Umted States Patent [19]
`Subler et al.
`
`USOO5646992A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,646,992
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`[54] ASSEMBLY, DISTRIBUTION, AND USE OF
`
`5,276,901
`
`1/1994 Howell et a1. ........................ .. 380/4 X
`
`DIGITAL INFORMATION
`
`
`
`5,319,705 5,412,717
`
`
`
`6/1994 Halter et a1. 5/1995 Fischer ...................................... .. 380/4
`
`[75] Inventors: Ronald J. Subler, Charlestown;
`Thomas Mark Hastings, Lexington.
`both of Mass,
`
`_
`Pnmary Examiner-"36mm E- Gfcgofy
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fish & Richardson RC.
`
`[73] Assignee: Digital Delivery, Inc. Bedford, Mass.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 126,217
`.
`'
`Sep' 23’ 1993
`[22] Fllcd'
`[51] Int. Cl.6 ...................................................... .. H04L 9/00
`[52] US. Cl. ................................... .. 380/4; 380/9; 380/21;
`330/23; 330/25; 330/49; 330/50
`[58] Field of Search .................................. .. 380/3 4. 5. 9
`330/10_ 21_ 23 24 25 30_ 49’;_ 5’0 '61,;
`‘
`'
`’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`References Cited
`
`[56]
`
`U-S- PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,528,643
`4,905,163
`
`7/1985 Freeny .................................. .. 364/468
`2/1990 Garber et a1. ..
`..... .. 395/63
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`Hierarchically organized graphical representations of items
`and groups of the items of digital information which are
`available to be ordered by a user are displayed The user
`interactively explores the representations and selects items
`or groups to be ordered. using a pointer. While the graphical
`representations are being displayed, a list of items or groups
`which have been selected for inclusion in an order is also
`displayed- 5mm“ is executed which auwma?cally deter
`mines the con?guration of the computer, and matches the
`con?guration with the stored con?guration information prior
`to the user placing an order. A user may automatically be
`given access to items in a later revision of the medium if the
`user had access to the items in an earlier revision.
`
`21 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`5.2
`ACCOUNTING’
`ORDER ENTRY
`MARKETING
`ANALYSIS
`SYSTEMS
`
`46
`\ORDER
`TAKER
`
`43
`ORDER
`TAKING
`SYSTEM
`
`5p
`ORDER TAKING
`DATABASE
`
`40
`oRnER/
`
`34
`/
`PRE-MASTERING
`DATABASE
`
`MKTG
`
`ORDER TAKING
`INFO
`
`.126
`END USER
`SYSYEM
`
`18
`\ I
`PRE-MASTERING
`VALUED
`—'—~—-P
`"EMS ~28 / SYSTEM
`
`14
`CD-ROM
`/
`MASTERING @ [as
`SYSTEM
`I
`136
`END USER
`
`r44
`ORDER ACCEPTANCE
`
`NONVALUED
`ITEMS
`
`\
`30
`
`FACILITIES
`\
`32
`
`PRE-MASTERED
`DATA \ 22
`PRE-MASTERING
`USER
`\12
`
`i
`10
`
`END USER / DATABASE
`I
`L-—-—- -. SYSTEM
`
`\
`KSYSTEM
`STATE
`INFORMATION
`
`16
`\END USER
`
`0001
`
`IBG 1020
`CBM of U.S. Patent No. 7,412,416 B2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`MANAGE
`PRE-MASTEHING
`PRE-MASTERING
`USER
`<——>
`USER INTERFACE
`
`./102
`
`GENERATE CD-ROM
`108\
`DATABASE IN TWO
`VERSIONS
`
`PRODUCER
`DATABASE
`
`_,,USER CD-ROM
`DATABASE\204
`
`PROCESS END
`END USER SYSTEM
`USER SYSTEM
`SOFTWARE ———-—>~
`26
`104, SOFTWARE
`
`CONFIGURED END
`USER SOFTWARE
`\202
`
`112_ PROCESSES ITEMS
`ITEMS __, E.G., COMPESSING, “PROCESSED ITEMS
`ENCRYPTING,
`\zuo
`VERlFlCATlON
`
`‘ KEYS
`
