GB2471896A - The distribution and download of digital media content - Google Patents

The distribution and download of digital media content Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2471896A
GB2471896A GB0912441A GB0912441A GB2471896A GB 2471896 A GB2471896 A GB 2471896A GB 0912441 A GB0912441 A GB 0912441A GB 0912441 A GB0912441 A GB 0912441A GB 2471896 A GB2471896 A GB 2471896A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
storage device
data storage
portable data
media content
digital media
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0912441A
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GB0912441D0 (en
Inventor
David Davies
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ENVIROTECH Ltd
Original Assignee
ENVIROTECH Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ENVIROTECH Ltd filed Critical ENVIROTECH Ltd
Priority to GB0912441A priority Critical patent/GB2471896A/en
Publication of GB0912441D0 publication Critical patent/GB0912441D0/en
Priority to PCT/EP2010/060313 priority patent/WO2011006991A1/en
Publication of GB2471896A publication Critical patent/GB2471896A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/16—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/04—Protocols specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/12—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
    • G06Q20/123—Shopping for digital content
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/18—Payment architectures involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/22—Payment schemes or models
    • G06Q20/28—Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
    • G06Q20/322—Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
    • G06Q20/3227—Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices] using secure elements embedded in M-devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/343—Cards including a counter
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/10—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means together with a coded signal, e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
    • G07F7/1025—Identification of user by a PIN code
    • G07F7/1091—Use of an encrypted form of the PIN
    • H04L29/08108—
    • H04L29/08666—
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/53—Network services using third party service providers

Abstract

A portable data storage device (e.g. memory stick, mobile telephone) 100 comprises an interface suitable for transmitting and receiving digital media content (e.g. music, video, e-book) and at least one memory element for storing received digital media content. The portable data storage device further comprises means to manage an amount of available credit associated with the portable data storage device. In this manner, the portable data storage device may be used to perform transactions whereby the credit associated with the portable data storage device may be exchanged for digital media good, services etc.The invention may alleviate problems of potential credit card/debit card fraud and credit/debit card charges. In an alternative embodiment the invention concerns a digital media content access system which comprises at least one content access point.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION AND DOWNLOAD OF
DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT
Field of the invention
The field of the invention relates to a method and apparatus for the distribution and download of digital media content, and more particularly to a portable data storage device and a digital media content access system, and a method therefor.
Background of the Invention
With the continuing development and evolution of digital media, for example in the form of music, video, electronic books (e-books), etc., there is a growing trend for the distribution of media content away from the more traditional physical media carriers such as compact disks (CD5), digital versatile disks (DVD5), printed books, etc, towards electronic distribution of media content in digital format.
Currently, consumers are able to purchase such digital content online', via the Internet, whereby a consumer is able to pay for such media content by providing their credit card/debit card details or the like via a secure connection to the content supplier, or to a financial transaction site employed by the content supplier, and upon payment the user is subsequently able to download the desired media content.
A first problem with such traditional methods of distributing digital media content is the need for a user to provide credit card/debit card details, etc., over the Internet each time they wish to purchase such media content, or at the very least for each new content supplier, or whenever a previous credit card/debit card expires in the case where a site may securely maintain credit card/debit card details of registered users. Each time the user provides their credit card/debit card details they are required to trust both the secure connection over which the details are provided, and the site to which the credit card/debit card details are being provided. Due to the potentially large number of media content suppliers from which a user may wish to download various formats of digital media content, a user may be required to provide their credit card/debit card details to a large number of sites, thereby significantly increasing the potential risk of credit card/debit card fraud, etc. In addition to the above mentioned security problems that may exist when purchasing digital media content using traditional methods, further security issues may arise when a user wishes to purchase digital media content when away from home. For example, if a user is using a public computer, or other computer to which third parties may have access to, there is the additional security risk that credit card/debit card details may be obtainable by such third parties via that computer. As a result, users may be reticent about purchasing digital media content in this manner when away from home, restricting the distribution of media content.
