Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Background
(1) Field
The present inventions relate generally to digital media and, more
particularly, to
a digital content management system including a digital media player and a
backend
server.
(2) Related Art
The use of multimedia technology has become an integral part of our society
and
technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that educational institutions
have a difficult
time managing and incorporating the technological advancements.
By way of example, K-12 educational systems have generally established goals
of
introducing multimedia technology into classrooms in order to provide for an
effective
and contemporary student education. However, many K-12 educational
institutions face
challenges, such as outdated technology equipment; scarce funding; the need to
provide
educators with training to ensure familiarity and comfort with new technology;
time
constraints and standardized testing requirements. In addition, integrating
technology
into the classroom also requires considerable resources for hardware, software
and
connectivity.
At the same time, much of the responsibility for keeping education relevant
and
current falls squarely with the teachers. Faced with the challenge of
developing lesson
plans that integrate technology into the curriculum while meeting the mandated
curriculum requirements, teachers spend valuable time searching for
appropriate
resources that can be pulled together to form a lesson plan. Individual states
usually
adopt and regulate public school curriculum, so requirements may vary from
state to
state.
Thus, many of the software or multimedia resources teachers may locate on the
web must be evaluated to be sure they are compatible with their classroom
hardware and
appropriate for the lesson plan. Teachers are understandably reluctant to
develop and
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engage in technology based course work that may not be consistent with what is
evaluated on high-stakes exams. Also, many teachers have difficulty
integrating
technology into the lesson plans because the available resources may be
difficult to
incorporate or preview and/or become fragmented within the lesson plan and
hard to
organize for or duplicate the next year.
Thus, there remains a need for a new and improved a digital content management
system which includes a digital media player for accessing and storing digital
content
while, at the same time, includes a backend server which provides a remote
personalized
digital library for that teacher.
Summary of the Inventions
The present inventions are directed to a digital content management system
which
includes a digital media player for accessing and storing digital content and
a backend
server including a remote personalized digital library, wherein the digital
library only
contains allowed digital content. The digital content management system may
include at
least one new content store. In addition, the digital content management
system may
further include a display system for the digital media player.
In one embodiment, the digital media player further includes (i) a local
database,
(ii) a local content files and (iii) a user interface.
The local database may further include a user's account data and a local
content
synchronization module. Preferably, the user's account data may include user
data,
contact information, opt-in status, download source, purchase history,
authorized devices
and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the download source provides
retail
purchases and on-line purchases. Authorized devices may be computers, mobile
phones,
tablets, E-readers, handheld units, internet enabled devices and combination
thereof. The
local content synchronization module may be web based.
In one embodiment, the local content files are multimedia content files.
In one embodiment, the user interface is adapted to lock individual local
content
files. The user interface may be adapted to receive a redemption code and
unlock
individual local content files.
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Preferably, the system further includes an installation module for installing
the
digital media player on a local machine. In one embodiment, the digital media
player is
software based.
The backend server may further include a plurality of users' account data and
a
remote content synchronization module. Preferably, the remote content
synchronization
module is web based.
Also, in one embodiment, the content store includes education resources and
teaching units. Preferably, the content store materials are locked for
compatibility with
the digital media player. Also, the content store may further include
redemption codes
that are pre-assigned. Preferably, the redemption codes include a digital code
that is
entered into the digital media player. In one embodiment, the content store is
a remote
point of sale location separated from the backend server.
Preferably, the display system is a multi-media device. For example, the
multimedia devices may include computers, monitors, televisions, handheld
devices,
projection systems, tablets, E-readers, electronic whiteboards and
combinations thereof.
In one embodiment, the display system is adapted to be interactive with the
digital media
player.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present inventions is to provide a digital
content
management system, the system including: (a) a digital media player for
accessing and
storing a digital content; and (b) a backend server including a remote
personalized digital
library, wherein the digital library only contains allowed digital content.
Another aspect of the present inventions is to provide a digital content
management system, the system including: (a) a digital media player for
accessing and
storing a digital content; (b) a backend server including a remote
personalized digital
library, wherein the digital library only contains allowed digital content;
and (c) at least
one new content store.
Still another aspect of the present inventions is to provide a digital content
management system, the system including: (a) a digital media player for
accessing and
storing digital content; (b) a backend server including a remote personalized
digital
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library, wherein the digital library only contains allowed digital content;
(c) at least one
new content store; and (d) a display system.
