U.S. patent application number 13/656558 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-21 for method and apparatus for improved information transactions.
This patent application is currently assigned to EBRARY. The applicant listed for this patent is EBRARY. Invention is credited to Ken ABRAMS, Rick HOLZGRAFE, Christopher WARNOCK.
Application Number | 20130047221 13/656558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47114617 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130047221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WARNOCK; Christopher ; et
al. |
February 21, 2013 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED INFORMATION TRANSACTIONS
Abstract
A mechanism gives users meaningful access to information while
protecting the interests of publishers and creators of information
including text, graphics, photos, executable files, data tables,
audio, video, and three dimensional data and allows a user to
review a document while connected to a network but prevents the
user from downloading, printing, or copying the document unless a
fee is paid. The user is allowed to review documents at a first
cost basis, but only provides other access to documents, such as
copying, printing, or downloading on a second cost basis. The user
is also allowed to purchase a selectable portion of a document at a
price based on the amount of material selected where that amount of
material can include a portion of a document, an entire document,
or an anthology of components of multiple documents.
Inventors: |
WARNOCK; Christopher; (Los
Altos, CA) ; ABRAMS; Ken; (Campbell, CA) ;
HOLZGRAFE; Rick; (San Jose, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EBRARY; |
Sunnyvale |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
EBRARY
SUNNYVALE
CA
|
Family ID: |
47114617 |
Appl. No.: |
13/656558 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09498944 |
Feb 4, 2000 |
8311946 |
|
|
13656558 |
|
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|
|
60159737 |
Oct 15, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
726/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/123 20130101;
G06F 21/10 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; G06Q 20/145 20130101;
G06F 21/6209 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
726/4 |
International
Class: |
G06F 21/20 20060101
G06F021/20 |
Claims
1. A computer implemented method for providing restricted access to
a document using a logic client device, comprising: a user of said
client logic device receiving on a first cost basis a first
user-viewable version of the actual contents of a specific document
residing at a document server; said first user-viewable version
being protected by a security server to prevent the user from
performing a standard operation on said version; said user entering
into a transaction with a transaction server that permits the user
to perform a requested standard operation on a user-selected
portion of said specific document on a second cost basis; and said
user receiving a second version of the actual contents of said
specific document residing at said document server comprising said
user-selected portion of said specific document, wherein a user
requested standard operation is completed in coordination with said
document server upon completion of said transaction; said
transaction comprising: detecting presence of secured content in a
document; providing a document identification to said security
server; receiving a security key from said security server;
applying said security key to provide viewing access to said
secured content; upon a request for an action to said secured
content, interrupting said action to obtain a charge authorization;
verifying said charge authorization; and allowing said action on
said secured content.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said action is any of a
print action, a copy action, an execute action, and a play
action.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said action may specify
a user-selected portion of said content to a fine granularity.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said action is invoked
by a standard command.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: serving a secured
document content that requires a client-side access logic to view;
transmitting a security key to said client-side access to view said
document; receiving a charge authorization request for an action on
said secured document content; verifying a payment transaction for
said action on said content; and authorization to perform said
action.
6. A method allowing retail sale of documents having multiple
owners and fairly compensating individual owners, comprising: a
user of a client logic device receiving on a first cost basis a
first user-viewable version of the actual contents of a specific,
multi-owned document residing at said document server; said first
user-viewable version being protected by a security server to
prevent the user from performing a standard operation on said
version; said user entering into a transaction with a transaction
server that permits the user to perform a requested standard
operation on a user-selected portion of said specific, multi-owned
document on a second cost basis; and said user receiving a second
version of the actual contents of said specific, multi-owned
document residing at said document server comprising said
user-selected portion of said specific, multi-owned document,
wherein a user requested standard operation is completed in
coordination with said document server upon completion of said
transaction; said transaction comprising: encoding said specific,
multi-owned document into an electronic format, said format
including tags identifying ownership of various portions of a
document; allowing a user to select portions of said document and
request a paid action; determining compensation for owners based on
a user selection of a document and calculating a charge for said
user; performing the requested action; and registering information
allowing different owners to be appropriately compensated.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said user is unaware
that different portions of said document may have different
ownership.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein said user selection is
performed using a standard command interface shared with other
applications and an operating system.
9. The method according to claim 6, wherein said document is
encoded in the PDF format.
10. A method allowing a computer user to select and copy portions
of documents including an automatic citation, comprising: a user of
a client logic device receiving on a first cost basis a first
user-viewable version of the actual contents of a specific document
residing at said document server; said user reviewing and browsing
the contents of said document and selecting portions of said
document of interest; said first user-viewable version being
protected by a security server to prevent the user from performing
a standard operation on said version; and accepting a command from
said user to copy or download a portion of said document; said user
entering into a transaction with a transaction server that permits
the user to perform a requested standard operation on a
user-selected portion of said specific document on a second cost
basis; fetching said portion of said document along with citation
information for said document; and said user receiving a second
version of the actual contents of said specific document residing
at said document server comprising said user-selected portion of
said specific document, wherein a user requested standard operation
is completed in coordination with said document server upon
completion of said transaction.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said command is a
standard command used by other applications or the operating system
and wherein the standard operation of said command is interrupted
to allow for including citation information.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said document is
stored in a tagged layout format that includes information
regarding the printout page of the document and other citation
information.
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said document is
stored in a PDF format.
14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said document is
stored in an HTML format with additional tags added for citation
information.
15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:
determining a user's preferred citation format.
16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: allowing
a user to retrieve additional information regarding a selected
object in an encoded document format in a viewing window by:
building an information tools menu on-the-fly in response to a user
opening a document on said user's client logic device; sending said
information tools menu to said user's client logic device;
accepting input from the user activating said information tools
menu, said information tools menu listing a plurality of
information functions; accepting a user selection from the menu;
and performing an indicated function on said object.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:
presenting results from said function to said user.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said information
functions comprise: a translation function.
