KR20030007504A - Online digital video signal transfer apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides for the rental of digital video signals occurring within an online environment that includes one or more client computers 102. The method includes accessing an online catalog stored in the memory of the network 120 video server computer 130. The online catalog contains information about digital video signals available for rental from the network server computer 130. Receive a request from the client computer 102 to rent a digital video signal selected from the online catalog for a specified time.

Description

ONLINE DIGITAL VIDEO SIGNAL TRANSFER APPARATUS AND METHOD

The Internet is providing consumers with a new medium of commerce called electronic commerce. There are currently several Internet services that provide consumers with access to videos ordered and downloaded online.

The Trans-Send Business Network (TSBN) is one of the online providers of VOD video. TSBN has created a complete end-to-end web-based on-demand solution that delivers full-screen broadcast quality electronic content on demand to end users. However, the controls for on-demand movies, such as pause and rewind functions, are relatively weak. In addition, when the broadcast ends, a fee is incurred whenever the user wants to watch a movie.

As a result, TSBN does not provide the user with the ability to rent a video online for a fixed period so that the user can play as many videos as desired during the fixed period. In addition, TSBN does not provide an interface similar to the process of renting videos from aisle shelves in a video rental store.

Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the aforementioned limitations of the prior art, which will be satisfied by the inventive structure and method described below.

The present invention relates to US Patent Application No. 60 / 195,870 dated April 7, 2000, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, which may claim priority to the present application. The invention also relates to US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 603,805, filed June 20, 2000, the entire contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to electronic commerce. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting an online digital video signal which enables online rental of a digitally encrypted motion picture.

1 is a simplified diagram of a client-server environment in which the present invention may be implemented.

2 is an exemplary diagram of a system architecture implementation of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of a client computer and a network video server as shown in FIG.

4 is an example diagram of an online video rental site screen enabling online rental of digital video signals in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a list diagram of a digital video signal indicated by a user as interested in a previously visited website in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG.

6 is a recommendation list for downloading a movie from a website in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of a quick pick feature screen on a website in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

8-11 illustrate an online video transfer site screen enabling online rental of digital video signals in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a diagram of an authorization access level selection screen in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

13-15 are flowcharts illustrating online rental of digital video signals according to embodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of the present invention overcome the problems of the prior art described above by providing an online digital video signal transmission apparatus and method. Rental of digital video signals occurs within an online environment that includes one or more client computers and one or more network servers that are connected to one or more client computers by communication links. The method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises providing access to an online catalog stored in a memory of a network video server computer. The online catalog contains information about digital video signals available for rental from a network server computer. A request for rental of the selected digital video signal from the online catalog is then received from the client computer for the specified time period. These requests include an electronic payment fee and method, a specified number of playbacks, or a time period based on the selected digital video signal. When an electronic payment is made, the digital video signal is sent to the client computer via a communication link. Once the digital video signal is transmitted, the user of the client computer can view the digital video signal for a specified period of time.

The advantage of the invention is that it is possible to rent a video without paying an additional cost to purchase the video. In addition, the invention provides an interface that mimics the actual rental of a movie in a video rental store. Furthermore, in a further embodiment, during the specified rental period, the video can be viewed as many times as desired, thus mimicking the actual rental of the video. In another embodiment, the video may be viewed a predetermined number of times during an unspecified period.

Embodiments of the present invention overcome the problems of the prior art described above by providing an online digital video signal transmission apparatus and method that enables online rental, purchase, or transmission of digitally encrypted video. Systems and processes in accordance with embodiments of the invention provide a content owner with a mechanism that controls the distribution of content to the user as the user accesses the content over the network. One model of this system and process is a movie rental system that downloads movie files to customers across the Internet. Other embodiments may include the carrying of other types of content including music files, still image files, game programs, other software or data, or combinations thereof. Moreover, other embodiments may utilize distribution of encrypted physical media, or wide area networks, or local area networks. For the purpose of simplifying this disclosure, the embodiments introduced herein refer primarily to movie rental services. However, as mentioned above, aspects of the invention may be applied to other suitable content delivery applications.

In one embodiment, a movie transmission device and method provide data stored in a computer system to a networked user. This transmission may be of various kinds, including the Internet, private or public networks, direct wire or fiber optic connections, wireless connections, broadcast systems (eg, cable systems, satellite systems, broadcast television systems, broadcast digital television systems, etc.), or combinations thereof. This can be achieved in a number of ways, including downloading to a memory storage device, streaming video, streaming audio, or combinations thereof between connections. In another embodiment, the movie is encrypted on the physical medium and physically distributed.

Further embodiments of the invention relate to aspects of processing electronic files. For the sake of clarity, the invention focuses on implementations of digital data signals including video and audio information, including digitally encrypted movies (called "movies" or "videos"). However, other types of electronic files, such as digitally encrypted music, books, television programs, radio programs, and other content (audio, video, text, etc.) that can be digitized, encrypted, and stored as electronic files, All the methods and apparatus described above can be easily applied. In addition, control information including video aspect ratio, resolution, and audio playback parameters may be included in this electronic file.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to the implementation of a network movie (later "video") server computer system accessible to a website via the World Wide Web (WWW) and the Internet. However, other Internet connection interfaces (eg, FTP servers). All other methods and apparatus described above also apply to other data connections, including private networks (such as those provided by ISPs to subscribers), and direct connections (such as sets of direct-connected stations in restricted areas, such as hotels). .

In addition, further embodiments relate to accessing and downloading electronic files using a computer system. However, all the methods and apparatuses described can be readily applied to other network operating devices that a user can use to download data from and access data from a server. For example, a set-top box or television connected to a telephone or cable modem, and available storage memory (such as a hard disk), or any other device with a network connection to access the storage device and server for storing downloaded files. An example is an element. Additional changes can be implemented, such as the interface of wireless telephones, set-top socks, PDAs, AVHDD devices (eg, Sony "Tivo" devices), or for satellite download capabilities.

