Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
1
A DIGITAL INFORMATION LIBRARY
AND DELIVERY SYSTEM
This application is a divisional of Canadian application serial no. 2,265,549,
which is the Canadian national phase of International application
PCT/1JS97/16184
having a filing date of 12 September 1997 (12.09.97) and published 19 March
1998
(19.03.98) under International publication number WO 98/11487.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a digital information transmission,
receiving, and playback system. Specifically, the present invention pertains
to a
computer network based digital information library providing interactive
client
computer access.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Recent technological advances in the compression of digital data and the
expansion of storage capacities of computer systems together with the
increased
bandwidth of computer network infrastructures have created new possibilities
for
personalized access to and usage of large amounts of digital information. One
form of
this type of digital information is audio information delivered across a
computer
network as digitized information.
In the field of interactive digital information transmission, receiving, and
playback systems, several patents are known to the present applicants. U.S.
Patent No.
5,132,992, issued July 21, 1992 to Yurt et al. (Yurt), describes a system of
distributing
video and/or audio information employing digital signal processing to achieve
high
rates of data compression. The Yurt patent describes a transmission system
including a
conversion means for placing the items from a source material library into a
predetermined format as formatted data. Audio data is compressed by an audio
compressor by application of an adaptive differential pulse code modulation
(ADPCM)
process to the audio data. Stored items are accessed in the compressed data
library
through the use of a unique address code assigned to each item during storage
encoding. The unique address code is used for requesting and accessing
information
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
2
and items throughout the Yurt transmission and receiving process. The Yurt
transmission system includes means by which a user enters a customer
identifier (ID)
code by which the system accesses the users account, and indicates to the
system that
the user is a subscriber of the system. If a subscriber is in good standing,
the Yurt
system delivers selected titles using the described techniques.
One significant problem with the audio transmission and receiving system
described in Yurt is the lack of an effective means for ensuring the security
of the
digital information library and of the items downloaded to a user from the
digital
information library. Although Yurt describes the use of a unique
identification code
authentication protocols or encryption techniques are described to prevent the
unauthorized creation of clone libraries or the unauthorized download or
copying of
library items. Secondly, Yurt and related prior art does not describe an
authentication or
encryption means providing secure transactions between a server based digital
playback device. Thirdly, the prior art does not describe a mechanism for
selecting a
digital information passage to be previewed. Prior art systems also do not
describe a
system whereby only part of a program gets downloaded from a client computer
system
to a mobile playback device depending on how much storage space is available
in the
specifying multiple programs to be downloaded from a digital information
library into a
mobile playback device. Prior art systems also do not detail the processes
required in
the authoring system to generate content for the digital information library.
Finally,
prior art systems do not describe an accounting system whereby library content
25 providers can perform real-time queries on usage information related to
the access of
library items.
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
3
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a computer network based
digital information library system employing authentication, targeting, and
encryption
protocols for the secure transfer of digital information library programs to a
client
computer system and a mobile digital information playback device removably
connectable to the client computer system. The present invention is a computer
network based library and information delivery system for accessing and
obtaining
selected digital information files. The library and information delivery
system
comprises: 1) a library server having a plurality of digital information
files; 2) a client
computer system coupled to the library server over a network; and 3) a mobile
dev ice
removably connectable to the client computer system, the client computer
system
including logic for requesting a download of a selected one or more of the
digital
information files from the library server, the client computer system further
including
logic for downloading the selected one or more of the digital information
files to the
mobile device.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a computer based library and
information delivery system for accessing and obtaining selected digital
information
files, said library and information delivery system comprising: a library
server having a
plurality of digital information files, said library server including a means
for
performing a targeting authentication protocol on said selected one of said
digital
information files; a client computer system coupled to said library server
over a
network; and a mobile device removably connectable to said client computer
system,
said client computer system including logic for requesting a download of a
selected one
or more of said digital information files from said library server, said
client computer
system further including logic for downloading said selected one or more of
said digital
information files to said mobile device.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides in a computer based
library
and information delivery system, said library and information delivery system
including a library server having a plurality of digital information files, a
client
computer system coupled to said library server over a network, and a mobile
device
removably connectable to said client computer system, a method for accessing
and
obtaining selected digital information files comprising the steps of:
requesting a
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
3a
download of a selected one or more of said digital information files from said
library
server; performing a targeting authentication protocol on said selected one or
more of
said digital information files; and downloading said selected one or more of
said digital
information files to said mobile device.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a computer based
library
and information delivery system for enabling a user to access and obtain
selected
digital information files from an external source, said library and
information delivery
system comprising: a computer system including programming logic for browsing
various characteristics of content of said digital information files, logic
for selecting
one or more of said digital information files, logic for authorizing access to
said
selected one or more digital information files, logic for causing the
generation of
targeted digital information files corresponding to said selected one or more
digital
information files, said targeted digital information files being targeted
using a player
ID, and logic for requesting download of said targeted digital information
files to said
computer system from said external source; and a mobile device removably
connectable to said computer system, said computer system further including
logic for
downloading a portion or all of said targeted digital information files to
said mobile
device only if said mobile device corresponds to said player ID, said portion
depending
on storage space available in said mobile device.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer based library
and
information delivery system for generating and maintaining a plurality of
digital
information files, said library and information delivery system comprising: an
authoring system including programming logic for receiving raw digitized data,
logic
for transforming said raw digitized data into said plurality of digital
information files,
logic for generating targeted digital information files corresponding to said
plurality of
digital information files and based on a player ID, and logic for generating
information
indicative of various characteristics of content of said digital information
files; and a
library server coupled to said authoring system including logic for
maintaining said
plurality of digital information files, said digital information files
including said
information indicative of various characteristics of content of said digital
information
files and targeted for said player ID upon selection by an authorized user.
CA 02547473 2010-12-01
3b
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a computer based
library
and information delivery system for enabling a user to access and obtain
selected
digital information files from an external source, said library and
information delivery
system comprising: a computer system including programming logic for browsing
various characteristics of content of said digital information files, logic
for selecting
one or more of said digital information files, logic for authorizing access to
said
selected one or more digital information files, logic for causing the
generation of
targeted digital information files corresponding to said selected one or more
digital
information files, said targeted digital information files being targeted
using a player
ID, and logic for requesting download of said targeted digital information
files to said
computer system from said external source; and a mobile device removably
connectable to said computer system, said computer system further including
logic for
downloading a portion or all of said targeted digital information files to
said mobile
device, said mobile device enabling playing of said portion or all of said
targeted digital
information files if said mobile device corresponds to said player ID, said
portion
depending on storage space available in said mobile device.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer based library
and
information delivery system for accessing and obtaining selected digital
information
files, said library and information delivery system comprising: a library
server having a
plurality of digital information files, said library server including a means
for
performing a targeting authentication protocol on said selected one of said
digital
information files using information indicative of a player identifier; a
client computer
system coupled to said library server over a network; and a mobile device
removably
connectable to said client computer system, said client computer system
including logic
for requesting a download of a selected one or more of said digital
information files
from said library server, said client computer system further including logic
for
downloading said selected one or more of said digital information files to
said mobile
device.