`11o_ GENERATES ENCRYPTION
`KEYS AND KEY FILES
`
`7'20s
`KEY FILES
`
`106 MAINTAINS
`PRE-MASTERING
`DATABASE
`
`_PRE~MASTERING
`DATABASE
`
`FIG. 2
`
`PRE-MASTERED
`CD-ROM DATA
`
`0003
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`162
`/
`TITLE PREVIEWS
`
`164
`’
`PnEssINGs
`
`166' VENDOR
`INFO
`
`16o \ ITLE HIERARCHY
`TITLES
`I
`ITEM
`‘\ “RE
`HERARCHYA \ \CONTAINMENTS
`THROUGH \
`[132
`TITLE
`IIIEFIARcHv
`AND ITEM
`IDENTIFIER
`
`GROUP
`
`ITEMS
`I 136 \ ITEM
`
`I
`\
`/
`
`161
`'
`UPGRADE
`TABLE
`
`.458
`COMMENTS
`
`KEYORD -Is2
`‘ LINKS
`
`PHI
`LE
`//
`140 ,
`I’
`
`130 / I \ V ‘hm T
`
`
`
`I
`’
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`CONTAINER
`LINK
`
`BU E
`LINKS
`
`‘I2
`I
`/
`$325 / PREVIEWS _144
`
`/
`/
`I
`/
`/
`I
`1/
`/
`I
`\\
`/
`I
`\ i I A>/
`FACILITIES ~146
`
`150
`I
`KEYWORD
`
`\
`14a
`
`1514
`
`1
`
`\
`156
`
`ATTRIBUTES
`
`>F|G 3
`
`0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`
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`
`0005
`
`0005
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 1s
`
`5 ,646,992
`
`ILHEHl HHIIH
`
`I AbouttheDisk ]
`
`I Customer Information I— 310
`
`I: PreviewI and Search — 302
`
`Vendor Information "' 31 2
`
`I:Order, Unlock & Install — 304
`
`[En-pies 8:. Other Info]" 306
`
`[Computer lnlorrmtior?" 314
`
`F System Setup
`
`" 308
`
`I Return to Main Menu I
`
`L Exit
`
`FIG. 5
`
`HHIIH
`
`Self Running Demos *316
`
`Try Out Product: r318
`
`E Free Products / 320
`
`I
`
`E
`
`I
`
`HHIIH
`
`Preview
`
`Search
`
`322
`
`- 324
`
`I
`
`Return to Main Menu
`
`Return to Main Menu I
`
`FIG. 7
`
`FIG. 8
`
`0006
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 0f 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`L
`
`Place Order
`
`-— 326
`
`Unlock Order
`
`-— 328
`
`['Lnstall Unlocked Order
`
`- 330
`
`E?etum to Main Menu}
`
`FIG. 9
`
`371
`
`$0 moms Qrder uolchook
`
`Category! Duchy: Inn:
`
`5“ a
`
`Sound:
`
`346 @
`(CaltguyApp' CJQIQOI’Ff
`
`354
`\
`336
`
`352 /
`338
`
`FIG. 10
`
`334
`
`0007
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`Category! Package lliewer
`
`Display: . QiskComents
`
`_) §eamh Results
`
`E
`
`hem Legend
`[E - Pm
`Type: [@1- Category
`State: @- orumd [2|- Unlocked [5]- Installed
`
`Previous
`
`m F|G_11
`
`Category! Package {newer
`
`Agate
`Package
`
`Black Leller Brush
`Package
`Package
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`F® FEFE
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`Package
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`Package
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`
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`
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`hem Legend
`E] — Package
`Type: E]- Category
`State: [:1]- Ordered |_7_]— Uriocked E-lnstalled
`
`0008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`Category! Package Zimr
`
`Display: . QiskDomems _) §earch Results
`
`STF
`
`Caligula
`Type1
`
`Chancery
`Typei
`
`Dom II.
`T ype‘l
`
`Type: E]- Category 368 IE - Paclage
`Stae: [I]- Ordemd IZ- Unlocked E- Installed
`
`39°
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Breview
`
`In HMJIQMNHIMMMWMW
`“nanny/K18
`
`Chancery
`
`ABCQETgMJKLMWOQQRSIMW/WZ
`0123456789.,P/@2I%5
`
`FIG. 14
`
`0009
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 9 0f 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`Ne- ID 53 :
`375 me Phenom,
`3778 Duscxiption phones!’
