Determining eligibility to access downloadable content associated with physical media

In embodiments, apparatuses, methods and storage media are described that are associated with provisioning of downloadable content. In various embodiments, an image may be taken of physical media under control of a content consumer, such as a videodisc or CD (or of packaging associated with such physical media). A piece of downloadable content may be identified that is associated with the physical media. After determination of whether provisioning of the downloadable content is authorized, the downloadable content may then be provisioned to the content consumer. In various embodiments, streaming content may be similarly provisioned. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of data processing, in particular, to apparatuses, methods and systems associated with provisioning of downloadable content.

BACKGROUND

Advances in computing, networking and related technologies have led to proliferation in the availability of content, and the manners in which the content is acquired. For example, much content is still purchased in the form of physical media, such as videodiscs (e.g., DVDs and/or Blu-ray™ discs) or audio discs, such as CDs. However, media is also often made available to content consumers in pure digital form without the use of physical media, such as by allowing content consumers to download and/or stream digital media. However, the availability of content in one form sometimes does not facilitate a content consumer's ability to acquire the content in another form. For example, content consumers who have a access to physical media for a particular piece of content may wish to have the content in purely digital form. However, due to encryption and/or lack of resource availability, this may be difficult for the content consumer to obtain without a separate purchase. This may hinder the ability of content creators to provide content to consumers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein are directed to, for example, methods, computer-readable media, and apparatuses associated with provisioning of downloadable content based on physical media. In various embodiments, an image may be taken of physical media under control of a content consumer, such as a videodisc or CD (or of packaging associated with such physical media). A piece of downloadable content may be identified that is associated with the physical media. After determination of whether provisioning of the downloadable content is authorized, the downloadable content may then be provisioned to the content consumer. In various embodiments, streaming content may be similarly provisioned. Other embodiments may be described herein.

Referring now toFIG. 1, an arrangement for content distribution and consumption, in accordance with various embodiments, is illustrated. As shown, in embodiments, arrangement100for distribution and consumption of content may include a number of content consumption devices108coupled with one or more content aggregator/distributor servers104via one or more networks106. Content aggregator/distributor servers104may be configured to aggregate and distribute content to content consumption devices108for consumption, e.g., via one or more networks106.

In embodiments, as shown, content aggregator/distributor servers104may include encoder112, storage114and content provisioning116, which may be coupled to each other as shown. Encoder112may be configured to encode content102from various content creators and/or providers101, and storage114may be configured to store encoded content. Content provisioning116may be configured to selectively retrieve and provide encoded content to the various content consumption devices108in response to requests from the various content consumption devices108. Content102may be media content of various types, having video, audio, and/or closed captions, from a variety of content creators and/or providers101. Examples of content may include, but are not limited to, movies, TV programming, user created content (such as YouTube video, iReporter video), music albums/titles/pieces, and so forth. Examples of content creators and/or providers101may include, but are not limited to, movie studios/distributors, television programmers, television broadcasters, satellite programming broadcasters, cable operators, online users, and so forth.

In various embodiments, for efficiency of operation, encoder112may be configured to encode the various content102, typically in different encoding formats, into a subset of one or more common encoding formats. However, encoder112may be configured to nonetheless maintain indices or cross-references to the corresponding content in their original encoding formats. Similarly, for flexibility of operation, encoder112may encode or otherwise process each or selected ones of content102into multiple versions of different quality levels. The different versions may provide different resolutions, different bitrates, and/or different frame rates for transmission and/or playing. In various embodiments, the encoder112may publish, or otherwise make available, information on the available different resolutions, different bitrates, and/or different frame rates. For example, the encoder112may publish bitrates at which it may provide video or audio content to the content consumption device(s)108. Encoding of audio data may be performed in accordance with, e.g., but are not limited to, the MP3 standard, promulgated by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). Encoding of video data may be performed in accordance with, e.g., but are not limited to, the H264 standard, promulgated by the International Telecommunication Unit (ITU) Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG). Encoder112may include one or more computing devices configured to perform content portioning, encoding, and/or transcoding, such as described herein.

Storage114may be temporal and/or persistent storage of any type, including, but are not limited to, volatile and non-volatile memory, optical, magnetic and/or solid state mass storage, and so forth. Volatile memory may include, but are not limited to, static and/or dynamic random access memory. Non-volatile memory may include, but are not limited to, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, phase change memory, resistive memory, and so forth.