In yet a further aspect, the present invention resides in a computer based
library
and information delivery system, said library and information delivery system
including a library server having a plurality of digital information files, a
client
computer system coupled to said library server over a network, and a mobile
device
CA 02547473 2012-06-01
3c
removably connectable to said client computer system, a method for accessing
and
obtaining selected digital information files comprising the steps of:
requesting a
download of a selected one or more of said digital information files from said
library
server; initiating a targeting authentication protocol on said selected one or
more of said
digital information files using information indicative of a player identifier;
and
downloading said selected one or more of said digital information files to
said mobile
device.
In still yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer based
library and information delivery system for enabling a user to access and
obtain
selected digital information files, said library and information delivery
system
comprising: a computer system including programming logic for browsing various
characteristics of content of said digital information files, logic for
selecting one or
more of said digital information files, logic for targeting said selected one
or more
digital information files encrypted using information indicative of a private
player ID,
and logic for requesting download of said selected one or more encrypted
digital
information files to said computer system from an external source; and a
mobile device
connectable to said computer system, said mobile device storing the private
player ID,
and said mobile device including a player for rendering said content of a
portion or all
of said targeted digital information files only if said mobile device
corresponds to said
private player ID.
In still yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer based
library and information delivery system for enabling a user to access and
obtain
selected digital information files, said library and information delivery
system
comprising: a mobile playback device connectable to an external source, said
mobile
playback device including programming logic for browsing various
characteristics of
content of said digital information files, logic for selecting one or more of
said digital
information files, logic for initiating targeting of said selected one or more
digital
information files using information indicative of a player ID, logic for
requesting
download of a portion or all of said targeted digital information files to
said mobile
playback device, and logic to at least one of visually render and audibly
render said
content of said targeted digital information files only if said mobile
playback device
corresponds to said player ID.
CA 02547473 2012-06-01
3d
In still yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer based
library and information delivery system for enabling a user to access and
obtain
selected digital information files, said library and information delivery
system
comprising: a mobile device wirelessly connectable to an external source, said
mobile
device including programming logic for browsing various characteristics of
content of
said digital information files, logic for selecting one or more of said
digital information
files, logic for initiating targeting of said selected one or more digital
information files
using information indicative of a player ID logic for requesting wireless
download of a
portion or all of said targeted digital information files to said mobile
device, and logic
for rendering said content of said targeted digital information files only if
said mobile
device corresponds to said player ID.
In still yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer
system for
use in a computer based library and information system to enable a user to
access and
obtain selected digital information files, said computer system comprising:
logic for
sending a selected digital information file to a mobile device; logic for
browsing
characteristics of content of digital information files of the computer based
library;
logic for targeting the selected digital information file encrypted using
information
indicative of a private player ID of the mobile device such that the mobile
device
having said private player ID stored thereon is operable to at least one of
visually
render and audibly render the selected digital information file only if the
mobile device
corresponds to said private player ID; and logic for requesting download of at
least one
of said selected digital information files to said computer system from an
external
source.
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
=
4
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of the present
specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiment of the present
invention and
together with the general description given above and the detailed description
of the
preferred embodiment given below serve to explain and teach the principles of
the
present invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a typical computer platform on which the present
invention
may be implemented. Figure 2 illustrates a high level block diagram of the
computer
network based digital information library system of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a high level block diagram of the authoring system of the
present invention. Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a
plurality of
library servers.
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a plurality of library
server processes.
Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment having a single
authoring/authorization server.
Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein client computer systems
have a local library.
Figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein mobile playback devices
have a direct network interface in lieu of a client computer system.
Figure 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein a kiosk is used to
retain
and distribute selected programming.
Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein all system components
are connected through a common network.
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a computer network based
5 digital information library system employing authentication, targeting,
and encryption
protocols for the secure transfer of digital information library programs to a
client
computer system and a mobile digital information playback device removably
connectable to the client computer system. In the following detailed
description,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of
the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art
that these specific details need not be used to practice the present
invention. In other
instances, well known structures, interfaces, and processes have not been
shown in
detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
Figure I illustrates a typical data processing system upon which one
embodiment of the present invention is implemented. It will be apparent to
those of
ordinary skill in the art, however that other alternative systems of various
system
architectures may also be used. The data processing system illustrated in
Figure I
includes a bus or other internal communication means 101 for communicating
information, and a processor 102 coupled to the bus 101 for processing
information.
The system further comprises a random access memory (RAM) or other volatile
storage
device 104 (referred to as main memory), coupled to bus 101 for storing
information
and instructions to be executed by processor 102. Main memory 104 also may be
used
for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during
execution of
instructions by processor 102. The system also comprises a read only memory
(ROM)
and/or static storage device 106 coupled to bus 101 for storing static
information and
instructions for processor 102, and a mass storage device 107 such as a
magnetic disk
drive or optical disk drive. Mass storage device 107 is coupled to bus 101 and
is
typically used with a computer readable mass storage medium 108, such as a
magnetic
or optical disk, for storage of information and instructions. The system may
further be
coupled to a display device 121, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid
crystal
display (LCD) coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 for displaying information to
a
computer user. An alphanumeric input device 122, including alphanumeric and
other
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
6
keys, may also be coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 for communicating
information
and command selections to processor 102. An additional user input device is
cursor
control 123, such as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, or cursor direction keys
coupled to bus
101 through bus 103 for communicating direction information and command
selections
to processor 102, and for controlling cursor movement on display device 121.
