 120 has been played on any of the digital client
devices 140 associated with the sender.
[0047] If the digital medium is determined to be new, the recipient
is allowed all the rights or privileges associated with ownership
of new, unused digital medium 120 in step 360. Such rights or
privileges are not generally accessible to users who purchase or
are given previously used copies of digital medium 120. The rights
or privileges may include improved audio-visual quality in the play
of the digital medium on the digital device, wherein the level of
audio-visual quality is superior to a level of audio-visual quality
available to users belonging to a second or different
classification. The rights or privileges may also include the
ability to receive or be associated with a digital trophy related
to game play or certain achievements therein. The digital trophy
may, in some instances, be portable to other digital media whereby
the user may receive a trophy in one game genre and be associated
with that trophy in another genre.
[0048] The rights or privileges may alternatively or further
include the ability to customize play of or interaction with the
digital medium 120. For example, a user may be able to design or
change aspects of different levels of game play. Changes may also
be decorative and include skinning or allow for the introduction of
particular visual interfaces or other overlays. Customization may
also apply to introduction of sound effects and/or the ability to
introduce certain sound effects in response to occurrence of
certain events or at certain points of play of the digital medium.
Customization may also include the ability to configure a control
device associated with interacting with the content. For example, a
user may not desire to play a game using a default controller
configuration. Customization rights or privileges may allow a user
to reconfigure how a particular button or other interaction input
on a control device results in a change or reaction with respect to
the digital medium (e.g., movement of a character).
[0049] Other rights or privileges might include additional or
enhanced abilities for a character in a video game. For example, a
game character might enjoy enhanced strength or stamina or receive
certain powers not otherwise available to that character. Such
enhancements or abilities might be specific to a character
associated with the rewarded user or might apply to a family of
characters associated with the user or other characters that belong
to a team or clan associated with the rewarded user.
[0050] Other rights or privileges include additional modes of game
play or tutorials related to game play whereby a user may receive
instructions as to certain maneuvers or in-game interactions. A
user might also be given an additional save point for a video game
whereby the save point allows game play information to be saved at
a designated moment in game play. As a result, the user is able to
restart or `backup` to the information at the save point rather
than start over from the beginning of game play or an earlier save
point that might not reflect certain efforts or accomplishments
achieved since that prior save point.
[0051] Rights or privileges might also include access to related
literature or media or other information about the game or media.
Such information might include previews or exclusive news or other
information concerning upgrades and future releases. Rights or
privileges may also encompass discounts on related purchases either
in the game or in the real world and associated with the game or
media (e.g., a discount on a second movie in a series or the next
release in a video game franchise). Rights or privileges might also
include redeemable points that may be used to acquire various
prizes or objects in the game or in the real world.
[0052] Based on the digital medium 120, the amount and type of
rights or privileges available may vary. Further, new rights or
privileges may become available over time. The rights or privileges
may be provided through downloading content from server 160 to
client device 140. In some cases, the content of the rights or
privileges may already be stored on digital medium 120, but
inaccessible until the determination was made in step 350 that the
digital medium 120. In cases where the recipient is given a gift of
previously used digital medium 120, the recipient may also be
allowed access to the rights or privileges upon acceptance of an
upgrade offer. Such an upgrade offer is discussed in further detail
below with respect to steps 380 and 390.
[0053] In step 370, a message is sent to notify the recipient
regarding the gift of digital medium 120 from the sender. Using
information from the gift notification, the user database 160 may
be searched for information identifying the recipient, including
name, address, email address, user ID, etc. The message may be sent
to the client device 140B associated with the recipient, or
alternatively, to an email address associated with the recipient.
In cases where the digital medium 120 downloadable or streamed, the
message may include the link for download or streaming, as well as
any required passwords. Alternatively, the message may include the
digital medium 120 as an attachment or otherwise provide or
facilitate access to the digital medium 120. The message may
further include information regarding the various rights or
privileges associated with the digital medium 120 and described
above with respect to step 360.
