U.S. patent application number 14/263785 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-14 for digital media content distribution.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eric Engstrom, Peter Zatloukal. Invention is credited to Eric Engstrom, Peter Zatloukal.
Application Number | 20140229583 14/263785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37590886 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140229583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Engstrom; Eric ; et
al. |
August 14, 2014 |
DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
Abstract
A method for distributing digital media content, including the
use of a digital performance right key that is unique for a media
content and a subscriber of the digital media content distribution
service, and apparatuses configured to practice the method or
portions thereof, are described herein.
Inventors: |
Engstrom; Eric; (Kirkland,
WA) ; Zatloukal; Peter; (Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Engstrom; Eric
Zatloukal; Peter |
Kirkland
Seattle |
WA
WA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
37590886 |
Appl. No.: |
14/263785 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11157481 |
Jun 21, 2005 |
8713702 |
|
|
14263785 |
|
|
|
|
60581737 |
Jun 21, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 21/10 20130101;
G06Q 10/10 20130101; H04L 65/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/219 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06 |
Claims
1-36. (canceled)
37. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program
code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to
perform a method for providing media content, the method
comprising: receiving directly from a subscriber device a request
to stream media content independent from the subscriber device
directly to an apparatus located proximally to the subscriber
device, the request including a performance key; performing a
validation procedure to verify that the subscriber device is
proximally disposed to the proximally located apparatus, wherein
performing the validation procedure comprises periodically
transmitting a challenge to the proximally located apparatus,
wherein the challenge requires the proximally located apparatus to
request a response from the subscriber device using a short range
communication; and solely in response to the request received
directly from the subscriber device, streaming the media content
directly to the proximally located apparatus without additionally
receiving the request from the proximally located apparatus.
38. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 37,
wherein the challenge requires the subscriber device to decrypt a
portion of the media content.
39. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 38,
wherein the challenge requires the subscriber device to connect to
a server to be able to continue decrypting.
40. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 37,
wherein the method further comprises initially detecting that the
subscriber device and proximally located apparatus are proximally
disposed based on location data received from the subscriber device
and the proximally located apparatus.
41. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 37,
wherein the request from the subscriber device includes at least
one of a media type and an encoding format supported by the
proximally located apparatus.
42. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 37,
wherein the media content is provided in a format of higher quality
than the subscriber device is able to render.
43. An apparatus for providing media content, the apparatus
comprising: a communication interface configured to: receive
directly from a subscriber device a request to stream media content
independent from the subscriber device directly to an apparatus
located proximally to the subscriber device, the request including
a performance key, perform a validation procedure to verify that
the subscriber device is proximally disposed to the proximally
located apparatus, wherein performing the validation procedure
comprises periodically transmitting a challenge to the proximally
located apparatus, wherein the challenge requires the proximally
located apparatus to request a response from the subscriber device
using a short range communication; and solely in response to the
request received directly from the subscriber device, stream the
media content directly to the proximally located apparatus without
additionally receiving the request from the proximally located
apparatus.
44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the communication interface
is further configured to periodically request that the subscriber
device check in with a server.
45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the communication interface
is further configured to initially detecting that the subscriber
device and proximally located apparatus are proximally disposed
based on location data received from the subscriber device and the
proximally located apparatus.
46. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the request from the
subscriber device includes at least one of a media type and an
encoding format supported by the proximally located apparatus.
47. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program
code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to
perform a method for providing media content, the method
comprising: transmitting a request from a subscriber device
directly to a server to stream media content independent from the
subscriber device directly to an apparatus proximally located to
the subscriber device, the request including a performance key,
wherein the server streams the media content solely in response to
the request transmitted directly to the server; receiving a portion
of the media content from the proximally located apparatus using a
short range communication; decrypting the portion of the media
content; and transmitting the decrypted portion of the media
content to the proximally located apparatus.
48. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 47,
wherein the method comprises periodically receiving and decrypting
portions of the media content.
49. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 47,
wherein the method further comprises periodically connecting to the
server, and wherein the periodic connections to the server are
needed to continue decryption.
50. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 47,
wherein the method further comprises initially providing location
data to the server to determine the presence of the proximally
located apparatus.
51. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 47,
wherein the method further comprises initially sending a discovery
packet to detect the presence of the proximally located
apparatus.
52. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 51,
wherein the method further comprises receiving a response from the
proximally located apparatus, wherein the response includes at
least one of a media type and an encoding format supported by the
proximally located apparatus.
53. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 47,
wherein transmitting the request comprises transmitting an encoding
format, and wherein the encoding format is of a higher quality than
the subscriber device is able to render.
54. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program
code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to
perform a method for rendering media content, the method
comprising: receiving, at a media device, streaming of media
content directly from a server, the media content being streamed
solely in response to a request received by the server directly
from a subscriber device without the media device additionally
transmitting the request to the server, the subscriber device being
proximally located to the media device, and the request including a
performance key of the media content; receiving periodic challenges
from the server; in response to the periodic challenges, verifying
that the subscriber device remains proximally disposed to the media
device; and rendering the received media content.
55. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 54,
wherein verifying that the subscriber device remains proximally
disposed comprises requesting a response from the subscriber device
using a short range communication.
56. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 54,
wherein verifying that the subscriber device remains proximally
disposed comprises transmitting a portion of the media content to
the subscriber device for decryption.
57. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 54,
wherein the method further comprises initially receiving a
discovery packet from a subscriber device seeking proximally
located apparatuses.
58. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 57,
wherein the method further comprises responding to the discovery
packet, wherein the response includes at least one of a media type
and an encoding format supported.
59. An apparatus for rendering media content, the apparatus
comprising: a communication interface configured to: receive
streaming of media content directly from a server, the media
content being streamed solely in response to a request received by
the server directly from a subscriber device without the
communication interface additionally transmitting the request to
the server, the subscriber device being proximally located to the
apparatus, and the request including a performance key of the media
content, receive periodic challenges from the server, and in
response to the periodic challenges, verify that the subscriber
device remains proximally disposed to the apparatus; and a user
interface configured to render the received media content.
60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the challenge requires the
communication interface to request a response from the subscriber
device using a short range communication.
61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the challenge requires the
communication interface to transmit a portion of the media content
to the subscriber device for decryption.
62. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the communication interface
is configured to initially receive a discovery packet from a
subscriber device seeking proximally located apparatuses.
63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the communication interface
is configured to respond to the discovery packet, wherein the
response includes at least one of a media type and an encoding
format supported by the user interface.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/581,737, filed Jun. 21, 2004,
which specification is fully incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the fields of
digital media content distribution and consumption. More
specifically, embodiments of the present invention are related to
distribution and consumption methods and apparatuses that employ
digital performance right keys that are unique for each combination
of a media content and a subscriber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Advances in semiconductor, processor and related
technologies have made possible the availability of computing power
to the average users that was once deliverable only by the large
main frames. At the same time, advances in telecommunication,
networking and related technologies have increased connectivity of
computing devices. Further, with the advance of the Internet and
the World Wide Web, abundant media contents, including video and
songs, are now available to the average users.
[0004] Today, users may readily download a variety of media
contents from the "Internet", some illegally, creating a severe
financial drain on the media content industries, in particular, the
music industry. In response, a number of media content distribution
services, such as iTunes and Netflix, and a number of portable
music players, such as iPod, have emerged. These services and
players provide users with relatively low cost, and somewhat
efficient options to purchase and consume media contents
legitimately, while providing the media content owners with
reasonable protection for their property rights, i.e. against
misappropriation.
[0005] However, these options still suffer from a number of
disadvantages. For example, a song purchased and downloaded onto a
portable music player, such as iPod, may only be consumed in the
relative low fidelity digital encoding format (MP3) used by the
portable music players. Further, when compared to the amount of
songs that can be downloaded and stored on a typical laptop or
desktop computer, the number of songs that can be downloaded and
stored on a portable music player are relatively small. The
relative few songs that are downloaded and stored on a portable
music player are not readily shareable with others.
