I 1111111111111111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII 111111111111111 IIII IIII
`US010885154B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Estes
`
`(IO) Patent No.: US 10,885,154 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Jan. 5, 2021
`
`(54) DIGITAL MEDIA REPRODUCTION AND
`LICENSING
`
`(71) Applicant: Media Chain, LLC, Miami, FL (US)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC combination set(s) only.
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Christopher A. Estes, Miami, FL (US)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 16/731,510
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 31, 2019
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2020/0134138 Al
`
`Apr. 30, 2020
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 15/898,978, filed on
`Feb. 19, 2018, now Pat. No. 10,657,226, which is a
`(Continued)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 21110
`G06Q 30102
`G06F 161487
`G06F 16122
`H04N 2114402
`
`(2013.01)
`(2012.01)
`(2019.01)
`(2019.01)
`(2011.01)
`(Continued)
`
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. G06F 21110 (2013.01); G06F 16122
`(2019.01); G06F 161487 (2019.01); G06F
`211105 (2013.01); G06Q 30102 (2013.01);
`G06Q 3010204 (2013.01); H04N 2114402
`(2013.01); H04N 2114532 (2013.01); H04N
`2114627 (2013.01); H04N 2114667 (2013.01);
`G06F 2221/0713 (2013.01); G06Q 50/184
`(2013.01)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,920,567 Bl*
`
`6,941,275 Bl*
`
`7/2005 Doherty .................. G06F 21/10
`707 /999 .104
`9/2005 Swierczek ......... G06Q 30/0623
`705/26.61
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Habermann, Online Video Analytics: YouTube Insight-Advanced
`Techniques, May 17, 2000.
`
`Primary Examiner - Lynn D Feild
`Assistant Examiner - Richard A McCoy
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - The Brickell IP Group,
`PLLC
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Systems and methods for monetizing the reproduction of
`digital media content for the rights-holders of the digital
`media content. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate
`to determining whether a user of a media content item has
`a license to reproduce the media content item. In one
`embodiment, the media content item may be reproduced
`when the user is licensed. The user is prompted to select to
`acquire a license to reproduce the media content item or to
`decline the license to reproduce the media content item
`when the user is not licensed. Further embodiments deter(cid:173)
`mine whether a user may receive a license when the user
`wishes to acquire a license. In an embodiment, the user is
`declined a license when not approved for the license.
`
`18 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`EX1077
`Roku V. Media Chain
`U.S. Patent No. 9,715,581
`
`