In various embodiments, content provisioning116may be configured to provide encoded content as discrete files and/or as continuous streams of encoded content. Content provisioning116may be configured to transmit the encoded audio/video data (and closed captions, if provided) in accordance with any one of a number of streaming and/or transmission protocols. The streaming protocols may include, but are not limited to, the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP). Transmission protocols may include, but are not limited to, the transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), and so forth. In various embodiments, content provisioning116may be configured to provide media files that are packaged according to one or more output packaging formats. In various embodiments, the content aggregator/distributor server(s)104may further include a video frame alignment system118(“VFA118”), which may be coupled to various components of the content aggregator/distributor server(s)104, including, for example, encoder112and/or content provisioning116. In various embodiments, the VFA118may be configured to receive pieces of video content and to output an alignment of video frames so as to provide for comparisons of video content during encoding and/or provisioning. The usage and potential benefit from having the alignment information will be further described below. Particular embodiments of the VFA118may be described below.

Networks106may be any combinations of private and/or public, wired and/or wireless, local and/or wide area networks. Private networks may include, e.g., but are not limited to, enterprise networks. Public networks, may include, e.g., but is not limited to the Internet. Wired networks, may include, e.g., but are not limited to, Ethernet networks. Wireless networks, may include, e.g., but are not limited to, Wi-Fi, or 3G/4G networks. It would be appreciated that at the content distribution end, networks106may include one or more local area networks with gateways and firewalls, through which content aggregator/distributor server104communicate with content consumption devices108. Similarly, at the content consumption end, networks106may include base stations and/or access points, through which consumption devices108communicate with content aggregator/distributor server104. In between the two ends may be any number of network routers, switches and other networking equipment of the like. However, for ease of understanding, these gateways, firewalls, routers, switches, base stations, access points and the like are not shown.

In various embodiments, the content creators/providers101may also provide physical media120. In various embodiments, the physical media may include various forms of media that encode content in digital and/or analog forms, including, but not limited to DVDs, Blu-rays™, CDs, analog audio recordings, books, etc. In various embodiments, the content creator/providers101may provide content in both a digitally-transmissible form that may be downloaded over a network (e.g., the content102that may be encoded by encoder112and provisioned by content provisioning116) as well as in physical media form. In various embodiments, and for the sake of clarity herein, content that is provided via the content provisioning116via network(s)106may be referred to as “downloadable content,” while content that is encoded in physical form may be referred to as being encoded on “physical media.” In various embodiments, the physical media120may be associated with particular content102and thus with one or more pieces of downloadable content that may be downloaded for consumption by a content consumer. In various embodiments, “downloadable content” may be understood to include both content files that are downloaded over a network, in whole or in part, prior to consumption. In various embodiments, “downloadable content” may include streaming content that is received over a network during consumption. Thus “downloadable” may not necessarily be understood to imply any particular limitations or requirements on the form or delivery of digital content.

In various embodiments, as shown, a content consumption device108may include player122, display124and user input device126. Player122may be configured to receive streamed content, decode and recover the content from the content stream, and present the recovered content on display124, in response to user selections/inputs from user input device126.

In various embodiments, player122may include decoder132, presentation engine134and user interface engine136. Decoder132may be configured to receive streamed content, decode and recover the content from the content stream. Presentation engine134may be configured to present the recovered content on display124, in response to user selections/inputs. In various embodiments, decoder132and/or presentation engine134may be configured to present audio and/or video content to a user that has been encoded using varying encoding control variable settings in a substantially seamless manner. Thus, in various embodiments, the decoder132and/or presentation engine134may be configured to present two portions of content that vary in resolution, frame rate, and/or compression settings without interrupting presentation of the content. User interface engine136may be configured to receive signals from user input device126that are indicative of the user selections/inputs from a user, and to selectively render a contextual information interface as described herein.

While shown as part of a content consumption device108, display124and/or user input device(s)126may be stand-alone devices or integrated, for different embodiments of content consumption devices108. For example, for a television arrangement, display124may be a stand alone television set, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Plasma and the like, while player122may be part of a separate set-top box, and user input device126may be a separate remote control (such as described below), gaming controller, keyboard, or another similar device. Similarly, for a desktop computer arrangement, player122, display124and user input device(s)126may all be separate stand alone units. On the other hand, for a tablet arrangement, display124may be a touch sensitive display screen that includes user input device(s)126, and player122may be a computing platform with a soft keyboard that also includes one of the user input device(s)126. Further, display124and player122may be integrated within a single form factor. Similarly, for a smartphone arrangement, player122, display124and user input device(s)126may be likewise integrated.