[0006] Still further, when a song is purchased through an iTunes
like service, the purchase comes with only a limited number of
copies. Over time, device failures or other reasons may cause the
end-user to have to re-download, and eventually lose their legal
purchase of the song. In other words, these services do not provide
persistence of the purchases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention will be described by way of exemplary
embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying
drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in
which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the invention, in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0009] FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate three protocol views of the
interactions between the media devices and the media content server
of FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments;
[0010] FIGS. 3a-3c illustrate a wireless mobile phone embodiment of
the portable media device of FIG. 1, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an architecture view of the components of
the wireless mobile phone of FIG. 3a-3c, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0012] FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate the subscriber identifier module of
FIG. 3b, in accordance with various alternate embodiments; and;
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system suitable for use as a
set-top media device or a media content server of FIG. 1, in
accordance with various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention include
but are not limited to, digital media content distribution methods,
portable and set-top media devices, and media content servers
equipped to practice various aspects of the digital media content
distribution methods.
[0015] Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be
described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art
to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.
However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
alternate embodiments may be practiced with only some of the
described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers,
materials, and configurations are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it
will be apparent to one skilled in the art that alternate
embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. In other
instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order
not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
[0016] Parts of the description will be presented in terms, such as
data, media content, keys, generation, download, streaming, and so
forth, consistent with the manner commonly employed by those
skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others
skilled in the art. As well understood by those skilled in the art,
these quantities take the form of electrical, magnetic, RF, or
optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, and
otherwise manipulated through electrical and/or optical components
of a processor and its subsystems.
[0017] Part of the descriptions will employ various abbreviations,
including but are not limited to:
TABLE-US-00001 CDROM Compact Disc Read Only Memory DVD Digital
Versatile Disc GPRS Global Packet Radio Service GSM Global System
for Mobile Communication HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers RF Radio Frequency
SMS Short Messaging Service Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity (IEEE 802.11a,
b, g currently) USB Universal Serial Bus
[0018] Further, various operations will be described as multiple
discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in
understanding the illustrative embodiments; however, the order of
description should not be construed as to imply that these
operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these
operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
[0019] The phrase "in one embodiment" is used repeatedly. The
phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment; however, it
may. The terms "comprising", "having", and "including" are
synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, wherein a block diagram
illustrating an overview of the present invention 100, in
accordance with various embodiments, is shown. As illustrated and
to be described more fully below, portable media device 102 is
equipped with hardware and/or software elements to facilitate a
user in purchasing/licensing, consuming and sharing digital media
content in a novel manner. More specifically, for these
embodiments, the user is a subscriber of a novel digital media
content distribution service offered/implemented by media content
servers 120. Accordingly, portable media device 102 may also be
referred to as a subscriber device. As will be described more fully
below, the digital media content distribution service employs
digital performance keys (DPKs) to license performance rights of
its media content assets. The user/subscriber may use portable
media device 102 as a repository of the digital performance keys of
the media contents, which performance rights the user/subscriber
have licensed. In various embodiments, the user/subscriber may also
use portable media device 102 to store and/or render (thus consume)
the media contents which performance rights the user/subscriber
have licensed. Further, the user/subscriber may also use portable
media device 102 to enable (sharing and) consumption of the media
contents which performance rights the user/subscriber have
licensed, using a proximally located set-top media device 104.
Typically, the media content may be consumed in higher fidelity
over the consumption provided by using the portable media device
102 alone. Higher fidelity is not a requirement however, it could
be only a different encoding format for convenience or a streaming
versus locally stored differentiation.
[0021] In various embodiments, the purchase of the performance
rights may be persistent. That is, in the event of damage or loss
of portable media device 102, the digital media content
distribution service may re-provide the digital performance keys of
the previously purchased/licensed media content to a replacement
portable media device 102 of the service subscriber.
[0022] Resultantly, a user/subscriber of the digital media content
distribution may carry a substantial portion or the entire
portfolio of a user/subscriber's purchased/licensed media contents
with the user/subscriber at all time. Further, the user/subscriber
may enjoy purchased/licensed media content in more than one
fidelity, using portable media device 102 or a proximally disposed
set-top media device 104. The flexible manner of consumption also
enables the user/subscriber to share consumption of the
purchased/licensed media content with others, while still according
reasonable protection to the property rights of the media content
owners. Moreover, the subscriber's investments are protected. These
are just a few exemplary possible benefits of the various
embodiments of the present invention.