A further problem with traditional methods of distributing digital media content is that vendors who accept payment by credit card/debit card are typically charged by the credit card/debit card companies for each individual transaction. Due to the generally low prices for downloading digital media content, such credit card/debit card charges can be significant relative to the actual payment being made, and are necessarily passed on to the consumer. Thus, such credit card/debit card charges can significantly increase the price for downloading digital media content.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved method and apparatus for the distribution and downloading of digital media content.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, the invention seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages singly or in any combination.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable data storage device comprising an interface suitable for transmitting and receiving digital media content and at least one memory element for storing received digital media content. The portable data storage device further comprises signal processing logic arranged to manage an amount of available credit associated with the portable data storage device in exchange for digital media content being downloaded onto the portable data storage device.
In this manner, the portable data storage device may be used to perform transactions whereby the credit associated with the portable data storage device may be exchanged for digital media goods, services, etc. Furthermore, digital media content and the like may be purchased using credit associated with the portable data storage device, without a need for a credit card/debit card to be used for the transaction.
In one optional embodiment of the invention, the signal processing logic may be arranged, upon a connection being established with a content access point, to perform user identification prior to deducting an amount of credit from the available credit associated with the portable data storage device. For example, user identification may comprise validating at least one of: a password; a personal identification number (PIN); and finger print scan information.
In one optional embodiment of the invention, the signal processing logic may be arranged, upon a connection being established with a content access point, to determine whether sufficient credit associated with portable data storage device is available prior to deducting an amount of credit from the available credit associated with the portable data storage device.
In one optional embodiment of the invention, the signal processing logic may be arranged, upon a connection being established with a content access point, to receive a transaction request from the content access point comprising information identifying media content to be downloaded and an amount of credit to be deducted in exchange for the media content being downloaded.
In one optional embodiment of the invention, the interface logic may comprise at least one of: universal serial bus (USB) interface logic; and wireless radio frequency (RF) interface logic.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a digital media content access system comprising at least one content access point. The at least one content access point comprises: an interface for transmitting digital media content to at least one portable data storage device; and signal processing logic arranged to download digital media content to the at least one portable data storage device in exchange for credit from the at least one portable data storage device to which the digital media content is being downloaded.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for purchasing digital media content. The method comprises: establishing a connection between a portable data storage device and a content access point; and deducting an amount of credit from an available amount of credit associated with said portable data storage device in exchange for downloading digital media content onto the portable data storage device.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for distributing digital media content. The method comprises: establishing a connection between a portable data storage device and a content access point; and downloading digital media content to the at least one portable data storage device in exchange for credit from the at least one portable data storage device to which the digital media content is being downloaded.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a computer-readable storage element having computer-readable code stored thereon for programming signal processing logic to perform the method for purchasing digital media content of the third aspect of the invention.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provide a computer-readable storage element having computer-readable code stored thereon for programming signal processing logic to perform the method for distributing digital media content of the fourth aspect of the invention.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiments described hereinafter.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a portable data storage device adapted in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of part of a digital media content system according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of part of a digital media content system according to some alternative embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified flowchart of an example of a method for purchasing digital media content according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified flowchart of an example of a method for distributing digital media content according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a part of an example of a digital media content access system according to some embodiments of a further aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a portable data storage device adapted in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example of a portable data storage device 100, for example a memory stick', a portable electronic device such as a mobile telephone handset, or the like, adapted in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The portable data storage device 100 comprises an interface 120 that is suitable for receiving digital media content. For example, the interface 120 may be arranged to provide a physical connection to, say, a media content access point (not shown), such as by way of a universal serial bus (USB) connection or the like. Alternatively, the interface 120 may be arranged to provide a wireless connection, for example by way of a BluetoothTM or wireless local area network (WLAN) radio frequency (RF) link. The portable data storage device 100 further comprises one or more memory elements, such as memory element 110 illustrated in FIG. 1.
As previously mentioned, traditional methods for the distribution of digital media content, for example over the Internet, suffer from the problem of a high potential risk of credit card/debit card fraud, as well as the problem of credit card/debit card charges that vendors are required to pay for each transaction. Accordingly, in one example, the portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1 further comprises signal processing logic 130 arranged to manage an amount of available credit associated with the portable data storage device 100. In this manner, the portable data storage device 100 may be used to perform transactions whereby the credit associated with the portable data storage device may be exchanged for digital media goods, services, etc. In accordance with an example of the present invention, the signal processing logic 130 of the portable data storage device 100 is arranged to deduct an amount of credit from the available credit associated with the portable data storage device in exchange for digital media content being downloaded onto the portable data storage device 100. In this manner, digital media content and the like may be purchased using credit associated with the portable data storage device 100, without the need for a credit card/debit card to be used for the transaction. As a result, the above mentioned problems of potential credit card/debit card fraud and credit card/debit card charges may be substantially alleviated.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an example of part of a digital media content access system 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention.