The movie delivery system may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

In addition, as will be described in more detail below, some embodiments of the invention include features that attempt to mimic a traditional video rental from a video rental store. According to one embodiment, the rental of a digital video signal is performed within an online environment comprising one or more network servers located at a first node and connected to a plurality of client computers by a communication link, and other user network elements located at other nodes. Is done. The method includes providing access to an online catalog stored in the memory of a network video server computer. The online catalog contains information about digital video signals available for rental from a network server computer. Thereafter, a request for rental of the selected digital video signal from the online catalog is submitted by the client computer for the specified time or for the specified number of playbacks. These requests include a specified time, a specified number of playbacks, and an electronic payment method and amount based on the selected digital video signal. When an electronic payment is made, the digital video signal is sent to the client computer via a communication link. After being transmitted, the user of the client computer can view the digital video signal for the specified time.

In one embodiment, the client computer allows viewing the digital video signal to ensure that playback is within the specified rental parameters, and additionally to ensure that the device used for playback is the device to be used for viewing. Establish electronic communication before. This ensures that video downloads are also not delivered to third parties who want to watch the movie. In this case, the server gives the new party the opportunity to purchase a rental license.

In one embodiment, the functions are implemented as instructions executable by the device. These instructions are used to cause a general purpose or dedicated processor programmed with these instructions to execute these functions and the steps described herein. Alternatively, these functions and steps may be performed by dedicated hardware components that incorporate hardwired logic circuitry to perform these steps, or by a combination of programmed computer components and dedicated hardware components.

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product that may include a machine-readable medium storing instructions that can be used to program a computer to execute a process in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Machine-readable media may include: floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnets or optical cards, flash memories, or other media suitable for storing electronic instructions / Machine-readable media. Moreover, embodiments of the invention may be implemented as computer program products, where the program may request a request from a remote computer (eg, a server) using a data signal implemented on a carrier or other propagation medium over a communication link ( For example, up to the client).

System structure

1 illustrates a client-server environment 100, such as the World Wide Web, which may implement an online digital video transmission method and apparatus. The structure of the web follows the conventional client-server model. The terms "client" and "server" are used to mean the general role of a computer as a data requestor (client) or data provider (server). Web clients 102 (102A-102N) and web servers 130 (130A-130N) communicate using protocols such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). In a web environment, a web browser is located on the client side to represent a web document provided by a web server. The client-server model is used for information exchange between client 102 and server 130. The web server 130 is connected to a network 120, such as the Internet, and responds to document requests or other inquiries from web clients. When the user selects a document by entering a URL, a web browser (eg, Netscape Navigator, or Internet Explorer) invokes a connection to the server 130 and initiates a request for the document (eg, an HTTP get). . The server 130 transmits the requested document in the form of a text document coded with a standard markup language such as hypertext markup language (HTML) or dynamic HTML (DHTML).

According to the client-server environment shown in FIG. 1, the online digital video signal transmission device 110 may be implemented in the online environment according to the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2. The online environment includes one or more client computers 102 (102A- 102N) and one or more network server computers 130 that are connected to a plurality of client computers 102 via a communication link 120. Communication link 120 refers to a wired / wireless link between computers, such as a local area network, wide area network, or a combination of communication networks. In one embodiment of the invention, the communication link is a network such as the Internet.

Client computer 102 may be a computing device such as a desktop computer, workstation, laptop, set-top box, and mainframe computer. Each client computer 102 is associated with one or more users, respectively.

3 shows a client computer 102 that includes a CPU 104, a user interface 106, a memory 108, and a communication interface 112. The communication interface 112 is used to communicate with the network video server computer 130 or other system resources. The communication interface provides a network connection. Any connection speed can be used, but high-speed or broadband data connections are preferred, such as connections that provide data rates above 500kbps. The memory 108 of the client computer 102 may be implemented in RAM, or a combination of RAM and nonvolatile memory, such as magnetic disk storage. Memory 108 may include sufficient magnetic disk space, or 1 gigabyte or more of free space, to store encrypted movies. The memory 108 is

Operating system 114,

-Internet access process (116), including web browsers such as Internet Explorer version 4.0 or above,

Video media process 118,

-Other courses and files

This may include such things.

3 also illustrates a network video server computer 130 that includes a central processing unit (CPU) 132, a user interface 134, a memory 136, and a communication interface 138. The network video server computer 130 may be a communication device such as a desktop computer, a workstation, a laptop, a mainframe computer. The communication interface 138 is used to communicate with the client computer 102 and other system resources (eg, content server, etc.).

The memory 136 of the network video server computer 130 may be implemented with a combination of RAM or RMA and nonvolatile memory (eg, magnetic disk storage). The memory 118 includes the following.

Operating system (140),

-Internet access process (142),

Web server process (144),

A web page generation process 146 that dynamically generates a user web page for a registered user and a movie web page for one or more of the digital video signals available for rental from the network video server computer 130,

A content preparation process 148 to encrypt the original video,

Video transmission process 150 for downloading a digital video signal from network video server computer 130 to user computer 102,

A rental process 152 for providing a decryption key for viewing the downloaded digital video signal for a specified time;

A payment calculation process 154 for calculating and receiving an electronic payment from the user for the selected digital video signal;

A user interface process 156 that provides access to online catalog information about the digital video signal available for rental from the network video server computer 130, including a movie search engine,

A content database 158 for storage of encrypted digital video signals available for download;

A catalog database 160 containing information about digital video signals available for rental from the network video server computer 130,

A transaction database 162 for storing user information as well as transaction information and license key information;

Back-end service courses (164),

Internet access process (166), and

-Other processes and data structures

Example of an online video transmission site interface

4 is an example of an online video transmission site screen, in which an online user rents a digital video signal from a network video server computer 130. According to one embodiment, when a user wants to rent a digital video signal (eg, a digitally encrypted movie) online, the online user enters the main website and the main website homepage screen (movie homepage) 200 is displayed. Will float. The movie homepage 200 accesses online catalog information (e.g., text that is also printed on a video cassette box in response to comments from a movie, movie review, Thai user) about various digital video signals available for rental from the network video server computer 130. To provide. On the movie homepage 200, you can watch the trailer 202 of the function selection 204, view the upcoming release 206, the rental ranking five girls 208 as still images and clips of various digital video signals that can be rented. Can be. From the movie homepage 200, an online user can navigate to several screens, search for and view various digital signals that are available for rental, and download digital video signals for later viewing on the user computer 102.