[0023] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, as alluded to earlier, in
various embodiments, portable media device 102, by virtue of its
portability characteristic, may be adapted to work with and render
media content provided in a digital encoding format of relatively
lower fidelity. Whereas, set-top media device 104, by virtue of its
set-top characteristic, may be adapted to work with and render
media content provided in a different digital encoding format, in
particular, a digital encoding format of higher fidelity,
relatively speaking. In other words, the novel digital media
content distribution service offers media contents in multiple
digital encoding formats, including providing multiple levels of
fidelity. On licensing of the performance rights of a media
content, the user/subscriber may selectively consume the licensed
media content on different media devices, adapted to work with
different encoding formats, at varying fidelity levels, depending
on the capability of the rendering media devices.
[0024] For the embodiments, to support the earlier described
(sharing and) consumption of a licensed media content via set-top
media device 104, both portable media device 102 and set-top media
device 104 are equipped with hardware and/or software components to
support data communication with another similarly equipped device
within the supported communication range. Typically, the
communication range is a relatively "short" range. In various
embodiments, both portable media device 102 and set-top media
device 104 are equipped to support wireless communication in
accordance with wireless communication protocol specified by the
IEEE 802.11g standard (Wi-Fi). In other embodiments, other wireless
communication protocols such as Bluetooth may be supported instead
or in addition. In yet other embodiments, portable media device 102
and set-top media device 104 may be equipped to communicate with
each other over a wired connection, e.g. a serial (USB or IEEE
1394) connection.
[0025] In various embodiments, portable media device 102 may be a
portable music player, or a portable video player. For the
embodiments, portable media device 102 is also equipped with
hardware and/or software components to provide wireless telephony
and data communication, in particular, in accordance with the GSM
and GPRS standards. In other words, for the embodiments, portable
media device 102 may double as a wireless mobile phone. Stated in
another manner, portable media device 102 is a wireless mobile
phone enhanced to support the purchasing/licensing, consumption and
sharing of digital media content offered/distributed by digital
media content distribution service implemented by media content
servers 120.
[0026] The term "wireless mobile phone" as used herein refers to
the class of telephony devices equipped to make and receive calls
wirelessly, notwithstanding movement, as long as the device is
within the communication reach of a service or base station of a
wireless network service provider. Unless specifically excluded,
these terms are to include the analog subclass as well as the
digital subclass (of all signaling protocols).
[0027] Similarly, in various embodiments, set-top media device 104
may be a set-top audio player, a set-top video player, or a
computer of any one of a number of form factors, e.g. laptop,
desktop, and so forth.
[0028] Still referring to FIG. 1, as illustrated, portable media
device or wireless mobile phone 102, set-top media device 104 and
media content servers 120 are communicatively coupled to each other
vie wireless network 108 (including base stations 114), Internet
112, Public Switching Telephone Network (PSTN) 110, and Local Area
Network (LAN) 116. In other words, in addition to the communication
capabilities earlier described for portable media device 102 and
set-top media device 104, set-top media device 104 and media
content servers 120 are further equipped with the appropriate
hardware and/or software components to enable these devices to
communicate with one another over one or more of the above
enumerated networks 108-112.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 2a-2c, wherein three protocol views
of the interaction between media devices 102-104 and media content
servers 120, in accordance with various embodiments, are shown. As
illustrated in FIG. 2a-2b, in addition to the various hardware
and/or software components to provide the various communication
capabilities, for the embodiments, portable media device 102
further includes in particular media content subscriber
identification module (SIM) 212 and media player 214. SIM 212 is
employed to store in particular a subscriber identifier,
identifying the user as a subscriber of the digital media content
distribution service. Further, SIM 212 is employed to store the
digital performance keys of the media contents the subscriber owns,
and use the digital performance keys to decrypt portions or all of
the purchased/licensed media contents. In various embodiments, SIM
212 is also employed to maintain required periodic communication
with the digital media content distribution service, as a part of
fraud prevention. In particular, in various embodiments, SIM 212 is
adapted to track the amount of elapsed time, since it was able to
last check in with the digital media content distribution service,
and if the amount of elapsed time exceeds a pre-determined
threshold, SIM 212 would automatically render itself disabled from
rendering purchased media contents and/or making further
purchases.
[0030] In various embodiments, SIM 212 is similarly packaged like a
GSM SIM (see e.g. FIG. 3b). In other words, for these embodiments,
SIM 212 conforms to the electrical and mechanical specifications of
the GSM standard, however, it is adapted to facilitate digital
media content distribution, instead of wireless telephony. However,
in alternate embodiments, SIM 212 does not have to conform to the
GSM SIM standard.
[0031] In yet other embodiments, media content distribution SIM 212
may be integrated with the GSM SIM, as illustrated in FIGS. 5a-5c.
More specifically, FIG. 5a-5b illustrates two embodiments 600a and
600b where in each case, two smart cards 602 and 604 (606 and 608)
are employed, one for wireless mobile phone service, 602/606, and
the other for digital media content distribution service 604/608,
but the two smart cards 602 and 604 (606 and 608) are integrated
into a single unified SIM 600a/600b. In the case of FIG. 5a, each
smart card 602/604 is provided with its own processor to
independently perform the respective functions. In the case of
digital media content distribution service, these functions include
the functions of decryption, using DPK, as described earlier.
However, in the case of FIG. 5b, the two smart cards 606 and 608
are coupled together, and only one smart card 606 is provided with
a processor, while the other 608 is substantially a storage type
smart card. FIG. 5c illustrates yet another embodiment 600c where
the smart cards for digital media content distribution and GSM
functions are integrated into a single unified smart card 608,
providing access to the wireless mobile phone service, and the
digital media content distribution service. In still other
embodiments, the present invention anticipates the wireless mobile
phone service may be of other protocols, including but are not
limited to CDMA, as their SIM standards are defined.
[0032] In various embodiments, each smart card, e.g. 604, 608,
adapted to provide the digital media content distribution service
may be further equipped with a clock (not shown) to track the
amount of elapsed time, since the SIM was last able to check in
with MCS 120. In still other embodiments, each of such smart cards
may be adapted with a circuit element that effectively disables the
smart card on loss of power, to prevent theft of the SIM 600a/600b.
An example of such circuit element may include but are not limited
to a properly placed capacitor that discharges over time, on loss
of power, and when fully discharged, effectively disables the smart
card 604/608
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2a-2c again, media player 214 is
equipped to render one or more media types. In various embodiments,
media player 214 is equipped to render music/songs provided in the
digital encoding format MP3. In other embodiments, media player 214
is equipped to render video provided in the digital encoding format
CVD. In still other embodiments, media player 214 is equipped to
render one or more media encoded in one or more relatively lower
fidelity format.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2c, in addition to the various
hardware and/or software components to provide the various
communication capabilities, for the embodiments, set-top media
device 104 further includes in particular media player 242. Media
player 242 is equipped to render one or more media types. In one
embodiment, media player 242 is equipped to render media contents
(including music/songs) provided in a digital encoding format
compatible with the Real Player (available from Real Network of
Seattle, Wash.). In another embodiment, media player 242 is
equipped to render media content (including music/songs) provided
in a digital encoding format compatible with the Window Media
Player (available from Microsoft of Redmond, Wash.). In yet other
embodiments, media player 242 is equipped to render video provided
in the digital encoding format DVD or others yet developed. In
still other embodiments, media player 242 is equipped to render one
or more media encoded in one or more relatively higher fidelity
format.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 2a-2b, in addition to the various
hardware and/or software components to provide the various
communication capabilities, for the embodiments, media content
servers 120 further includes in particular digital performance key
(DPK) generator 222 and media contents 224. DPK generator 222 is
employed to generate the DPKs for the various media contents 224
purchased/licensed by the users/subscribers. For the various
embodiments, a DPK is generated for each media content
purchased/licensed by a user/subscriber. In other words, for these
embodiments, each DPK is unique for each combination of media
content and user/subscriber. In various embodiments, DPK generator
222 may generate the DPK using any one of a number of key
generation techniques. In various embodiments, DPK generator 222 is
adapted to generate the DPK by concatenating the user/subscriber's
subscriber identifier and the media content identifier. In other
embodiments, other identifiers and/or information (such as the
portable media device's MAC address, date and time of
purchase/license), and other deterministic functions that generate
unique results may be employed instead.
[0036] Referring now specifically to FIG. 2a, for the various
embodiments, a user/subscriber may initiate a transaction to
purchase/license the performance rights of a media content
offered/distributed by the digital media content service
implemented by media content servers (MCS) 120, using portable
media device (PMD) 102. The end user interface to facilitate the
transaction may be implemented in any one of a number of manners,
which are well within the ability of those of ordinary skill.