Another
device which may optionally be coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 is a hard
copy
device 124 which may be used for printing instructions, data, or other
information on a
medium such as paper, film, or similar types of media. In the preferred
embodiment, a
communication device 125 is coupled to bus 101 through bus 103 for use in
accessing
other nodes of a network computer system or other computer peripherals. This
communication device 125 may include any of a number of commercially available
networking peripheral devices such as those used for coupling to an Ethernet,
token
ring, Internet, or wide area network. It may also include any number of
commercially
available peripheral devices designed to communicate with remote computer
peripherals such as scanners, terminals, specialized printers, or audio
input/output
devices. Communication device 125 may also include an RS232 or other
conventional
serial port, a conventional parallel port, a small computer system interface
(SCSI) port
or other data communication means. Communications device 125 may use a
wireless
means of data transfer devices such as the infrared IRDA protocol, spread-
spectrum, or
wireless LAN. In addition, communication device 125 is used in the preferred
embodiment to couple the mobile playback device 212 to the client computer
system
214 as described in more detail below. One other device used in the preferred
embodiment is sound circuitry 130 either with attached speakers or headphones
132, or
with analog audio outputs suitable for input into audio reproduction equipment
such as
external amplifiers and speakers, cassette adapters, etc. Sound circuitry 130
is well
known in the art for playing audio files. Alternatively, sound circuitry may
be a radio
transmitter which transmits audio data on a predefined frequency for reception
and
playback by a radio receiver. Other wireless methods are possible.
Note that any or all of the components of the system illustrated in Figure 1
and
associated hardware may be used in various embodiments of the present
invention;
however, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any
configuration of the system may be used for various purposes according to the
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
7
particular implementation. In one embodiment of the present invention, the
data
processing system illustrated in Figure I is an IBM compatible personal
computer
(PC), an Apple Macintosh personal computer, or a SUN SPARC Workstation.
Processor 102 may be one of the 80X86 compatible microprocessors such as the
80486
or PENTIUM brand microprocessors manufactured by INTEL Corporation of Santa
Clara, California.
The software implementing the present invention can be stored in main memory
104, mass storage device 107, or other storage medium accessible to processor
102. It
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the methods and
processes
described herein can be implemented as software stored in main memory 104 or
read
only memory 106 and executed by processor 102. This software may also be
resident
on an article of manufacture comprising a computer usable mass storage medium
108
having computer readable program code embodied therein and being readable by
the
mass storage device 107 and for causing the processor 102 to perform digital
information library transactions and protocols in accordance with the
teachings herein.
Digital Information Library System
Figure 2 illustrates the computer network architecture used in the preferred
embodiment of the present invention. In general, the network architecture of
the present
invention includes a library site 250 coupled to a client site 210 via a
conventional
distribution network infrastructure 240. This conventional distribution
network
infrastructure 240 can be implemented as a standard telephone connection
provided
between the library site 250 and client site 210 through an Internet provider
to enable
data communication on the Internet over a conventional telephone network. This
use of
the Internet as a distribution network is well known to those of ordinary
skill in the art.
In an alternative embodiment having cable modem capability, communication over
a
conventional cable network is possible in lieu of communication over the
telephone
network. The cable network is typically much faster (i.e. provides a much
greater
bandwidth) than the standard telephone network; however, cable modems are
typically
more expensive than standard POTS (plain old telephone system) modems. In
another
alternative embodiment having conventional Integrated Services Digital Network
(ISDN) capability, the distribution network 240 is accessed using an ISDN
modem.
Again, the ISDN network is typically faster than the POTS network; however,
access to
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
8
an ISDN network is generally more expensive. Cable modems and ISDN
implementations are alternative communications media to the POTS
implementation.
In addition, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that
other
forms of networking may equivalently be supported by the present invention.
For
example, a wireless transmission means such as infrared or radio links may
also
provide the distribution network 240 described in the present application. As
an
alternative to the Internet, a proprietary network/bulletin board such as
AMERICA-
ON-LINE (AOL), or COMPUSERVE may be used.
Each of the servers at library site 250 and the client computer system 214 at
client site 210 can be implemented as a computer system such as the one
described
above in connection with Figure 1. It will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art
that the library server 260, authoring system 280, and authorization server
270 can be
remotely located yet networked together as a distributed system using the
techniques
described above. In addition, the present invention allows for multiple
library servers,
authoring systems and authorization servers. Conversely, the servers may be
implemented as separate functions of a single machine. These alternative
embodiments
are illustrated in Figures 4-8 and are described in more detail below.
The mobile playback device 212 is a minimally configured, low-cost,
standalone mobile unit for receiving and storing digital information files or
programs as
downloaded by library server 260 and client computer system 214 and for
playing back
the digital information files or programs for a user of the mobile playback
device 212.
The mobile playback device 212 is temporarily removably coupled to the client
computer system 214 while the download takes place. Once downloaded, the
mobile
playback device 212 may be detached from the client computer system 214 and
used as
a standalone digital information playback device. A co-pending U.S. Patent
Application
titled, "Interactive Audio Transmission, Receiving and Playback System",
assigned
Serial No. 08/490,537, and assigned to the Audible Words Corporation of
Montclair,
NJ describes the details of mobile playback device 212.
In its basic form, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
digital
information library system providing selection of digital information
programming on
demand over a computer network. In an alternative embodiment, the digital
information
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
9
programming is selected via the computer network but delivered using mass
storage
media 24 1. This alternative embodiment is described in more detail below.
The digital information library is an indexed collection of digital
information
programming, drawing content from digital information sources such as books,
daily
news and entertainment feeds, conferences and educational sources, other
computer
systems, the host on the World Wide Web (WWW) of the Internet, and customized
audio or visual image programming. Other sources of the digital information
content
include, but are not limited to, conference or seminar proceedings, lecture or
speech
materials, language lessons, readings, comedy, customized spoken digests and
related,
"need-to-know" business information, computer software, local sound studio
material,
text to speech conversion of machine readable files, pre-recorded material
from
magnetic tape, CD-ROM, digital audio tape, or analog cassette tape. This
digital
information content is input as raw digital information content to authoring
system 280
shown in Figure 2. In an alternative embodiment, a raw digital information
digitizer
307 is included for receiving raw input and converting the input to a digital
form which
can be manipulated as a digital information file.
In an alternative embodiment, the digital information comprises digitized
image
or graphics data used to produce visual images on a display screen or
projection screen.
These images may be included in the digital information retained and
maintained by the
library server 260.
Authoring System
Authoring system 280 is used to edit, index, compress, scramble, segment, and
catalog digital information content into digital information programs in
digital
information files, which are stored on mass storage media 241 or on library
server 260
as scrambled and compressed digital information files 262. The digital
information
programs are initially categorized according to traditional criteria (e.g.
genre, modem
fiction, mystery, adventure, romance, non-fiction, classics, self-help,
sci&nce fiction,
westerns, etc.). Categories associated with specific authors or publishers are
also
provided. Both unabridged and abridged titles are provided. In some
circumstances, it
may be necessary to digitize digital information content from an undigitized
form. The
raw information digitizer 307 is provided for this purpose. Authoring system
280 also
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
partitions digital information content into segments, which can be identified,
searched,
and skipped over if desired. All of these functions are perfonned by authoring
system
280.