As mentioned above, the main website homepage 200 is the first page that appears when the user enters the main website. The homepage 200 provides a trailer 202 of a movie selected by the main website operator. Trailer 202 playback starts when the home page is accessed. The homepage 200 may present several movies to the user, for example, by displaying an image and title for each movie, or by displaying an image of the front side of the video cassette box of the movie. The homepage 200 may provide an information category to the user, such as any specially selected movies or top ten movies.

The user can access additional information about the movie through the video box by clicking on the box or by selecting a command from the menu. On the main website, there is a clear distinction between choosing a movie for commerce and choosing a movie for access to additional information, for example, right and left clicks of the mouse, or even distinct menu commands. When accessing additional information about the movie, the website starts playing the movie trailer or clip. Examples of additional information available include images and audio of the movie, images and text of the video cassette box, movie reviews (eg, by employees of the movie website, third parties, users of the movie website), or web related to the movie. Other links to the site (e.g., pages in the movie index website, official websites for movies supported by movie owners, and official websites for movie soundtracks).

In one embodiment, a visual representation of the user's service selection for the movie may be provided on the main website. This visual representation can take a variety of information and formats, such as a table of movies for rental, purchase, recommendation, and memory. These services can be represented by icons or text.

Content of the movie homepage 200 or another page may be created according to a user's request. For example, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, "Remember Engine" may be used to keep a list of one or more movies that the user has designated as interested during a previous visit to the main website. Can be. The user can then view this list on the movie homepage 200 as a history of movies of interest to the user. "Remember Engine" can be implemented, for example, as a software routine.

Similarly, in one embodiment, a "Recommendation Engine" may be used to organize the movie homepage 200 or other pages to preference. The “recommended movie” can be implemented as a software routine that presents the user with a movie to download, as shown in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the “Recommended Movies” will track user activity on the main website or elsewhere to determine the user's movie preferences. As an example, the “recommended movie” may determine from the user's past tracks whether the user prefers a western movie or a comedy. Similarly, "Recommended Movies" can determine whether you prefer a movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock or a movie directed by someone else. In another embodiment, the featured movie may present a movie to download based on responses to questions presented to the user on the main website or elsewhere, or based on the user's rating of the movie. You can also suggest. For example, Featured Movies shows users what categories of movies (Western, Comedy, Horror, etc.) they like, what actors, which directors, what time zones (1950s, 1960s, etc.) You can ask. In another embodiment, the featured movie may make a movie suggestion based on a combination of the above mentioned arguments.

"Recommended movies" and "movie memories" may be used for other purposes tailored to a particular user. For example, in some embodiments, a "Push" function is included to download the movie to the user's computer before the user selects the movie to purchase. When a user wants to purchase a license, the user can immediately access one of the previously pushed movies without having to wait for the download to complete.

The user may request a push download, or the push download may be executed automatically by the movie website without request from the user. When executed automatically, the main website may use the "movie memory" to download the movie previously specified by the user, or may download the movie selected for the user by the "recommended movie". The displayed or selected movie is downloaded even if the user did not specifically request push download. Therefore, no license is purchased at the time of push download. The user may later obtain a license to view the movie by operating the movie playback software on the user's computer system for movie playback. The user's movie playback software contacts the main website to determine if the user has a valid license for the push movie. Since the user has not yet purchased a license for the push movie, the user is prompted for a license. When the user purchases a license, the user can watch the push movie according to the term of the purchased license.

In one embodiment, a user can select multiple movies for push download without purchasing licenses for these movies. The main website builds a "push queue" of select movies, which will be sequentially downloaded to the user's computer or storage device. In one embodiment, the "smart push" function includes the ability to evaluate user settings on the main website and parameters of the user's computer or other storage device, such as available storage capacity, to determine if a particular push function should be performed. can do.

In some embodiments, a featured movie may also be used to select a trailer or clip of the movie to be played after accessing the user's personalized homepage. Thus, the trailer or clip that the user sees when accessing the main website homepage will be tailored to the user's preferences. In addition, additional information, such as movie reviews, ratings, inside information (such as actor interviews), movie overviews or production information, links to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), and the official website of the movie or soundtrack, is selected by the featured movie. Can be provided to the user based on the.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the movie selected by "Recommended Movie" can be downloaded to the user in conjunction with the "Quick Pick" function of the main website as shown in FIG. When the user activates the QuickPick feature, the "Recommended Movie" picks up the movie, the main website completes the commerce to purchase a license for the selected movie, and then the selected movie is downloaded to the user.

In another embodiment, a user may enter a commerce process that purchases a movie rental license by clicking on a video box or selecting a command. In one embodiment, an interface is provided for simple completion of commerce on the main website. The user can complete a transaction, such as a rental, with a single action, such as a mouse click or key stroke / key combination. If credit card information has already been entered as part of the registration process, the transaction may not repeat this information request.

In another embodiment, this streamlined transaction function may be available from the relevant website. Thus, by clicking on the icon for the movie on the associated website, confirming the rental transaction, and downloading the movie, the transaction can be completed on the associated website without having to display a web page from the main website.

The user may register on the main website through the movie homepage 200. Registration provides users with a higher level of access to services of the main website, such as purchases. Additional services include the following open order ticket and MyList features: The open order ticket provides the user with a list containing one or more digital video signals that the user has rented but has not yet decrypted, and the My Listing feature (see Figure 5) indicates that the user is interested when visiting the website before. Provide the user with a list containing one or more digital video signals. As mentioned above, lists such as My List can be generated by "movie memory". Registration also provides the user with the principle of providing customized services. Registration can provide the main website with principles for tracking user behavior as well as statistics and market information.

In some embodiments, statistical information may be used to compile a database of license information for various regions (eg, countries) that may be managed by the main website. The main website may access a database to provide parameters of the available license for the movie depending on the geopolitical location of the user who requested the movie. The license database may display a distribution schedule and also indicate how licenses are adjusted as the movie moves from theoretical distribution, per-fare, home video, and the like. The main website uses the license information to determine which movies are available under what conditions (eg, cost, time, download method, media classification, etc.) at a particular time for a particular location. The determined availability may provide the user with a principle to recommend (alternative or similarly priced film).

