111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008583556B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Dunkeld et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,583,556 B2
`Nov. 12, 2013
`
`(54) METHOD OF PROVIDING A DIGITAL ASSET
`FOR DISTRIBUTION
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Bryan Dunkeld, Sausalito, CA (US);
`Edward Lambert, Mercer Island, WA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Content Technologies, LLC, Kirkland,
`WA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/210,153
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 15, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2011/0302065 Al
`
`Dec. 8, 2011
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(62)
`
`Division of application No. 10/016,325, filed on Dec.
`10, 2001, now Pat. No. 8,001,052.
`
`(51)
`
`(2013.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 21100
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ............................................... 705/51; 705/53
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ............................................................ 705/51
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`
`D
`
`RIGHTS HOLDER
`NETWORK DEVICE
`
`122
`
`,-----:~~-~----------- -----------,
`D
`CUSTOMER NETWORK DEVICE ~
`
`104
`
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`111
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`111
`(Continued)
`
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`wo
`wo
`
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`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- Evens J Augustin
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Marc S. Kaufman; Stephen
`M. Hertzler; Reed Smith LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Digital assets are provided for distribution within an elec(cid:173)
`tronic network. The digital asset includes digital content that
`is associated with a digital rights holder. A serial number is
`provided for (embedded within) the asset; this number
`uniquely identifies a first introduction of digital asset for
`distribution within the electronic network. The asset is then
`posted in a number oflocations so that it can be distributed to
`users. A transaction database is updated to reflect occurrences
`of different instantiations of the asset.
`
`27 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`102
`
`----------------~~~~---------------------
`lm
`
`I SYSTEM
`I N~~~~~K~:;;;=:;=;;~~
`
`124
`
`I
`n
`l ___________________________________ j
`
`110
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. - Exhibit 1001, p. 1
`
`

`
`US 8,583,556 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`12/103,591.
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. - Exhibit 1001, p. 2
`
`

`
`US 8,583,556 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Non-Final Office Action dated Jan. 17, 2012 cited in U.S. Appl. No.
`12/103,591.
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`
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`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. - Exhibit 1001, p. 3
`
`

`
`0'1 = N
`00 w u. u.
`00 u.
`rJl
`d
`
`0 .....
`....
`.....
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`
`('D
`('D
`
`(.H
`
`~
`
`~ ....
`z 0
`
`N
`N
`
`0 ....
`
`(.H
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`~
`•
`00
`~
`
`L-----------------------------------
`I
`:
`
`(i
`
`110
`
`124
`
`~------------------------------------------
`
`126
`
`MODULE
`
`ACCOUNTING
`
`MODULE
`
`RECONCILIATION
`SERIAL NUMBER
`
`MODULE
`
`ASSIGNMENT
`
`116
`
`DEVICE ~~ -S-ER-----:-:-IA-:-L--:-N-:-:-U-;-:-M-;-;B:;-;:E::-;:R~
`
`DATABASE
`
`----
`
`TRANSACTION I
`
`NETWORK
`SYSTEM
`
`I
`
`/114
`
`INDEX
`
`,---------------~~~=~j_
`
`102
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`____________________________________ j
`
`124
`
`104
`
`-~~~-~-
`
`L----------------------------------
`
`122/
`
`l
`
`NETWORK DEVICE
`RIGHTS HOLDER
`~r
`
`______ _
`
`-------
`108 \
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. - Exhibit 1001, p. 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 8,583,556 B2
`
`FIG. 2
`
`PREPARE MP3 MUSIC FILE
`
`GET SERIAL NUMBER AND OFFSET
`FROM SERIAL NUMBER ASSIGNMENT MODULE
`
`CREATE MARKED MP3 MUSIC FILE
`
`PLACE FILE ON HOST SERVER
`
`(V
`210
`
`(V
`212
`
`(V
`214
`
`(V
`216
`
`RETURN FILING INFORMATION
`(V TO SERIAL NUMBER RECONCILIATION MODULE
`218
`
`(V
`220
`
`(V
`222
`
`UPDATE TRANSACTION
`DATABASE
`
`UPDATE
`INDEX
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. - Exhibit 1001, p. 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 12, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 8,583,556 B2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`BROWSE INDEX
`
`SELECT FILE
`
`+
`l
`
`GET SERIAL NUMBER AND HOST
`
`31 ~
`
`31 2
`
`314
`
`J..