Figure 3 illustrates the authoring system 280 of the preferred embodiment.
5 Authoring system 280 receives digital information content from a variety
of
conventional sources as raw digitized data. This digital information data is
fed to three
components of the authoring system 280 of the preferred embodiment. The
digital
information compressor 314 receives the raw digital data and compresses the
digitized
data. There are a variety of conventional techniques in existence for
compressing
10 digital data. These techniques can be optimized depending upon the type
of digital data
being processed. Thus, the present invention provides several compression
methods and
a means for the authoring system operator 305 to select between these methods
based
upon the category of digital information content 3 10 being input to the
digital
information compressor 314. Alternatively, the selection of compression method
may
be performed automatically by interpretation of the digital information
content 3 10
itself. A compressed digital information file is output by digital information
compressor
314 to scrambler 318.
The raw digital information content 310 is also fed to template header
generator
312. Each digital information file maintained by the library server 260
includes other
descriptive information used to identify the file's content and to Provide
information
used to process the digital information within the file. Each digital
information file
includes a template header, a descrambling map, selected preview clips, and
the digital
information programming itself. In the preferred embodiment, the template
header
comprises a number of attributes corresponding to the digital information in
the file.
For example, the digital information may be audio information generated from
the
content of a book or other published work. In this example, the audio file
template
header contains attributes including: 1) the title of a book, volume, or
medium from
which the digital information content originated, 2) the legal copyright
associated with
the digital information content, 3) audible title(s) of the content, 4) a
table of contents
of the content, and 5) playback settings for appropriately playing or
rendering the
digital information. The table of contents contains content navigation
information
including but not limited to: the number of chapters, the length of the
program, and
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
11
information indicative of the relevant content sections. The table of contents
is
generated with input from authoring system operator 305 or automatically by
analysis
of digital information content 310. The descrambling map 322 is used to
interpret the
digital information after the digital information has been scrambled by
scrambler 318 as
described below. The preview clips 324 comprise short pre-generated portions
of
digital information content used to give a consumer a sense of the content of
a
particular digital information file. In the preferred embodiment, these
previews are
generated as conventional formatted files which can be directly played by
sound
generation circuitry 130 or rendered by other means. A digital information
file can have
several preview clips associated with it. The preview clips 324 are not
compressed or
scrambled in the preferred embodiment. The template header 312 remains with
the
digital information file as it is transferred to the network 240 or mass
storage media
241. The other descriptive information related to a digital information file
is typically
stored with digital information file, but is not required to be so stored.
Referring again to Figure 3, template header generator 312 generates the
template header given information from a particular portion of digital
information
content 310. Input from Authoring System Operator 305 and Digital Information
Compressor 314 may be solicited during the header generation process. The
template
header is provided to library server 260. Other portions of the digital
information file
header are provided by scrambler 318 and preview generator 323. These portions
of the
digital information file header are assembled into the header for a particular
digital
information file by library server 260. The remainder of the digital
information file is
filled with compressed, scrambled, and segmented digital information content.
After digital information compressor 314 has compressed the raw digital
information using a selected compression method suitable for the category of
digital
information, the scrambler 318 scrambles the digital information. 'Me digital
information is scrambled to prevent an unauthorized consumer from using the
digital
information. In the preferred embodiment, scrambler 318 uses a conventional
encryption method to render the data unusable. A corresponding descrambling
map 322
is generated to provide a means for descrambling the scrambled digital
information file.
A scrambling map 316 is used by scrambler 318 to scramble the digital
information
file. The scrambler 318 can encrypt the entire digital information file or
selected critical
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
12
subsets of the digital information file. The level of scrambling can be
selected
depending upon the capabilities of the authoring system 280, the mobile
playback
device 212 and/or the anticipated software player 226 on client computer
system 214.
In an alternative embodiment, a proprietary digital information format is used
in lieu of
scrambler 318.
The scrambled digital information content is output by scrambler 318 to
segmentation logic 326. Segmentation logic 326 partitions the digital
information
content into blocks for efficient storage in and transfer to a mobile playback
device 212
or software player 226 and for efficient navigation during playback. Transport
integrity
data is generated and appended to the segmented digital information. In an
alternate
embodiment, portions of the segmentation process may take place before or
after digital
information compressor 314 and scrambler 318. Segmentation information may
also be
used in the header generation process by template header generator 312. The
compressed, scrambled, and segmented digital information blocks are provided
to the
library server 260 by authoring system 280. Library server 260 assembles the
segmented digital information blocks, the descrambling map 322, the preview
clip(s)
324, and the template header 312 for a particular item of digital information
content
into a digital information program file or files, which are stored in a
digital information
program file storage area 262. Other raw digital information content is
converted into
digital information files using the authoring system 280 in a similar manner.
Library Server
Referring again to Figure 2, the library server 260 is responsible for
maintaining
the digital information program files 262 created by the authoring system 280.
In
addition, the library server 260 receives requests for access to the digital
information
program files 262 from client computer systems 214 over network 240 and
manages
purchase and delivery of the selected digital information files and/or
delivery of
selected preview clips 324. The library server 260 includes library management
software 261 for performing these library server functions and a library key
263 used
for the authentication protocol described below. Library management software
261
includes processing logic for receiving and responding to client computer
system 214
requests for access and/or purchase of a digital information program file 262.
Upon
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
13
receiving such a client request, library server 260 uses authorization server
270 to
authenticate the request with client information 272 generated and maintained
by
library server 260 or authorization server 270. The client information 272
includes
client identifiers which are used to target content for playback on individual
mobile
playback devices 212 or software players 226. Client information 272 may also
contain
client personal information, user content preferences, client billing history,
player usage
history, and player group lists. In an alternative embodiment, portions of
client
information 272 may instead be stored in server 260. Using the authorization
protocol
described in more detail below, the library server 260 determines if the
client request
can be serviced. If approved, the library server 260 accesses the digital
information
program file(s) or preview clip(s) requested by the client computer system
214, delivers
the selected preview clip(s) or builds encrypted, targeted, and digitally
signed digital
information files using the authentication protocol described in more detail
below, and
transfers the encrypted and compressed digital information file(s) to the
requesting
client computer system 214 via network 240. Distributable mass storage media
241
may also be used as a delivery medium for the transfer of information to
client system
214. The client computer system 214 may then independently download the
selected
digital information files (or a subset thereof) into the mobile playback
device 212 for
subsequent playback. The library server 260 also collects usage statistics on
the access
history of the digital information files 262 and stores this usage data into
usage statistic
storage area 264. The library server 260 also stores operating code segments
(firmware)
for the client browser 219, software player 226, and for mobile playback
device 212.