License information may also be used to explain to third parties such as actors in a movie or studios that own the movie. Any of the arguments including a credit card supplied to the main website, the IP address of the user's computer system, the geographic information provided by the computer system's operating system, or GPS data authorized from the user's computer system or other storage device, or From the combinations the geographic location of the user can be determined.

In some embodiments, market information obtained from user registration may be used to determine other websites that the user visits. This information can be used to develop relationships with relevant sites that can provide links to the main website. The link may be a page for a particular movie available through the main website or a link to the main website homepage. Advantages such as the percentage of progress from each movie rental derived from access through the associated website may be granted to the associated website.

In further embodiments, discounts and rebate coupons for services provided by the main website or related websites may be used as promotional gifts or rewards for entry, multiple downloads, or non-download transmissions (described below). May be provided to the user. Purchase coupons, such as digital video discs (DVDs) for movies, may be provided at the relevant website used as the route when the user enters the movie website. The coupon may be customized according to the information obtained from the user during the registration process.

In another embodiment, a license for a "movie bundle" may be provided to a user based on user registration information. A movie bundle is a group of movies whose licenses can be purchased together at a discounted price. The bundle may be defined by the movie website for a particular movie, genre, number of movies, or the movie website may provide an interface to the user and determine the cost of the necessary license to design the bundle.

In another embodiment, a newsletter can be sent to the user by email. Users can subscribe to one or more newsletters. The movie website may send news terrors to users in general or only to selected users. The newsletter may be customized to the user based on information derived from the featured movie described above or user registration information. The newsletter informs users of events, promotions, and upcoming events on the movie website. Newsletters can be customized. The newsletter may include a link to a streamline transaction, or a link to a movie website, to provide a download directly from the newsletter.

In addition, community information may be delivered by a user on the main website. Users can provide information about movie websites that other users can view, such as forums, reviews, fan art, novels, and the like. Users can communicate in real time, as in conjunction with streaming downloads viewed by multiple users. Community information may also provide a chat interface. By exchanging download information for a particular machine of the user from one user to another user, movie exchange between users on the chat interface may be facilitated. The movie can be downloaded directly from the machine of the first user to the machine of the second user.

The second user may purchase a license for the movie by activating the movie playback software on the second user's computer system for movie playback. The movie playback software of the second user contacts the main website, and it is determined whether the second user has a valid license for the downloaded movie. Since the second user has not yet purchased a license for the downloaded movie, a prompt appears to the user suggesting a license purchase. When the user purchases a license, the user can watch the push movie according to the term of the purchased license.

The browse page, described in more detail below, can be accessed from the movie homepage. The browse page provides access to all the movies available on the server. Movies are organized in many ways, such as title, genre, license fee, or download time. Movies may be displayed in various ways, such as title list, image list, video box list, grid, or stack. One way of displaying a movie is a horizontal row of video boxes, which can slide left and right and mimic the behavior of a carousel. The user may interact with the movie presented on the browse page in the same manner as the movie presented on the home page.

The search page can also be accessed from the movie homepage 200. Users can search within available movies on the main website based on several criteria, such as title, actor, director, production, release date, genre, license fee, or download time. The search results can be presented in various forms in a manner similar to the movies presented on the browse page. In addition, the user may interact with the movie presented on the search page in the same manner as the movie presented on the homepage.

The main website also provides a movie page. A movie page is a web page that serves as an access point for information about a movie. The movie page contains various information and functions, such as a commerce request or additional information. The movie page can be accessed by selecting a movie and requesting a movie homepage for the movie. Movie page presentation can provide an integrated and granular presentation rather than having a large amount of information about multiple movies on a single page.

The trailer described here refers to a clip (video segment) or collection of clips from a movie that is played when the user enters the main website or selects a movie within the main website. The virtual video box described herein means a collection of images from a video cassette box that represents the virtual box of the video box as online graphics. The image may be an image of text and illustrations on a physical box used for home video editions, or may be a special online image. The carousel interface provides multiple virtual boxes or images presented in one or more rows that can be moved by the user. The boxes slide sideways at variable speeds with successive actions to mimic a carousel or shelf that rotates in front of the user. Alternatively, a rotation of multiple rows of boxes mimics walking along the shelves of a VHS video box along the aisle side in the video rental store. In some embodiments, the user can see the front and back sides of the box, or manipulate the virtual box in three dimensions for rotation.

8 is another example of an online video transmission site that allows an online user to participate in an online rental of a digital video signal. According to one embodiment, a category interface screen 240 is presented when an online user requests a search and browse for a digital video signal that is available for online rental. According to one embodiment, the digital video signal is a digitally encrypted video, in which information about each digitally encrypted video appears as a virtual video box containing the original box artwork as if it appeared in a VHS video box. Using user interface process 156, category interface screen 240 allows viewing of online category information stored in catalog database 160. Category interface screen 240 may scroll through rows of virtual box illustrations within a group within carousel interface 242 or one at a time. Thus, a movie rental is imitated from the aisle side of a video rental store or from a merry-go-round of a movie (ie, a rotating shelf). In addition, the rows of virtual box illustrations may be sorted based on the sorting criteria provided by the user to the movie search engine of the network server video computer 130. In this manner, category interface screen 240 mimics movie rental from aisle-side shelves in a video rental store.

9 is an example of an online video transfer site screen for online users participating in an online rental of a digital video signal. According to this embodiment, a checkout screen 260 is presented when an online user selects a digital video signal to rent. Using the billing process 154, the checkout screen 260 provides a commerce interface, such as a form to be filled in, a question to the user about the credit card information, and a billing confirmation of the user's credit card. . The specified period may be 24 hours, and this period begins when the lock of the digital video signal is released as described below. Alternatively, the specified period may begin once the download of the digital video signal is complete.

