U.S. patent application number 13/050727 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-07 for time-based digital content authorization.
This patent application is currently assigned to Audible, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jonathan T. Millman, Ajit V. Rajasekharan, Foy C. Sperring, JR., Guy A. Story, JR..
Application Number | 20110167502 13/050727 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46332173 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110167502 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Millman; Jonathan T. ; et
al. |
July 7, 2011 |
TIME-BASED DIGITAL CONTENT AUTHORIZATION
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for time-based access to digital content
are provided. Access to a set of digital content is provided for a
predetermined period of time. During the predetermined period of
time, a user can access (e.g., download, play) any digital content
in the set of digital content. At the end of the predetermined
period of time, the user is denied access to the digital content
regardless of where the content is stored (e.g., in a digital
content library, on a computer system controlled by the user, on a
playback device controlled by the user). Simplified access and
control of digital content is thereby provided in the form of
time-based access.
Inventors: |
Millman; Jonathan T.; (New
York, NY) ; Rajasekharan; Ajit V.; (East Brunswick,
NJ) ; Sperring, JR.; Foy C.; (Bay Shore, NY) ;
Story, JR.; Guy A.; (New York, NY) |
Assignee: |
Audible, Inc.
Newark
NJ
|
Family ID: |
46332173 |
Appl. No.: |
13/050727 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12431295 |
Apr 28, 2009 |
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13050727 |
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10179762 |
Jun 24, 2002 |
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12431295 |
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60301115 |
Jun 25, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
726/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/2541 20130101;
H04N 21/6334 20130101; H04N 5/913 20130101; H04N 21/8352 20130101;
H04N 21/4627 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
726/29 |
International
Class: |
G06F 21/24 20060101
G06F021/24 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: under the control of
one or more computing devices, granting a playback device access to
a group of digital content files from a digital library, said
access granted when an identifier identifying the playback device
corresponds to a valid identifier in a list of valid identifiers
contained in at least one digital content file of the group,
wherein the identifier identifying the playback device is stored on
the playback device, and wherein the identifier identifying the
playback device is valid for a predetermined period of time; and
denying the playback device further access to the group of digital
content files when the identifier identifying the playback device
is not valid.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
causing the predetermined period of time to be extended.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said denying
access includes disabling the playback device.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
invalidating at least one valid identifier in the list of valid
identifiers.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
invalidating the identifier identifying the playback device stored
on the playback device;
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
invalidating the identifier identifying the playback device stored
on the playback device when the predetermined period of time
expires.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein denying the
playback device further access comprises preventing the playback
device from copying at least some content in the group of content
files.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein said access
is granted to at least one digital content file stored on the
playback device, and wherein the group of digital content files
comprises the at least one digital content file.
9. A playback device comprising: a memory; and a processor in
communication with the memory, the processor configured to: store
in the memory an identifier that is valid for a predetermined
period of time and a digital content file downloaded from a digital
library; access the digital content file stored in memory, if the
stored identifier matches a valid identifier in a list of valid
identifiers contained in the digital content file; and deny access
to the digital content file stored in memory after the
predetermined period of time expires.
10. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the predetermined
period of time is extendable.
11. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the stored identifier
uniquely identifies the playback device.
12. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the stored identifier
identifies a group of playback devices.
13. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the playback device is
a mobile wireless communications device.
14. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the processor is
further configured to cause the playback device to download the
digital information file from the digital library via a
network.
15. A computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium having
instructions stored thereon, that when executed by a processor,
cause one or more electronic devices to: grant a playback device
access to a digital content file stored on the playback device,
said access granted when an identifier identifying the playback
device corresponds to a valid identifier in a group of valid
identifiers contained in the digital content file, wherein the
identifier identifying the playback device is stored on the
playback device, and wherein the identifier identifying the
playback device is valid for a predetermined period of time; and
deny the playback device further access to the digital content file
after the identifier identifying the playback device expires.
16. The computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium of claim
15, wherein the predetermined period of time is extendable.
17. The computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium of claim
15, wherein the identifier identifying the playback device
comprises at least one of a temporary identifier and a renewable
identifier.