`

`US 10,885,154 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`continuation of application No. 15/659,175, filed on
`Jul. 25, 2017, now Pat. No. 9,898,590, which is a
`continuation of application No. 13/667,629, filed on
`Nov. 2, 2012, now Pat. No. 9,715,581.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/555,810, filed on Nov.
`4, 2011.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04N 21145
`H04N 2114627
`H04N 211466
`G06Q 50/18
`
`(2011.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2011.01)
`(2012.01)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`9/2015 Shin.
`4/2017 Mason .................... Gl0L 15/02
`3/2002 Sherr .................. H04L 63/0428
`725/38
`G06Q 30/0251
`705/14.1
`G09B 15/02
`84/483.2
`A61K 36/48
`725/9
`2002/0154157 Al* 10/2002 Sherr ...................... G06F 21/10
`715/716
`2002/0161741 Al* 10/2002 Wang ...................... G06F 16/40
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`715/741
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`713/193
`H04N 1/32325
`713/176
`2003/0220883 Al* 11/2003 Block ................... G06F 21/105
`705/59
`2/2004 Aldis .................... G06F 21/105
`713/177
`2004/0199387 Al* 10/2004 Wang ...................... Gl0L 17/26
`704/243
`1/2005 Pou ......................... G06F 21/10
`705/51
`1/2005 McCleskey ......... H04L 67/1082
`705/14.47
`G06Q 30/06
`717/178
`G06Q 20/3674
`705/59
`G06O 30/02
`725/30
`2005/0223415 Al* 10/2005 Oho .................... G06F 21/6254
`726/27
`1/2006 Khedouri ............ G06F 16/4387
`386/234
`2/2006 Raciborski ............ G06F 16/487
`715/859
`
`2003/0149884 Al *
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`
`2010/0042652 Al *
`
`2010/0043046 Al *
`
`2/2010 Sen.
`
`H04H 60/58
`704/273
`1/2007 Stewart ................. G06F 16/634
`3/2007 Denker
`G06Q 10/02
`701/532
`H04N 21/25808
`235/375
`1/2008 Maeda .................. G06F 21/105
`705/1.1
`8/2008 Svendsen ................ H04L 43/00
`709/218
`G06Q 30/0603
`705/52
`2008/0249770 Al * 10/2008 Kim ...................... G06F 16/632
`704/231
`1/2009 Martinez ................. G06F 21/10
`726/27
`5/2009 Yamada .................. Gl0L 25/48
`700/94
`G06Q 30/02
`700/300
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`726/26
`H04N 21/4622
`725/133
`2010/0293622 Al * 11/2010 Nikitin .................. G06F 21/105
`726/31
`2010/0324983 Al* 12/2010 Etchegoyen .......... H04L 63/062
`705/14.23
`H04M 19/04
`379/93.17
`G06Q 30/04
`345/545
`G06Q 30/0277
`705/14.73
`H04N 21/458
`705/14.53
`9/2011 Raley .................... G06F 21/105
`705/310
`2011/0276334 Al * 11/2011 Wang ...................... G06F 16/95
`704/270
`G06Q 30/02
`705/14.16
`4/2012 Cohen ..................... H04L 67/06
`715/221
`G06Q 30/018
`705/317
`5/2012 King ....................... H04L 63/20
`705/14.7
`5/2012 Shintani ................. H04N9/641
`705/30
`H04H 60/58
`725/39
`G06Q 50/00
`726/1
`7/2012 Rigby ..................... G06F 21/10
`705/40
`2012/0303490 Al* 11/2012 Hill ......................... G06F 21/10
`705/27.2
`2/2013 Tang ....................... G06F 21/10
`726/30
`G06Q 30/0201
`386/291
`GlOH 1/365
`434/307 A
`G06Q 50/22
`705/2
`2/2015 Kannan .................... G06K9/22
`715/246
`
`2011/0051914 Al*
`
`3/2011 Neuman
`
`2011/0063317 Al *
`
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`
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`
`2014/0108029 Al*
`
`4/2014 Kim.
`
`2015/0040002 Al *
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`,,.,,.,,,, 10
`
`External
`Multimedia
`Hardvvare
`Devlce
`
`"
`
`/
`
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`I
`II
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`
`30
`
`18
`
`Media
`Content
`Rights(cid:173)
`Molders
`System
`
`/
`II/
`
`I I
`
`/
`
`Third Party
`Online Media
`Retailers
`System
`
`·---- 20
`
`Hardvtare
`Device
`Manufacturers
`Systern
`
`22
`
`- - - ,
`
`---... , , ....
`
`Media
`Content
`Ucenslng
`and
`Verification
`System
`
`[.,., . .,.,,,,, 18
`
`FIG. 1
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`~ = ~
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`