19. The method according to claim 16, wherein said information
functions comprise: a definition function.
20. The method according to claim 16, wherein said information
functions comprise: a locate function allowing a user to display a
map of a selected place name.
21. The method according to claim 16, wherein said information
functions comprise: a locate function allowing a user to display
contact information for a selected proper name.
22. The method according to claim 24 wherein said proper name can
include a proper name of a person, business, or institution.
23. A method for implementing an on-line information access system,
said method comprising: providing an Internet webpage accessible to
at least one user, via a client logic device, for on-line
interactive communications between said user and said Internet
webpage; offering, on said Internet webpage, options allowing said
user to search for and select information content; said receiving
on a first cost basis a first user-viewable version of said
selected information content; said first user-viewable version
being protected by a security server to prevent the user from
performing a standard operation on said version; detecting a
request from said user to perform an action on said selected
information content; calculating a cost for said action on said
content; said user entering into a transaction with a transaction
server that permits the user to perform a requested standard
operation on said selected information content on a second cost
basis; said user receiving a second version of said selected
information content; and issuing a security key allowing said user
to perform said action on said content.
24. The method as set forth in claim 23, further comprising:
displaying to said user, via said computer system, a cost for
performing said action on said content.
25. The method as set forth in claim 23, further comprising:
receiving permission from said user, via said computer system, to
charge a cost for performing said action on said content.
26. A computer implemented method for providing access to a
document using a logic client device, comprising: a user of said
client logic device receiving on a first cost basis a first
user-viewable version of the actual contents of a specific document
residing at a document server; said user entering into a
transaction with a transaction server that permits the user to
perform a requested operation on said specific document on a second
cost basis; and said user receiving a second version of the actual
contents of said specific document residing at said document
server, wherein a user requested operation is completed in
coordination with said document server upon completion of said
transaction.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said first user-viewable
version is protected by a security server to prevent the user from
performing an operation on said version.
28. A computer implemented method for user access to document
content using a logic client device, comprising: a document server
for delivering to a user of said client logic device a first
user-viewable version of the actual contents of a specific document
residing at said document server on a first cost basis; a security
server for protecting said first user-viewable version to prevent
the user from performing a standard operation on said version, said
standard operation consisting of any of copying, printing, or
saving; a transaction server for calculating a charge to permit the
user to perform a requested standard operation on said specific
document on a second cost basis; and said document server
delivering to said user a second version of the actual contents of
said specific document residing at said document server, wherein a
user requested standard operation is completed in coordination with
said document server upon payment of the calculated charge.
29. A computer implemented method for purchasing information from a
server, comprising: a document server delivering to a user of said
client logic device one or more pages of a specific document in a
first user-viewable version; a security server protecting said
first user-viewable version to permit said user viewing the actual
contents of said pages of said specific document, but not printing,
copying, or saving by the user; a transaction server calculating a
charge to permit a requested standard operation to be performed on
a user-selected portion of said specific document; and said
document server delivering to said user a second version of the
actual contents of said specific document, said delivering step
being performed in coordination with said security server upon
authorization of payment of the calculated charge, said second
version comprising a version on which the standard operation is
performed.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/498,944, filed Feb. 4, 2000, which is currently allowed
and which claims priority from provisional patent application
60/159,737, filed Oct. 15, 1999, each of which is incorporated
herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to methods and systems for
providing information over a public data network with access
control and paid transactions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] At the present time, many people are familiar with accessing
information over a data network. For purposes of this discussion,
it is helpful to consider two categories of network. Free or public
data networks are networks, such as the Internet, where access to
the network. and to information publicly posted on the network is
provided free of charge and generally free of subscription
identifiers or login.
[0004] In contrast to free networks, for purposes of this
discussion, are subscription or paid information services or
networks. In subscription networks, users typically pay some type
of periodic usage fee and may also pay for access to particular
services or databases. Subscription networks include networks or
data systems designed for the public at large, such as AOL.TM.,
CompuServe.TM., or Prodigy.TM.. Subscription networks also include
networks or data systems designed for particular professions or
interest areas, such as Lexis.TM. and Westlaw.TM. in the legal
field, Nexis.TM. for news stories, or Dialog.TM. for a range of
documents including patents, technical publications, and business
publications. Some paid information services allow limited
searching and viewing of documents for free or after paying a
subscription fee, but full access to documents, either for viewing,
printing, or downloading, generally requires a fee. In many
instances, the fee is a per document or per record charge, though
systems have existed that included a per page or per line charge
for performing certain actions, such as printing.
[0005] It should be understood that paid and free categories are
not rigid, and both free and paid services can include some
characteristics of the other.
[0006] A problem not yet fully addressed, particularly on free
networks, is how to compensate copyright owners or information
assemblers for access to information or documents that are placed
on the free network, while allowing users meaningful access to the
data.
[0007] A number of prior systems for allowing paid access to
information have been developed, but each of these has had
shortcomings, as discussed below.
[0008] One large document database that is accessible for free over
the Internet is the IBM Intellectual Property Network, currently
available at http://www.patents.ibm.com/. This service allow free
searching in a number of patent databases and allows users, for
free, to view a textual representation (generally in HTML format)
of the front page of patents and in some case patent claims for
free. A user can also view a graphical image of each patent page in
a graphical format (generally TIFF) for free and can print or
download the graphical scan of the page. However, this graphical
format provides reduced usability for the user, because bitmapped
text in the TIFF file cannot be searched or selected. File sizes
are generally also large and therefore slow to download. Text also
cannot be copied from the graphical format. If a user wishes access
to the full text of a patent in a text file format, the user pays a
fee to download a version of the document. Various file formats,
such as PDF, HTML, or TIFF are available for download, but
accessing any of these formats requires paying a per-document fee.