`380 File Fol-d ypo‘l
`Installed Palhl
`
`, 374
`/ 372
`370
`Vcuionh /
`Size PM /
`
`Slam: F0! ?ldeled
`
`_._
`
`Koywoud: / 388
`
`382
`
`384
`
`Blush
`Claui?calion '
`'_'_'_—'——_
`Character Set
`DEN
`Foundry ‘
`Unknown
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`welgm
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`Usage
`Headline
`
`Bloch
`Hemline
`Nu“
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`5e‘;
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`
`386
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`400 \
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`Equd to
`
`Vain
`I
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`414
`
`FIG. 16
`
`0010
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`Q'der Pad luau Order
`
`E
`Er] E] 500 Agate
`—— E] 650 Agate / 420 l
`
`r-— [E 551 Agite Bold
`
`—— E 852 Agate Italic
`
`E] [E 502 Future Thin
`
`I!
`
`FIG. 17
`
`You cannot order Item Groups
`
`FIG. 18
`
`0 You can not order items within Packages
`
`Flt]
`
`FIG. 19
`
`0011
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`[12173-083
`Cuxlonct '
`Hark Hastings
`Nana
`Coupon,
`Digild Dcivmy, Inc.
`17.861”?
`Pm
`17.851.6'1'52
`Fax
`
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`Exp. Date “2192
`
`-
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`I Puchm Ila- Ud
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`531 Hecdliniog
`\ 434
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`450
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`
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`
`2154
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`
`FIG. 21
`
`0012
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 12 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`4 0 / 6
`
`[
`
`Select Item: !0 Install
`
`Reque? ll PKBMYSANSSYFC
`PD 3 Y
`Date hug 13, 1993
`B51 Agate Bold
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`
`0013
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 13 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`421
`
`'?here is it
`Item lnfn
`Item Ereview
`gdd to Order
`lnstall Item
`
`FIG. 24
`
`Item: 509 Headlining 1
`Appears in the following Packages I Categories:
`Package 511 Headllnlng
`Category 540 Type One
`
`423
`
`G0 to Package
`
`xlancel
`
`FIG. 25
`
`0014
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 14 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`Request No: Imamnmsswc
`
`Disk Title: FD Ploducl Portfolio Demonstration
`
`Disk Descriplion: FID Ploducl Portfolio Demonstration
`
`Item List:
`00500 Agate
`00509 Headlining 1
`
`no... inosoa Headl'ning 1
`
`Add [loll
`
`491
`
`492
`
`493
`
`494
`
`495
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`Key 2; MPXDNAABCASACY
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`
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`
`498
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`490
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`HQ. 26
`
`0015
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 1997
`
`Sheet 15 of 15
`
`5,646,992
`
`504
`
`Item Def
`in
`i ion
`
`FIG. 27
`
`mywords
`
`W M m C O X F
`
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`
`FIG. 30
`
`0016
`
`

`

`5 ,646,992
`
`1
`ASSEMBLY, DISTRIBUTION, AND USE OF
`DIGITAL INFORMATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to assembly, distribution, and use of
`digital information.
`Assembly. distribution, and use of information in digital
`form is fast becoming the norm rather than the exception to
`using “hard” copy. Virtually every kind of information may
`be treated in this way: sounds and music, executable
`programs, databases, pictures. animations, and fonts. The
`devices for embodying the digital information also vary
`widely. Examples include high-capacity storage media. like
`CD-ROMs, and switched telephone network communica
`tion.
`In the case of CD-ROMs, publishers often already have
`available bundles of digital information which are being
`distributed in other modes (for example, on low-density
`diskettes). Because of the large capacity of CD-ROMs many
`bundles of digital information may be stored on a single
`disk. The bundles may be related. as in a set of ditferent type
`fonts, or they may be unrelated. The publisher assembles the
`diiferent bundles and creates a master data ?le which is then
`used to produce multiple identical disks for distribution.