[0037] As shown, in response to a user/subscriber's request to
initiate such a transaction (via e.g. a provided end user
interface), PMD 102 requests a connection with MCS 120 (via e.g. a
GPRS or other connection), operation 202. In response, MCS 120
accepts the request, and jointly establishes a communication
connection, operation 204.
[0038] Later, PMD 102 submits a request to purchase/license the
performance rights to a media content offered by MCS 120, operation
206. The request may be submitted e.g. after MCS 120 has presented
to PMD 102 a list of media content available for purchase/license
from MCS 120 (not illustrated). In various embodiments, the list
may be presented by media types or based on one or more
user/subscriber's attributes (e.g. the user demographic attributes,
past purchases/licensing, and so forth). In various embodiments,
PMD 102 may present the user/subscriber's subscriber identifier
stored in its SIM 212 as part of the request to purchase/license.
In alternate embodiments, PMD 102 may present the user/subscriber's
subscriber identifier stored in its SIM 212 as part of the initial
request to establish a connection, and MCS 120 may conduct the
transaction based on this earlier provided subscriber
identifier.
[0039] In any event, for the embodiments, in response to the
request to purchase/license, and successful verification of
payments (assuming the service is a pay per transaction service),
MCS 120 generates a DPK for the media content requested. Further,
MCS 120 returns the generated DPK to PMD 102, operation 208, which
in turn stores the DPK in SIM 212. In alternate embodiments, the
service may be a subscription service. For these embodiments,
successful verification of payment may mean successful verification
of the subscriber being current in payment of the periodic
subscription service charge.
[0040] As described earlier, in various embodiments, the DPK is
also persisted by the digital media content distribution service in
case the SIM is lost or stolen. In the even the SIM is lost or
stolen it may be deactivated, and physically replaced without
exposing the subscriber to loss of their purchased media
content.
[0041] In various embodiments, MCS 120 further automatically
provides the media content encoded in a digital format designed for
the relatively more resource constraint portable devices, e.g. MP3
in the case of music/song, operation 208. In various embodiments,
each of the encoded media content is encrypted at least in part
using the corresponding unique DPK for the subscriber and the
particular media content. On receipt, PMD 102 stores the provided
media content in local storage, no longer requiring communication
with the digital media content distribution service to consume the
media content. However, the media content cannot be fully decoded
without access to the DPK stored on the SIM. The SIM may use the
DPK in a variety of ways to decrypt the protected media content
including providing selected decryption of pieces of the media
content directly on the SIM. The decrypted content is then either
decoded by the PMD, the set-top media device, or by the SIM itself
as processing power allows.
[0042] In various embodiments, MCS 120 may provide the
purchased/licensed media content only at the explicit request of
the user/subscriber. That is, the user/subscriber may
purchase/license the performance right without any plan to ever
play/consume the purchased/licensed media content, when PMD 102 is
not connected to MCS 120. In various embodiments, regardless
whether the media content is provided automatically or on explicit
request of the user/subscriber, the transaction and download
responsibilities may be divided among different servers of MCS 120,
with the transaction server providing PMD 102 with a uniform
resource locator (URL) of a download server, from which PMD 102 may
obtain the purchased/licensed media content. PMD 102 may in turn
download the purchased/licensed media content using the provided
URL.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 2b, regardless of whether PMD 102 has
previously downloaded a version of media content, for the various
embodiments, PMD 102 may (additionally) request the
purchased/licensed media content to be downloaded or streamed in a
different digital encoded format, potentially of higher fidelity,
smaller size, or some unique attribute including availability of a
compatible CODEC, for consumption on PMD 102 or using a proximally
located set-top media device 104 (which is adapted to handle a
different digital encoding format potentially of higher fidelity
for example). Other examples of the need for differing digital
encoded formats could include web browser versions, the presence or
absence of graphics accelerators for games, speaker configurations,
dedicated input controls including limited or full size keyboards.
Again, the streaming request may be facilitated through an end user
interface implemented in any one of a number of manners, which are
all within the ability of those of ordinary skill to implement.