In various embodiments, in addition to other input devices, a camera150may be configured to capture an image of physical media120and/or packaging associated with the physical media120that is under control of a content consumer (not pictured). In various embodiments, this camera may include various devices, including separate cameras, webcams, video and/or still cameras, etc. In various embodiments, the camera150may be coupled or otherwise associated with various computing devices, including the content consumption device108, set-top boxes, mobile phones, tablet computers, other mobile devices, laptops, etc. The content provisioning116and/or modules of the content provisioning116may be configured to receive the captured image and to identify downloadable content associated with the physical media. The content provisioning116may then be configured to facilitate provisioning of the identified downloadable content, such as to the content consumption device108, a mobile device, a laptop, a desktop, etc., for consumption by the content consumer. In other embodiments, the identification and/or facilitation of provisioning may be performed by the content consumption device108, and/or by another entity.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an example arrangement for downloadable content provisioning is shown in accordance with various embodiments. As discussed above, in various embodiments, the camera150may be configured to capture an image of the physical media120. In some embodiments the camera150may capture an image of packaging associated with the physical media120, rather than an image of the physical media itself. In various embodiments, while reference will be made herein to physical media120, it may be recognized that image capture and association with downloadable content may also be made, in various embodiments, based on packaging for the physical media120. As mentioned herein, in various embodiments, the camera150may be coupled or otherwise associated with a capture device205, which may be configured to provide the captured image to other entities. In various embodiments, the camera150may be partially or wholly contained in the capture device205; in other embodiments, the camera150may communicate with the capture device205, such as via a wired or wireless network. In some embodiments, the capture device205may include the content consumption device108. In other embodiments, the capture device205may include other devices, such as a smartphone or other mobile device, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a set-top box, etc.

In various embodiments, the physical media120may include one or more visual aspects that facilitate the content provisioning116(or other entity) in uniquely identifying associated downloadable content. For example, in various embodiments, the physical media120may include one or more unique identifiers280, which may be configured to provide information sufficient to uniquely identify a piece of physical media120, or even a piece of downloadable content that is associated with the physical media. In various embodiments, the unique identifier280may take various forms. For example, the unique identifier280may including one or two-dimensional machine-readable codes, such as Universal Product Codes, QR codes, and/or other codes. In various embodiments, the unique identifier280may include tamper- or counterfeit-resistant measures as well, such as holographic or other visual aspects that may be difficult to spoof. In addition to the unique identifier280, in various embodiments, the physical media120may also include artwork290, such as visual art on a disc surface or on packaging. This artwork290may also be used, in various embodiments, by the content consumption device(s)108to identify downloadable content associated with the physical media120.

In various embodiments, the physical media may optionally include a previous provisioning indicator250(“PPI250”). In various embodiments, the PPI250may include a sticker that may be applied to the physical media120in association with a first provisioning of downloadable content associated with the physical media; this sticker may include anti-tampering indicators that would modify visual aspects of the physical media if the PPI250were later to be removed (in whole or in part). In various embodiments, one or more stickers for the PPI250may be included along with a sale of the physical media120. In various embodiments, the content provisioning116may be configured to prevent provision of downloadable content to a content consumer if the content consumption device(s)108detects that the PPI250is present, such as by detecting the presence of the PPI250in a captured image of the physical media120. In various embodiments, the PPI250may be required by the content provisioning116before provisioning of the downloadable content may be performed. In various embodiments, the presence of the PPI250on the physical media120may indicate to the content provisioning116(or the capture device205) that downloadable content associated with the physical media120has previously been provisioned, either to the content consumer currently in possession of the physical media120, or to another content consumer who was previously in possession of the physical media120.

In various embodiments, the content provisioning116may include one or more modules that may be configured to facilitate provisioning of downloadable content to a content consumer. For example, the content provisioning116may include an identification module210which may be configured to identify downloadable content for provisioning based on an image of physical media120captured by the camera150. In another example, the content provisioning116may include a provision module220which may be configured to facilitate provisioning of downloadable content, such as to the content consumption device(s)108.