The service provides very limited paid access to portions of
documents. For example, in one option, the user can download the
front pages of up to six patents for a single fee. The service does
not allow users to print or copy directly from a document at a
different cost structure, but has just one paid access, file
download. Once a file is downloaded, it is freely and repeatedly
viewable or printable by the user and, so far as the software is
concerned, it can be freely distributed and copied.
[0009] Services that require an initial or ongoing subscription fee
are unattractive to consumers who may be one time or very
occasional users of the database. Subscription services can, at
times, be unattractive to information providers, because requiring
subscriptions can reduce service utilization and revenues.
Subscription services are, at times, unattractive to creators and
publishers because it can be difficult to fairly compensate a
particular document creator when a database may contain thousands
of documents by thousands of different creators. Services that
allow free access to a document after it is downloaded may be
unattractive to publishers because once high-quality electronic
content is made available, there is no technical restriction on a
user from electronically republishing the content.
[0010] A number of different document formats are presently
available that allow additional information, security features, or
computer code to be included in a text/graphic document. The
Microsoft Word.TM. doc document format, for example, can include
macros, bookmark and cross-reference information, revision history
information, two-password password protection, etc.
[0011] The Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF}, and the
PostScript.TM. layout language on which it is based, also provide
mechanisms for including various procedures related to encryption
and security. Adobe has also released some technology for managing
and distributing secured documents using PDF. Adobe.RTM. PDF
Merchant.TM. is server-based software that enables eBook and
content providers to sell and distribute documents electronically
with security. It is designed to integrate into existing eCommerce
and transaction servers, making it easy for publishers,
distributors, and retailers to encrypt volumes of Adobe Portable
Document Format (PDF) files and sell them over the Web and provides
mechanisms for Managing the distribution of electronic keys.
Content owners can specify standard Acrobat permissions, including
privileges for printing, changing the document, selecting text and
graphics, and adding or changing annotations and form fields.
Further information is available from
http://www.adobe.com/products/pdfmerchant/main.html.
[0012] There exist some examples of easily accessible information
tools such as definition and thesaurus look-ups. The NeXT operating
system, for example, allowed users to click on words and thereby
access definitions from a Merriam-Webster.RTM. dictionary. Guru-NET
is a recent service using similar techniques to provide additional
information to users based on indicated text. Many of these
systems, such as Guru-NET, for example, fail when attempting to
provide information tools access in encoded documents, such as PDF.
These systems are not incorporated with systems for paid document
access.
[0013] What is needed is an information accessing and distribution
service that can allow users meaningful access to electronic data
or information with a pricing arrangement attractive to both users
of the system and information publishers or providers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention, in various aspects, involves a method
and/or system for distribution of information (including any
digital data) on a network. Various embodiments and aspects of the
invention operate to give users meaningful access to the
information while allowing information owners or distributors to
receive fair compensation.
[0015] In the present discussion, information available over a
public network will be referred as contained in documents. It
should be understood that the terms information or document refer
to any type of digitally-encoded data that can be presented or
transmitted by a computer or other digital device including, but
not limited to, text, graphics, photos, executable files, data
tables, audio, video, three dimensional data, or multimedia data
that is a combination of any of these.
[0016] In a further embodiment, the invention comprises a new
method for allowing a user to review a document white connected to
a network, but prevents the user from downloading, printing, or
copying the document without receiving an additional authorization
or transaction.
[0017] In a further embodiment, the invention comprises a new
method for allowing a user to review documents at a first cost
basis (which in a preferred embodiment will be free, while in other
embodiments some type of cost may be involved), while providing
other access to documents, such as copying, printing, or
downloading, on a second cost basis.
[0018] In a further embodiment, the invention comprises a new
method for allowing a user to access a user selectable portion of a
document at a price based on the amount of access selected to a
fine granularity. Material selected can include a user-selectable
portion of a document, down to a word for copying, an entire
document, or an anthology of components of multiple documents.
Different actions may be allowed on different portions of
documents, for example, a publisher my allow a user to print an
entire document, but may only electronically allow a user to copy a
limited portion of a document.
[0019] In a further embodiment, the invention can be understood as
a system that allow access to documents for viewing at no cost or a
reduced cost and that requires a per action fee each time other
actions are desired on a document. In contrast to prior art
systems, even after a first printing of a document, the present
invention in this embodiment continues to maintain protection for
the information contained in the document and to restrict access as
a publisher specifies.
[0020] In a further embodiment, the invention comprises a new
method for tracking and compensating creators of material when that
material is accessible from a document database and in a further
embodiment when that material is incorporated into a document that
may contain material created by others and for which others are
compensated.
[0021] A further understanding of the invention can be had from the
detailed discussion of specific embodiments below. For purposes of
clarity, this discussion refers to devices, methods, and concepts
in terms of specific examples. However, the method of the present
invention may operate in a wide variety of applications. It is
therefore intended that the invention not be limited except as
provided in the attached claims.
[0022] Furthermore, it is well known in the art that computer
systems can include a wide variety of different components and
different functions in a modular fashion. Different embodiments of
the present invention can include different mixtures of elements
and functions and may group various functions as parts of various
elements. For purposes of clarity, the invention is described in
terms of systems that include different innovative components and
innovative combinations of components.
[0023] No inference should be taken to limit the invention to
combinations containing all of the innovative components listed in
any illustrative embodiment in this specification.
[0024] Furthermore, it is well known in the art of internet
applications and software systems that particular file formats,
languages, and underlying methods of operation may vary. The
disclosure of a particular implementation language or format of an
element should not be taken to limit the invention to that
particular implementation unless so provided in the attached
claims.