The digital media content access system 200 comprises one or more content access points, such as content access point 210. Content access point 210 comprises an interface 220 for at least transmitting digital media content to one or more portable data storage devices, such as the portable data storage device of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the interface 220 of content access point 210 may be arranged to provide a physical connection to a portable data storage device, such as by way of a universal serial bus (USB) connection or the like. Alternatively, the interface 220 of content access point 210 may be arranged to provide a wireless connection, for example by way of a BluetoothTM or wireless local area network (WLAN) radio frequency (RF) link. The content access point 210 further comprises signal processing logic 230 arranged to download digital media content to a portable data storage device via the interface 220 in exchange for credit from that portable data storage device, for example as described in greater detail below.
For the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the content access point 210 further comprises one or more digital media content libraries or the like, which for the illustrated example are illustrated generally at 242, 244, 246, and to which the signal processing logic 230 is operably coupled. Each library 242, 244, 246 may be arranged to store digital media content comprising one or more format types. By way of example, each library 242, 244, 246 may be arranged to store digital media content comprising one or more of: (i) audio files comprising formats such as MP3 (MPEG-i audio layer 3), WAV (WAVeform audio format), WMA (WindowsTM Media Audio) etc; (ii) video files comprising formats such as MPEG-i, or MPEG-4; (iii) image files comprising formats such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), TIFF (Tagged Imaged File Format), PNG (Portable Network Graphics), etc; and (iv) electronic literature and/or document files comprising formats such as.txt' (plain text format), HTML (HyperText Markup Language) PDF (Portable Document Format), .doc (Mircosoft WordTM format), .wpd' (WordPerfectTM format), .ppt' (Microsoft PowerPointTM format), etc. In this manner, a user may be able to view digital media content files stored within the libraries 242, 244, 246, for example via a user interface illustrated generally at 260 operably coupled to the signal processing logic 230. The user may then select one or more desired media content files, and upon connection of, say, the portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1 to the content access point 210 via their respective interfaces 120, 220, the desired digital media content files may be downloaded to the memory element of the portable data storage device 100 in exchange for credit associated with the portable data storage device 100.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an example of part of a digital media content access system 300 according to some alternative embodiments of the present invention. The digital content access system 300 of FIG. 3 comprises one or more content access points, such as content access point 310. Content access point 310 comprises an interface 320 for at least transmitting digital media content to one or more portable data storage devices, such as the portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1.
The content access point 310 further comprises signal processing logic 330 arranged to download digital media content to a portable data storage device via the interface 320 in exchange for credit from the portable data storage device.
The content access point 310, and more particularly the signal processing logic 330 of content access point 310, is operably coupled to one or more digital media content libraries or the like, which for the illustrated example are illustrated generally at 342, 344, 346. For the illustrated example, the content access point 310 is operably coupled to the digital media content libraries 342, 344, 346 via the Internet 370. In this manner, the digital media content libraries 342, 344, 346 may be accessed by a plurality of content access points 310. It is contemplated that the digital media content libraries 342, 344, 346 may be provided and managed by a separate legal entity to the or each content access point 310. It will be appreciated that the content access point 310 may be operably coupled to the digital media content libraries 342, 344, 346 other than by way of the Internet 370. For example, the or each content access point 310 may be operably coupled to the digital media content libraries 342, 344, 346 via a local area network (LAN), etc. Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a simplified flowchart 400 of an example of a method for purchasing digital media content according to some embodiments of the present invention, such as may be implemented by way of computer-readable code stored within a computer-readable storage element, such as, say, memory element 150 of portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1, and suitable for programming the signal processing logic 130 of the portable data storage device 100.