`Abundle stored on the CD-ROM may include not only the
`content which interests the end user (e.g.. the text of an
`encyclopedia), but also executable programs which enable
`the user to ?nd and make use of the content.
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`2
`In general, in another aspect. the invention features
`enabling a publisher to control ordering of items of digital
`information by a user from among a larger set of items of
`digital information made available by the publisher. The
`publisher is enabled to store packaging information identi
`fying packages of items which are available for ordering.
`The user is enabled to select packages for ordering and is
`prevented from ordering items in bundles other than pack
`ages included in the packaging information.
`Embodiments of the invention include the following
`features. The bundles which the user is prevented from
`ordering include individual items and supersets of the pack
`ages. The items in the larger set are made available to the
`user as recorded information on a high-capacity random
`access storage medium. The packaging information is
`recorded on the same storage medium. At least one of the
`items may belong to more than one of the packages. The
`packaging information also de?nes packages of packages
`which are available for ordering.
`In general, in another aspect, the invention features con
`trolling access to a subset of items arbitrarily selected from
`among a larger set of items of digital information. Each of
`the items belonging to the set are encrypted using an
`encryption key which is unique among the items belonging
`to the set. A decryption key is provided which is su?icient
`to permit decryption of the items belonging to the arbitrarily
`selected subset of items.
`Embodiments of the invention include the following
`features. The encryption keys are associated with corre
`sponding decryption keys, which are themselves encrypted
`using a single global encryption key (the decryption key
`mentioned above) that is independent of the composition of
`the arbitrarily selected subset. Arequest by the user (e.g.. an
`order) for access to the items belonging to the subset
`incorporates a request encryption key based on information
`unique to the request. The request encryption key has an
`associated request decryption key. The global decryption
`key is encrypted in accordance with the request encryption
`key and decrypted in accordance with the request decryption
`key. The information unique to the request comprises infor
`mation associated with the computer. The larger set of items
`is recorded on a high-capacity random access storage
`medium and the decryption keys are also recorded on the
`medium. The decryption keys are encrypted prior to record
`ing on the medium.
`In general, in another aspect, the invention features
`restricting use of a decryption key for the purpose of
`decrypting an encrypted item stored on a high-capacity
`storage medium usable with more than one computer. The
`decryption key is encrypted using information which is
`unique to a single computer and later decrypted for use in the
`single computer to decrypt the encrypted item.
`Embodiments of the invention include the following
`features. The information unique to the computer may
`include a network address or a computer serial number, or
`may be based on random information derived from the state
`of the computer system. or may incorporate a serial number
`of the storage medium. The information which is unique to
`a single computer may be delivered, from the computer to a
`location where the encrypting is done, as part of a request for
`access to the encrypted item.
`In general. in another aspect, the invention features aiding
`a publisher in assembling items of digital information for
`mastering on a high-capacity random access storage medium
`by automatically verifying the existence and integrity of
`each of the items prior to assembly for mastering.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In general. in one aspect, the invention features a graphi
`cal user interface for aiding use of a group of items of digital
`information. Hierarchically organized graphical representa
`tions of the items and groups of the items which are
`available to be ordered by the user are displayed to the user.
`The user interactively explores the representations and
`selects items or groups to be ordered. using a pointer. While
`the graphical representations are being displayed, a list of
`items or groups which have been selected for inclusion in an
`order is also displayed.
`Embodiments of the invention include the following
`features. The graphical user interface enables a user to
`preview additional detailed information concerning an item
`when a representation of an item is displayed. using a
`pointer. Also displayed are representations of actions which
`may be invoked. using a pointer, to cause an order to be
`e?ected and to enable a user to have access to an item that
`has been ordered
`In general. in another aspect, the invention features aiding
`a user in placing an order for access at a computer to an item
`of digital information offered by a distributor. Stored con
`?guration information which identi?es con?gurations of
`computers sufficient to enable use of the item is distributed
`to the user. Software is executed which automatically deter
`mines the con?guration of the user’s computer. and matches
`the computer con?giration with the stored con?guration
`information. A signal is issued to the user, prior to the user
`placing the order, if the con?guration and the stored con
`?guration information do not match.