[0025] All publications, patents, and patent applications cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for
all purposes. The invention will be better understood with
reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing
secure access to a document according to a specific embodiment of
the invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for allowing a
paid action according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for accepting
documents into a repository and formatting documents for user
access according to a specific embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for creating
anthology documents according to a specific embodiment of the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a set of information
tools integrated with user access to a document database according
to a specific embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example system and
system components according to a specific embodiment of the
invention.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example document
or format with security and encryption fields according to a
specific embodiment of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a representative example
logic device in which various aspects of the present invention may
be embodied.
[0034] FIGS. 9-16 are example screen images from an exemplary
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
1. METHODS OF OPERATION
1.1 Providing Secure Access to a Document
[0035] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing
secure access to a document according to a specific embodiment of
the invention. According to this embodiment, when a user first
attempts to access a secured document according to the invention
(Step AI), client-side logic is activated to provide access to the
document (Step A2). Without this client-side logic, the user cannot
access the document because of the security features in the
document. The client side logic then contacts a security server
with a document identifier derived from the document (Step A3). The
security server performs a look up of the document identifier and
validates that access may be granted to this document (Step A4)
based on the document identification and possibly other factors
(such as, but not limited to, any combination of: a user's
identification, presence of a valid and active charging account, a
user's network address, a user's age verification, etc.). If
validation is indicated, the security server transmits back to
client side logic a security key that may be used to access the
document (Step AS). If validated, the client-side logic then
applies the key to give access to the document (Step A6).
[0036] Application of the security key to "unlock" the document can
be performed in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the majority
of data in the document (other than the document id and possibly
other citation or abstract data) is encrypted using a standard
encryption scheme, such as PGP. Each document has its own key,
which is kept at the security server indexed by document
identification. The security key and request for the security key
that pass between the client-side logic and the security server may
be further encrypted using a secure data channel via public-key
encryption or other encryption method(s) so that the key can only
be decoded and applied by the client-side logic requesting it.
[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, a security
feature enables documents to be freely browsed from a network
location but does not allow documents to be copied or downloaded in
any meaningful way because the file is encrypted and cannot be
accessed without the client-side logic of the invention. In a
further embodiment, the invention does not allow downloading of
documents from the server, only serving of portions to be viewed
from the documents. In this embodiment, the client-side logic will
only allow decrypting the document as the document is currently
being served from the server. Once the client-side logic is used to
access the invention, the logic restricts the types of actions that
can be performed on the document and ensures that the specified fee
is paid before allowing certain transactions.
[0038] In one specific embodiment, in order to access any secured
document, the client side logic must be able to communicate with a
security server before the logic allows access to the document. The
security server provides the security key allowing access to the
document.
[0039] In various embodiments, the client-side logic may be
incorporated into a plug-in that operates cooperatively with a
browser or viewer. As understood in the art, the plug-in will then
be available when the browser is running.
[0040] In another embodiment, the client-side logic may be
installed as an independent service under the operating system as
system routines or an independent application. In this embodiment,
access and security features, according to the invention, may be
provided for files accessed outside of a browser and accessed
locally.
[0041] In an alternative further embodiment, a user cannot save a
secured document. This prevents modified or insecure copies from
being created and distributed.
[0042] It will be seen that in one embodiment of the method just
described, in general terms, access to documents is restricted on a
per use and a per action basis. Even if a document is allowed to be
downloaded to a local system, each attempt to perform an action on
a document will require activation of the security logic of the
present invention and may require a security key. Thus, even where
information is allowed to be downloaded to a system and freely
viewed, other actions such as copying, printing, may be restricted
or may be allowed only after payment of the required fee each time
the action is requested.
[0043] As a first aspect, an access method according to the
invention will detect and interrupt copying, printing or other
actions on a document if that document was formatted according to
the invention. The invention determines this if the invention
necessarily and successfully used its security features to open the
document. If so, the invention software remembers and keeps this
knowledge. When the document is closed, the invention determines
this and deletes the record.
[0044] Once it is determined that a document is one constructed
according to the invention, for predefined restricted actions, the
invention interrupts standard handling and substitutes or inserts
custom handling. Control is passed to the default handler if a
document is not one created in accordance with the invention.
1.2 Requesting a Paid Action
[0045] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for allowing a
paid action according to an embodiment of the invention. In this
example, the method shown is for access of text information to
request to copy a portion of information. However, accessing
information for any other type of action (such as printing,
downloading, playing, etc.) may be performed according to the
invention by the same general method.
[0046] FIG. 2 shows the method in the context of a particular
system embodiment, with specific functions performed by four
different system participants: a user, a logic module installed on
the user's computer (herein at times referred to as InfoTools.TM.
and also understood as client-side logic), a transaction server,
and a database server (typically an advanced SQL-type database
system.) While the method and other methods described herein may be
described in a specific sequence with specific participants
performing specific functions, these descriptions should be
understood as examples; and variations in accordance with the
general methods described in the attached claims are possible.
[0047] As shown, this specific embodiment method of the invention
commences when a user requests a desired action for an indicated
portion of information (Step B1). Requesting an action can take
place in a variety of ways as known in the art, but as discussed
elsewhere herein, in a preferred embodiment, a user will request a
specific action in way with which they are familiar from other
applications. For example, in a specific embodiment, a copy action
may be requested by using a Control-C or Command-C keystroke
(depending on computer platform), a right-click menu, or a menu-bar
selection, all as commonly known in the art. Upon detecting a
requested action, the client-side logic obtains an identifier for
the selected information (Step B2). An identifier for the selected
information consists of an identifier for the document plus an
identifier for the selected range of text or data within the
document (in one embodiment, the latter is the range of pages on
which the selection is found). The document identifier is a value
invisibly embedded in the document and/or derived from the URL by
which the document was obtained from the server.