In various embodiments, the content consumption device(s)108may receive one or more indicators of matched content from the content provisioning116, such as when more than one piece of downloadable content is associated with a particular piece of physical media120. For example, the content provisioning116may determine, through review of records of downloadable content in a content library230, that multiple pieces of downloadable content are available and associated with the physical media120. In such embodiments, the content provisioning116may send the one or more indicators of matched content for selection by a content consumer (such as through the user interface engine136) before provisioning downloadable content. Particular examples of the processes performed by the modules and entities illustrated inFIG. 2are described below.

It may be recognized that, while techniques for provisioning of downloadable content are described herein with reference to the content consumption device108, capture device205, camera150, and content provisioning116, in various embodiments, other devices may perform techniques described herein. For example, personal computers, laptops, gaming devices, and mobile devices may be configured to perform one or more aspects described herein. In various embodiments, other entities, such as networked or cloud-based entities may perform one or more identification and provisioning aspects described herein in lieu of the content provisioning116. In addition, in various embodiments, multiple devices may be utilized in concert, such as a mobile capture device205configured to capture an image of physical media120for provisioning of downloadable content to a separate device, such as content consumption device108, or a personal computer.

Referring now toFIG. 3, an example process300for provisioning of downloadable content is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments. WhileFIG. 3illustrates particular example operations for process300, in various embodiments, process300may include additional operations, omit illustrated operations, and/or combine illustrated operations. In various embodiments, process300may be performed by the content consumption device(s)108or other devices. The process may begin at operation310, where a content consumer may acquire physical media120(and/or packaging for physical media120). Next, at operation320, the content provisioning116(and in particular the identification module210) may identify downloadable content from the physical media. Various embodiments of operation320are described below with reference to process400ofFIG. 4. Next, at operation330, the content provisioning116(and in particular the provisioning module220) may facilitate provisioning of downloadable content for consumption by the content consumer. Various embodiments of operation330are described below with reference to process500ofFIG. 5. The process may then end.

Referring now toFIG. 4, an example process400for identifying downloadable content from physical media is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments. WhileFIG. 4illustrates particular example operations for process400, in various embodiments, process400may include additional operations, omit illustrated operations, and/or combine illustrated operations. In various embodiments, parts of process400may be performed by the identification module210of the content provisioning116. The process may begin at operation410, where the camera150of the capture device205may capture an image of the physical media120. Next, at decision operation415, the identification module210may determine whether the PPI250is present. If the PPI250is present, then the content provisioning116may determine that downloadable content has previously been provisioned for the particular physical media120, and at operation460, the content provisioning116may prevent provisioning of any downloadable content. The process may then end. It may be noted that, while the illustrated process400includes a determination of whether a PPI250is present, in other embodiments, no PPI may be present and/or checked for. This may allow, in some embodiments, downloadable content to be provisioned repeatedly for a particular piece of physical media120. In other embodiments, the determination of whether a PPI250is present may be made by the capture device205rather than by the content provisioning116.

If no PPI250is present after the determination of decision operation415, then at operation420, the identification module210may identify the unique identifier280and/or artwork290on the physical media120. In various embodiments, the identification module210may be configured to identify the unique identifier280and/or artwork290through various techniques, such as based on their location on the physical media120, visual identifiers directing the locations of the unique identifier280and/or artwork290, and/or other means. Next, at operation430, the identification module210may compare the identified unique identifier280and/or artwork290to a library of content. In some embodiments, the identification module210may perform this comparison by sending a request to the content library230. In other embodiments, the identification module210may identify downloadable content through other means, such as, for example, by decoding specific downloadable content information from the unique identifier280.

Next, at operation440, the identification module210may provide one or more identifiers of possible content for selection by the content consumer. For example, if, during operation430, multiple pieces of downloadable content are identified as being associated with the physical media120, at operation440, the identification module may present identifiers of these pieces of downloadable content for selection by the content consumer. Such presentation may be performed, in some embodiments, through the user interface engine136of the contention consumption device108. Next, at operation450, the identification module210may receive a selection of an identifier of piece of downloadable content, and the process may end. In some embodiments, if only one piece of downloadable

Referring now toFIG. 5, an example process500for provisioning downloadable content to a content consumer is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments. WhileFIG. 5illustrates particular example operations for process500, in various embodiments, process500may include additional operations, omit illustrated operations, and/or combine illustrated operations. In various embodiments, process500may be performed by the provisioning module220of the content provisioning116with reference to a specific identified piece of downloadable content. The process may begin at operation510, where the provisioning module220may determine whether the content consumer has permission to access the identified downloadable content. In various embodiments, this permission may be directed based on previously acquired permissions, such as permissions based on content purchases, content subscriptions, geographical location of the content consumer (and/or content consumption device108), age or other demographics of the content consumer, etc.