Upon receipt of the electronic payment, the download screen 280 is presented as in FIG. The download screen provides the user with information about the file name and storage location of the downloaded digital video signal, including the download time and file size. Using video transmission process 150, network video server computer 130 downloads the encrypted digital video signal to user computer 102. Once the user has downloaded the selected digital video signal, the user can view the selected digital video signal using a video media process 118, such as a Windows media player (movie playback software 180). The movie playback software 118 contacts the network video server computer 130 to verify that the user has a proper license for the digital video signal at the time the release screen 300 is presented, as shown in FIG. . In one embodiment, the unlock screen 300 provides the online user with the following options. That is, 1) downloading the decryption key, 2) unlocking the digital video signal for viewing, and 3) updating the expired decryption key. The unlock screen 300 provides a decryption key that operates the movie playback software 118 to generate a user aware form of the digital video signal for a specified period of time. You can use pause, rewind, and other commands to make similar adjustments to a VCR or DVD player.

License access level

In some embodiments, an interface may be provided to allow a user to select a license access level. Authorized access to encrypted digital files may be defined at levels such as "instant viewing", "one viewing of the window (eg, 24 hours)", "unlimited viewing of the window", "unlimited viewing" ( 12). You can also upgrade your license at a lower cost than your initial purchase. For example, a user may initially purchase a license to watch a movie during a 24-hour window and then upgrade the license to watch the movie multiple times for 24 hours. License discounts may be offered based on previously licensed, but narrower licenses for the same movie. Alternatively, the main website service operator may select an access level for one user, group of users, or all users from the levels listed above, and then change that level if the operator determines appropriate. In other embodiments, a license may be purchased or allowed to view the movie on a device other than the device from which the movie was downloaded.

In addition, a license for the movie may be purchased with a gift certificate. The first user may purchase a gift certificate to grant access to the second user. The first user can purchase a license for the second user with or without downloading the movie. If the first user does not download the movie when purchasing the license, the first user may receive a password to provide to the second user. This password allows the second user to download the movie to the second user's system or device.

In one embodiment, license authorization is based on a key derived from a user computer system or from a movie. The key may include additional information such as download time, user location, and the user's specific movie player. In some embodiments, the key information may be included in the downloaded movie. Thus, the movie or copies of the movie maintain key information and access level information determined by the purchased license. Thus, in these embodiments, if the second user downloads the movie to the second user's system or device, the license will be authenticated only for that system or device.

Thus, if the second user wants to watch the movie after downloading the movie or receiving the encrypted movie on a portable storage medium, the second user can activate the movie playback software on the second user system or device, wherein the main web The site will be contacted to confirm that the second user has a proper license for the movie. The second user can then access the movie according to the license purchased by the first user, but the first user cannot access the movie. Since the voucher license was not purchased by the second user, the second user will be presented with a license purchase prompt.

Alternatively, if the first user downloads a movie to the first user system or device at the time of purchasing the license, the first user may receive a password to provide to the second user. The first user can transfer the movie to the system or device of the second user using a portable storage medium such as a CD. Thus, after transferring the movie from the first user system to the second user system, the second user must provide the password to the main website in order to receive a new license to play the movie on the second user system. The main website may ensure that the movie key is released only on the system of the second user by revoking the license of the first user before exposing the password for the second license to the first user.

Moreover, in other embodiments, a "Flexible Viewing" function will be included. This allows the user's movie player to track the progress of the movie playback and update the license information indicating that the playback is not yet complete. When the user later tries to access the movie again for further viewing, the license check process confirms that the movie viewing is not yet finished. Thus, the user can watch the movie in multiple sessions without purchasing a separate license. Additional information may be included to track rewind, time spent watching, or other factors for abuse control.

In another embodiment, the user may maintain a "movie library." The movie library is a collection of movies when the user has unlimited access. The user can purchase a license that allows unlimited access to the movie from various other devices or storage devices.

The user can access the movie library from an internet access point belonging to a possible download. If the user transfers a physical copy of the movie in the user's movie library to another device, the download time can be avoided and only a license check is needed. The same license purchase may include collateral movies (eg, one purchase provides a license for the same movie that is stored in different encryption formats for different download times and image quality).

In one embodiment, the movie library is a "dynamic library." As encryption technology improves, higher quality images can be stored with the same amount of storage. The dynamic library allows the user to receive the latest version of the encrypted file with optimal image quality. Thus, if an alternative edition of the movie is available, the dynamic library can be updated to that version.

In further embodiments, an "Archive Management System" is implemented to control the abuse of files stored on user computer systems or other storage devices. Thus, the ability to talk to the file system on the user storage device can be included as part of the main website. This may be accomplished in cooperation with client software active on the user storage device. The record management system can be used for purposes such as enforcing a license by removing a downloaded movie that does not have a valid license or is being abused. For example, if a movie file on user storage is changed in some way, for example, by attempting to bypass an encryption key in the movie file, the record management system detects such abuse and deletes the abused movie file. Overwrite other file management software on the user's storage device. In another embodiment, the record management system will determine if the movie has been received from another user, and present a license purchase prompt to the user to view the movie.

In FIG. 13, a method 400 for obtaining a license for rental of a digital video signal within an online environment, such as an online digital video signal transmission device 110, as shown in FIG. 1 is shown. Steps 402-408 illustrate ways in which the content to be accessed can be obtained by using a valid license.

In step 402, the user has downloaded the content from the network server computer to the user computer while simultaneously purchasing a license for the content. License authorization may be based on a key derived from the user computer system, from the user's movie playback software, or from the content. This key may be authenticated based on a combination of information derived from these sources. Thus, under the situation described in step 402, when the user activates the movie playback software in step 410, the user will contact the main website, and the license purchased when the content is downloaded to the user's computer will be keyed in the expected information. If built in, it will be authenticated.

As an example, if a user downloads content to a user device and the key is based on information obtained from the device, the user license is authenticated in step 410 as long as the user activates the movie playback software on the same computer. This is because the information embedded in the key matches the expected information. Thus, the user can proceed to step 414 and view the content. However, if content is downloaded to the user's computer and the content corresponding to the user's computer is transferred to another computer, the key contains the expected information when the user of the computer activates the movie playback software and contacts the main website in step 410. The license is not certified because it does not. Thus, the user proceeds to step 416 and a valid license purchase prompt for the content appears to the user. If the user purchases a license, the user can proceed to step 414 to view the content.

As described above, the key may be based on the content. In the case of content that is part of the user's movie library, that is, for content that is part of a movie for a user who is licensed to access the movie from an Internet access point, the user activates the movie playback software in step 410 and the main web. Upon contact with the site, the license is authenticated because the key is based on content and not on specific computer systems or specific movie playback software.