`

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`
`¼
`
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`I
`,.~-..c--l.y----y---,,_
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`A
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`---->·-..___./
`
`16
`
`,
`78 ..
`1~i
`
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`
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`
`Processor 4~ I~- 42
`! M A' R . . . . '+' . L!lllfi
`! 1 euli.a ,eCOgrlhl0r1 JT
`r
`
`TX/RX
`
`-
`
`l/0 !nterface
`
`Memory 52
`
`Digital Media
`
`TX/RX
`
`68 j
`Processor 66 I 74 Mass Storage
`
`70 !/0 !nterfa.ce
`
`Memory
`,...--A-pp_li_ca-,t-io-n-.l
`
`OS
`
`76
`I
`aoj
`.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, _____ --.
`
`Registered Oser Database
`
`86
`
`88 User Record
`iUcense Recordl
`thl:~!1se Reoordl
`
`88 User Rewrd
`!License Recordj
`
`!License Record!
`
`90
`
`84
`
`Digital Madla Catalog Database 82
`l Media Record !
`f111edia Record
`~---rrr~~~~·-'
`I Media Record l
`···--JtH!l!~la RecorqJ
`!
`'
`
`,.,,,,.,.,..,.,,,.,.,.""',.,.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,..,,.,.,.,."",.,.,._.,,,,.,.,.,t
`
`~,.
`
`94
`
`'-.,
`
`Ucens!ng Statistics Database 92
`i Statistics
`Statistics
`I Record
`Record
`
`App!lcation 54 'I
`
`OS
`
`HM!
`
`r 48
`l
`
`J
`
`.,
`
`!
`!
`
`56 l
`..._ ___ ..•.• .,,,,,,;
`Reproduction r- 50
`Mass Storage 60 I
`- - - - - - -1
`I License Database i...l41111i+I-- 62
`I License Record
`L
`.
`,.
`a I License Reoord
`I '
`I Digital Media File !
`
`58
`
`Digital Media FHe
`
`FIG. 2
`
`72
`
`HM!
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
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`'"Ul
`N
`0
`
`N ....
`
`('D
`('D
`
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`.....
`N
`0 ....
`
`--.J
`
`d
`rJl.
`"'""'
`'"= 00
`
`00
`'"UI
`"'""' UI
`
`~ = N
`
`

`

`100
`
`Receive Media Content
`
`.,. ....... 102
`
`+
`t
`
`Analyze Media Content
`
`DetermlnE'J Media Content
`Natural Media F1ngerprint
`
`Generate fv'!ed!a Record
`
`i
`
`Store fv1ed!a Record in
`Digital Media Catalog
`Database
`
`FIG. 3
`
`--·--·- 104
`
`·····- 106
`
`-108
`
`_
`
`110
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
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`0
`
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`
`rJJ =-('D
`.....
`0 ....
`
`('D
`
`~
`
`-....J
`
`d
`rJl.
`"'""'
`'"= 00
`00
`'.Ou.
`"'""' UI
`
`~ = N
`
`

`

`Load Dlgita! Medla for
`Reproduction
`! T
`Analyze Digital Media
`
`'
`
`Determine Digna! Media
`!nforrnation
`
`120
`
`f--- 122
`
`r,,,,,,,- 124
`i
`
`126
`
`132
`I
`j
`
`li!s>•I
`
`!nitia!iz:e
`Reproduction
`
`Initialize Ucen.sing
`Interface
`
`.,,,,,, 138
`
`1
`
`Transmit User
`ldentlfication Data
`
`140
`
`' i
`
`Transmf; U~nslr~g
`Request ,o Ucensmg
`System
`
`i---.142
`
`e •
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`
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`0 ....
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`d r.,;_
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`"'""'
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`00
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`
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`t
`[ Access Ucer~se Database 1 128
`t
`"< '-.,
`
`/130
`
`/
`'·,, y
`/ /
`( Media Licensed? )
`",
`,,
`/
`/
`', ..... / /
`
`jN
`
`1
`1.36-1 Refuse to Reproduce jllilll
`
`13 7--·--
`~
`
`smit Statistics
`a. for Statistics
`Record
`
`/ 134
`)
`·······~
`Does
`User
`N /
`1Nant to
`····-~
`~ License?
`
`·-...... Y
`'>
`
`,,·
`
`./--'
`
`'
`' /'
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`Receive and Confirm User of Device
`
`1 l?•i Q,
`
`16Q,
`
`Receive Digltal Media
`Licensing Request
`
`J
`
`1···· 162
`
`Access Digital Media Catalog
`Database to Identify Digital
`Media
`
`· - 184
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`/
`N
`- - - (
`'"-.,
`
`/
`
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`/166
`"'·"··-<··
`o· .. 1
`·-......,
`igita,
`··,.
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`ldentlfied? / /
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`"···
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`,,,.169
`/ / ·----~/
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`,
`>-----
`Transaction
`',., Confirmed? / /
`/
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`.......
`
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`
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`
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`1 ??
`' ""7
`1r1cluding Requesting Payment
`1
`.·
`!nforrnation
`
`174.,,.,,_,
`
`Transmit Uce-nse to Device
`
`176
`
`178
`.
`
`"··· ____ ..,__ ___ .....,
`
`Generate Statisilscs and
`license Record
`
`Store ReoJrds in Databases
`
`170
`
`177
`
`Transmit No
`llcense Data
`!
`
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`Statistics
`Record
`
`d
`rJl.
`... =
`"'""'
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`00
`... u.
`"'""' UI
`
`~ = N
`
`168
`
`Transm!i No license
`Required Data to Device
`
`177 .. J l
`
`i
`!
`
`Generate St8tlstics
`Record
`
`FIG* 5
`
`

`

`180
`
`Connect to Third Party Online
`Media Reta!!
`
`182
`
`Receive User Ucense Data ~ 184
`
`+
`
`Update Registered User
`Database
`
`I--i 86
`
`FIG. 6
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`?
`'"Ul
`N
`0
`
`N ....
`
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`('D
`
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`O'I
`0 ....
`
`-....J
`
`d r.,;_
`"'""'
`'"= 00
`00
`'.Ou.
`"'""' UI
`
`~ = N
`
`

`

`200
`
`_202
`
`Store Transaction Record ln
`Ucensing Statistics Database
`
`+
`
`,. ..
`Dynamically Aggregate
`Transaction Records based ~ 204
`on Transaction Record Field
`
`Receive Third Party Statistics !·-······· 206
`Request
`
`1
`
`208
`
`210
`
`Generate Third Party
`Statlstlcs Report
`
`Transmit Tr.lrd Party
`Statistics R&port
`
`FIG. 7
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`?
`'"Ul
`N
`0
`
`N ....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`-....J
`0 ....
`
`-....J
`
`d r.,;_
`"'""'
`'"= 00
`00
`'.Ou.
`"'""' UI
`
`~ = N
`
`

`

`US 10,885,154 B2
`
`1
`DIGITAL MEDIA REPRODUCTION AND
`LICENSING
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE
`
`The present application is a continuation application of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/898,978, filed Feb. 19,
`2018, and claims the benefit of U.S. Pat. No. 9,898,590, filed
`Jul. 25, 2017, and claims the benefit of U.S. Pat. No.
`9,715,581, filed Nov. 2, 2012, and claims the benefit of U.S.
`Provisional Patent Application No. 61/555,810, filed Nov. 4,
`2011, which are incorporated herein by reference in their
`entirety.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`Embodiments relate to licensing digital media for repro(cid:173)
`duction, and more specifically to a digital media licensing
`system for licensing and enabling reproduction of digital
`media on a reproduction device.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`5
`
`2
`tion. The digital media file may be analyzed to identify
`digital media information associated with the media conten(cid:173)
`titem. A license database may be accessed to determine
`whether a user is licensed to reproduce the media content
`item based on the digital media information. The media
`content item may be reproduced when the user is licensed to
`reproduce the media content item based on the digital media
`information. A licensing query may be provided to the user
`when the user is not licensed to reproduce the media content
`10 item to prompt the user to select to acquire a license to
`reproduce the media content item or to decline the license to
`reproduce the media content item.
`In another embodiment, a system provides a media con-
`15 tent licensing and verification system to license media
`content for reproduction. A transceiver may receive a media
`licensing request from an external device associated with a
`user. The media licensing request may include digital media
`information associated with a media contentitem included in
`20 a digital media file. A processor may access a media catalog
`database that includes a plurality of media content records
`where a media content record from the plurality of media
`content records is associated with the media content item.
`The processor may also determine whether the media licens-
`25 ing request is to be granted based on the media content
`record stored in the media catalog database that is associated
`with the media content item. The processor may grant the
`media licensing request for the external device when the
`media content record associated with the media content item
`30 verifies the granting of the license for the media content item
`to the external device. The processor may also decline the
`media licensing request for the external device when the
`media content record associated with the media content item
`35 does not verify the granting of the license for the media
`content item to the external device.
`Further embodiments, features, and advantages, as well as
`the structure and operation of the various embodiments, are
`described in detail below with reference to the accompany(cid:173)
`ing drawings.
`
`Conventionally, the distribution of media content, such as
`music, movies, and books for example, is in large part
`controlled by owners who are the rights-holders of the media
`content. In conventional systems, the media content is
`incorporated into a physical media such as a compact disk
`(CD), a digital video disk (DVD), a printed publication,
`and/or any other physical media. In such conventional
`systems, the rights-holders of the media content are able to
`control licensing of the media content, the production of
`physical media copies of the media content, and/or the
`distribution of the media content to customers and/or third
`party retailers and thereby monetize the media content.
`There has been a dramatic shift in the marketplace away
`from media content distributed on physical media to digital
`media content that may be distributed via the internet.
`Conventionally, rights-holders of digital media content have
`significantly less control over the distribution of such digital 40
`media content as compared to the distribution of physical
`media. For example, a party that does not hold rights of the
`digital media content may reproduce the digital media
`content and then distribute the digital media content via the
`internet without the permission of the actual rights-holder of 45
`the digital media content. As a result, the actual-rights holder
`of the digital media content cannot monetize the unauthor(cid:173)
`ized distribution of the digital media content.
`The inability of rights-holders of digital media content to
`monetize the unauthorized distribution of the digital media 50
`content limits the financial gain that rights-holders of the
`digital media content obtain in creating the original digital
`media content. Often times such unauthorized distribution of
`the digital media content prohibits the rights-holders of the
`digital media from covering the costs of creating the original 55
`digital media content which discourages creation of digital
`media content.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Embodiments are described with reference to the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers
`may indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a digital media file licensing and autho(cid:173)
`rized reproduction system, according to an embodiment;
`FIG. 2 illustrates a second digital media file licensing and
`authorized reproduction system, according to an embodi(cid:173)
`ment;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary
`aspect of operation for the media content licensing and
`verification system to analyze a received catalog of media
`content and manage the catalog of media content, according
`to an embodiment;
`FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary
`aspect of operation for the external multimedia hardware
`device, according to an embodiment;
`FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary
`aspect of operation for the media content licensing and
`verification system to receive a payment for a license to
`reproduce a digital media file, according to an embodiment;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart illustrating an exemplary
`65 aspect of operation for the media content licensing and
`verification system to receive licensing information froma
`third party media retailer, according to an embodiment; and
`
`60
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`Embodiments relate to monetizing the reproduction of
`digital media content for the rights-holder of the digital
`media content. In an embodiment, a computer implemented
`method provides a multimedia hardware device a capability
`to generate an authorized reproduction of a media content
`item included in a digital media file. A digital media file that
`includes a media content item may be loaded for reproduc-
`
`

`

`US 10,885,154 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart illustrating an exemplary
`aspect of operation for the media content licensing and
`verification system to receive a third-party request for
`licensing statistics.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The digital media file licensing and authorized reproduc(cid:173)
`tion system provides a capability to ensure that a user
`possesses a license to reproduce a digital media file and if
`the user does not have a license, providing to the user the
`option to obtain such a license. In the Detailed Description
`herein, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment",
`an "example embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodi(cid:173)
`ment described may include a particular feature, structure, or
`characteristic, by every embodiment may not necessarily
`include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic.
`Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the
`same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, struc(cid:173)
`ture, or characteristic may be described in connection with 20
`an embodiment, it may be submitted that it may be within
`the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature,
`structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodi(cid:173)
`ments whether or not explicitly described.
`Overview
`FIG. 1 illustrates a digital media file licensing and autho(cid:173)
`rized reproduction system 30 in which embodiments or
`portions thereof, may be implemented. Digital media file
`licensing and authorized reproduction system 30 includes an
`external multimedia hardware device 10, a network 12, a 30
`media content licensing and verification system 16, a media
`content rights-holders system 18, a third party online media
`retailers system 20, and a hardware device manufacturers
`system 22.
`System 30 may monetize the reproduction of a media 35
`content item included within a digital media file. Reproduc(cid:173)
`tion of a media content item may include reproducing sound
`from a digital audio file, reproducing video from a digital
`video file, reproducing text from a digital text file, and/or
`any other reproduction of a digital media file that will be 40
`apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
`Reproduction may be defined as a first use by a user of the
`media content item. For example, reproduction of the media
`content item may include when a user first accesses a media 45
`content item where the user obtained the media content item
`from an outside source, such as but not limited to a third
`party online media distributor. Reproduction may also be
`defined as further distribution of the media content item by
`the user after the user has initially accessed the media 50
`content item. For example, reproduction of the media con(cid:173)
`tent item may include when the user distributes the media
`content item to other parties after the user has obtained the
`media content item from the third party online media
`distributor.
`A digital media file may represent a MPEG Layer 3 (MP3)
`file, a Real Audio (RA) file, a raw sample (RAW) file, a
`Microsoft wave (WAY) file, a Windows Media Audio
`(WMA) file, and/or any other suitable digital media file that
`will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without 60
`departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The
`media content item may include any portion of data included
`in the digital media file. A user of external multimedia
`hardware device 10 may reproduce the media content item
`with external multimedia hardware device 10. Device 10 65
`may represent a smart phone, a smart tablet, a mobile
`telephone, a television, an audio system, a personal music
`
`4
`player, a portable computing device, other computing
`devices such as a personal computer, a laptop, or a desktop
`computer, computer peripheral such as a printer, a portable
`audio/or a video player, and/or any other suitable electronic
`5 device that can reproduce a media content item that will be
`apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
`However, the user may not have a license that authorizes
`the user to reproduce the media content item. The digital
`10 media file including the media content item may have been
`procured from various sources that are not licensed to
`reproduce the media content item and do not collect licens(cid:173)
`ing fees for use of the media content item. As such, when the
`user loads the digital media file for reproduction, device 10
`15 may analyze the digital media file to determine the media
`content item included in the file and determine whether the
`user of device 10 is authorized. For example, the device may
`analyze a digital music file to identify the song and artist of
`the media content item that may be a track included in the
`digital music file. The user may be authorized when the user
`has a license to load and/or reproduce a media content item
`included in the digital media file.
`In an embodiment, device 10 may analyze a plurality of
`identifying characteristics associated with the media content
`25 item to identify the media content item and to determine
`whether the user of device 10 is authorized. The plurality of
`identifying characteristics may be an identifying character(cid:173)
`istic associated with the media content item inherently
`present in the media content item such that the media content
`item is not remastered to include the identifying character(cid:173)
`istic after the media content item is initially recorded. The
`plurality of identifying characteristics can represent a fin(cid:173)
`gerprint, digital watermarking, and/or any other suitable
`algorithm to identify copyright ownership of the media
`content item included in the digital media file that will be
`apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In an
`embodiment, device 10 may analyze metadata included in
`the loaded digital media file to identify the media content
`item included in the digital media file.
`System 30 may query a license database locally and/or
`remotely located to system 30 to determine whether the user
`of device 10 has the appropriate license for the media
`content item. Device 10 may refuse to play the digital media
`file and query the user to determine whether the user wishes
`to purchase the appropriate license when the user does not
`have the appropriate license.
`Device 10 may communicate with media content licens(cid:173)
`ing and verification system 16 over network 12 and transmit
`the fingerprint of the media content item to media content
`licensing and verification system 16 when the user selects to
`purchase the appropriate license. Licensing system 16 may
`identify the media content item based on the received
`fingerprint. Licensing system 16 may transmit back to
`55 device 10 the title and/or other information associated with
`the identified media content item and request the user to
`confirm purchase of the license. The user may interface with
`device 10 to conduct the licensing transaction with licensing
`system 16, and after purchasing the license, licensing system
`16 may transmit a license to device 10. After receiving the
`license from licensing system 16, device 10 may commence
`reproduction of the media content item. Moreover, licensing
`system 16 may store a record of the transaction for statistical
`purposes, and/or store a copy of the license in a database
`under a user record associated with the user of device 10.
`Device 10 and licensing system 16 may provide data
`associated with the use of the media content item to media
`
`

`

`US 10,885,154 B2
`
`5
`content rights-holders system 18 over network 12. Rights(cid:173)
`holders system 18 may be accessed by an owner of a
`copyright for the media content item. For example, device
`10 and licensing system 16 may provide data to rights(cid:173)
`holders system 18 that includes the user who is accessing the 5
`media content item, the geographic location of the user who
`is accessing the media content item, other media content
`items that the user may be accessing, the quantity of times
`the media content item is accessed, and/or any other data
`associated with the use of the media content item that will 10
`be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
`The data provided by device 10 and licensing system 16
`to rights-holders system 18 for the media content item may
`be used by the copyright owner to develop future licensing 15
`agreements that may be provided to the user of device 10 by
`licensing system 16 for future use of the media content item.
`Payments for the license to use the media content item may
`be received from the user via device 10 and licensing system
`16. Payments may also be distributed to the copyright owner 20
`via rights-holders system 18.
`Device 10 and licensing system 16 may also provide data
`associated with the use of the media content item to third
`party online media retailers system 20. The data provided to
`retailers system 20 may be similar to the data provided to 25
`rights-holders system 18. However, retailers system 20 may
`be accessed by third party online media retailers who have
`been selected by the copyright owner of the media content
`item to distribute the media content item via the Internet.
`The data provided by device 10 and licensing system 16 30
`to retailers system 20 for the media content item may be
`used by the third party online retailers to develop future
`pricing for their online media content item distribution
`including which media content items to distribute in the
`future. The data provided to retailers system 20 may also be 35
`used to help third party online media retailers target the
`marketing of the media content item to demographics that
`have shown a trend of interest in the media content item.
`Payments for the distribution of the media content item by
`the third party on line media retailer may be received from 40
`the user via device 10 and licensing system 16. Payments
`may also be distributed to the third party online media
`retailer via retailers system 20.
`Device 10 and licensing system 16 may also provide data
`associated with the use of the media content item to hard- 45
`ware device manufactures system 22. The data provided to
`manufactures system 22 may be similar to the data provided
`to rights-holders system 18 and retailer system 20. However,
`manufactures system 22 may be accessed by hardware
`device manufacturers who manufacture the hardware that
`may be implemented in device 10 that provides device 10
`with the capabilities to limit reproduction of the media
`content item to when the user has a license to reproduce the
`media content item. Payments for use of the hardware
`provided by the hardware device manufacturers imple(cid:173)
`mented in device 10 by the user of device 10 may also be
`distributed to the hardware device manufacturer via manu(cid:173)
`facturers system 20.
`Device 10 may be configured to connect to network 12.
`Network 12 may include one or more networks, such as the
`Internet. In some examples, network 12 may include one or
`more network technologies such as Ethernet, Fast Ethernet,
`Gigabit Ethernet, a variant of the IEEE 802.11 standard such
`as WiFi, and the like. Communication over network 12 takes
`place using one or more network communication protocols
`including reliable streaming protocols such as transmission
`control protocol (TCP). These examples are illustrative and
`
`6
`not intended to limit the present disclosure. As shown in
`FIG. 1, device 10 may engage in communication with
`network 12 via connection 14, where connection 14 may be
`a wireless, wired, a secured communication connection, any
`combination thereof, and/or any other communication con(cid:173)
`nection that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant
`art(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the
`disclosure.
`Licensing system 16 may be configured to engage in
`communication with network 12. As such, device 10 may
`communicate with licensing system 16 via network 12.
`Additionally, rights-holders system 18, retailers system 20,
`and/or manufacturers system 22 may also communicate with
`licensing system 16 and device 10 via network 12. Licensing
`system 16, rights-holders system 18, retailers system 20,
`and/or manufacturers system 22 may engage in communi(cid:173)
`cation with network 12 via a communication connection
`similar to connection 14.
`Device 10, licensing system 16, rights-holders system 18,
`retailers system 20, and/or manufacturers system 22 may
`have a cloud computing configuration. Device 10, licensing
`system 16, rights-holders system 18, retailers system 20,
`and/or manufacturers system 22 may share resources via
`network 12. For example, device 10 may retrieve licensing
`information for the user of device 10 who wishes to repro-
`duce the media content item via network 12. Licensing
`system 16 may also update rights-holders system 18 with the
`user information for the user who wishes to reproduce the
`media content item. Based on the cloud computing configu(cid:173)
`ration, the interactio