The method starts at step 405 with a connection being established between, for example, the portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1 and a content access point, such as the content access point 210 of FIG. 2 or the content access point 310 of FIG. 3. For the illustrated example a transaction request is then received from the access point at step 410. For example, the transaction request may identify one or more digital media content files that a user has selected for download, along with an amount of credit required to be exchanged in order for the files to be downloaded. Next, at step 415, user identification is performed. For example, a user may be requested to enter a personal identification number (PIN) or a password via a user interface 260, 360 of the content access point 210, 310, of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 which is then forwarded to the signal processing logic 130 of the portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1. The signal processing logic 130 may then validate the received PIN or password entered by the user by comparing it to one stored within an area of memory 110, and if the received PIN or password matches that stored in memory 110, it may be determined that the user has been identified as a person authorised to perform a transaction using that portable data storage device 100. In this manner, the signal processing logic 130 may be arranged to perform user identification prior to deducting an amount of credit from the available credit associated with the portable data storage device 100.
If the user is not confirmed as being authorised to perform a transaction using the portable data storage device 100 (for example based on the entered PIN or password not matching that stored in memory 110), in step 420, the method moves on to step 425, and the transaction request may then be rejected, and the method ends at step 460.
However, referring back to step 420, if the user is confirmed as being authorised to perform a transaction using the portable data storage device 100, the method moves on to step 430, where for the illustrated example the amount of credit associated with the portable data storage device 100 is sufficient in order to complete the transaction. For example, the signal processing logic 130 of the portable data storage device 100 may be arranged to determine an amount of available credit value within an area of memory 110, and to update the value as appropriate whenever a transaction is completed. In this manner, the signal processing logic 130 may determine whether sufficient credit associated with portable data storage device is available prior to deducting an amount of credit from the available credit associated with the portable data storage device.
If sufficient credit is not available, in step 435, the method moves to step 425 where the transaction request is rejected, and the method then ends at step 460.
However, referring back to step 435, if sufficient credit is available, the method moves on to step 440, where the transaction request is accepted, for example by way of sending a transaction accept message back to the content access point 210, 310. In this manner, the content access point 210, 310 is informed that the user is authorised to perform transactions using the portable data storage device 100, and that the portable data storage device 100 comprises sufficient credit in order to complete the transaction.
Accordingly, the content access point 210, 310 may then proceed with initiating the download of the digital media content files selected by the user to the portable data storage device 100.
Next, in step 445, the digital media content files identified within the transaction request message may be downloaded and stored within memory, for example memory of portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1. Once the digital media content files have been successfully downloaded and stored, the method then moves on to step 450, where the available credit is updated to take into account the current transaction. For example, the signal processing logic 130 may be arranged to deduct the amount of credit identified within the received transaction request message from the available credit value in memory. The transaction is then completed at step 455, for example by way of the signal processing logic 130 sending a transaction complete message to the content access point 210, 310 indicating that the media content has been received and stored in memory, and that the available credit has been updated accordingly. The method then ends at step 460.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a simplified flowchart 500 of an example of a method for distributing digital media content according to some embodiments of the present invention, such as may be implemented by way of computer-readable code stored within a computer-readable storage element, such as, say, memory element 250 of content access point 210 of FIG. 2, or memory element 350 of content access point 310 of FIG. 3, and suitable for programming the signal processing logic 230, 330 of the respective content access point 210, 310.
The method starts at step 510 with a transaction being initiated, for example by way of a user selecting one or more media content files to be purchased and downloaded via a user interface 260, 360 of the content access point 210 of FIG. 2, 310 of FIG. 3.
Next, in step 520, a connection is established with a portable data storage device, such as the portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1. Such a connection may be established via the respective interfaces 120, 220, 230 of the portable data storage device 100 and the content access point 210, 310, for example by way of a physical connection such as a USB connection, or a wireless connection such as a Bluetooth or WLAN connection.
Once a connection with a portable data storage device has been established, the method moves on to step 530, where a transaction with the portable data storage device is requested, for example in the form of a transaction request message being transmitted to the portable data storage device identifying one or more digital media content files that a user has selected for download, along with an amount of credit required to be exchanged in order for the files to be downloaded. The method then waits for confirmation from the portable data storage device that the transaction request has been accepted in step 540.