[0054] In some embodiments, the digital medium 120 is determined to
be previously used or played. As such, the recipient may only have
access to a certain set of rights or privileges that are more
limited than if the digital medium 120 were new. A message may
therefore be sent to the recipient in step 380 that includes an
offer to upgrade the rights or privileges associated with the
digital medium 120. The offer may require a payment or registration
for acceptance. The incentive for accepting such an offer is access
to the rights or privileges associated with new, unused gifts of
digital medium 120. Such an offer may encourage recipients to
convert their status from one akin to secondary purchasers, so that
they are afforded the benefits and rewards enjoyed by initial
purchasers of digital media. Alternatively, the message may be sent
to the sender of the gift, in case the sender wishes to provide the
upgrade as an additional gift.
[0055] In step 390, it is determined whether the offer presented in
the step 380 is accepted. Acceptance, as noted above, may include a
payment or providing additional registration information. Upon an
indication of acceptance, server 160 may then initiate the
processing of payment or query for more information. Where the
offer is accepted by the sender, the sender may purchase the
upgrade as an additional gift for the designated recipient. In some
cases, the gift of the upgrade may be provided in the form of
"store credit" that may be applied by the recipient to a purchase
of the upgrade. As such, the sender may only provide part of the
credit required to purchase the upgrade.
[0056] To complete the purchase of the upgrade, the recipient must
then provide the remaining amount due, based on credit already held
by the recipient or through further payment. Once the purchase
and/or registration is completed, the recipient and/or digital
medium 120 may then be assigned to a certain user/media
classification and, as such, the recipient may be provided with
access to the rights or privileges described with respect to step
360.
[0057] While the foregoing system and methodology has been
described with respect to incentivizing a sender to make a new
purchase of media for gifting or incentivizing a recipient to
upgrade, the present systems and methods may also be used to offer
disincentives to the gifting or purchase of secondary media. The
foregoing rights or privileges, instead of being true rewards or
additional benefits granted to a user may, in fact, be a standard
component, right, ability or other aspect of game play. Upon a
determination that the media has been previously used/played, those
rights or benefits might be taken away or be further limited. This
may be accomplished by server 160 sending a signal or other
information to digital client device 140B that causes the digital
medium 120 to be processed in such a way that those rights and
benefits are not enabled or are otherwise "blocked." Upon upgrading
or providing other registration information, the "block" may be
removed and the rights or privileges may be restored.
[0058] The present invention may be implemented in an application
that may be operable using a variety of end user devices. For
example, an end user device may be a personal computer, a home
entertainment system such as a PlayStation.RTM.2 or
PlayStation.RTM.3 available from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.,
a portable gaming device such as a PSP.TM. (also from Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc.), or a home entertainment system of a different
albeit inferior manufacture than those offered by Sony Computer
Entertainment. The present methodologies described herein are fully
intended to be operable on a variety of devices. The present
invention may also be implemented with cross-title neutrality
wherein an embodiment of the present system may be utilized across
a variety of titles from various publishers.
[0059] Computer-readable storage media refer to any medium or media
that participate in providing instructions to a central processing
unit (CPU) for execution. Such media can take many forms,
including, but not limited to, non-volatile and volatile media such
as optical or magnetic disks and dynamic memory, respectively.
Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a
floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other
magnetic medium, a CD-ROM disk, digital video disk (DVD), any other
optical medium, RAM, PROM, EPROM, a FLASHEPROM, any other memory
chip or cartridge.
[0060] Various forms of transmission media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a CPU
for execution. A bus carries the data to system RAM, from which a
CPU retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions
received by system RAM can optionally be stored on a fixed disk
either before or after execution by a CPU. Various forms of storage
may likewise be implemented as well as the necessary network
interfaces and network topologies to implement the same.
[0061] While various embodiments have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of
example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended
to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set
forth herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment
should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary
embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is
illustrative and not restrictive. To the contrary, the present
descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives,
modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and
otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The
scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with
reference to the above description, but instead should be
determined with reference to the appended claims along with their
full scope of equivalents.
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