18. The computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium of claim
15, wherein the instructions stored on the computer-readable,
non-transitory storage medium, when executed, further cause the one
or more electronic devices to grant the playback device access to a
group of digital content files from the digital library, said
access to the group of digital content files granted when the
identifier identifying the playback device corresponds to an
identifier contained in at least one digital content file of the
group of digital content files.
19. The computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium of claim
15, wherein said access comprises making a copy of at least a
portion of the digital content file.
20. The computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium of claim
15, wherein the digital content file comprises at least a portion
of an audio book.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present patent application is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 12/431,295 filed Apr. 28, 2009, which is a
continuation of application Ser. No. 10/179,762 filed Jun. 24,
2002, which claims priority to provisional application, Ser. No.
60/301,115 filed Jun. 25, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to digital content playback systems.
More particularly, the invention relates to time-based
authorization for accessing digital content.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Typical digital content providers allow users to access
digital content on a file-by-file basis. For example, if a user
wishes to listen to an audio book, the user pays for and downloads
a digital copy of the audio book. Other types of digital content
(e.g., music, movies) can be accessed in a similar manner. For
users that access digital content at or above a certain rate,
providers of digital content often provide reduced prices compared
to users that access digital content below the certain rate. The
overhead involved in tracking accounts for multiple users with
multiple pricing arrangements on a file-by-file basis can be
complex. Additionally, per-unit pricing of content requires a user
to make a purchase decision for each new content item, which can
inhibit a user from accessing digital content, and can prevent a
user from forming habits of accessing content regularly.
[0004] Subscription-based World Wide Web pages provide unlimited
access for a predetermined period of time (e.g., month, year) based
on a user's account balance. Such subscription-based content
providers typically provide current events (e.g., news, sports,
entertainment) that are interesting to users for a relatively short
period of time. One problem with applying subscription-based access
to long-term digital content (e.g., audio books, movies, music) is
that a user can download content during a purchased predetermined
period of time and consume the content over an extended period of
time. The subscription cost of subscription-based access to
long-term digital content would have to be relatively high for the
content provider to remain profitable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by
way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in
which like reference numerals refer to similar elements.
[0006] FIG. 1 is one embodiment of an electronic system.
[0007] FIG. 2 is one embodiment of an architecture that provides
digital information for playback.
[0008] FIG. 3 is one embodiment of an electronic system running a
digital information player.
[0009] FIG. 4 is one embodiment of a hardware playback device.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a first embodiment of time-based
digital content authorization.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a second embodiment of
time-based digital content authorization.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a third embodiment of time-based
digital content authorization.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Methods and apparatuses for time-based authorization for
accessing digital content are described. In the following
description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details
are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art
that the invention can be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block
diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention.
[0014] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The
appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in
the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment.
[0015] Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are
presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of
operations on data within a computer memory. These algorithmic
descriptions and representations are the means used by those
skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the
substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm
is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence
of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring
physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or
magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,
compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at
times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these
signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms,
numbers, or the like.
[0016] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and
similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical
quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these
quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from
the following discussion throughout the description, discussions
utilizing terms such as "processing" or "generating" or
"calculating" or "determining" or the like, refer to the action and
processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing
device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as
physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's
registers and memories into other data similarly represented as
physical quantities within the computer system memories or
registers or other such information storage, transmission or
display devices.
[0017] The invention also relates to apparatuses for performing the
operations herein. An apparatus may be specially constructed for
the required purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose
computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer
program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be
stored in a computer accessible storage medium, such as, but is not
limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks,
CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs),
random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical
cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic
instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus, or
instructions received over a network.
[0018] The algorithms and displays presented herein are not
inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus.
Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in
accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to
construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method
steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will
appear from the description below. In addition, the invention is
not described with reference to any particular programming
language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming
languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention
as described herein.
[0019] In general, a service is provided wherein access to a set of
digital content (e.g., audio recordings including voice and/or
music, video recordings, audio/video recordings) is provided for a
predetermined period of time. During the predetermined period of
time the service is provided, a user can access (e.g., download,
play) any digital content in the set of digital content. At the end
of the predetermined period of time, the service is terminated and
the user is denied access to the digital content regardless of
where the content is stored (e.g., in a digital content library, on
a computer system controlled by the user, on a playback device
controlled by the user). Simplified access and control of digital
content is thereby provided in the form of time-based access. Thus,
a user can select from a full array of digital content to access,
and the service provider can supply the content without having it
accessed too cheaply.