This operating code can be downloaded to the client computer system 214 in the
same
manner as digital information files are transferred. Player configuration data
for
playback device 212 and software player 226 is stored on the library server
260 and can
be customized or updated in the same manner as digital information files and
firmware
are transferred. Configuration data includes, but is not limited to, audio
prompts, user
interface options, group ID information, and information playback parameters.
Player
configuration data is transferred to client computer system 214, software
player 226, or
mobile playback device 212 as required according to client information 272.
The library server 260 interfaces with a client application program or client
browser 219 executing on client computer system 214. The client browser 219 is
used
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
=
14
to make requests of library server 260 for various types of service including,
but not
limited to, searching the digital information files 262 for a desired program,
previewing
a selected preview clip associated with a digital information file 262,
purchasing a
selected program, requesting operating code segments or player configuration
data, and
downloading the purchased program or other material to the requesting client
computer
system 214.
The library server 260 interface with the authorization server 270 and client
computer system 214 uses the unique authentication protocol and encryption
protocol
of the prefer-red embodiment of the present invention. The preferred
embodiment of
these protocols is described in the sections below.
Client Computer System
Referring again to Figure 2, the client computer system 214 represents a
consumer or end user computer system, typically a personal computer, such as
the
sample system illustrated in Figure 1, with which a consumer may browse,
preview,
select, purchase, and take delivery of digital information content from
digital
information library server 260 across distribution network 240. Client
computer system
214 comprises client browser software 219, a mobile device interface 221,
storage for
encrypted and compressed digital information files 220 downloaded from the
network
240, software player 226, and segment download data 222 derived from digital
information files 220 for defining the storage segments in mobile playback
device 212
and for assisting in the downloading of digital information files 220 from
client
computer system 214 to mobile playback device 212. Client computer system 214
also
includes a server public key 215 used for authenticating digital information
and
software files received from server 260. Client browser software 219 provides
the
control logic with which the client or consumer accesses and purchases titles
from the
digital information library 262 of library server 260. Client browser software
219 also
provides control logic which requests and downloads configuration information
or
operating code from server 260. The client browser software 219 can be
configured to
perform these operations without direct human intervention. The mobile device
interface 221 is a software interface used to control the transfer of control
information,
operating code, and digital information files from client computer system 214
to
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
mobile, playback device 212. Encrypted and compressed digital information
files 220
are received by client computer system 214 from library server 260 over
network 240.
In an alternate embodiment, distributable mass storage media 241 is used
instead of
network 240 to transfer information to client computer system 214. The
software player
5 226 is a software module used to emulate the operation of mobile playback
device 212
and for playing digital information files through the sound circuitry 130 and
audio
output device 132 of client computer system 214. Operating code and
configuration
information for the software player 226 can be downloaded or updated from the
server
260 in the same manner as the mobile playback device 212 can be downloaded or
10 updated. The software player 226 functionality is the equivalent of the
functionality and
operation of the mobile playback device 212. Thus, the use of the term
"player"
throughout this document generally applies to both the mobile playback device
212 and
software player 226. Software players 226 are assigned unique player IDs and
can be
assigned group IDs that function similarly to IDs assigned to mobile playback
devices
15 212.
Mobile Playback Device
The mobile playback device 212 converts a digital information file into sound
or displayable imagery which is played through audio output means or displayed
on a
display device. In the preferred embodiment, the mobile playback device 212 is
a
minimal capability, low-cost device primarily dedicated to playing audio files
or
displaying visual images or text on a display device. The mobile playback
device 212 is
minimally configured to retain its light-weight, low cost, and readily mobile
features.
The preferred embodiment does not therefore include the use of a portable
personal
computer or laptop computer as the mobile playback device 212; because, such
general
purpose computing devices typically do not meet the light-weight and low cost
constraints of the preferred mobile playback device 212. Such general purpose
computing devices typically have unnecessary functionality, more complicated
interfaces, and may suffer cost and performance penalties in comparison to the
special
purpose mobile playback device 212. In the preferred embodiment, the mobile
playback device 212 includes a processor, memory, and an interface to client
computer
system 214 over which compressed digital information files 216 are received.
As
=
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
16
described in more detail below, mobile playback device 212 also includes a
player ID
223, group II)s 225, and server public key 215 used for authenticating digital
information and software files received from server 260 via client computer
system
214. The user controls the mobile playback device 212 using buttons and knobs
provided on the device. These controls are used to navigate through digital
information
files 216, adjust configuration data and playback parameters, or perform other
functions
as directed by firmware stored in playback device 212. When coupled to the
player,
client computer system 214 or other electronic devices can solicit user input
from these
controls. In an alternative embodiment, a set of additional user controls is
provided on a
remote control unit that is coupled to the player via a wired or wireless
connection.
Digital information output may be provided via a headphone jack, on board
speaker, or
wireless transmitter to a separate wireless receiver with speakers or
headphones. Audio
level can be adjusted with a volume knob. A wireless transmitter may contain
an
adjustment knob to adjust the transmission frequency or other transmission
parameters.
Visual information output is provided via LCD display, LED display, or outputs
to a
standard visual display device. The mobile playback device 212 contains a
limited
quantity of non-volatile memory, RAM, and ROM. Digital information content,
configuration data, and operating code are stored in the memory space of the
mobile
playback device 212. Configuration data includes but is not limited to: public
and
private IDs, content playback parameters, and user interface parameters. The
use of
non-volatile memory allows portions of the digital information content,
configuration
data, and firmware to be updated via download. Both digital information
content and
firmware (operating software) is stored in this memory device. Portions of the
firmware
and configuration information are stored permanently in a read only memory
(ROM).
An internal memory allocation method is used to track the content of mobile
playback
device 212 memory. This allocation method, in conjunction with segment
navigation
data 218, also provides the means for locating desired digital information,
program,
configuration data, or header data resident in the mobile playback device 212
memory.
The mobile playback device 212 includes an interface to the client computer
system
214 through which the mobile playback device 212 receives compressed digital
information files 216, software updates, and configuration changes from client
computer system 214.