`Embodiments of the invention include the following
`features. The item of digital information is distributed on a
`high-capacity random access storage medium. The con?gu
`ration information is also stored on the medium. as is the
`software which automatically determines the con?guration
`and matches the computer con?guration with the stored
`con?guration information.
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`3
`In general, in another aspect, the invention features
`enabling a publisher to control access to digital information
`items distributed to users in the form of successive revisions
`of a high-capacity random access storage medium. The
`digital information items are in encrypted form on the
`high-capacity random storage medium A user is given
`access to selected ones of the items by providing decryption
`information suitable for decrypting the selected items, stor
`ing information indicative of items to which users had been
`given access in earlier revisions of the medium, and enabling
`a user automatically to have access to items in a later
`revision of the medium if the user had access to the items in
`an earlier revision.
`Among the advantages of the invention are the following.
`A wide range of bene?ts are provided by the invention
`both to the user and to the publisher. The publisher is
`provided with powerful tools both for marketing and for
`controlling access to items to be distributed. For marketing
`purposes, the publishers may include, e.g., on a CD-ROM,
`digital information implementing a wide range of marketing
`approaches, including previews of items, information
`describing the items, disabled versions of the items, and
`icons representing the items.
`Publishers may easily maintain information regarding
`successive revisions of titles being distributed, and may
`arrange for users to have automatic access in later revisions
`to items that they paid for in earlier revisions.
`The publisher can provide a large number and wide
`variety of items to a user, permitting the user to browse and
`preview the items, giving the user the opportunity to pick
`and pay for only those items of interest. The publisher need
`not fear that other items made available to the user, but not
`paid for, can be used.
`The packaging of items in the system allows publishers to
`create item groupings that are sensible from a marketing or
`other viewpoint, and to present those groupings to the user
`as products. The product groupings can be revised and
`updated as needed.
`The publisher can include the item grouping information
`and software for previewing, browsing, and ordering all on
`a single CD-ROM.
`Prechecking the items during pre-mastering assures that
`the ?nal CD-ROM will include the items intended and that
`they will be usable.
`The user is provided with a powerful, easy-to-use inter
`face to browse through and analyze the features of a wide
`range of items and product groupings, to pick and choose
`those which it wishes to order, to place the order, and then
`to install the items on his computer. This provides an easy
`and highly effective way to shop, not only for software, and
`databases, but for virtually any product.
`For items which are to be loaded into and used on a local
`computer, the user can be assured, prior to placing an order,
`that the item will operate with the con?guration represented
`by the local computer.
`Giving access to multiple items via a single decryption
`key provided to the user when the order is accepted saves
`time and effort.
`Other advantages and features will become apparent from
`the following description and from the claims.
`DESCRIPTION
`We ?rst brie?y describe the Figures.
`FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a computer-based
`system for assembling, distributing, and using digital infor
`mation on a CD-ROM.
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`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer-based system for
`pre-mastering a CD-ROM.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a database structure.
`FIG. 4 is a ?ow diagram of an encryption/decryption
`process.
`FIGS. 5 through 25 are views of displays shown to an end
`user.
`FIG. 26 is a view of a display shown to an order taker.
`FIGS. 27 through 30 are views of displays shown to a
`pre-mastering user.
`Referring to FIG. 1, in one example of the invention, a
`system 10 enables a publisher 12 to pre-master and distrib
`ute digital information on CD-ROMs 14, and an end user 16
`easily to make use of the information.
`Generally, the result of the publisher’s work is a set of
`pre-mastered data 22 which is in form to permit mastering
`of multiple CD-ROMs 14 using a conventional mastering
`system 24. The pre-mastered data is set up by a pre
`mastering system 18 which includes software running on a
`workstation. The inputs to the pre-mastering system 18
`include end user system software 26, bundles of digital
`information 28, 30 (called valued and non-valued items,
`respectively), facilities 32 associated with the end user
`system software, and information entered by the user 12
`using a keyboard or mouse (not shown). Valued items may
`be items which the user may order and pay for, such as
`clipart images. Non-valued items may be items which need
`not be paid for, such as free games, or marketing information
`describing a range of items. Among other things, the pre
`mastering system checks and veri?es the valued items 28
`being included in the pre-mastering data set. The valued
`items are stored on the CD-ROM in encrypted form and are
`unusable by the end user until he has paid for their use. The
`pre-mastering system also maintains a pre-mastering data
`base 34 which maintains information about the diiferent sets
`of pre-mastered data 22.