[0020] FIG. 1 is one embodiment of an electronic system. Electronic
system 100 includes bus 101 or other communication device to
communicate information, and processor 102 coupled with bus 101 to
process information. Electronic system 100 further includes random
access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device 104 (referred
to as main memory), coupled to bus 101 to store information and
instructions to be executed by processor 102. Main memory 104 also
can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate
information during execution of instructions by processor 102.
Electronic system 100 also includes read only memory (ROM) and/or
other static storage device 106 coupled to bus 101 for storing
static information and instructions for processor 102. Data storage
device 107 is coupled to bus 101 to store information and
instructions.
[0021] Data storage device 107 such as a magnetic disk or optical
disc and its corresponding drive can be coupled to electronic
system 100. Electronic system 100 can also be coupled via bus 101
to display device 121, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid
crystal display (LCD), to display information to a system user.
Alphanumeric input device 122, including alphanumeric and other
keys, is typically coupled to bus 101 to communicate information
and command selections to processor 102. Another type of user input
device is cursor control 123, such as a mouse, a trackball, or
cursor direction keys to communicate direction information and
command selections to processor 102 and to control cursor movement
on display 121.
[0022] In one embodiment, electronic system 100 further includes
playback device interface 130 that provides a communications
interface between electronic system 100 and a mobile playback
device (not shown in FIG. 1). Playback device interface 130 can be,
for example, a docking station coupled to a port (not shown in FIG.
1) of electronic system 100 (e.g., serial port, parallel port, SCSI
interface, USB interface). The docking station is configured to
receive a mobile playback device. Playback device interface 130
allows electronic system 100 to communicate licensing information,
digital content, and other data to and receive data from a mobile
playback device.
[0023] In one embodiment, the invention is related to the use of
electronic system 100 to access digital content in a time-based
manner. According to one embodiment, accessing the digital content
is performed by a computer system, one form of electronic system
100, in response to processor 102 executing sequences of
instructions contained in memory 104.
[0024] Instructions are provided to main memory 104 from a storage
device, such as magnetic disk, CD-ROM, DVD, via a remote connection
(e.g., over a network), etc. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired
circuitry can be used in place of or in combination with software
instructions to implement the invention. Thus, the invention is not
limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and
software.
[0025] FIG. 2 is one embodiment of an architecture that provides
digital information for playback suitable for use with the
invention. Server 210 is coupled to multiple playback devices,
including hardware playback devices (e.g., 230) and players (e.g.,
245 running on computer system 240), by network 200. Any number of
hardware playback devices and players can be coupled to server 210
by network 200. As described in greater detail below, the
architecture of FIG. 2 can provide time-based authorization for
accessing digital content.
[0026] In one embodiment, network 200 is the Internet; however,
other networks can be used. For example, network 200 can be an
intranet that couples together only computer systems and other
devices that belong to a particular organization. Network 200 can
also represent a group of networks, such as a group of local area
networks.
[0027] Server 210 stores digital information that defines
programming as well as information about authorized users of the
digital information. In one embodiment, server 210 stores a library
of digital content that can be retrieved by authorized users for
later playback by authorized playback devices. The library of
digital content can include audio books, recordings of lecture
series, news, plays, movies, etc.
[0028] Hardware playback device 230 stores programs from server 210
for playback. Hardware playback device 230 can store all or a
portion of one or more programs. Also, hardware playback device 230
can be coupled to network 200 directly or by a computer system (not
shown in FIG. 2) that accesses server 210. Hardware playback device
230 represents a device or combination of devices that play back
the programs (e.g., set-top box, dedicated content player, mobile
electronic systems, etc.). Computer system 240 runs player 245 and
can play digital content from server 210. Server 210 can also be a
license management device or another device (not shown in FIG. 2)
can be a license management device.
[0029] FIG. 3 is one embodiment of an electronic system running a
digital information player. Processor 102 executes sequences of
instructions stored in main memory 104 including sequences of
instructions defining operating system 300 and player 310.
Operating system 300 is a set of instructions that directs
operation of electronic system 100. Thus, it may be any program
ranging from a commercial software operating system to proprietary
firmware that controls the function of electronic system 100.