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
17
Downloading Digital Information Content, Software Updates, or Configuration
Information From the Library Server to the Client Computer System
The client browser software 219 of client computer system 214 operates in
cooperation with library management software 261 of library server 260 and the
The preferred embodiment utilizes three authentication processes to protect
the
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
18
referenced from user profiles stored on library server 260. In the targeting
process,
library server 260 formats and downloads data that can only be read by mobile
devices
212 with these identifiers. Thirdly, a library server digital signature is
appended to the
downloaded data for use by the mobile playback device 212 to verify that the
downloaded data was originated by an authorized library server. These three
authentication processes of the present invention are described in detail in
the following
sections.
Point-to-Point Authentication Protocol
The library server 260, client computer system 214, and mobile playback
devices 212 each have a unique verification sequence which is used to verify
the
authenticity of another system. In communications between library server 260
and
client system 214, both systems alternately act to (1) request verification of
the other
system and (2) provide an authenticating response to a verification request.
Communication between mobile devices 212 and client computer system 214 use a
similar authentication protocol, as well as real-time communication between
mobile
devices 212 and library server 260 via client system 214. This verification
sequence
comprises a predefined set of bit streams or data structures which are sent by
the
requesting system (i.e. the system requesting verification) to the receiving
system being
authenticated (i.e. the respondent) in a point-to-point transmission. The
receiving
system must respond to the verification sequence in a pre- defined manner by
sending
particular response bit streams or data structures to the requesting system.
If the
appropriate response data from the respondent is received by the requesting
system, the
system being verified is considered an authorized system. Conversely, the
system being
verified is considered unauthorized if the appropriate response data is not
received by
the requesting system prior to a pre-defined time- out period. Both systems
begin
communication by acting as requesters and respondents in separate verification
cycles.
Upon completion of these point-to-point authentication cycles, further
client/server
processing only continues if both systems deem each other to be authorized
systems.
In an alternate embodiment, point-to-point authentication is used in a subset
of
the communications among library server 260, client computer system 214, and
mobile
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
19
playback devices 212. In another embodiment, point- to-point authentication is
not used
and system security rests on the use of targeting and/or digital signature
authentication.
Targeting Protocol
The targeting protocol of the present invention is a means and method for
limiting the playback of digital information content, the adjustment of player
configuration data, and the download of player operating code to a specified
player
212/226 or a specified set of mobile playback devices 212. Each player 212/226
contains a unique player ID 223. The player ID 223 comprises a public player
ID and a
private player ID. The public player ID is a unique identifier and serves as a
serial
number for player identification. The private player ID is used to target data
for
individual mobile playback devices 212. Private player IDs are never sent
through any
communications link or network path, except during installation. In the
preferred
embodiment, private player IDs should be sufficiently diverse, but need not be
unique.
Mobile playback devices 212 may be logically grouped together using a Group
ID. Digital information content, software, or configuration data changes may
be
targeted to a group of mobile playback devices 212 defined by a group ID. Each
player
212/226 includes memory space for storage of one or more group IDs 225 of
which the
particular player 212/226 is a member. Each group ID includes a public portion
and a
private portion, each of which is equivalent to the public and private player
IDs,
respectively. Each group is identified by a uniquely valued public ID that is
not shared
with other player or group IDs. Digital information content, software, or
configuration
data can be targeted to a particular group ID in the same way as it would be
targeted for
a specific player ID. Mobile playback devices 212 in the same group share the
same
Group ID. A particular Group ID is pre-defined as the global group to which
all mobile
playback devices 212 are a member. Mobile playback devices 212 may be members
of
more than one group. A particular player 212/226 is added to a new group by
appending the new group ID to the set of group IDs 225 maintained in the
particular
player 212/226. The new group ID is appended after the server 260 provides a
public
group ID and a group key to the player 212/226 via client computer system 214.
The
player 212/226 generates a private group ID from the combination of the group
key and
the mobile playback device's 212 private player ID. As with the private player
ID, the
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
private group ID is never sent through any communications link or network
path,
except during installation. In an alternative embodiment, players receive the
group
private ID directly or by combining the group key with the players public ID
or other
known numeric value. In another alternative embodiment, the private group ID
is not
5 used in the targeting process and is not transferred to the player. The
group assignment
process may be restricted to using real-time communications between server 260
and
the player via client system 214, or it may take place sometime after group
assignments
have been downloaded to client system 214. Having described the player IDs and
group
IDs defined in the present invention, the use of these IDs in the targeting
protocol is
10 described next.
Library server 260 includes a player ID table 266 as shown in Figure 2. Player
ID table 266 includes a storage area for private IDs and public IDs. The
private IDs are
pre-loaded into player table 266 when a new mobile playback device is
installed into
the system or when a new group is established. In another embodiment, ID table
266 is
15 a mathematical function which converts group or player public IDs.
Public player and
group IDs are sent by a client computer system 214 to the server 260 when the
client
computer system 214 desires to target a particular player 212/226 or set of
mobile
playback devices 212 to a particular specified digital information, software
content, or
configuration data selection. Digital information selection is made from the
files 262
20 stored on library server 260. Software or configuration data selection
is made from files
stored on server 260 or from data generated upon request by server 260.
Software
content and configuration data is prepared and scrambled in a manner similar
to the
authoring process for digital information content. Once an association is made
by client
computer system 214 between a set of targeted public IDs and the associated
data to be
transferred from server 260, library server 260 creates a targeted header for
the selected
files. The library management software 261 consults the public ID to private
ID table
266 to locate the corresponding targeted private ID(s). The targeted header
comprises a
combination of the descrambling map 322 from the selected files with the
private
player IDs corresponding to the targeted mobile playback devices 212. The
descrambling map 322 is thereby encrypted using the secret IDs of the targeted
mobile
playback device(s) 212. This targeted header is linked with the corresponding
digital
information or software content of the selected file in a network transport
ready data
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
21
block. A digital signature is applied to the data block as described below in
connection
with the data signature protocol. Transport integrity data (such as the use of
checksums
or cyclic redundancy check) is applied to the data block and the data block is
sent to the
client computer system 214 via network 240. Because the data block can only be
unscrambled using the corresponding descrambling block 322 in its header and
because
the descrambling block 322 was combined (i.e. encrypted) with a private ID
known
only by the targeted mobile playback device(s) 212, only the targeted mobile
playback
device(s) 212 will be able to unscramble and read the data block. The selected
digital
information, software content, and configuration data is thereby targeted to a
particular
set of mobile playback devices 212.
For small groups of mobile playback devices 212, each targeted header of a
digital information file may contain a plurality of descrambling maps, each
associated
with a different player 212/226. In this manner, multiple mobile playback
devices 212
can read a single file 220 stored on the client computer system 214.
A person of ordinary skill in the art will note that alternative methods of
targeting exist. In an alternative embodiment, library server 260 uses the
targeted
recipient's private player 212/226 identifier or the targeted group's private
group
identifier to generate scrambling map 316. Descrambling map 322 is not stored
with
the file as it is already known by the recipient player or group. This method
targets
content to a single player 212/226 or group and achieves the identical result
of
preventing unauthorized playback of content.
In another alternative embodiment, library server 260 does not scramble the
digital information content or uses a known key to scramble the digital
information
content. In this embodiment, descrambling map 322 is unnecessary and is not
stored
with the file. Either the public or private player 212/226 identifier can be
stored in the
header for targeting identification purposes. Upon receipt of data from
library server
260, the player 212/226 checks if its player 212/226 identifier or group
identifier is
included in the header. This method assumes unmodified mobile playback devices
212
and achieves the identical result of preventing unauthorized playback of
content.
In another alternative embodiment, the player IDs for the targeted mobile
playback devices 212 are sent to the library server 260 by the client computer
system
214 when the user registers with the library server 260 to obtain the user's
client ID. In
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
22
this alternative embodiment, these player IDs are stored on the library server
260 in a
user profile. In this embodiment, the library server 260 manages the player
IDs for the
targeted mobile playback devices 212.
Digital Signature Protocol
The third authentication protocol used in the present invention is the digital
signature protocol. For selected data blocks generated by library server 260
and
downloaded to a client computer system 214, library server 260 uses its
private library
key 263 to apply a digital signature to the data block. The digital signature
comprises a
known bit string or data pattern which is combined with the data in data
blocks that are
downloaded from library server 260 to client computer system 214. The library
server
260 may perform this operation on all the data blocks or a selected subset of
the data
blocks. After a data block is downloaded to a player 212/226 through a client
computer
system 214, the player 212/226 can retrieve the digital signature applied by
the library
server 260 using a public server key known to the player 212/226. The player
212/226
can thereby verify that the data block originated with an authorized library
server 260.
The public server key is also known to client computer system 214, which can
perform
the identical operation to verify that the data block originated with an
authorized library
server 260. In this embodiment, library server 260 performs signatures on the
content.
A person of ordinary skill in the art would realize that the signatures may
also be
performed on the digital information by authoring system 280. The signatures
may also
be performed in a multiple step process shared by authoring system 280 and
library
server 260.
In an alternate embodiment, digital signatures are applied to downloaded
material by a trusted client computer system 214. In another alternate
embodiment,
digital signatures are not applied to downloaded material and system security
rests on
the use of targeting and/or point-to-point authentication.
Downloading Digital Information Content, Software Updates, or Configuration
Information From the Client Com_puter System to the Mobile Playback Device
In a first step, the client computer system 214 and the mobile device use the
point-to-point authentication protocol described above to verify that an
authorized
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
=
23
mobile playback device 212 is communicating with an authorized client computer
system 214. If this is the case, the mobile playback device 212 transmits its
memory
map to the client computer system 214 via the mobile device interface 221. A
table of
contents defining the available digital information files 220 and player
configuration
profiles resident in client computer system 214 is displayed along with the
mobile
playback device 212 memory map for a user of client computer system 214. The
user
selects which files 220 of client computer system 214 should replace portions
or
segments of specified mobile playback device 212 memory as defined by the
mobile
playback device 212 memory map. Alternately, client browser 219 can be
configured to
automatically perform this selection process. In either case, the user is
prevented from
selecting digital information content larger than the available memory of
playback
device 212. In addition, control software and/or configuration data for
playback device
212 may be automatically updated by client computer 214. The specified digital
information files 220, associated headers, operating code, or configuration
data are
thereafter downloaded into mobile playback device 212 memory. The mobile
playback
device 212 uses checksums to verify the integrity of the download. The mobile
playback device 212 uses the server public key 215, the header, and the
digital
signature to authenticate the download as described above. The header
descrambling
map is used by targeted mobile playback devices 212 to unscramble the
downloaded
data. In other embodiments, mobile playback device 212 may unscramble the
downloaded data and/or decompress the downloaded data before authenticating
the
signature. Each segment of the digital information content may be
independently
authenticated and validated using any of the techniques described above.
Digital
information prompts on the mobile playback device 212 guide the user to the
desired
portion of the downloaded digital information content as specified by the
table of
contents residing in the header of the downloaded data. The user may preview
selected
portions of the digital information content by selecting a preview option. The
preview
option plays a predetermined portion of a selected digital information
program. Upon
selection of a particular digital information program, the selected digital
information
program is played for the user after the mobile playback device 212 converts
the digital
information content into sound or displayable imagery which is played through
an
audio output means or displayed on a display device.
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
24
The software player 226 of client computer system 214 may also receive digital
information content in approximately the same form as the digital information
content
downloaded to the mobile playback device 212; however, the digital information
content for the software player 226 does not need to be downloaded to the
software
player 226. The software player 226 has direct access to the digital
information content;
because, it shares memory and/or disk storage space with the client computer
system
214. Therefore, there are no downloading or memory map concerns. In the same
manner as the mobile playback device 212, the software player 226 performs
digital
signature verification, verification of checksums, and receiving targeted
information. In
an alternative embodiment, software player 226 may use a communication
protocol
similar to that of mobile playback device 212 when receiving digital
information
content, configuration information, and dynamically downloaded software.
Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in Figure 4, authoring system 280 can support a plurality of library
servers 260.
Each library server can be configured to support a specific type of digital
information
content. In the same manner described above, the client computer systems 214
access
network 240 and obtain digital information content from any of the library
servers 260
after performing the authentication process described above. Authorization
server 270
is provided for this purpose. The configuration illustrated in Figure 4
provides a more
distributed architecture thereby dispersing the load across several server
platforms. A
site with many client computer systems 214 may have its own library server 260
to
reduce demand on network 240. This architecture scales well as the number of
client
computer systems 214 grows and the content provided by the library server 260
grows.
Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention except the
library server 461 has been implemented as a plurality of separate processes
or tasks
460 running concurrently on a single library server platform 461. Each library
server
process 460 services requests for access to its corresponding portion of the
digital
information content. This content is created using authoring system 280 in the
manner
described above. The authorization server 270 is used to validate the links
between the
client computer systems 214 and the library server processes 460. The
configuration
illustrated in Figure 5 is advantageous in that the convenience of a single
server is
maintained while the scalability of multiple libraries is also supported.