[0048] The client-side logic composes a request for pricing
information and transmits that request to a transaction server
(Step B3). The transaction server validates the information in the
request (Step B4) and receives from a database, user and document
information (Step B5). The database also provides price structure
(Step B6) and the transaction server calculates price information
and transmits that information back to the client side logic (Step
B7).
[0049] The client-side logic determines if the pricing is approved
by the user (Step B8), either by displaying a request for approval
to a user or by reference to user setup data. Upon determining user
approval (Step B9), the client-side logic sends the transaction to
the transaction server (Step BI0) which forwards the details (Step
B11) to be recorded in the database (Step BI2). The transaction
server may also send the transaction to a credit card or electronic
cash service to complete transfer of funds (Step B13) and receives
account information from that service (Step B14), which is also
recorded in the database (Step B15). With transaction payment
successfully verified, an acknowledgement is sent back to the
client side logic (Step B16) which allows the access the user has
requested (in a specific embodiment including copying and
formatting the selected text and document info such as citation
data to the clipboard) (Step BI7) to satisfy the user (Step
BI8).
[0050] According to a specific embodiment, document identification
and range identification may be specifically provided for according
to the invention, or, where these features are available in a
standard viewer, the invention may use features from the standard
viewer.
[0051] Furthermore, for some document formats the process of
determining the range for selected text for purposes of performing
an action, such as copying, will involve an algorithm that is part
of the logic of the invention that will iterate over each rectangle
of the selected text that describes the physical location (on a
printed or displayed page of text) of each word or portion of a
word in the selected text, and from those locations determining the
range desired.
1.3 Alternative Method For Requesting a Paid Action
[0052] This section discusses a simplified alternative method for
performing an action (in this case, the example action is
printing). It should be understood that this and the previously
described example method can be adapted to a variety of different
paid actions, such as, but not limited to, printing, copying,
executing, playing, etc.
[0053] As in the discussion above, in this example, printing also
requires a transaction indication, in this case a user requests a
certain number of pages to be printed. In specific embodiments, the
invention may generate the cost of printing the page or text ranges
based upon the number of pages in a book, the cost of a book, the
number of pages being printed, the number of off-line copies being
made or other algorithms which can be specified by the content
provider.
[0054] As shown, this specific embodiment method of the invention
commences when a user indicates an action for an indicated portion
of information (Step CI). An action options dialog (in a specific
embodiment one that is standard for the platform) appears (Step C2)
and the user indicates the desired options (Step C3). Another
dialog appears (Step C4) in which the user enters his/her identity
for accounting purposes (name and password) (this step may be
automated according to user preferences) (Step C5). The user's
request and identity and the identifier for the indicated portion
of information (document ID and page or word range) are sent to a
server (Step C6). The server verifies the user's identity (Step C7)
and calculates a price for the requested operation (Step C8) and
returns that price to the client-side logic (Step C9). The
client-side logic determines whether the price will be accepted by
the user (Step C10). If declined, the request is cancelled (Step
C11). If accepted, all prior information is again transmitted to
the server (Step C12) along with the agreed-upon price. The server
again verifies all information (Steps CI2 and C13) and verifies
that the price presented to the user is correct (Step CI4). If any
verification step fails, the request is cancelled (Step CI5). If
verification succeeds, the server returns an acknowledgement to the
client side logic (Step CI6) which then processes the user's
request by printing the indicated portion of the information (Step
CI7).
[0055] In a specific embodiment, an access system according to the
invention is designed specifically to work with a third-party
document viewer that does not directly allow the display of an
authorization dialog between the print dialog and printing.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the invention intercepts and
modifies the interaction with the user during the print process,
calling the system-specific print dialog mechanisms directly,
bringing up the authorization dialog, completing client/server
transactions, and then calling the document viewer's default
printing function. In an alternative embodiment, the invention can
use a security handler callback that is called between the print
dialog and the sending of data to the printer if such callbacks are
provided by a particular document viewer.
1.4 Placing Documents into a Repository
[0056] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for accepting
documents into a repository and formatting documents for user
access according to a specific embodiment of the invention.
According to the invention, the document repository will hold the
system's provided documents and will participate in restricting
access to only authorized access.
[0057] In various specific embodiments of the invention, the
repository may have multiple versions or formats of some or all
documents in the repository. For example, a low-resolution version
may be available for browsing and a higher version would be
available for printing.
[0058] Processing of documents for a repository according to the
invention may further involve one or more of the following: a
check-in and processing feature, addition of security codes,
addition of publisher identifications, addition of caption
information. In one embodiment, an encryption key is established
for each file, and a substantial part of the file is encrypted with
the key. In addition, other data fields, such as bibliographic
data, ownership or authorship date, etc., are added to the file. To
complete check-in and processing of files, files are added to the
database index and files are placed into the database.
[0059] Also, in one specific embodiment, there is provided a
procedure for publishers or owners of information to login to the
system and manage their own content. As shown, a publisher can
create or modify database properties, review the content of
databases, delete files, etc.
1.5 Creating Anthology Documents
[0060] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for creating
anthology documents according to a specific embodiment of the
invention. This is an optional feature that may be provided in some
embodiments of the invention. According to this embodiment, a user
interested in an anthology document, such as a course instructor,
can selected multiple documents or portions thereof to create an
anthology. A single charge can be computer for performing actions
on the anthology and discounts or special rates can be applied
based on a group discount feature determined by the system
administrator or by individual publishers.