As illustrated at step 545, the method may comprise providing user identification functionality for the portable data storage device. For example, a user may be required to enter a personal identification number (PIN) or a password via a user interface 260, 360 of the content access point 210, 310, which is then forwarded to the signal processing logic 130 of the portable data storage device 100.
If the transaction request is not accepted by the portable data storage device at step 550, for example due to the user not being identified, or due to insufficient credit being available on the portable data storage device, the method moves on to step 560, where the transaction is cancelled, and the method ends at step 590. However, if the transaction request is accepted by the portable data storage device at step 550, the method moves on to step 570 where the digital media content files identified within the transaction request message may be downloaded to the portable data storage device.
The transaction is then completed at step 580, for example by way of the portable data storage device sending a transaction complete message to the content access point 210, 310 indicating that the media content has been received and stored in memory, and that the available credit has been updated accordingly. The method then ends at step 590.
The embodiments of the present invention hereinbefore described provide the advantage that a consumer is able to purchase and download digital media content from a content access point without having to provide credit card/debit card details in order to complete the transaction. In this manner, the consumer is able to freely purchase digital media content from many different content providers, without the risk of their credit card/debit card details being stolen, and thus significantly reducing their risk of becoming a victim of credit card/debit card fraud, etc. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the content access point may be in a form of a consumer's home computer, whereby the home computer may be connected to digital media content over, say, the internet, for example as illustrated for the content access point 310 of FIG. 3. In this manner, a software application running on the home computer may manage the access to, and downloading of, digital media content from libraries accessible via the internet, as well as the exchange of credit from the portable data storage device, to which the media content is downloaded, to the owner of the respective library or libraries.
As previously mentioned, embodiments of the present invention hereinbefore described provide the advantage that a consumer is able to purchase and download digital media content from a content access point without having to provide credit card/debit card details in order to complete the transaction. Significantly, not only is this beneficial when purchasing digital media content from a home environment, but also enables digital media content to be purchased safely (i.e. with significantly reduced risk of credit card/debit card fraud) from public locations. Thus, and in accordance with some alternative embodiments of the invention, content access points may be provided within public locations, for example within retail environments such as shops or shopping centres, airports, train stations, libraries, etc. In this manner, by distributing such content access points throughout a variety of public environments, consumers are afforded greater and more convenient access to digital media content, and providers of digital media content are provided with greater distribution opportunities for the media content.
In addition to reducing the potential risk of credit card/debit card fraud, and improving the distribution of digital media content, the examples hereinbefore described provide the further advantage that, since credit card/debit card transactions are not required each time digital media content is downloaded, the content providers are not required to pay corresponding credit card/debit card transaction charges. As a result, such credit card/debit card charges are not required to be passed on to the consumer, thereby enabling the cost of downloading digital media content to be kept low.
It is further contemplated that a portable data storage device adapted in accordance with the present invention, such as the portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1, need not be limited to use for transactions involving downloading of digital media content, but may also be used for others forms of transaction, such as paying for parking, train tickets, road tolls, calls from public telephones, etc. It is even contemplated that credit stored on such portable data storage devices may be used to purchase goods etc. Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a part of an example of a digital media content access system 600 adapted according to a further aspect of the present invention.
The digital media content access system 600 comprises one or more charging points, such as charging point 610. Charging point 610 comprises an interface 620 for establishing a connection with one or more portable data storage devices, such as the portable data storage device 100 of FIG. 1. The charging point 610 further comprises signal processing logic 630 operably coupled to a credit provider site via, for the illustrated example, the Internet 670. The signal processing logic 630 is arranged to increase, or charge', the available credit associated with a portable data storage device connected thereto, in exchange for a payment being made, such as a credit card/debit card payment, to the credit provider. For example, a user may purchase credit from the credit provider using the user interface 630 by way of providing credit card/debit card details in a traditional manner. Upon completion of the purchase of such credit, the purchased credit may then be transferred to a portable data storage device. Although a credit card/debit card transaction is still required in this instance, a single such transaction may be used for a plurality of digital media content purchases, etc. It is contemplated that a charging point, such as charging point 630, may also function as a content access point, such as the content access point 310 of FIG. 3.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that the charging points may be provided within a home environment, such as in the form of a home computer, or alternatively may be provided within public locations, for example within retail environments, such as shops or shopping centres, airports, train stations, libraries, etc. Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an example of a portable data storage device 700 adapted in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The portable data storage device 700 comprises an interface 720 suitable for transmitting and receiving digital media content. For example, the interface may be arranged to provide a physical connection to, say, a media content access point, such as by way of a USB connection or the like. Alternatively, the interface 720 may be arranged to provide a wireless connection, for example by way of a Bluetooth or WLAN RF link.