These and other aspects of the present inventions will become apparent to
those
skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the
preferred embodiments
when considered with the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital content management system
constructed according to the present inventions;
Figure 2a is a flowchart illustrating the process of initially setting up a
new User
Account;
Figure 2b is a simplified flowchart illustrating telephone or web processes by
which a User purchases new digital content for the digital media player shown
in Figure
1;
Figure 2c is a more detailed flowchart illustrating web, digital media player
and
retail processes by which a User purchases new digital content for the digital
media
player shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of a
digital
content management system constructed according to the present inventions;
Figure 4a is a flowchart illustrating the process of a new customer direct
download of the digital media player and digital media resources;
Figure 4h is a flowchart illustrating the process of an existing customer
direct
download of the digital media player and digital media resources;
Figure 5a is a flowchart illustrating the process of a new customer indirect
download of the digital media player and digital media resources;
Figure 5b is a flowchart illustrating the process of an existing customer
indirect
download of the digital media player and digital media resources;
Figure 6a is a flowchart illustrating the process of a new customer SKU in
person
purchase of the digital media player and digital media resources;
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Figure 6b is a flowchart illustrating the process of an existing customer SKU
in
person purchase of the digital media player and digital media resources;
Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process of an existing user syncing
content
files between multiple digital media players;
Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process of an existing customer with
a
credit card on file placing purchases within an application; and
Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of an existing customer with
without a credit card on file placing purchases within an application.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
In the following description, like reference characters designate like or
corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following
description, it is
to be understood that such terms as "forward," "rearward," "left," "right,"
"upwardly,"
"downwardly," and the like are words of convenience and are not to be
construed as
limiting terms.
Referring now to the drawings in general and Figure 1 in particular, it will
be
understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing an
embodiment of the
invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. As best seen in
Figure 1, an
embodiment of the digital content management system, generally designated 10,
is shown
constructed according to the present inventions. The digital content
management system
includes a digital media player 12, for accessing and storing digital media,
and a backend
server 14 including a remote personalized digital library. The digital library
may be self-
contained or locked down and may contain only allowed digital content. The
system 10
may further include at least one content store 16 and/or a display system 20.
Turning first to Figs. 2a, 2b and 2c, a User may begin using the digital media
management system 10 in a variety of ways. Seen best in Figure 2a, the end
User may
register for an account and/or may download the digital media player 12 to a
local
temiinal, for example, their computer. Registration information may be stored,
for
example, locally in digital media player 12 or backend server 14. The User's
account
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data, such as credit card and purchase information, may additionally be stored
in the
digital media player 12 and/or the backend server 14.
As best seen Figs. 2b and 2c, using the system after download of the digital
media
player may also proceed in various ways. These ways are for example, but are
not
limited to, via the phone, over the web or in a wholesale or retail store.
Over the phone,
buyer's transaction begins a manual generation of code. The code is delivered
to the
buyer, typically, but not exclusively by email. The customer opens the email
and uses the
code, typically in the digital media player, to redeem a purchase of a
resource. The
digital media player may download the purchased resource. The resource may
also
include a trial version of a resource that does not require a separate
purchase. Via a web-
based transaction, a buyer may check out on a content store 16, or a remote
content store
16' and an authorization site generates a code, which may be emailed or,
otherwise
delivered, to the buyer. The customer uses the code to redeem the purchase of
a resource
and the digital media player downloads the resource content. Alternatively,
when a
purchase is made from within the player application, i.e. "in-app", the player
may
automatically redeem the code for a customer and/or download the resource
content.
When a buyer begins the transaction at a retail location, an individual SKU
may
be obtained. The SKU code may be entered into the digital media player 12, and
then the
transaction may progress similarly as above. The buyer may also use a link,
housed
inside the digital media player 12, to purchase a resource.
As seen in Figure 3, the digital media player 12 may further include a local
database 22, local content files 24, a user interface 26 and an installation
module 34. The
digital media player 12 may be installed on a local machine, by way of
example, a
computer. The digital media player 12 may optionally be software based.
The local database 22 may include user's account data 30 and a local content
synchronization module 32. The user's account data 30 may be, by way of
example, user
data, contact information, opt-in status, download source, purchase history,
authorized
devices and combinations thereof. The download source may optionally be, but
is not
limited to, retail content stores and on-line purchases. Authorized devices
may include,
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by way of example, computers, mobile phones, tablets, E-readers, handheld
units,
interactive whiteboards and combination thereof.
The local content synchronization module 32 may be web based.
The local content files 24 may be multimedia files.
The user interface 26 may be adapted to lock individual local content files.
The
user interface 26 may be adapted to receive a redemption code and unlock
individual
local content files.
The backend server 14 may include a remote personalized digital library 38.
The
backend server 14 may also include a plurality of users' account data 36 and a
remote
content synchronization module 40. The remote synchronization module 40 may be
web-
based.
In one embodiment, the system 10 also may include at least one new content
store
16. The at least one content store 16 may be a remote point of sale location
separated
from the backend server (16' and 16" hereinafter stores are referenced
collectively as 16
unless denoted specifically). Preferably, the materials are stored on backend
server 14.
The materials may include educational resources 28 and teaching units 28'. The
materials may be locked for compatibility with the digital media player 12.
The at least
one content store 16 may further include redemption codes 48 which may be pre-
assigned
and may lock or unlock the resources 28. The redemption codes 48 may be
digital code
for entering into said digital media player 12.