[0044] As shown, in response to a user/subscriber's request to
initiate streaming of a media content, PMD 102 requests a
connection with MCS 120 (via e.g. a GPRS or other connection),
operation 232. In response, MCS 120 accepts the request, and
jointly establishes a communication connection, operation 234.
[0045] Next, PMD 102 submits a streaming request for a previously
purchased/licensed media content, operation 236. The request may be
submitted e.g. after PMD 102 presents a list of purchased/licensed
media content available for streaming (not illustrated). In various
embodiments, the list may be presented by media types, artists or
other attributes (e.g. when the media content was last played by).
In various embodiments, PMD 102 may present the DPK for the
requested media content as part of the streaming request, or upon
request. In various embodiments, PMD 102 may also specify other
information as part of the streaming request, e.g. the desired
digital encoding format (such as Windows Media Player or Real
Player, in the case of music/song), and whether the contents are
streamed to PMD 102 or a proximally disposed set-top media device
104. The latter specification may also include location information
of the specified set-top media device 104, e.g. its IP address.
[0046] In various embodiments, MCS 120 may validate the DPK based
on the subscriber identifier stored in SIM 212 of PMD 102, to
ensure the DPK has not been improperly transferred to or acquired
by another user. The MCS can deactivate a SIM, invalidate a single
DPK, or a single subscriber's unique ID. The SIM can optionally be
required to establish a connection with the MCS on a periodic basis
in order to continue to decrypt media assets stored locally.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 2c, wherein an exemplary interaction
between PMD 102 and a proximally disposed set-top media device 104
is shown. As illustrated, for the embodiments, PMD 102 may send out
one or more discovery packets to solicit a response and establish
the presence of a proximally disposed set-top media device 104,
operation 252. Assuming set-top media device 104 is proximally
located within the wireless (or locally wired) communication range
of PMD 102, set-top media device 104 responds to the discovery
packets and make known of its proximal presence to PMD 102,
operation 254. In various embodiments, set-top media device 104 may
provide its location information (IP address, supported media
types, supported digital encoding formats) and so forth, as part of
the response, or in response to further inquiries from PMD 102
(e.g. other communications 258). In still other embodiments, PMD
102, set-top media device 104 and/or MCS 120 may discern the
proximal disposition of PMD 102 and set-top media device 104 based
on location information of devices, including but are not limited
to using global positioning satellite (GPS) data.
[0048] For the illustrated embodiments, streaming media content is
provided from MCS 120 to set-top media device 104 through PMD 102,
operation 256. In alternate embodiments, media content may be
streamed or downloaded from MCS 120 to set-top media device 104
directly. In various ones of these embodiments, where e.g.
streaming/download requests may be made in batch, in lieu of the
lower risk manner of one media content at a time, MCS 120 may
further practice a validation procedure that periodically verifies
PMD 102 and set-top media device 104 remain proximally disposed to
each other, i.e. PMD 102 has not moved away. In various
embodiments, an verification may involve having set-top media
device 104 provides one or more answers to one or more challenges
from MCS 104, where the answer or answers have to come from the SIM
either through direction connection or through PMD 102 over a
"short" range communication (in lieu of or in addition to having
the SIM check in with MCS 120 periodically). In this scenario, the
SIM might directly decrypt all or portions of the digital media
content stream for additional security. Any device accessing the
digital media content stream from the MCS will lose its ability to
decrypt the encrypted portions of the stream if the SIM is
disconnected or is moved out of physical proximity in the case of
`wireless connectivity`.
[0049] FIGS. 3a-3c and 4 illustrate PMD 102 in further detail, in
accordance with various embodiments. The embodiments are the
enhanced wireless mobile phone (WMP) embodiments alluded to
earlier. However, as described earlier, in other embodiments, PMD
102 may be a "simple" portable audio/video player instead. As
illustrated, for the embodiments, PMD/WMP 102 includes a fully
functional base WMP unit 304 and a removable accessory cover 302,
within which SIM 212 is disposed. In alternate embodiments, SIM 212
may be disposed in based WMP unit 304 instead. For the embodiments,
base WMP unit 304 includes media player 214. In alternate
embodiments, media player 214 may also be provided by removable
accessory cover 302 instead.