`The end user gets access to and makes use of digital
`information stored on the CD-ROM with the aid of end user
`system software 36. End user system software 36 is a
`version of the original end user system software 26 which
`has been con?gured by the pre-mastering system 18, com
`bined with selected facilities 32, and stored on the
`CD-ROM. The software 36 is loaded into and runs on the
`user’s workstation. Among other things, the end user system
`software creates and maintains an end user database 38, e.g.,
`on the workstation hard disk
`The end user system software includes code which allows
`the user to browse through information representing the
`items, to preview certain items, to generate and send a
`purchase order 40 to an order taking system 42, to receive
`back an acknowledgment of the order, to “unlock” the order
`items, and to install them on the workstation.
`The purchase order indicates which of the valued items
`(or groups of valued items) the user wishes to order. The
`order may also include information which is unique to the
`particular workstation being used and assures that the
`acknowledgment returned in response to the order will
`permit use of the items only on the particular workstation.
`The order may be delivered to the order taker under program
`control (e.g., via FAXmodem, modem, network packet, or
`cable system) or under user control (e. g., via voice telephone
`call, FAX, or printed matter)
`Information stored on the CD-ROM with respect to a
`valued item includes information about which computers
`and peripheral equipment are suitable for use with the item.
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`5
`Before an order is sent to the order taker, the end user system
`checks the actual con?guration of the user’s workstation
`against the stored compatibility information to make sure
`they match.
`Once the order has been accepted, an order acceptance 44
`is returned to the end user system. The order acceptance
`includes decryption information which is based on informa
`tion previously sent from the end user system and aids in
`decryption of the valued items. The order acceptance also
`may include other information (for example control data for
`controlling the collection of information on user activity).
`The system is con?gured so that a single item of decryption
`information sent from the order taking system to the end user
`system is enough to allow decryption of whichever valued
`items are chosen by the user even though each valued item
`has been encrypted with a different encryption key and even
`though the order may specify an arbitrary selection of valued
`items.
`The order taking system 42 includes software running on
`a workstation. The software provides an environment in
`which an order taker 46 can process the order and cause the
`order acceptance to be returned. The order taking system
`software maintains an order taking database 50. Information
`generated by the order taking system may be passed to
`accounting. order entry, and marketing analysis systems 52.
`The end user system includes code which provides an
`integrated windowed graphical user interface through which
`users may browse, preview, order, unlock. and install valued
`items and other information stored on the CD-ROM.
`The pre-mastering system enables the publisher to man
`age successive revisions of a CD-ROMs to permit, among
`other things, a user to have free access to revised versions of
`valued items which the user paid for via an earlier revision.
`Pre-mastering System
`As seen in FIG. 2, the pre-mastering system manages the
`pre-mastering user interface 102. It provides a windowed
`graphical user interface which enables the user to guide the
`processing of the items to be included on the CD-ROM on
`an item by item basis.
`Referring to FIG. 27, an Item De?nition window 502
`offers the user the ability to de?ne an item for use in
`pre-mastering an item e?iciently. The user may enter a name
`for the item in box 504, a title for the item in box 506, and
`a short description in box 508. The software automatically
`provides a revision number in box 512 to maintain a
`sequenced record of item changes.
`To initiate a new item, the user selects the New button on
`the item browser, and selects the type of item (e. g., atomic
`item or group item). The user enters a publisher 1]) which
`uniquely identi?es the item for that title. The system auto
`matically assigns an internal ID and revision number to the
`item. Other than type, internal ID, revision, number, and
`publisher ID. all other ?elds will initially have the value
`determined by inheritance as follows. If the ?eld has a value
`in a title which this title is derived from. that value is used.
`Otherwise the value is marked as not speci?ed. From the
`initial set of values, any further modi?cations to the item’s
`?elds may override the inherited values or cause them to be
`used again (to undo an override).
`When an item is initially created, its status is set to
`incomplete. Once the item is validated. if suf?cient infor
`mation has been entered to allow a pressing the status is
`changed to complete. Once a pressing is performed using
`this item. the status is set to locked and no further changes
`are allowed to this revision of the item. A new revision must
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`be created if edits are required. If a locked item is deleted its
`status is set to obsolete.
`The item type box is a ?eld which allows the user to select
`from a restricted list of item classi?cations used by the end
`user system.
`A set of buttons 520 allows the user to call up other
`windows to provide additional information for an item. The
`?les button 522 invokes a window in which the user may
`indicate the source ?les that will make up an item. The
`keywords button 524 invokes a window 526 (FIG. 28) which
`contains a box 528 that displays available keywords for use
`with the item. A box 530 displays the list of keywords that
`have been selected from box 528 for use with this item. Box
`532 provides a place for the user to edit a keyword selected
`in box 530. In general. the keywords applicable to an item
`may already exist; if so they may be imported by the
`pre-mastering system and displayed in box 528 for selection.
`Alternatively new keywords for the item may be keyed in by
`hand in box 532 to build a keyword set for the item.
`If the user selects Attributes button 534 (FIG. 27), he is
`presented with an Attributes window 536 (FIG. 29). Window
`536 includes a box 540 which displays available attributes
`for selection by the user. In general. the attributes applicable
`to an item may already exist; if so they may be imported by
`the pre-mastering system. Alternatively new attributes for
`the item may be keyed in by hand to build an attribute set for
`the item. Box 542 displays the attributes that have been
`selected. Box 544 provides a place for the user to edit or add
`new attributes and box 546 enables the value of the attribute
`to be edited or added.
`If the user selects the Facilities button 538 (FIG. 27), he
`is presented with a Facilities window that includes boxes
`enabling the user to select facilities that are to be made
`available for the item being premastered.
`If the user selects the Vendors button 550. he is presented
`with a Vendors window that allows the entry of information
`about the vendor of the item.
`If the user selects the Thumbnails button 552, the user is
`presented with a Thumbnail window 554 (FIG. 30). A box
`556 allows the selection of setup information for displaying
`the thumbnail associated with the item. The setup informa
`tion includes a resolution, and a label for the spreadsheet. A
`box 558 enables the user to specify the source path of the ?le
`or ?les that make up the item. A box 560 enables the usa to
`specify the destination path on the CD-ROM. The user may
`enter or edit resolution information in box 562, label infor
`mation in box 564 and label font information in box 566.
`In addition to providing a graphical user interface. the
`pre-mastering system processes end user system software
`104 to place it in condition to be recorded on the CD-ROM.
`The pre-mastering system veri?es and moves to the
`CD-ROM pre-mastering area all executable, library, and
`data ?les required by the end user system to be able to
`display, preview, order, decompress, decrypt, and install any
`items on the CD-ROM. The pre-mastering software also
`produces relations which map speci?c methods for each of
`the above facilities to each item on the CD-ROM. The
`pre-mastering software also generates all key tables required
`by the end user system as well as the order taker software.
`The pre-mastering system maintains a pre-mastering data
`base 106 that contains the following information with
`respect to each revision and pressing of each title:
`date of the revision and pressing
`whether publisher has full rights or must pay royalty to
`manufacturer
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`the title number
`the revision number
`In the course of processing items for inclusion on the
`CD-ROM, the pre-mastering system creates a CD-ROM
`database 108 in two versions; one is held by the publisher
`(we shall call it the Publisher’s Database); the other (a subset
`of the publisher’s version) is included in the pre-mastered
`data to be stored on the CD-ROM (the CD-ROM Database).
`CD-ROM Database
`As seen in FIG. 3, both versions of the CD-ROM database
`are organized on an item by item basis. An item 130 may be
`an atomic item 132 or a group item 136 which represents a
`collection of items.
`Each item is identi?ed by an internal ID number, a vendor
`ID number, a publisher 1]) number, an original manufacturer
`ID number, a title for the item (for display at the end user’s
`workstation), a description of the item, and a list of prop
`erties of the item. Properties associated with an item include
`original manufacturer
`licensing rights due to manufacturer
`whether the item is orderable or not
`whether the item is valued or non-valued
`whether the item is visible to the end user