In step 404 of FIG. 13, the user has existing content on the user's computer system or other storage device. Existing content may be located on the system when the system has been purchased by the user, for example as part of a sales promotion campaign. Under the circumstances described in step 404, the user would not have yet purchased a license for the existing content. Thus, if the user activates the movie playback software at step 410 and contacts the main website, the license is not authenticated. The user then proceeds to step 416 where a valid license purchase prompt for the content appears. If the user purchases a license, the user can proceed to step 414 to view the content.

In step 406 of FIG. 13, the user is a third user. The third user is not the person who originally downloaded the content from the network server computer. The third user may obtain the content, for example, by downloading the content from the first user's computer system or other storage device. The third user can transfer content using a portable storage medium from the first user's system to the third user's system. The first user may or may not have previously purchased a license for the content. The third user can obtain the content by downloading the content from the relevant website without purchasing a license from the main website.

Under the situation described by step 406, the third user has not yet purchased a license for the content. As described above, license authorization may be based on a key derived from the user computer system, from the user's movie playback software, or from the content. Thus, if the first user purchases a license and the key is based on the first user's computer system or movie playback software, the third user does not have a valid license to view content on the third user's computer system. If the first user has not purchased a license, the third party will also not obtain a valid license. Thus, at step 412, the license will not be authenticated, and the third party will proceed to step 416 where a prompt will be presented to suggest a valid license purchase of the content. If the third user purchases a license, the third user can proceed to step 414 to view the content.

In step 408 of Figure 13, the user has a portable physical medium containing content derived from a network server computer. A user can receive a portable storage medium from another user. A user may receive a portable storage medium, for example, via a main website or from another website as part of a sales promotion campaign.

Under the circumstances described in step 408, the user has not yet purchased a license for the content. Thus, when the user activates the movie playback software at step 410 and contacts the main website, the license is not authenticated. Thus, the user proceeds to step 416, where a prompt is displayed to suggest the purchase of a valid license for the content. If the user purchases a license, the user can proceed to step 414 to view the content.

Download of encrypted digital files

In one embodiment, a user may download encrypted digital files directly to a user's computer system or other storage device. However, in another embodiment, the user may choose to download to the remote storage device. Thus, the user may specify a storage device for download that is different from the computer system on which the user is accessing the main website. As an example, a user can access the main website from an office device and download a movie to a device in the user's home.

In another embodiment, the movie may be watched during the download process. Thus, you can watch a movie from memory such as RAM or hard disk (with some delay) before the file is completely downloaded.

Downloading from the main website requires some resources, time, and management costs. Thus, incentives such as coupons or rewards described above are provided to the user. In one embodiment, the first user may transmit the previously downloaded encrypted digital file from the first user to a second device belonging to the second user. The second user can then obtain a license to access the encrypted digital file. In this way, the second download process and its associated costs can be avoided. In this embodiment, the second user will see a license purchase prompt appear to watch the movie.

In further embodiments, the main website will include a "Movie Share" function. The list of movies previously downloaded by the first user may be published on the main website. Other users can access the list and download the movie directly from the first user device. The license can purchase a license from the main website without downloading the movie from the main website. The movie sharing feature avoids the second download process and the associated costs for the main website.

In further embodiments, the main website will include a "smart download" function. The smart download function can download digital files using the preferred channel and time. The preference channel may be determined in agreement with the parameters presented by the user in the presentation of the movie website. Since the movie website has access to schedule information for all downloads that will occur, the main website can predict which time and which channel is most efficient in terms of speed, cost and bandwidth usage. For example, when a new movie is made available on a movie website known as a very popular movie, the movie website can expect huge traffic, thus providing multi-channel downloads such as the Internet and satellite broadcasts. have. The user will be assigned a download channel and time according to the current situation in the best effort to accommodate the user. Similarly, movie websites can offer downloads via satellite-like broadcasts as part of their promotional activities, and can sell licenses for downloaded movies at discounted prices.

In further embodiments, the main website may provide a "Flexible Rental" function. The rental license fee may be based on the cost of the requested download or use. For example, various discounts may be provided that reflect a reduction in resource costs for providing a movie to a user by eliminating the download cost. As the movie website downloads the movie with a slower connection or lower traffic time, the user may receive a discount. The user may receive a discount by purchasing a license to access sometime in the future. In addition, the user may receive a discount by repurchasing a rental license within a certain time after the previous rental of the same movie.

In further embodiments, a user may download a digital file to a portable storage medium. For example, a user may purchase a license to store a download file on portable media, including CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, and to access the download file from the portable media. The DVD may be standard DVD encryption and may still require license verification from the main website to access.

In further embodiments, it may include a "Download Interruption Recovery" function. Interruptions can occur due to network failure or power outages. Download interrupt recovery ensures resumption or retransmission of an interrupted download process. The main website can track the progress of the download and resume the download to complete or resume the transfer.

action

In FIG. 14, a method 500 for renting a digital video signal in an online environment of the online digital video signal transmission device 110 shown in FIG. 1 is shown. In step 502, access is provided to an online catalog stored in the memory of the network video server computer 130, such as the catalog database 160. In step 512, a request is received from the client computer 102 for the rental of the selected digital video signal from the online catalog for the specified period. The request includes payment information such as electronic payment by credit card number based on the specified time and the selected digital video signal. Finally, in step 514, the digital video signal is transmitted to the client computer 102 via the communication link 120. Once the digital video signal has been downloaded, the digital video signal can be viewed by the user of the client computer during the specified period of time, which begins when the digital video signal is unlocked, as described below. Once the specified time has expired, the user may further make an electronic payment to view the digital video signal for the specified time period.

In FIG. 15, an additional method step 504 is provided for providing access to online catalog information stored in the catalog database 160 of step 502, such as in the category interface screen 240 shown in FIG. 8. In step 506, the online catalog is viewed through the carousel interface 242 such that information about the digital video signal is presented in one or more vertically rotatable rows. According to a further embodiment, the digital video signal is a digitally encrypted video, which appears as a virtual video box as the original box artwork appears in the video box of the VHS version. In step 508, one or more rows of virtual box illustrations are scrolled side by side, or in groups, in a manner that slides sideways to mimic movie rentals from the aisle side of the video point or the carousel of the movie. Finally, at step 510, the rows of virtual box artwork may be sorted based on the sorting criteria provided to the movie search engine of network video server 130.