`GET NEW SERIAL NUMBER AND OFFSET FROM SERIAL NUMBER
`ASSIGNMENT MODULE
`316 ~
`J..
`CONTACT HOST WITH SERIAL NUMBER AND NEW SERIAL NUMBER
`
`318
`
`~
`HOST SERVER SEND TRANSACTION INITIATION INFORMATION TO I
`SERIAL NUMBER RECONCILIATION MODULE
`320 ~
`~
`HOST SERVER SEND FILE TO CUSTOMER
`
`322 I~
`
`J..
`HOST SERVER SEND TRANSACTION COMPLETION INFORMATION
`TO SERIAL NUMBER RECONCILIATION MODULE
`~
`CUSTOMER MARK FILE WITH NEW SERIAL NUMBER
`
`~
`CUSTOMER SEND TRANSACTION COMPLETION INFORMATION TO
`SERIAL NUMBER RECONCILIATION MODULE
`~
`SYSTEM UPDATE DATABASE
`
`~
`SYSTEM UPDATE INDEX IF NECESSARY
`l
`
`CALCULATE COMPENSATIONS
`
`324
`
`326
`
`328
`
`330
`
`332
`
`33 4
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. - Exhibit 1001, p. 6
`
`

`
`US 8,583,556 B2
`
`1
`METHOD OF PROVIDING A DIGITAL ASSET
`FOR DISTRIBUTION
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`2
`desirable to allow peer-to-peer transfer (or controlled central(cid:173)
`ized distribution) of assets in formats that are already widely
`adopted and popular while identifYing payment and usage
`restrictions at the time of transfer.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
`§120 and is a divisional ofSer. No. 10/016,325 filed: Dec. 10,
`2001 entitled System & Method for Unique Digital Asset
`Identification and Transaction Management, now U.S. Pat. 10
`No. 8,001,052 which is also incorporated by reference herein.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to providing digital assets for 15
`distribution within a network.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Historically distribution of intellectual property works has 20
`been controlled through the production of quality reproduc(cid:173)
`tions on a medium that can be sold to interested parties. With
`the advent of the Internet and its subsequent distribution
`capability and broad acceptance, intellectual property assets
`that can be digitized can now be reproduced and distributed
`without quality degradation or compensation to the rights
`holders. New systems for controlling the distribution, royalty
`payment, and terms of use for these assets are being created to
`better take advantage of and mitigate the disadvantages of this
`new medium.
`As a first step many rights holders have begun to add digital
`watermarks to their assets. Assets are then distributed in a
`variety of ways to customers who have paid for them. When
`an asset is encountered in questionable circumstances, the
`watermark is identified and the user is asked to produce proof 35
`of purchase for that asset or face consequences. These water(cid:173)
`marks are applied at the time the digital asset is created and
`used for identification and enforcement purposes. Unfortu(cid:173)
`nately, the use of watermarks alone is not sufficient to ensure
`that transfers of digital assets are properly accounted for.
`Another approach has been to encrypt assets before distri(cid:173)
`bution. Before the asset can be used, the purchaser must
`acquire a key to unlock the asset. This places a great demand
`on customers and runs the risk of increasing frustration levels.
`This also requires secure key management thus shifting the
`problems to another asset that must be managed. Encrypted
`assets have been popular among rights holders but to date
`have not been widely accepted by customers.
`Some rights holders are establishing new media formats
`that contain mechanisms to control usage. Such distribution
`methods can control numbers of playbacks and still be por(cid:173)
`table for use on properly equipped machines. For the con(cid:173)
`sumer this means adopting new (and potentially incompat(cid:173)
`ible) media formats,
`technology, and hardware. This
`approach requires a high degree of industry adoption and
`customer base penetration to be successful.
`As a method of preventing copies from being pirated, some
`systems are trying to establish a market for streaming assets.
`This allows for a controlled one time delivery and use of the
`asset by the customer. At present customers have not fully
`adopted this medium for a variety of reasons. In particular, it
`lacks the convenience of portability and playback and as yet
`paying for subscriptions has not proved a popular model.
`Accordingly, there is clear and compelling need for an
`improved system for introducing, distributing and tracking
`digital assets in a mauner that balances the needs of rights
`holders and end users. In addition, it would be extremely
`
`40
`
`A primary object of the present invention, therefore, is to
`provide an improved system and method that overcomes the
`aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art;
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`system and method for permitting rights holders to introduce
`digital assets into a controlled distribution/tracking network
`under suitable terms of use and other customized, flexible
`distribution conditions;
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`end-users and other consumers of digital content with an easy,
`flexible and relatively transparent environment for locating,
`securing and enjoying digital assets of interest;
`A related object of the present invention is to ensure that
`such digital assets are substantially backwards compatible
`with the large existing infrastructure of installed hardware
`devices/software that play an assortment of digital content,
`such as MP3 players, MPEG 2 players, etc., so that users do
`25 not have to make additional investments in proprietary hard(cid:173)
`ware and software;
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`digital asset management system and method that tracks
`transfers of digital assets within a network, so that terms of
`30 use compliance issues, accounting issues, etc., are transpar(cid:173)
`ently and accurately recorded;
`A related object is to provide a tracking mechanism and
`method that relies primarily on creating separate instantia(cid:173)
`tions of a digital asset to facilitate tracking of the latter;
`Still a further related object is to provide a tracking and
`accounting system and method that is reasonably robust and
`trustworthy so as to overcome rights holders doubts and
`uncertainties concerning the use and distribution of their
`products;
`Another related object is to reduce the need for cumber(cid:173)
`some encryption/licensing procedures which inhibit user
`interaction and thus the potential market for distribution and
`enjoyment of digital assets;
`Yet another object of the present invention is to ensure that
`45 a tracking system and method is sufficiently flexible to
`accommodate a variety of different digital content media, and
`a variety of different computing platforms used by end users;
`A related object of the present invention is to provide users
`with a peer to peer environment for exchanging digital assets,
`50 to ensure that a distribution system is compatible with exist(cid:173)
`ing practice, tastes and preferences;
`It will be understood from the Detailed Description that a
`number of different unique inventions are presented by the
`present disclosure, each of which can be implemented in a
`55 multitude of different embodiments. Furthermore, it will be
`readily appreciated by skilled artisans that such different
`embodiments will likely include only one or more of the
`aforementioned objects of the present inventions. Thus, the
`absence of one or more of such characteristics in any particu-
`60 lar embodiment should not be construed as limiting the scope
`of the present inventions.
`In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
`digital asset is marked with a unique serial number using
`steganographic techniques at the time the asset is introduced
`65 into a system. The digital asset is also marked with a new
`unique serial number each time it is transacted within the
`system.
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. - Exhibit 1001, p. 7
`
`

`
`US 8,583,556 B2
`
`3
`In accordance with another aspect of the present invention
`the serial number is recorded in databases where it is linked to
`specifics about the time and parties involved in the transaction
`as well as additional information such as details of ownership,
`royalties, and terms of use associated with the digital asset.
`Another aspect of the present inventions concerns a system
`for distributing digital assets in a peer-to-peer connectable
`environment across a network, including between a first peer
`network device and a second peer network device connected
`to the Internet. The system includes a first rights-holder server
`coupled to the network and adapted to introduce a digital asset
`into the peer-to-peer connectable environment. The digital
`asset audio, video, picture and/or text based data associated
`with a first set of distribution rules, which in a preferred
`embodiment, are not static, and can change from transfer to 15
`transfer. A second host server is coupled to the network, and
`such server stores and distributes the digital asset to end users.
`A third management server is also coupled to the network,
`and it is adapted to track transfers of the particular digital
`asset over the network and to generate tracking records as so- 20
`ciated with such transfers. With this architecture, transfers
`over the network involving the digital asset, including
`between the first peer network device, the second peer net(cid:173)
`work device and/or the second host server are all processed in
`accordance with the desired first set of distribution rules set 25
`out by the rights holder.
`This architecture ensures security, compliance, and
`accountability for each instantiation of the asset. Further(cid:173)
`more, it enhances user ease of use since the customer peer
`network device can obtain the digital asset from the second 30
`peer network device and/or the second host server, and with(cid:173)
`out requiring further authorization from the first rights-holder
`server. Thus, transfers of the digital asset are also performed
`in a peer to peer fashion over the network.
`In a preferred embodiment the digital asset is modified for 35
`each transfer, and this modification is used by the third man(cid:173)
`agement server for generating the tracking records. Again, the
`modification does not alter user-perceptible content of the
`digital asset. Further in a preferred embodiment, the modifi(cid:173)
`cation constitutes an original or altered identification label 40
`(serial number) for the digital asset so that each transfer of the
`digital asset is associated with a unique identification label.
`Furthermore, to assist the tracking of the digital asset, a sepa(cid:173)
`rate and new instantiation of the digital asset is created for
`each transfer occurring over the network between peer 45
`devices.
`The first set of distribution rules include indexing informa(cid:173)
`tion, terms of use, and a location of the second host server to
`facilitate transfers. The digital asset can also be encrypted to
`reduce unauthorized transfers over the network in a manner 50
`similar to that used in prior art systems.
`Another aspect of the present inventions is directed to a
`rights holder system for introducing digital assets into an
`electronic network distribution system. The system includes a
`first computer coupled to the electronic network distribution 55
`system, which again, includes the Internet. A client/server
`software module includes software routines to perform at
`least the following operations: (1) receiving and storing a
`digital asset on the first computer; (2) processing administra(cid:173)
`tion information for the digital asset, including an asset iden- 60
`tifier and a rights-holder identifier, and associating the same
`with the digital asset; and (3) interacting with a digital asset
`management system to generate a modified version of the
`digital asset. The modified version of the digital asset is based
`on the administration information and tracking history infor- 65
`mation provided by the digital asset management system.
`Thereafter the modified version of the digital asset is posted to
`
`4
`any one or more locations suitable for download by the peer
`devices from the electronic network distribution system.
`Accordingly, the modified version of the digital asset is con(cid:173)
`figured so that a tracking history can be maintained by the
`digital asset management system of each transfer of separate
`instantiations of the digital asset between peer devices
`coupled to the electronic network distribution. This format(cid:173)
`ting of the digital asset, therefore, allows it to be securely but
`easily transacted at later time, and with a varying set of
`10 distribution rules.
`The administration information includes, among other
`things, terms of use and expiration data for the digital asset.
`Furthermore, the administration information can include a set
`of distribution rules that can be changed so that later instan(cid:173)
`tiations/transactions of the digital asset within the electronic
`network distribution system can be controlled on a transac(cid:173)
`tion by transaction basis.
`The rights holder system is further configured to receive
`accounting information from the digital asset management
`system, including: (a) information concerning the number of
`instantiations of the digital asset created by transfers within
`the electronic network distribution system; (b) revenue
`derived from and/or to be credited for the transfers.
`A further aspect of the present invention is directed to an
`improved system for exchanging digital assets over a network
`in a peer to peer fashion including a first computer coupled to
`the network, the first computer storing a digital asset which
`includes both digital content and a first unique identifier asso(cid:173)
`ciated with a first instantiation of the digital asset; and a
`second computer coupled to the network. A first software
`routine executing on the first computer and/or the second
`computer is adapted to coordinate transfer of the digital asset
`to the second computer. By creating a second instantiation of
`the digital asset for the transfer to the second computer,
`including a second unique identifier, peer-to-peer transfers
`can be accommodated and yet still accounted for properly.
`If either of the two client devices thereafter elects to host
`the digital asset, a second transfer of the digital asset can
`occur from either the first computer and/or the second com(cid:173)
`puter, the second transfer further using a third instantiation of
`the digital asset and a third unique identifier. In a preferred
`embodiment, the client computer devices can include a por(cid:173)
`table electronics device, a personal computer, a personal digi(cid:173)
`tal assistant, and/or a telephone, and the digital content of the
`digital asset includes an MP3 based audio file.
`In another variation, the second unique identifier is based
`on combining information from any one or more of the fol(cid:173)
`lowing: a first id for the first computer, a second id for the
`second computer, an asset id for the digital asset, a customer
`id, a randomly generated number and/or a time of the transfer.
`To increase the utility of the system, a catalog of available
`digital assets is maintained at the first computer; this catalog
`may be based on a centralized database of items, or may
`reflect only items available in nearby download locations.
`Thus, the second computer can poll other computers coupled
`to the network to determine an optimal transfer source for the
`digital asset.
`Preferably, before any assets are transferred, an authoriza(cid:173)
`tion routine-adapted to secure agreement from a user of the
`second computer to access terms associated with the digital
`asset-is first executed.
`Also in a preferred embodiment, a setup routine is executed
`for the end user. This routine is adapted to set up a transaction
`account with a digital asset management system separate
`from the first computer and the second computer.
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. - Exhibit 1001, p. 8
`
`

`
`US 8,583,556 B2
`
`5
`6
`The user's transaction account includes an identifier for a
`of the digital asset. To facilitate locating the embedded serial
`user of the second computer, identifiers for any transfers
`number, an offset can be computed and stored in a header or
`performed by the user, and billing information associated
`other portion of the digital content file.
`In a preferred implementation, therefore, distributions of
`with the transfers.
`In a further variation, the first computer can also elect to
`the digital asset over the network are not preconditioned on
`perform hosting functions, and thus receive credits from the
`securing authorization for individual copies of the digital
`digital asset management system for all authorized transfers
`asset.
`made of digital assets.
`Other aspects of the present invention are directed to novel
`Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
`and improved methods of introducing, transferring, tracking
`system for managing transfers of digital assets over a net(cid:173)
`10 and managing digital assets across a network, including in a
`work. This aspect includes a management computer coupled
`peer to peer connectable environment.
`to the network (Internet) and supported by a variety of soft(cid:173)
`These include a method of distributing digital assets in a
`ware modules and file structures including tracking data(cid:173)
`peer-to-peer connectable environment across a network,
`bases. A first software routine executing on the management
`including between a first peer network device and a second
`computer prepares a digital asset for transfer over the network 15 peer network device, which includes the following steps: (a)
`introducing a digital asset into the peer-to-peer connectable
`in accordance with a set of distribution rules (preferably
`environment, the digital asset having an associated first set of
`provided by a rights holder). A modified version of the digital
`distribution rules; and (b) storing and distributing the digital
`asset is generated by the first software routine including a
`asset at a first network accessible location so that a transfer of
`unique identification number associated with a first instantia(cid:173)
`tion of the modified version of the digital asset. A second 20
`the digital asset can be made by the first peer network device
`and/or the second peer network device; and (c) generating a
`software routine executing on the management computer
`tracking record associated with the transfer; and (d) repeating
`tracks transfers of the digital asset over the network, by cor(cid:173)
`relating a separate instantiation of the digital asset created for
`at least step (c) for any subsequent transfers of the digital asset
`each transfer occurring over the network.
`within the network.
`In this fashion, transfers of the digital asset can take place 25
`In accordance with this improved transfer methodology the
`in a peer-to-peer manner over the network in coordination
`initial transfer, as well as any of the subsequent transfers over
`with the management computer and such that a complete
`the network involving the digital asset between the first peer
`tracking history for the digital asset is maintained by the
`network device, the second peer network device and/or the
`system. To assist in locating and transferring digital assets,
`first network accessible location are processed in accordance
`with the first set of distribution rules and are associated with
`electronic indexes and catalogs are provided by the manage- 30
`ment computer.
`tracking records.
`Preferably, the set of distribution rules are provided by a
`In addition another aspect of the invention concerning a
`method of introducing digital assets into an electronic net(cid:173)
`rights-holder management system, and include restrictions
`on terms of use and time periods of use. The set of distribution
`work distribution system includes the following steps: (a)
`rules include information on title, author, and identification
`35 receiving and storing a digital asset on a first computer
`numbers for the digital asset.
`coupled to the electronic network distribution system; and (b)
`In a preferred embodiment, the unique identification num(cid:173)
`processing administration information for the digital asset,
`ber is a serial number embedded into the first instantiation of
`including an asset identifier and a rights-hol