Electronic system 100 may be a computer system, dedicated playback
device, set-top box including digital video recorders, a personal
digital assistant (PDA), automobile entertainment system, mobile
wireless communication device, or other device capable of playing
digital content, or a combination of devices coupled with each
other to play digital content.
[0030] Main memory 104 further includes digital content 320 that is
all or a portion of programming received from a server. Additional
programs, or additional portions of digital content 320, can be
stored by storage device 107 and copied to main memory 104 as
necessary. Storage device 107 may include flash, random access
memory (RAM), random operating memory (ROM), and optical or
magnetic disk drives.
[0031] Processor 102 retrieves data from digital content 320 and
outputs audio and/or video in response to the data. Processor 102
can also retrieve digital content data from a network connection
(not shown in FIG. 3), either wired (e.g., coaxial, CAT-5) or
wireless (e.g., infrared, radio frequency signals) for playback or
for storage in main memory 104.
[0032] FIG. 4 is one embodiment of a hardware playback device
suitable for use with the invention. Player 400 is a mobile
playback device that allows digital content to be downloaded, for
example, via a playback device interface and played back later. A
user can utilize the buttons on player 400 to navigate through
stored data to replay desired digital content.
[0033] Player 400 includes buttons 405, 410, 415, 420 and 425 and
volume dial 430. Further details of player 400 can be found in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/710,114 filed Sep. 12, 1996. In
summary, player 400 includes a processor and internal random access
memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM) and a memory storage device
such as flash memory. In one embodiment the ROM stores an operating
system, while the flash memory (or other memory storage device)
stores digital content.
[0034] Player 400 can also include an interface to receive
removable media to store digital content. For example, flash memory
cards storing audio content can be inserted into player 400.
Digital content stored on the removable media can be played back
directly from the removable media or copied from the removable
media and stored in player 400 for later playback.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a first embodiment of time-based
digital content authorization. In general, the embodiment of FIG. 5
results in allowing a user access to digital content so long as a
license is valid. If the license expires or is not renewed, the
user's playback device(s) is/are disabled.
[0036] In one embodiment, licenses to digital content are mapped to
identifiers stored by various playback devices. For example, each
playback device (hardware playback device or software player) can
have a PlayerID that is used to uniquely identify the playback
device. Each playback device can also have a SecondaryID that can
be used if the PlayerID becomes corrupted or lost. Each playback
device can also have one or more GroupIDs that identify multiple
playback devices as belonging to a group.
[0037] In one embodiment, registration and activation of the
various identifiers is accomplished as described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,158,005, entitled "CLONING PROTECTION SCHEME FOR A DIGITAL
INFORMATION PLAYBACK DEVICE," which is assigned to the corporate
assignee of the present application and fully incorporated by
reference herein. Other registration and/or activation methods can
also be used, for example, one or more identifiers can be hardwired
into a playback device, identifiers can be provided by a server
with different registration, cloning and/or activation methods.
[0038] A playback device obtains a valid identifier at 510. In one
embodiment, GroupIDs are obtained from a digital content library,
or other device, through an activation process. The GroupIDs can be
distributed based on, for example, a user's account status or other
factors (e.g., employment status, status with respect to some
particular group, physical status). In an alternate embodiment, the
status of PlayerlDs are maintained by the digital content library,
or other device, where the status is determined based on, for
example, the user's account status or other factors.
[0039] One or more identifiers are stored in the playback device.
In one embodiment, the identifier is encrypted to protect the
identifier from cloning or theft; however, identifier security is
not necessary to provide access to the digital content. One or more
identifiers can also be stored in a device associated with the
playback device, for example, a computer system that retrieves
digital content for use with a mobile playback device can store one
or more identifiers associated with the mobile playback device.
[0040] Access to digital content is granted at 520. In one
embodiment, digital content files include a list of valid
identifiers. If a playback device identifier matches one of the
identifiers stored in the digital content file, the playback device
is authorized to playback the content. Access to any set of digital
content can be granted with each identifier. For example, an
identifier can provide access to a complete digital content
library. A different identifier can be used for each of multiple
subsets of the digital content library. Other identifiers can be
used to provide similar access to other digital content
libraries.