16 shows additional method steps 516. The digital video signal is encrypted before being sent to the client computer 102. In step 518, the digital video signal is opened by the user using the movie playback software 118. In step 520, the user is redirected towards the website to obtain the decryption key as shown in the unlock screen 300 (FIG. 11) in accordance with the rental process 152. In one embodiment, server 130 checks whether the decryption key for the movie to be accessed has been issued or activated, and checks whether a new license must be purchased to obtain additional keys. In accordance with the rental process 152, the release key is associated with the client machine 102 via the data stored on the server 130 displaying the key and the downloaded copy of the key and the system file of the client computer. By associating a release key with the client computer 102, it is possible to prevent the user from replicating the unlocked digital video signal to multiple computers for unlicensed use.

In step 522, the digital video signal can be viewed according to the license period purchased for the specified period using the decryption key. Thus, the unlock key stores the unlocked time and starts a specified period for rental. In one embodiment, the decryption key may be activated at any time after being downloaded from the server 130. In this case, the period does not begin until the key is activated. In addition, the decryption key stores a machine identifier, such as the machine ID of client computer 102. During the specified period, the decryption key verifies that the machine ID of the computer matches the stored machine ID in response to a user attempt to reproduce the digital video signal. Finally, in step 524, when the specified period expires, the decryption key is disabled, prohibiting reproduction of the digital video signal. The designated period may be 24 hours. As a result, after 24 hours it is necessary to obtain an additional decryption key to view the digital video signal for an additional 24 hour period as described above for the decryption key.

The content database 158 provides a storage device including electronic video data files as a digitally encrypted movie using conventional encryption techniques such as MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4 in accordance with the content preparation process 148. Movies may be provided by one or more movie owners, such as movie studios. Files are stored in a secure format so that digitally encrypted movies are encrypted using conventional techniques such as public-private key systems. Additionally, watermarks that indicate the source of a particular file may be included as data in the file. In order to determine if the movie file is a genuine movie file downloaded from the main website, the movie file can be checked for a particular watermark by the aforementioned Archive Management System. Thus, watermarks are useful not only for license verification but also for piracy control.

Various aspects of an implementation of a movie delivery system for presenting a movie to a user for viewing have been described. However, many implementations of the movie delivery system provide numerous functions that complement and replace the functions described above. The functions may be implemented as part of a user computer system or as part of a server.

In addition, although the embodiments described herein are directed to a video transmission system for renting digitally encrypted movies online, it is applicable to other systems as well. Indeed, systems for digitally encrypted songs, books, television programs, radio programs, and other content that are digitally encrypted and stored as electronic files are also within the scope of the invention.

The present invention provides several advantages over the known art. The present invention includes the ability to rent a video at no additional cost for the video purchase. In addition, the present invention provides an interface that mimics the actual rental of a moving picture DVD or video cassette in a video rental store. Furthermore, during the designated rental period, as many moving pictures can be viewed as desired, thus emulating the actual rental of a DVD or video cassette of length moving pictures.

Claims (58)