[0061] 1.6 Integrated Information Tools
[0062] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a set of information
tools integrated with user access to a document database according
to a specific embodiment of the invention.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, from the user's
perspective, a number of information tools are integrated with
functions specific to the invention to provide the user seamless
access to various information services. In this embodiment, a user
can select text, and then, by indicating that text can access
functions within the invention's database, such as paid copying,
searching within the same document, or searching in the database
within other documents. The user can also request information
services that may be provided outside of the system of the
invention, such as web searching or web-retrieved explanation,
personal information, location information, word definitions, or
translations services. These features may be activated by user
inputs as known in the art, such as keystroke commands, menubar
selection, or context-sensitive menu selection based on clicking
the selected text. By integrating functions provided by the
invention and web-based information services, the invention
enhances usability.
1.7 Automatic Citation
[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the copy
procedure can allow for an automatic citation function. This
function retrieves bibliographic data stored in the documents or in
the database at the server side and adds that data to the copied
text. Bibliographic data may be formatted according to user
options, such as using different font, font effect, or size.
2. SYSTEM OVERVIEW
[0065] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example system and
system components according to a specific embodiment of the
invention. For purposes of explanation, components of the system,
such as the security server, search engine, etc., are each shown as
individual computing devices. It will be understood to those of
skill in the art that this is a representation of one embodiment
and that actual implementations can combine most or all of the
server side functional components onto a single powerful system or
can divide individual functional components on to multiple
cooperating systems. Each of the components shown in this and other
Figures, to the extent that it is not described in more specific
detail herein, should be understood to represent logic components
or logic devices that are well-understood in the art and are
commercially available through third-party suppliers.
[0066] The present invention has thus far been described in terms
of general methods and actions. The previous description is
intended to be a full and complete description and is believed to
be sufficient to allow an ordinary practitioner in the art to use
the invention. It will be understood to those of skill in the art
that the described invention can be implemented in a wide variety
of specific programming environments, using a wide variety of
programming languages and wide variety of file types.
[0067] What immediately follows are descriptions of example systems
that can embody various aspects of the present invention. This
following discussion is included, in part, in order to disclose a
preferred mode presently contemplated for practicing the
invention.
[0068] It is intended that the previous discussion and those claims
directed to the previous discussion not be limited by examples
provided herein. It is further intended that the attached claims be
read broadly in light of the previous discussion, unless the claims
specifically incorporate details described below. Where specific
examples are described in detail, no inference should be drawn to
exclude other known examples from the broad description of the
invention or the language of the claims. It is therefore intended
that the invention not be limited except as provided in the
attached claims and all allowable equivalents thereof.
3. DOCUMENT FORMAT
[0069] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example document
or format with security and encryption fields according to a
specific embodiment of the invention. Although FIG. 8 shows one
example of a document format, it should be understood that the
invention may work with many different document formats. The
invention can work with a document format that allows for arbitrary
metadata, where metadata is defined as extra content that is not
normally visible in the document viewer. The invention uses the
metadata feature to store values such as (but not limited to)
Document ID, Bibliographic Data such as Author, Title, Publisher,
and Keywords, and security information such as checksums and
digital signatures. A number of well-known file formats can store
data generally as shown in FIG. 7, including HTML, PDF, or
Microsoft Word. The invention may also be used with a propriety
file format. In PDF (Portable Document Format) metadata can be
stored in the Document Info and Encryption Dictionaries.
[0070] As an alternative, a document format may already allow
encryption, in which case in some implementations, metadata is not
needed. Furthermore, when implement with a custom or customizable
viewer, a system according to the invention could store a document
ID in the URL or other locator string for the document, instead of
in metadata, and store all other metadata separately on the server
using the document 10 as an access key.
[0071] The Encrypted Document Contents can be stored in the normal
content area of the document or the Encrypted Contents can be
stored in the metadata area.
4. SEARCHING
[0072] In a further embodiment, a system as described herein is
combined with advanced searching capabilities both in individual
documents and in a document library. These advanced searching
capabilities allow users to quickly find information that they may
be interested in purchasing.
[0073] According to the invention, searched text is highlighted and
documents will open to the pages that contain the text requested.
Users will be presented with more clues as to what is contained
within the document, and will be able to limit their searches
within specific document types, or within specific subjects.
[0074] Users will also be able to reorder search results to better
examine the content available to them. Re-ordering the search
results by date, subjects, publishers or document relevancy,
provides capabilities that empower users to find what they are
seeking.
[0075] Additionally, users can perform searches within results of
the previous search, allowing the user to reduce the documents to
exactly what they need to find. These capabilities do not exist
currently for general Internet use.
[0076] The present invention has thus far been described in terms
of general methods and/or systems. The previous description is
intended to be a full and complete description and is believed to
be sufficient to allow an ordinary practitioner in the art to make
and use the invention. It will be understood to those of skill in
the art that the described invention can be implemented in a wide
variety of specific programming environments, using a wide variety
of programming languages and wide variety of file types.
[0077] What follows are specific implementation examples of various
specific embodiments according to the present invention. This
following discussion is included for the purposes of fully
disclosing best mode details presently contemplated by the
inventors for practicing the invention. In some instances, the
following discussion includes innovative elements specific to a
particular implementation that are claimed as separate inventions
in the attached claims.
[0078] Where specific examples are described in detail, no
inference should be drawing to exclude other known examples from
the broad description of the invention or the language of the
claims. It is therefore intended that the invention not be limited
except as provided in the attached claims and all allowable
equivalents.
5. SPECIFIC EXAMPLE IMPLEMENTATIONS
5.1 PDF File Format and Viewer
[0079] In one specific embodiment, the invention uses the PDF file
format for encoding textual/graphics documents. In this embodiment,
the invention may also use a standard PDF viewer that allows
plug-in modules, such as Adobe Acrobat viewer.
[0080] There is a vast literature on the PDF format, and in this
embodiment the invention takes advantage of many existing features
of PDF and defines extensions to the format, as allowed by PDF, to
optimize operation of the invention. Some existing features of PDF
that are particularly useful for implementing this embodiment are
described below. For further information, the reader is referred to
available publications, including
http://www.adobe.com/products/docserver/ main.html; The Acrobat PDF
Bible, Ted Padova; Portable Document Format Reference Manual, ver.
1.3, Adobe Systems Incorporated; Getting Started Using the Adobe
Acrobat Software Development Kit (SDK), Adobe Developer Relations,
and other documents available through www.adobe.com.
[0081] PDF is a file format used to represent a document in a
manner independent of the application software, hardware, and
operating system used to create it. A PDF file contains a PDF
document and other supporting data. A PDF document contains one or
more pages. Each page in the document may contain any combination
of text, graphics, and images in a device- and
resolution-independent format. This is the page description. A PDF
document may also contain information possible only in an
electronic representation, such as hypertext links, sound, and
movies. In addition to a document, a PDF file contains the version
of the PDF specification used in the file and information about the
location of important structures in the file.
[0082] PDF and the PostScript language share the same imaging
model, but there are fundamental differences between them. A PDF
file may contain objects such as hypertext links and annotations
that are useful only for interactive viewing. To simplify the
processing of page descriptions, PDF provides no programming
language constructs. PDF enforces a strictly defined file structure
that allows an application to access parts of a document
randomly.
[0083] Since Adobe Acrobat 2.0, it has become easy for third
parties to add private data to PDF documents and to add plug-ins
that change viewer behavior based on this data. A PDF producer or
Acrobat viewer plug-in may define new action, destination,
annotation, and security handler types. If a user opens a PDF
document and the plug-in that implements the new type of object is
unavailable, standard viewers will behave in a default manner. In
one embodiment, the present invention adds private data as
meta-data to PDF files and in a viewer plug-in adds new security
actions and modifies existing standard actions, such as print and
copy.
[0084] A PDF producer or Acrobat plug-in may also add keys to any
PDF object that is implemented as a dictionary except the trailer
dictionary. In addition, a PDF producer or Acrobat plug-in may
create tags that indicate the role of Marked Content operators.
[0085] PDF files may be encrypted so that only authorized users can
read them. In addition, the owner of a document can set permissions
that prevent users from printing the file, copying text and
graphics from it, or modifying it. The Acrobat core API uses RC4 (a
proprietary algorithm provided by RSA Data Security, Inc.) to
encrypt document data, and a standard proprietary method to
encrypt, decrypt, and. verify user passwords to determine whether
or not a user is authorized to open a document. The code that
performs user authorization and sets permissions is known as a
security handler. The Acrobat core API has one built-in security
handler. This security handler supports two passwords-a user
password that allows a user to open and read a protected document
with whatever permissions the owner chose, and an owner password
that allows a document's owner to also change the permissions
granted to users.
[0086] Third-party plug-ins can use the Acrobat core API's built-in
security handler, or can provide their own security handlers to
perform user authorization in other ways (for example, by the
presence of a specific hardware key or file, or by reading a
magnetic card reader.) A security handler provided by a plug-in
can, if it chooses, use the Acrobat viewer's built-in dialog boxes
for entering passwords and for changing permissions.
[0087] The standard encryption handler in PDF stores the encryption
key within an encryption dictionary that also stores two passwords:
one for "Open" (allows user to open the document for `read-only`)
and one for "Owner" (allows full modification of the file). These
passwords are checked before the encryption key is pulled out of
the encryption dictionary and passed to Acrobat to allow decryption
of the file. In a specific embodiment, the present invention
encryption handler pulls the encryption key directly from the
server based on a document identifier stored in the file and only
allows opening the file for read-only, never for modification.
5.2 Other Document Formats
[0088] While the invention, in a specific embodiment, makes use of
a number of features provided under the PDF format and in available
PDF viewers, the invention may also provide access to documents in
other formats. In particular, the invention can include in its
document database executable files, and audio or video files, which
generally are not encoded in PDF.
[0089] The invention can also be adapted for use with document
formats, such as MS Word, which, as is known in the art, also allow
for meta-data and allow for one or more associated passwords and
encrypted files. Another possible format is an encrypted version of
HTML, which also allows for meta-data.
[0090] For whatever document format is used, the invention uses a
viewer that can work with code to handle aspects of security,
copying, and printing. In addition, the standard document viewer(s)
for a given format may be used with the present invention where the
viewers allow for plug-in code to handle these aspects. Standard
HTML viewers and other document viewers may also allow for the
necessary plug-in code. For file types, where the standard viewers
do not allow for the necessary plug-in control, the invention can
use custom viewers.
5.3 Copy Text & Graphics Interruption
[0091] As known in the art, sets of routines in the Acrobat
Software Developers Kit (SDK) handle object-oriented selection of
objects. There is a structure for text and another for graphics. In
accordance with a specific embodiment, the invention leaves the
AVDocSelectionCanCopyProc alone, because the invention in this
embodiment allows the user to try to copy. The invention, however,
replaces the standard selection server for text and graphics, and
further replaces the callback AVDocSelectionCopyProc in order to
implement authorization and billing. Note that the term "selection
server" has specific meaning within the Adobe Acrobat SDK, and
readers are referred to that document for details.