Next, at operation520, the content consumer may modify the physical media120(and/or packaging) to prevent future provisioning of associated downloadable content. For example, the content consumer may be directed at operation520to affix a PPI250to the physical media120such that an image of the PPI250will be captured if an image of the physical media is captured. Next, at operation530, the camera150may capture a second image of the physical media120, and at operation540, the provisioning module220may verify that the PPI250has been affixed to the physical media. In embodiments where the PPI250is not used, this operation may be omitted.

After confirming through operations520-540that the physical media120may not be used for future provisioning of downloadable content (if the PPI250is used), then at operation550, the provisioning module220may direct the content provisioning116to prepare the downloadable content for protected consumption at operation550. In various embodiments, the content provisioning116may encrypt or otherwise protect the downloadable content to prevent unauthorized copying or access to the downloadable content after provisioning. Next, at operation560, the content provisioning116may provision the downloadable content to the content consumer, such as through network106. The process may then end.

Referring now toFIG. 6, an example computer suitable for practicing various aspects of the present disclosure, including processes ofFIGS. 3-5, is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, computer600may include one or more processors or processor cores602, and system memory604. For the purpose of this application, including the claims, the terms “processor” and “processor cores” may be considered synonymous, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Additionally, computer600may include mass storage devices606(such as diskette, hard drive, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and so forth), input/output devices608(such as display, keyboard, cursor control, remote control, gaming controller, image capture device, and so forth) and communication interfaces610(such as network interface cards, modems, infrared receivers, radio receivers (e.g., Bluetooth), and so forth). The elements may be coupled to each other via system bus612, which may represent one or more buses. In the case of multiple buses, they may be bridged by one or more bus bridges (not shown). In various embodiments, computer600may include various form factors and/or devices, including mobile devices, laptops, desktops, set-top boxes, gaming devices, etc.

Each of these elements may perform its conventional functions known in the art. In particular, system memory604and mass storage devices606may be employed to store a working copy and a permanent copy of the programming instructions implementing the operations associated with content consumption device(s)108, e.g., operations associated with downloadable content provisioning techniques shown inFIGS. 3-5. The various elements may be implemented by assembler instructions supported by processor(s)602or high-level languages, such as, for example, C, that can be compiled into such instructions.

A permanent copy of the programming instructions may be placed into permanent storage devices606in the factory, or in the field, through, for example, a distribution medium (not shown), such as a compact disc (CD), or through communication interface610(from a distribution server (not shown)). That is, one or more distribution media having an implementation of the agent program may be employed to distribute the agent and program various computing devices.

The number, capability and/or capacity of these elements610-612may vary, depending on whether computer600is used as a content aggregator/distributor server104or a content consumption device108(e.g., a player122). Their constitutions are otherwise known, and accordingly will not be further described.

FIG. 7illustrates an example least one computer-readable storage medium702having instructions configured to practice all or selected ones of the operations associated with content aggregator/distributor servers104, in particular, video frame alignment module118, earlier described, in accordance with various embodiments. As illustrated, least one computer-readable storage medium702may include a number of programming instructions704. Programming instructions704may be configured to enable a device, e.g., computer600, in response to execution of the programming instructions, to perform, e.g., various operations of processes ofFIGS. 3-5, e.g., but not limited to, to the various operations performed to perform provisioning of downloadable content. In alternate embodiments, programming instructions704may be disposed on multiple computer-readable storage media702instead.

Referring back toFIG. 6, for one embodiment, at least one of processors602may be packaged together with computational logic622configured to practice aspects of processes ofFIGS. 3-5. For one embodiment, at least one of processors602may be packaged together with computational logic622configured to practice aspects of processes ofFIGS. 3-5to form a System in Package (SiP). For one embodiment, at least one of processors602may be integrated on the same die with computational logic622configured to practice aspects of processes ofFIGS. 3-5. For one embodiment, at least one of processors602may be packaged together with computational logic622configured to practice aspects of processes ofFIGS. 3-5to form a System on Chip (SoC). For at least one embodiment, the SoC may be utilized in, e.g., but not limited to, a computing tablet.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. These embodiments include, but are not limited to, those described in the following paragraphs.

Example 1 may include one or more computer-readable storage media comprising a plurality of instructions configured to cause a computing device, in response to execution of the instructions by the computing device, to provision downloadable content associated with physical media. The instructions may cause the computing device to identify downloadable content associated with the piece of physical media based at least in part on an image taken from a piece of physical media under control of a content consumer, determine that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized, and facilitate provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 2 may include the computer-readable media of Example 1, wherein identify downloadable content may include identify an image of a unique identifier and/or artwork in the image.

Example 3 may include the computer-readable media of Example 2, wherein identify downloadable content further may include compare the image of the unique identifier and/or the artwork against a library of downloadable content.

Example 4 may include the computer-readable media of Example 1, wherein identify downloadable content may include provide one or more selections of possible downloadable content to the content consumer and receive an selection of a selected downloadable content as the identified downloadable content.

Example 5 may include the computer-readable media of any of Examples 1-4, wherein determine that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized may include determine whether downloadable content has previously been provisioned.

Example 6 may include the computer-readable media of Example 5, wherein determine whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include determine whether downloadable content has been previously provided to the content consumer and, in response to a determination that downloadable content has been provided to the content consumer, prevent further provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 7 may include the computer-readable media of Example 5, wherein determine whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include determine whether downloadable content has been previously provided to an other content consumer and, in response to a determination that downloadable content has been provided to the other content consumer, prevent further provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 8 may include the computer-readable media of Example 5, wherein determine whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include determine whether the image contains an image of a previous provisioning indicator.

Example 9 may include the computer-readable media of Example 8, wherein the previous provisioning indicator is a sticker.

Example 10 may include the computer-readable media of Example 8, wherein facilitate provision of the downloadable content may include receive a second image taken from the piece of physical media and determine whether the second image contains an image of the previous provisioning indicator before provision of the downloadable content.

Example 11 may include the computer-readable media of any of Examples 1-4, wherein determine that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized may include determine whether the content consumer has permissions to be provisioned the downloadable content.

Example 12 may include the computer-readable media of Example 1, wherein the image taken from a piece of physical media may include an image of a videodisc or a compact disc.

Example 13 may include the computer-readable media of Example 1, wherein the image taken from a piece of physical media may include an image of media packaging.

Example 14 may include an apparatus configured to provision content associated with physical media. The apparatus may include one or more computing processors. The apparatus may also include an identification module configured to operate on the one or more computing processors to identify downloadable content associated with the piece of physical media based at least in part on an image taken from a piece of physical media under control of a content consumer. The apparatus may also include a provisioning module configured to operate on the one or more computing processors to determine that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized and facilitate provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 15 may include the apparatus of Example 14, wherein identify downloadable content may include identify an image of a unique identifier and/or artwork in the image.

Example 16 may include the apparatus of Example 15, wherein identify downloadable content further may include compare the image of the unique identifier and/or the artwork against a library of downloadable content.

Example 17 may include the apparatus of Example 14, wherein identify downloadable content may include provide one or more selections of possible downloadable content to the content consumer and receive an selection of a selected downloadable content as the identified downloadable content.

Example 18 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 14-16, wherein the identification module may be further configured to determine whether downloadable content has previously been provisioned.

Example 19 may include the apparatus of Example 18, wherein determine whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include determine whether downloadable content has been previously provided to the content consumer and, in response to a determination that downloadable content has been provided to the content consumer, prevent further provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 20 may include the apparatus of Example 18, wherein determine whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include determine whether downloadable content has been previously provided to an other content consumer and, in response to a determination that downloadable content has been provided to the other content consumer, prevent further provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 21 may include the apparatus of Example 18, wherein determine whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include determine whether the image contains an image of a previous provisioning indicator.

Example 22 may include the apparatus of Example 21, wherein the previous provisioning indicator is a sticker.

Example 23 may include the apparatus of Example 21, wherein facilitate provision of the downloadable content may include receive a second image taken from the piece of physical media and determine whether the second image contains an image of the previous provisioning indicator before provision of the downloadable content.

Example 24 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 14-16, wherein determine that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized may include determine whether the content consumer has permissions to be provisioned the downloadable content.

Example 25 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 14-16, wherein the image taken from a piece of physical media may include an image of a videodisc or a compact disc.

Example 26 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 14-16, wherein the image taken from a piece of physical media may include an image of media packaging.

Example 27 may include a computer-implemented method for provisioning content associated with physical media. The method may include identifying, by the computing device, downloadable content associated with the piece of physical media based at least in part on an image taken from a piece of physical media under control of a content consumer. The method may also include determining, by the computing device, that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized and facilitating, by the computing device, provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 28 may include the method of Example 27, wherein identifying downloadable content may include identifying an image of a unique identifier and/or artwork in the image.

Example 29 may include the method of Example 28, wherein identify downloadable content further may include comparing the image of the unique identifier and/or the artwork against a library of downloadable content.

Example 30 may include the method of Example 27, wherein identifying downloadable content may include providing one or more selections of possible downloadable content to the content consumer and receiving an selection of a selected downloadable content as the identified downloadable content.

Example 31 may include the method of any of Examples 27-30, wherein determining that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized may include determining whether downloadable content has previously been provisioned.

Example 32 may include the method of Example 31, wherein determining whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include determining whether downloadable content has been previously provided to the content consumer and, in response to a determination that downloadable content has been provided to the content consumer, preventing further provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 33 may include the method of Example 31, wherein determining whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include determining whether downloadable content has been previously provided to an other content consumer and, in response to a determination that downloadable content has been provided to the other content consumer, preventing further provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 34 may include the method of Example 31, wherein determining whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include determining whether the image contains an image of a previous provisioning indicator.

Example 35 may include the method of Example 34, wherein the previous provisioning indicator is a sticker.

Example 36 may include the method of Example 34, wherein facilitating provision of the downloadable content may include receiving a second image taken from the piece of physical media; and determining whether the second image contains an image of the previous provisioning indicator before provision of the downloadable content.

Example 37 may include the method of any of Examples 27-30, wherein determining that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized may include determining whether the content consumer has permissions to be provisioned the downloadable content.

Example 38 may include the method of any of Examples 27-30, wherein the image taken from a piece of physical media may include an image of a videodisc or a compact disc.

Example 39 may include the method of any of Examples 27-30, wherein the image taken from a piece of physical media may include an image of media packaging.

Example 40 may include an apparatus for provisioning content associated with physical media. The apparatus may include means for identifying downloadable content associated with the piece of physical media based at least in part on an image taken from a piece of physical media under control of a content consumer. The apparatus may also include means for determining that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized and means for facilitating provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 41 may include the apparatus of Example 40, wherein means for identifying downloadable content may include means for identifying an image of a unique identifier and/or artwork in the image.

Example 42 may include the apparatus of Example 41, wherein means for identify downloadable content further may include means for comparing the image of the unique identifier and/or the artwork against a library of downloadable content.

Example 43 may include the apparatus of Example 40, wherein means for identifying downloadable content may include means for providing one or more selections of possible downloadable content to the content consumer and means for receiving an selection of a selected downloadable content as the identified downloadable content.

Example 44 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 40-43, wherein means for determining that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized may include means for determining whether downloadable content has previously been provisioned.

Example 45 may include the apparatus of Example 44, wherein means for determining whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include means for determining whether downloadable content has been previously provided to the content consumer and means for, in response to a determination that downloadable content has been provided to the content consumer, preventing further provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 46 may include the apparatus of Example 44, wherein means for determining whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include means for determining whether downloadable content has been previously provided to an other content consumer and means for, in response to a determination that downloadable content has been provided to the other content consumer, preventing further provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer.

Example 47 may include the apparatus of Example 44, wherein means for determining whether downloadable content has been previously provisioned may include means for determining whether the image contains an image of a previous provisioning indicator.

Example 48 may include the apparatus of Example 47, wherein the previous provisioning indicator is a sticker.

Example 49 may include the apparatus of Example 47, wherein means for facilitating provision of the downloadable content may include means for receiving a second image taken from the piece of physical media and means for determining whether the second image contains an image of the previous provisioning indicator before provision of the downloadable content.

Example 50 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 40-43, wherein means for determining that provision of the downloadable content to the content consumer is authorized may include means for determining whether the content consumer has permissions to be provisioned the downloadable content.

Example 51 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 40-43, wherein the image taken from a piece of physical media may include an image of a videodisc or a compact disc.

Example 52 may include the apparatus of any of Examples 40-43, wherein the image taken from a piece of physical media may include an image of media packaging.

Computer-readable media (including least one computer-readable media), methods, apparatuses, systems and devices for performing the above-described techniques are illustrative examples of embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, other devices in the above-described interactions may be configured to perform various disclosed techniques.