The portable data storage device 700 further comprises signal processing logic 730 arranged to manage an amount of available credit associated with the portable data storage device 700, and one or more memory elements, such as memory element 710.
In particular, the signal processing logic 730 may be arranged to deduct an amount of credit from the available credit associated with the portable data storage device 700 in exchange for digital media content being downloaded onto the portable data storage device 700. As previously mentioned with reference to the method of FIG. 4, a portable data storage device such as portable data storage device 700 of FIG. 7 may be required to perform user identification prior to completing a transaction, in order to ensure that a user is entitled to use the credit associated with the portable data storage device in order to download media content, etc. Accordingly, the portable data storage device 700 of FIG. 7 further comprises fingerprint scanning logic 740 arranged to perform a scan of a user's fingerprint, and to provide details of the scan to the signal processing logic 730. In this manner, the signal processing logic 730 may compare fingerprint scan information for a user to information stored within an area of memory in order to validate the fingerprint scan information, and to determine whether the user is entitled to use the credit associated with the portable data storage device 700.
In order to facilitate the identification of a user of a portable data storage device, for example in order to ensure that the user is entitled to use the credit associated with the portable data storage device, information relating to, say, a PIN, password or fingerprint scan for that user is required to be stored within an area of non-volatile memory of a portable data storage device. In addition, information relating to the available credit associated with the portable data storage device is also required to be stored within an area of non-volatile memory. In order to protect such information from being illegitimately accessed and/or changed, it is contemplated that some form of security is implemented.
For example, the information may be encrypted prior to being stored within memory.
It is further contemplated that data stored on the portable data storage device, such as downloaded digital media content or the like, may be encrypted prior to being stored within memory to prevent unauthorised access to the data. For example, the signal processing logic of the portable data storage device may be arranged to implement on-the-fly' encryption when receiving and storing data.
In this document, the terms memory element', computer-readable medium' and the like may be used generally to refer to media such as, for example, internal memory, storage devices, or storage units. These and other forms of computer-readable media may store one or more instructions for use by signal processing logic, to cause the signal processing logic to perform specified operations. Such instructions, generally referred to as computer program code' (which may be grouped in the form of computer programs or other groupings), when executed, enable the signal processing logic to perform functions of embodiments of the present invention. Note that the code may directly cause the signal processing logic to perform specified operations, be compiled to do so, and/or be combined with other software, hardware, and/or firmware elements (e.g., libraries for performing standard functions) to do so.
In an embodiment where the elements are implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer-readable medium and loaded into a computing system using, for example, a removable storage drive, a drive or communications interface. The software instructions or computer program code, when executed by the signal processing logic, causes the signal processing logic to perform the functions of the invention as described herein.
It will be appreciated that, for clarity purposes, the above description has described embodiments of the invention with reference to different functional units or logic module elements or signal processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units or logic module elements or signal processors, for example with respect to the UE, may be used without detracting from the invention. For example, it is envisaged that functionality illustrated to be performed by separate processors or controllers or logic module elements may be performed by the same processor or controller or logic module element. Hence, references to specific functional or logical units are only to be seen as references to suitable means for providing the described functionality, rather than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.
Some aspects of the invention may be implemented in any suitable form including hardware, software, firmware or any combination of these. The invention may optionally be implemented, at least partly, as computer software running on one or more data processors and/or digital signal processors. Thus, the elements and components of an embodiment of the invention may be physically, functionally and logically implemented in any suitable way. Indeed, the functionality may be implemented in a single unit, in a plurality of units or as part of other functional units.
Although the invention has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in accordance with the invention.
Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented by, for example, a single component or element. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. Also, the inclusion of a feature in one category of claims does not imply a limitation to this category, but rather the feature may be equally applicable to other claim categories, as appropriate.