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
This concept can also be used for the authoring and authorization servers 280
and 270, respectively. As shown in Figure 6, the authoring system 280 and the
authorization server 270 is implemented on a single platform 685 as authoring
process
680 and authorization process 670. These processes perform the same functions
as
5 described above, except the implementation provides the convenience of a
single server
and the scalability of multiple processes for the authoring and authorization
tasks.
Figure 7 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment wherein the client
computer systems 214 include a local library 710. The local library 710
provides a local
storage area and library access control functionality which provides access to
a subset
10 of the archived digital information from library server 260. In the
manner described
above, the user of a client computer system 214 identifies the titles or items
of digital
information in library server 260 that the user wishes to access. In the
preferred
embodiment, these content selections are transferred to a client storage area
220 (as
shown in Figure 2) for subsequent downloading to mobile playback device 212.
The
15 embodiment shown in Figure 7 expands upon the client storage area 220
and creates a
local library 710. The local library 710 is used for storage of selected
content; but also
for searching, sorting, categorizing, and abstracting the locally stored
content. The local
library 710 allows a client computer system 214 to maintain a small subset of
the full
library which may be used to create custom collections of content in a variety
of user
20 selected configurations. Client systems 214 may be permitted to access
the contents of
local libraries 7 10 on other client systems 214. In a related alternate
embodiment,
library server processes 460 may also reside on selected client systems 214.
This
embodiment allows client systems 214 to browse and purchase content that is
scrambled, targeted, and delivered from library server process 460 executing
on a
25 locally positioned client system 214. By maintaining the library
locally, a portion of the
network access and transfer overhead is eliminated.
Figure 8 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the present invention
wherein the client computer system 214 is eliminated and the mobile playback
device
212 is connected directly to the network 240 through network interWe R10. La
the
preferred embodiment, the mobile playback device 212 is a miniaW c4paWy device
psinawily dedicated to playing audio files or displaying visual images or text
on a
display device. The mobile playback device 212 is minimally configured to
retain its
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
26
light-weight, low cost, and readily mobile features. The preferred embodiment
does not
therefore include the use of a portable personal computer or laptop computer,
because,
such devices typically do not meet the light-weight and low cost constraints
of the
preferred mobile playback device 212. However, the minimal mobile playback
device
212 may be augmented to add network interface 8 10 which comprises a
conventional
hardware connector, hardware buffers and controllers, and firmware support for
a
particular conventional network protocol. For example, the mobile playback
device 212
may be augmented with an integrated modem that includes a telephone jack with
which
the playback device may be connected to a telephone network. It will be
apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art that network interface 810 may be
implemented in a
low cost and light-weight device such as mobile playback device 212. Because
the
client system browser 219 would not be available in the alternative embodiment
shown
in Figure 8, a simplified user interface may be provided in firmware or other
non-
volatile memory of mobile playback device 212 with which the user may select
items
of digital information for download and playback from library server 260. As
described
above, the authentication process to validate the link between the mobile
playback
device 212 and the library server 260 must also be performed prior to user
access to the
library server 260 content. Alternatively, a client system 814 coupled to
network 240
may be provided to support client browser 219 and thereby enable selection of
items of
digital information for download and playback from library server 260 directly
to any
of the mobile playback devices 212. Client systems 814 may support local
storage of
digital information, software, and configuration data in a form similar to
storage space
220 or local library 710. In addition, a more simplified implementation of
network
interface 810 may be designed to communicate via network 240 to client system
814
instead of library server 260.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, digital
information
programming selections are made using the client computer system 214 and
library
server 260 as described above; however, the selections are delivered on mass
storage
medium 241. Mass storage medium 241 represents any of a variety of
conventional
mass storage technologies including CD-ROM, PCMCIA cards, DVDs, floppy disks,
removable hard drives, digital magnetic tape, optical cards, flash memory or
other
optical, magnetic, electronic, or semiconductor memory devices. Upon selection
by a
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
27
user of a client computer system 214, selected programming is targeted and
scrambled
as described above and transferred to a selected mass storage medium 241 and
mailed,
hand-delivered, or held for pickup by the user. Once the user takes physical
possession
of the selected mass storage media 241, the selected programming may be read
from
the mass storage medium 241 by the client browser 219 and thereafter
transferred to the
mobile playback device 212 as described above. Figure 9 illustrates another
embodiment of the system that does not include the use of client computer 214
to
transfer data to mobile playback device 212. Kiosk 910 consists of a computer
system
such as the one described above in Figure 1. Kiosk 910 is a publicly
accessible unit that
can perform browse, content purchase, and download functions in a manner
equivalent
to a client computer system 214. The kiosk 910 is special because it contains
its own
library server for fast local access and download of content. Kiosk 910
contains a
mobile device interface 221, a special version of client browser 219, and
local library
server process 460. Kiosk library server process 460 has local storage of
scrambled and
compressed digital information files 262. These compressed information files
262
originate from remote authoring system 280 and may be delivered via physical
transport of mass storage media 241 or via distribution network 240. A
customer
operates client browser 219 to browse, select, and purchase digital
information files that
are delivered to the customer's mobile playback device 212. Authentication,
targeting,
and download processes are performed within the kiosk by library server
process 460
that is connected to remote authorization server 270 over network 240. In a
related
embodiment, figure 7 shows a client system 214 with local library 7 10 that
can be
converted into a kiosk with functionality similar to kiosk 910. In this
system, a special
version of client browser 219 provides the same user functionality as the
previous kiosk
embodiment.
An alternate embodiment of the system uses a common communication network
to connect all system components. In Figure 10, network 240 is directly
coupled to
client system 214 and 814, network interface(s) 810, library server(s) 260,
authorization
server 270, and authoring system(s) 280. One of ordinary skill in the art will
realize that
network 240 can also be segmented into a number of independent networks or
communication links without changing the functionality of the system.
CA 02547473 2009-06-30
28
Thus, a method and apparatus for implementing a computer network based
digital information library system employing authentication and encryption
protocols
for the secure transfer of digital information library programs, software, and
configuration data to a client computer system and a mobile digital
information
playback device removably connectable to the client computer system is
disclosed.
Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific
examples
and subsystems, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that
the invention
is not limited to these specific examples or subsystems but extends to other
embodiments as well. The present invention includes all of these other
embodiments as
specified in the claims that follow.