A method of delivering content to a network-operated device, the method comprising: Send the selected content to a network-operated device, To transmit a license associated with the selected content to a network-operated device on the network, And generating the user-aware type of selection content when the condition defined by the access level information is met, and generating the user-aware type of selection content when the condition defined by the access level information is not met. And the access level information in the license defining a condition for controlling a network-operating device to prohibit the failure. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is Receiving at the first node on the network a request for content from a network-operating device of a second node on the network, Further comprising the step of transmitting the selected content in response to receiving a request from the second node. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is Receiving at the second node on the network a request for content from a network-operating device of the first node, Further comprising the step of transmitting the selected content to the network-operating device of the first node in response to receiving a request from the second node. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the license condition specifies a time window in which content can be provided in a user-aware form of the second node and a maximum allowable number of times in the time window. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the time window is 24 hours. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the license condition provides content only once in user-aware form at the second node immediately after content transfer. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the license condition provides the content only once in user-aware form at the second node within a time window starting immediately after the content transfer. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the time window is 24 hours. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a license on a network comprises transmitting a license with the selected content. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is Providing an interface that allows a network-operating device user to select one access level from multiple access levels, Further comprising a step, wherein each access level defines a different set of conditions, and wherein the license associated with the selected content includes access level information corresponding to the access level selected by the user. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of access levels are A level that defines a time window such that the network-operated device generates user-aware type of selected content only once, and A level that defines a time window for the network-operated device to generate user-aware type of selected content any number of times; Method comprising a. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of access levels further comprises a level that allows the network-operated device to generate user-aware form of selected content only once at any time. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of access levels further comprise a level that allows the network-operated device to generate user-aware type of selected content for an unlimited number of times for a specified period of time. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of access levels further comprise a level that allows the network-operated device to generate user-aware form of selected content only once immediately after content delivery. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of access levels further comprise a level that allows the network-operated device to generate user-aware type of selected content only once immediately after license transfer. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the network comprises a wide area network, and wherein receiving a content request comprises receiving a request carried over a wide area network. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the network comprises a local area network, and wherein receiving a content request comprises receiving a request carried over a local area network. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the selected content comprises transmitting one or more electronic files. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the selected content comprises transmitting one or more encrypted electronic files. The method of claim 2, wherein the method is Providing an interface that allows a user of a second node to select one or more content files from multiple content files, Further comprising a step, wherein the requested content comprises one or more content files from the plurality of content files. The method of claim 2, wherein the method is Providing an interface that allows a user of the second node to select one or more encrypted digital video content files from the encrypted plurality of digital video content files, Further comprising a step, wherein the requested content comprises one or more digital video content files encrypted from the encrypted plurality of digital video content files. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the request includes payment information for the content. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the payment information comprises electronic payment. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the requested content comprises delivering the requested content to a second node on a network. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the requested content comprises providing a second node with a machine-readable medium suitable for electronic file storage, where the requested content has been stored. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein providing the machine to a second node with the machine-readable medium storing the requested content comprises providing a CD-ROM to the second node. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein providing the machine to the second node a machine-readable medium having stored the requested content comprises providing a DVD to the second node. A system for controlling user access to content on a user network device, the system comprising -Server network device capable of sending and receiving to user network device Wherein the server network device is programmed to send the selected content to the user network device, and The server network device is then programmed to transmit a license associated with the selected content to the user network device on the network, where the user-aware form of the selected content is generated when the conditions defined by the access level information are met and the access level information is generated. And said access level information being included in said license defining conditions for controlling a user network device to prohibit creation of user-aware type of selected content when it does not meet prescribed conditions. 29. The server of claim 28, wherein the server network device is programmed to receive a request at the first node on the network for content from a user network device of a second node on the network. In this case, the transmitting of the selected content includes transmitting the request content as the second node receives the request. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the license condition specifies a time window in which content may be provided at the second node in user-aware form and a maximum allowable number of times in the time window. 29. The server network device of claim 28, wherein the server network device is programmed to provide an interface that allows a user of the user network device to select one access level from multiple access levels, each access level defining a different set of conditions. Wherein the license associated with the selected content includes access level information corresponding to the access level selected by the user. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the multiple access levels are: A level that defines a time window such that the network-operated device generates user-aware type of selected content only once, and A level that defines a time window for the network-operated device to generate user-aware type of selected content any number of times; System comprising a. A method of acquiring content by a network-operated device, the method comprising: Receive the selected content at a network-operated device, Receiving a license associated with the selected content by transmission over the network, Comprising the above steps, wherein the user-aware type of selected content is generated when the condition defined by the access level information is met, and the user-aware typed selection content is generated when the condition defined by the access level information is not met. And the access level information in the license defining a condition for controlling a network-operating device to prohibit the failure. The method of claim 33, wherein the method is Providing a content request from a network-operating device of a second node on the network to the first node on the network, And further comprising the step of receiving the selected content in response to the request submission of the second node. The method of claim 33, wherein the method is Providing a content request from a network-operating device of the first node on the network to a second node on the network, And further comprising the step of receiving the selected content in response to the request submission of the first node. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the license condition specifies a time window during which content may be provided in user-aware form at the second node and a maximum allowable number of times in the time window. The method of claim 33, wherein Access to an interface that allows a network-operated device user to select one access level from multiple access levels. Further comprising a step, wherein each access level defines a different set of conditions, and wherein the license associated with the selected content includes access level information corresponding to the access level selected by the user. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the multiple levels of access are: A level that defines a time window such that the network-operated device generates user-aware type of selected content only once, and A level that defines a time window for the network-operated device to generate user-aware type of selected content any number of times; Method comprising a. A system for obtaining user access to content controlled by a server network device, the system comprising: -User network device capable of sending and receiving to server network device Further comprising: wherein the user network device is programmed to receive selected content at the user network device, and The user network device is then programmed to receive a license associated with the selected content from the user network device on the network, wherein the user-aware form of the selected content is generated when the conditions defined by the access level information are met and the access level information is generated. And said access level information being included in said license defining conditions for controlling a user network device to prohibit creation of user-aware type of selected content when it does not meet prescribed conditions. 41. The user network device of claim 39, wherein the user network device is programmed to provide a content request from a server network device to a first node on the network, Wherein the user network device provides a request at a second node on the network, wherein the step of receiving the selected content comprises receiving the request content as the request is submitted by the second node. 41. The system of claim 40, wherein the license condition specifies a time window in which content may be provided in user-aware form at a second node, and a maximum allowable number of times in the time window. 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the user network device is programmed to access an interface that allows a user of the user network device to select one access level from multiple access levels, wherein each access level specifies a different set of conditions. Wherein the license associated with the selected content includes access level information corresponding to the access level selected by the user. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the multiple access levels are: A level that defines a time window such that the user network device generates user-aware type of selected content only once, and A level that specifies a time window for the user network device to generate any number of user-aware forms of selected content System comprising a. A business method for controlling content distribution for a network-operated device, the method comprising: Send the selected content provided by the content owner to the network-operated device, Transmitting a license associated with the selected content to a network-operated device on the network, wherein the user-aware form of the selected content is generated when the condition specified by the access level information is met and the condition defined by the access level information The license includes access level information that defines a condition for controlling the network-operating device to prohibit the creation of user-aware form of selected content when it does not. To charge a license fee to a user of a network-operated device based on a license access level, A business method comprising the above steps. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein charging a license fee to a user of a network-operated device comprises: Providing an interface that allows a network-operated device user to select a license access level from multiple license access levels. Wherein each license access level defines a different set of conditions, and wherein the license associated with the selected content includes access level information corresponding to the license access level selected by the user. 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the plurality of access levels are A level that defines a time window such that the network-operated device generates user-aware type of selected content only once, and A level that specifies a time window for the user network device to generate any number of user-aware forms of selected content Business method comprising a. The method of claim 44, -Paying the content owner a portion of the license fee charged for the selected content and licenses A business method, characterized in that it further comprises a step. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein demographic information related to the license is used to compile a database of license information for different regions. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the database provides a plurality of parameters of available licenses for the content according to the designated geographic location of the user who requested the content. 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the plurality of parameters comprise one or more of availability of content at a particular time and availability of content at a particular geographic location. 49. The method of claim 48, wherein license information is provided to a content owner. 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the geographic location of the user is determined from one or more of the user's credit card information, the IP address of the user computer system, and the geographic information provided by the operating system of the user computer system. 45. The method of claim 44, further comprising providing a benefit to a user under a defined situation. 55. The method of claim 53 wherein the benefit includes discounting a license fee for the content. 55. The method of claim 53 wherein the benefit includes a coupon for purchasing a product. 54. The system of claim 53, wherein the defined situation includes a promotional gift to a user, a reward for a user who has entered, a reward for a user who has downloaded content multiple times, a reward for a user who has downloaded content non-downloaded, and a content bundle Business method, characterized in that it comprises one or more of the reward for the user who purchased the. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein licensing a fee comprises receiving payment information from a user of a network-operated device. 59. The method of claim 57, wherein the payment information includes credit card information of the user.