Furthermore, the order of features in the claims does not imply any specific order in which the features must be performed and in particular the order of individual steps in a method claim does not imply that the steps must be performed in this order. Rather, the steps may be performed in any suitable order. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Thus, references to a', an', first', second', etc. do not preclude a plurality.
Thus, a method and apparatus for the distribution and downloading of digital media content has been described that may alleviate at least some of the shortcomings of past and present techniques and/or mechanisms.

Claims (13)

  1. CLAIMS1. A portable data storage device comprising an interface arranged to receive digital media content and at least one memory element for storing received digital media content; wherein the portable data storage device further comprises signal processing logic arranged to manage an amount of available credit associated with the portable data storage device in exchange for digital media content being downloaded onto the portable data storage device.
  2. 2. The portable data storage device of Claim 1 wherein the signal processing logic is arranged, upon a connection being established with a content access point, to perform user identification prior to deducting an amount of credit from the available credit associated with the portable data storage device.
  3. 3. The portable data storage device of Claim 2 wherein user identification may comprise validating at least one of: a password; a personal identification number (PIN); and finger print scan information.
  4. 4. The portable data storage device of any preceding Claim wherein the signal processing logic is arranged, upon a connection being established with a content access point, to determine whether sufficient credit associated with the portable data storage device is available prior to deducting an amount of credit from the available credit associated with the portable data storage device.
  5. 5. The portable data storage device of any preceding Claim wherein the signal processing logic is arranged, upon a connection being established with a content access point, to receive a transaction request from the content access point comprising information identifying media content to be downloaded and an amount of credit to be deducted in exchange for the media content being downloaded.
  6. 6. The portable data storage device of any preceding Claim wherein the interface logic comprises at least one of: universal serial bus (USB) interface logic; and wireless radio frequency (RF) interface logic.
  7. 7. The portable data storage device of any preceding Claim wherein the portable data storage device comprises one of: a memory stick; and a mobile telephone handset.
  8. 8. A digital media content access system comprising at least one content access point, the at least one content access point comprising: an interface for transmitting digital media content to at least one portable data storage device; and signal processing logic arranged to download digital media content to the at least one portable data storage device in exchange for credit from the at least one portable data storage device to which the digital media content is being downloaded.
  9. 9. A method for purchasing digital media content, the method comprising: establishing a connection between a portable data storage device and a content access point; and deducting an amount of credit from an available amount of credit associated with said portable data storage device in exchange for downloading digital media content onto the portable data storage device.
  10. 10. A method for distributing digital media content, the method comprising: establishing a connection between a portable data storage device and a content access point; and downloading digital media content to the at least one portable data storage device in exchange for credit from the at least one portable data storage device to which the digital media content is being downloaded.
  11. 11. A computer-readable storage element having computer-readable code stored thereon for programming signal processing logic to perform a method for purchasing digital media content, the code operable for: establishing a connection between a portable data storage device and a content access point; and deducting an amount of credit from an available amount of credit associated with said portable data storage device in exchange for downloading digital media content onto the portable data storage device.
  12. 12. A computer-readable storage element having computer-readable code stored thereon for programming signal processing logic to perform a method for distributing digital media content, the code operable for: establishing a connection between a portable data storage device and a content access point; and downloading digital media content to the at least one portable data storage device in exchange for credit from the at least one portable data storage device to which the digital media content is being downloaded.
  13. 13. The computer-readable storage element of Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the computer-readable storage medium comprises at least one of a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a Read Only Memory, ROM, a Programmable Read Only Memory, PROM, an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory EPROM, EPROM, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, EEPROM, and a Flash memory.
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US20060036549A1 (en) * 2004-08-12 2006-02-16 Bo Wu Digital media distribution
US20080004978A1 (en) * 2006-06-30 2008-01-03 Rothschild Trust Holdings, Llc System and method for identifying digital media content and downloading the content or a portion thereof to a mobile device
WO2008064404A1 (en) * 2006-11-27 2008-06-05 Delpopolo, Sara Electronic movie title hire method, system and device theetefor
WO2009036417A2 (en) * 2007-09-14 2009-03-19 Cloudtrade Llc System and method for storage and sharing of digital media

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WO2011006991A1 (en) 2011-01-20

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