In operation, an end User may purchase a resource 28, prior to downloading the
digital media player 12, as well as afterwards. In Fig. 4a, a customer/user
may visit an
online-store 16 (1). The User may add resources 28, which may be packaged as
units 28'
into the shopping cart (3) and the User checks out (4). The User is provided
with a
redemption code (5) which may be sent to the User to be loaded into the
digital media
player 12 or directly loaded into the digital media player 12. The digital
media player
may alternatively be downloaded prior or after the transaction onto the User's
local
device (7). The User registers the account associated with the digital media
player (8).
The User may enter the redemption code for the resource 28 into the digital
media player
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(9) to activate the purchased content (10). As shown in Fig. 4b, a User may
then visit an
on-line store to download additional resources into the downloaded player.
As seen in Figs. 5a and 5b, the customer may make a purchase at the store 16
or
may be directed, knowingly or unknowingly, to another associated store 16'
(2). The
purchase may be made and transaction completed at a remote content store 16'
by the
User and then remote content store 16' may obtain a redemption code for the
User from
store 16 or backend server 14. Once store 16' provides the redemption code to
the User,
download of the digital media player 12 and/or resources 28 may progress
similarly as
discussed above.
The User may also begin the transaction at a brick-and-mortar store, as seen
in
Figs 6a and 6b. Once a SKU code is purchased in person from the brick-and-
mortar store
(3) the User reveals the code (4) and the User is directed to download the
digital media
player 12 via a URL or QR code provided on the packaging (5). Then, the
transaction
proceeds similarly as above.
Alternatively, the user may begin the transaction from a content store located
within the player, as seen in Figs 8 and 9.
In Fig. 7, it may be seen that player 12 may be downloaded on multiple devices
and the content files 24 synchronized between players 12. For example, in use,
a User
may be allowed to synchronize multiple players on different devices, such as
computers,
with the same content files 24. In operation, a User may log onto their
individual account
(2) and download and authorize a new computer (4). The User installs and logs
onto the
digital media player on the new computer (5). The digital media player opens
with all the
previously purchased content showing up on the new device (6). Alternatively,
the User
may download the digital media player and then log onto the individual user
account to
synchronize the content in the digital media player 12, located on the new
device, to
another player 12. A maximum number of players 12, on different devices, may
be
allowed to be synced before the server 14 locks the remote personal digital
library 38 so
that a new player may not be synced. Additionally, it may also de-authorize an
authorized computer, a device or the digital media player 12 so that the
digital library 38
is no longer updated or played on the digital media player 12. In such a case,
it may then
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be possible to add another player 12 on a new device so that the digital
library 38 on the
new device may be synced.
After resources have been loaded onto the digital media player 12 and included
in
the content files 24, the resources may be accessed for use or may be
interactively used
By way of example, a User may be a schoolteacher that downloads a player 12
and resources 28. The resources 28 may be housed in the content files 24 and
easily
organized by the teacher in one location, the digital media player 12. The
teacher may
In one embodiment, the system 10 may be considered an educational system for
providing to and managing digital educational materials as resources 28,
optionally
provided in instructional units 28'. The units 28' may be pre-standardized to
correspond
25 The educational system may include a unit 28', a digital rights
management
application (not shown), a new content store 16, a backend server 14, a
digital media
player 12, a backend server database 22 and a display system 20.
In operation, the learning units may have one or more digital learning content
for
presenting the resources to one or more students in more than one or more
learning
30 environments, for example, a first learning environment and a second
learning
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environment that may be different from the first learning environment. The
first learning
environment, typically a computer, may also be monitors, televisions, handheld
devices,
projection systems, tablets, E-readers, electronic whiteboards, printed
documents and
combinations thereof or other compatible device. The second environment may be
identical to the first environment but may also include, by way of examples,
worksheets,
printed books and materials or documents.
The digital rights management application may control access to the digital
media
player 12 or to one or more learning resources 28, according to corresponding
learning
resource identifiers. The new content store 16 may contain a selection of
resources 28.
The backend server 14 may be in communication with the store 16. The backend
server
14 may have a user history with at least one user identifier and at least one
resource
identifier.
The digital media player 12 may access the resources 28. The digital media
player 12 may have a personalized digital database 22 for organizing the
resources 28.
The personalized digital database 22 may be housed within the digital media
player 12.
The database 22 may retain a redemption code, typically supplied by the server
14, which
corresponds to the user identifier and a resource code that corresponds to the
resource
identifier.
The display system 20 may present to students the learning resources 28 in a
first
learning environment and a second learning environment.
Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art
upon
a reading of the foregoing description. By way of example, the system may be
interfaced
with an electronic community of other users where teachers can rate and review
products,
access editorial content, exchange ideas, and compare student performance. The
community may include an "invite only" section where teachers can preview and
provide
feedback on upcoming content or otherwise gain access to exclusive content.
Further, the
system may include an interface adapted to dynamically deliver and/or
communicate text
and/or image based messages to individual users or select groups of users.
Also, the
system may include the ability to store student data locally on the digital
media play or on
the backend server. In addition, the system may be adapted to import and
organize other
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standard file formats, such as PDF, Word, Excel or Notebook. The system may
also be
able to search, filter and file content within the player. It should be
understood that all
such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of
conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following
claims.
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