5.4 Print Interruption
[0092] In a specific embodiment, procedures referred to as
AVDocDoPrint( ), AVDocPrintPagesWithParams( ), AVDocPrintPages( ),
and PDDocWillPrintPages( ) are invoked when a user wants to print a
document. According to one specific example embodiment of the
invention, these procedures are replaced and printing is performed
generally according to the following steps: [0093] 1. If this is
not a document encrypted by a system according to the invention,
defer to standard print handler. [0094] 2. Display a
platform-specific standard print dialog. In other embodiments, this
may be replaced with a callback provided by the document viewer API
(not currently available in Acrobat). [0095] 3. Get user
parameters. These parameters can be checked for possible security
holes (e.g. printing to a file) and the user's choice overridden
for security in this embodiment. In a further embodiment, the
invention will also be checking that the destination printer driver
is an accepted one so that a user cannot hijack the data via
replacing the printer driver with a dummy one, and printing can be
aborted with an error dialog. [0096] 4. Get user account ID (login
name and password). In the current embodiment, this is accomplished
via a dialog. In future embodiments, it may be obtained from stored
information or other sources (card key, etc). [0097] 5. Verify user
account information and retrieve price information (in one
embodiment, retrieved via a servlet from an SQL database available
remotely over the network. Parameters supplied to the database are
document ID and page range; the former may come from data stored in
the document info dictionary and the latter from a user selection
or user input values into the print dialog GUI). [0098] 6. Present
cost information to user. [0099] 7. If user declines the cost,
abort printing. [0100] 8. If user accepts, send the accumulated
information back to the transaction server to record and commit the
transaction and await acknowledgement from the server. If
acknowledgement is not received, abort printing [0101] 9. Call the
standard print handlers to do the actual printing.
6. EMBODIMENT IN A PROGRAMMED DIGITAL APPARATUS
[0102] The invention may be embodied in a fixed media or
transmissible program component containing logic instructions
and/or data that, when loaded into an appropriately configured
computing device, cause that device to perform interpolation
according to the invention.
[0103] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a representative example
logic device in which various aspects of the present invention may
be embodied. FIG. 8 shows digital device 700 that may be understood
as a logical apparatus that can read instructions from media 717
and/or network port 719. Apparatus 700 can thereafter use those
instructions to direct a method of image interpolation. One type of
logical apparatus that may embody the invention is a computer
system as illustrated in 700, containing CPU 707, optional input
devices 709 and 711, disk drives 715 and optional monitor 705.
Fixed media 717 may be used to program such a system and could
represent a disk-type optical or magnetic media or a memory.
Communication port 719 may also be used to program such a system
and could represent any type of communication connection.
[0104] The invention also may be embodied within the circuitry of
an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable
logic device (PLD). In such a case, the invention may be embodied
in a computer understandable descriptor language which may be used
to create an ASIC or PLD that operates as herein described.
[0105] The invention also may be embodied within the circuitry or
logic processes of other digital apparatus, such as cameras,
displays, image editing equipment, etc.
7. EXAMPLE SCREEN IMAGES
[0106] FIGS. 9-16 are example screen images from an exemplary
embodiment. These images are presented as examples of program
displays according to one specific system embodying the invention.
As is known in the art, many variations are possible for
interacting with logic systems, and the disclosure of these example
images is not intended to limit the invention.
[0107] FIG. 9 shows the user login dialog. Using this dialog, the
user enters his/her Ebrary account name and password. The invention
will use this information to verify the user's identity and
authorize transactions charged to the user's account. If the user
has no account, clicking the "Create New Account" button will open
a Web page in the user's browser that will enable the user to apply
to Ebrary for a new account.
[0108] FIG. 10 shows the authorization dialog for the Copy
operation. The user is presented with the cost of a requested copy
operation. By clicking the OK button, the user authorizes the
charge to his/her account, and enables the copy operation to
proceed. By clicking the Cancel button, the user declines the
charge, and the operation is aborted: no copying takes place and
the user's account is not charged.
[0109] FIG. 11 shows the standard print dialog for one of the
systems that supports an embodiment of the invention. This dialog
is provided by the operating system, not the invention; but in some
embodiments it is presented as a result of the invention's direct
request. The user will enter a page range and other information
affecting the requested print operation; the invention will harvest
some or all of that information in order to help determine
authorization and cost for the operation.
[0110] FIG. 12 shows the authorization dialog for the Print
operation. The user is presented with the cost of a requested print
operation. By clicking the OK button, the user authorizes the
charge to his/her account, and enables the print operation to
proceed. By clicking the Cancel button, the user declines the
charge, and the operation is aborted: no printing takes place and
the user's account is not charged.
[0111] FIG. 13 shows the InfoTools Window in which information
requested by the user is sometimes displayed. In this picture, a
portion of a word definition is displayed. This window may also be
used to display other kinds of information, including but not
limited to translations of selected text into other languages.
[0112] FIG. 14 shows the Search Document dialog. Using this dialog,
the user enters a text string to be searched for. When the OK
button is clicked, the invention queries its database and search
engine via the network to determine the locations within the
currently-displayed document where that text (or similar text)
occurs. The reply from the server enables the invention to quickly
display those locations.
[0113] FIG. 15 shows the Search Ebrary dialog, with a popup menu
displayed. Using this dialog, the user enters a text string to be
searched for. The popup menu allows the user to easily enter
certain strings pertinent to the document including the currently
selected text and the document's title, author, subject, and
keywords; however the user may also enter any arbitrary string.
When the OK button is clicked, the invention queries its database
and search engine via the network to compile a list of documents in
which that text (or similar text) occurs. The results of the search
are displayed in the user's Web browser.
[0114] FIG. 16 shows a version of the InfoTools menu, which gives
access to the InfoTools features while the user is viewing a
document. The menu offers the user controls for performing
searches, looking up information on the Internet, copying text to
the clipboard, performing language translations, and viewing and
adjusting the user's preferences with regard to the operation of
InfoTools.
8. CONCLUSION
[0115] The invention has now been explained with regard to specific
embodiments. Variations on these embodiments and other embodiments
will be apparent to those of skill in the art. The invention
therefore should not be limited except as provided in the attached
claims.
[0116] It is understood that the examples and embodiments described
herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various
modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to
persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit
and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims.
All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all
purposes.
* * * * *
References