[0050] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate a perspective view and a
side-view of removable accessory cover 302 respectively. As
illustrated, for the embodiments, cover 302 has a substantially
U-shaped cover body, and designed to be snapped onto the base WMP
unit 304 via a substantially side way motion (as defined by the
expected orientation of PMD/WMP 102). In alternate embodiments, the
cover does not have to be U-shaped and does not have to cover a
significant portion of the phones exterior. It may be a
conventional faceplate. For the embodiment, SIM 212 is disposed at
the inside surface of the mid-section of the U-shaped cover body
302.
[0051] FIG. 3c illustrates a front view of the assembly, that is
having removable accessory cover 302 and the base WMP unit 304
illustrated with cover 302 having been snapped on, i.e. attached,
to the base WMP unit 304.
[0052] Removable accessory cover 302 provides a convenient way of
upgrading base WMP unit 304 to include the earlier described media
content purchasing/licensing and consumption/sharing functions of
PMD 102. Moreover, exterior surfaces of removable accessory cover
302 provide digital media content distribution service an
opportunity to brand the service. Further, it may optionally
provide dedicated media controls, such as fast forward, stop,
rewind, track forward, track back and record.
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates an architecture view of base WMP unit
304, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, base
WMP unit 304 includes elements found in conventional wireless
mobile client devices, such as micro-controller/processor 502,
digital signal processor (DSP) 504, non-volatile memory (local
storage) 506, general purpose input/output (GPIO) interface 508,
radio receiver 510, and transmit/receive (TX/RX) 512 (also known as
a transceiver), coupled to each other via bus 514, and disposed on
a circuit board 520.
[0054] Additionally, base WMP unit 304 is endowed with a software
implementation of media player 214 having one or more CODEC adapted
to support one or more digital encoding formats. In alternate
embodiments, media player 214 may be implemented in hardware using
e.g. ASIC.
[0055] Except for media player 214 provided to base WMP unit 304,
each of these elements 502-514 performs its conventional function
known in the art, and is intended to represent a broad range of
such element and its equivalents. Further, TX/RX 512 may be
designed to support one or more of any of the known signaling
protocols, including but are not limited to CDMA, TDMA, GSM, and so
forth, and adapted to send and receive location information,
including GPS information. Moreover TX/RX 512 may be implemented
using separate transmitter and receiver.
[0056] Accordingly, elements 502-514 will not be further described.
Further, in alternate embodiments, PMD/WMP 102 may assume other
form factors, including but not limited to a conventional
substantially rectangular unibody form factor, or a conventional
substantially rectangular flip phone form factor, with or without
one or more removable attachable covers.
[0057] FIG. 6 illustrates an example computing device, suitable for
use as set-top media device 104 or server 120, in accordance with
some embodiments. As illustrated, computing device 700 includes one
or more processors 702, and system memory 704. Additionally,
computing device 700 includes mass storage devices 706 (such as
diskette, hard drive, CDROM, DVD and so forth), input/output
devices 708 (such as keyboard, cursor control and so forth) and
communication interfaces 710 (such as network interface cards,
modems and so forth). The elements are coupled to each other via
system bus 712, which represents one or more buses. In the case of
multiple buses, they are bridged by one or more bus bridges (not
shown).
[0058] Each of these elements performs its conventional functions
known in the art. In particular, system memory 704 and mass storage
706 are employed to store a working copy and a permanent copy (not
shown) of the programming instructions implementing media player
242 or DPK generator 222, depending on whether computing device 700
is employed to implement media device 104 or server 120.
Additionally, if computing device 700 is employed to implement
server 120, mass storage 706 may also be employed to store media
content 224.
[0059] The permanent copy of the programming instructions may be
loaded into mass storage 706 in the factory, or in the field,
through e.g. a distribution medium (not shown) or through
communication interface 710 (from a distribution server (not
shown). Similarly, media content 224 may be provided to server 120
and stored in mass storage 706 in any one of a number of techniques
known or to be designed.
[0060] The constitution of these elements 702-712 are known, and
accordingly will not be further described.
[0061] Thus, it can be seen from the above descriptions, a novel
digital media content distribution method, media devices and
servers to practice the method, have been described. While the
present invention has been described in terms of the earlier
described embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The
present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration
within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the
description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of
restrictive on the present invention.
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