[0041] Subsequent accesses to the digital content are allowed as
long as the appropriate identifier is still valid at 530. For
example, a user can purchase an identifier that activates the
service, allowing the user access to certain digital content for a
one month period. The identifier is valid for one month and passes
the test at 530 for one month, which allows access to the digital
content at 520. At the end of the one month period, the service is
deactivated and the one or more players having the identifier are
disabled at 540. Other time periods can also be used.
[0042] In one embodiment, when a playback device attempts to access
digital content with an invalid identifier the playback device is
disabled. In an alternative embodiment, the playback device is
automatically disabled when the identifier expires. In one
embodiment, a grace period (e.g., two days, one week) is provided
that extends the service after the identifier expires.
[0043] In one embodiment, a user can keep the service activated by
extending the period of an identifier's validity by, for example,
adding to an account with the digital content library. In an
alternative embodiment, a new valid identifier is required to
replace an expired identifier. Thus, enabling or disabling the
playback device can control access to digital content.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a second embodiment of
time-based digital content authorization. The embodiment of FIG. 5
allows access to digital content as long as a license is valid, and
the player is disabled when an invalid license is used. In
contrast, the embodiment of FIG. 6 allows access to digital content
as long as a temporary identifier is valid, and the digital content
is rendered unplayable when the identifier expires.
[0045] A temporary identifier is granted at 610. In one embodiment,
the temporary identifier has an associated time period during which
the identifier is valid. Upon expiration of the time period, the
identifier is no longer valid. In an alternative embodiment,
digital content that is targeted for a particular playback device
includes at least one copy of the temporary identifier (and
possibly other identifiers). The digital content also includes a
time period during which the identifier is valid. At the expiration
of the time period, the temporary identifier in the digital content
expires.
[0046] If the identifier is valid at 620, access to the digital
content is granted at 630. In one embodiment, the digital content
includes a list of valid identifiers. If the identifier of the
playback device matches an identifier in the digital content, the
identifier is valid and the digital content is authorized for
playback. Other methods for determining whether an identifier is
valid can also be used.
[0047] If the identifier is not valid at 620, access to the digital
content is denied at 640. For example, if the digital content is
stored by the digital content library, the ability to download,
play, or otherwise access the digital content corresponding to the
identifier is denied. This can be accomplished by any manner known
in the art.
[0048] When an identifier is invalid at 620, downloaded digital
content is caused to expire at 650. In one embodiment, the digital
content includes a list of valid identifiers. The identifier stored
by the digital content and/or the identifier stored by the playback
device can expire. If one or both of the identifiers is expired,
the playback device cannot playback the digital content. In an
alternative embodiment, the digital content library actively causes
the identifier to expire by, for example, notifying the playback
device, or some related device, that the identifier has
expired.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a third embodiment of time-based
digital content authorization. The embodiment of FIG. 6 allows a
user to keep the service activated by obtaining a new identifier to
allow access to digital content. In contrast, the embodiment of
FIG. 7 provides for access to digital content with a renewable
identifier. This enables a user to renew or extend the service
activation by extending the time period during which the identifier
is valid.
[0050] The renewable identifier is granted at 710. If the
identifier is valid at 720, access to digital content is granted at
730. Access can be granted to digital content that is stored by the
digital content library and to digital content that has been
downloaded, as described above. Access is granted during the time
period for which the renewable identifier is valid.
[0051] If the identifier is not valid at 720, it is determined
whether the identifier should be renewed at 740. The identifier can
be renewed, for example, based on whether a user's account is
current. The user can add to his/her account to extend the time
period for which the renewable identifier is valid. If the
identifier is renewed at 750, the identifier will be valid at 720
and access to the digital content is granted at 730.
[0052] If the identifier is not renewed at 740, the service is
deactivated and access to the digital content is denied at 760.
Access to the digital content can be denied as described above.
Once the service is deactivated and access to digital content is
denied at 760, downloaded digital content is caused to expire at
770. Downloaded digital content can be caused to expire as
described above.
[0053] The embodiments of FIGS. 5-7 are not necessarily independent
of each other. Multiple embodiments can be used with a single
playback device or a set of digital content. Various modifications
of the embodiments of FIGS. 5-7 can also be used with the
embodiments described.
[0054] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will,
however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be
made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to
be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *