Abstract:
A method for delivery of primary media content in digital form is provided. The method includes establishing a communications link between a client computer and a server, where the client computer has storage. The establishing of the communications link includes authorization of user information. The method further includes receiving a request for a media among primary media content accessible to the server. The server associating the request with the user information maintained in a customer database that is accessible to the server. The user information is used to authorize access to specified content from among said primary media content for the user based on the user information in the customer database. The method also determines that the requested media is authorized for use by the user based on the user information. The method then streams the media to the storage of the client computer upon receiving a play request. The media received by streaming is configured for rendering on a display screen. The streaming data is one or more of video data including motion picture content, game data, music data, or combinations of two or more thereof.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This is a continuation application claiming priority under 35 USC §120 from U.S. application Ser. No. 11/480,203, filed on Jun. 30, 2006 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,600,897, on Dec. 3, 2013), entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSACTION ACCESS TO MEDIA”, which is a continuation application claiming priority, from U.S. application Ser. No. 09/632,861, filed on Aug. 4, 2000, (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,467), entitled “NETWORK-BASED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING DIGITAL DATA TO A CLIENT COMPUTER AND CHARGING ONLY FOR DATA THAT IS USED BY THE CLIENT COMPUTER USER”, and which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to computer networks, and more specifically, to a system for distributing and receiving payment for distributed digital data. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    With the advent of the Internet and electronic commerce (“e-commerce) business models, many digital-based data products, such as computer software, games, CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) based music, movies, and other digital content can be distributed over computer networks. Because of the high capacity storage capabilities of present digital media, such as CD-ROMS, many manufacturers may provide entire catalogs of products on single disks, rather than produce and stock different disks that include different product offerings. This allows producers to minimize different product offerings. Unfortunately, this system makes it difficult to charge customers based on particular products that the customers order and desire to use. Since customers are generally unwilling to pay for more than they actually order, systems must be implemented to bill customers for what the customers actually order and use, rather than what is sent to the customer. 
         [0004]    In addition, because of the many choices available to customers from content providers, downloadable samples are becoming increasingly popular as a means of introducing a product to customers or enticing customers to purchase the product. Such samples are also useful to advertisers or producers of auxiliary content, who wish to sponsor or otherwise be affiliated with the primary content provider. The cost and inventory requirements to provide actual samples of program and entertainment content, however can be quite high. The samples must be programmed or burned onto separate media, and then distributed to the customers through the appropriate sales or distribution channels. Because of cost and inventory overhead requirements, many content providers are unwilling or reluctant to provide such samples, thus depriving customers and retailers of useful sales tools. What is needed, therefore, is a system that allows content providers to provide both primary content as well as sample content on the same medium and charge customers based only on usage of the primary content. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an embodiment of the present invention to provide a digital media distribution system that allows primary content providers to distribute media containing several different products and to charge customers for product that is actually used rather than the product that is distributed. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a method for delivery of primary media content in digital form is provided. The method includes establishing a communications link between a client computer and a server, where the client computer has storage. The establishing of the communications link includes authorization of user information. The method further includes receiving a request for a media among primary media content accessible to the server. The server associating the request with the user information maintained in a customer database that is accessible to the server. The user information is used to authorize access to specified content from among said primary media content for the user based on the user information in the customer database. The method also determines that the requested media is authorized for use by the user based on the user information. The method then streams the media to the storage of the client computer upon receiving a play request. The media received by streaming is configured for rendering on a display screen. The streaming data is one or more of video data including motion picture content, game data, music data, or combinations of two or more thereof. 
         [0007]    It is a further embodiment of the present invention to provide a system that allows content providers to provide both primary content as well as sample content on the same medium and charge customers based only on usage of the primary content. 
         [0008]    It is yet a further embodiment of the present invention to provide a system that allows secure transmission of primary content data and prevents customer use of product that is not purchased. 
         [0009]    A flexible product distribution and payment system for computer network based electronic commerce is disclosed. Primary content data is made available to customers through a detachable local storage medium, such as a DVD or CD-ROM disc, or over a network connection. The primary content is capable of being accessed and played back through a computer or game console at the customer site. The primary content distribution may comprise a superset of content that is intended to be used by the customer. The customer is allowed to view and access the encoded primary content, and is charged only for the primary content that is used. Content that is encoded on the medium but that is not used by the customer remains on the medium but is not charged. A content database and customer database maintained at the primary customer site maintain records of products ordered and used by the customer, as well as identification and use patterns associated with the user. Authentication and use trigger data associated with the distributed content alert the primary content server computer when customer use has occurred and when a charge to the customer is appropriate. 
         [0010]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a computer network system that implements embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart that illustrates sequential functions performed by the primary content server during communication with a networked game console, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart that illustrates sequential functions performed by the networked game console during communication with the primary content server, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagram that illustrates the data contents contained on a detachable storage medium inserted in the game console; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart that illustrates the steps of distributing and charging for downloaded digital data, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an electronic commerce business model that may be implemented in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    A use based compensation system for downloaded content over a computer network is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate explanation. The description of preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0019]    Aspects of the present invention may be implemented on one or more computers executing software instructions. According to one embodiment of the present invention, server and client computer systems transmit and receive data over a computer network or standard telephone line. The steps of accessing, downloading, and manipulating the data, as well as other aspects of the present invention are implemented by central processing units (CPU) in the server and client computers executing sequences of instructions stored in a memory. The memory may be a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a persistent store, such as a mass storage device, or any combination of these devices. Execution of the sequences of instructions causes the CPU to perform steps according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0020]    The instructions may be loaded into the memory of the server or client computers from a storage device or from one or more other computer systems over a network connection. For example, a client computer may transmit a sequence of instructions to the server computer in response to a message transmitted to the client over a network by the server. As the server receives the instructions over the network connection, it stores the instructions in memory. The server may store the instructions for later execution, or it may execute the instructions as they arrive over the network connection. In some cases, the downloaded instructions may be directly supported by the CPU. In other cases, the instructions may not be directly executable by the CPU, and may instead be executed by an interpreter that interprets the instructions. In other embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions to implement the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the server or client computers. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computer network system that can be used to implement a usage based software charging system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system  100  of  FIG. 1  enables the transmission and display of primary media content, along with optional display of auxiliary media content. The term “primary media content” in the context of the specification and claims shall be understood to refer to a collection of downloadable contents which may consist of any one of video linear streaming data, such as motion picture data in MPEG or MPEG2 format; linear audio streaming data, such as music data in MP3 format; binary program data; or any combination of such data or similar data. In general, primary media content does not include services or data that are used solely to provide access to a network, such as browser software or protocol handlers whose main function is only to establish a network connection. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , system  100  includes a server side system  110  comprising a download service management server  102 , a customer database  104 , and a contents database  106 , which are interconnected by a local area network (LAN)  101 . The primary media content is stored in a contents database  106 , which makes up part of the server side system. The customer database  104  stores a collection of data about individual customers who access the download service through a bi-directional network  108 . The data for each individual customer may consist of the customer&#39;s name, home address, age, gender, occupation, income, hobbies, purchasing history, preferences, and other descriptive information that might be useful to vendors or advertisers who are using the system. Such data may not be static, but instead may be updateable based on a user&#39;s access history of the primary content data. For example, the data may be updated to reflect which primary contents are accessed and/or how many times a given category (e.g., type of music, genre of movies, and so on) of primary contents are accessed. This enables content providers and advertisers to tailor their messages and content more effectively to a given customer. 
         [0023]    The download service management server  102  is a server system that is configured to handle download requests from a user. Access to the server  102 , which may comprise one of several servers, is facilitated typically through a router on the LAN  101 , which directs requests to the download management server  102 . When the server  102  receives requests from a user, the server executes a download of requested primary media content from the contents database  106 . Along with processing requests for downloading of primary media content, the server  102  may also retrieve the requesting user&#39;s customer data from the customer database  104  and attach it to the requested primary contents. This data is then transmitted via the network  108  by means of a known networking protocol standard, such as the file transfer protocol (ftp). 
         [0024]    The network  108  is normally a bi-directional digital communications network that connects the user&#39;s terminal hardware with the download service management server  10  provided on the server side of the system. With current technologies, a CATV (cable television) bi-directional network, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or xDSL high-speed networks are examples of existing network infrastructures enabling the necessary network connections for implementing embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0025]    The client side  120  of the system configuration shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a modem or network adapter  112 , a networked game console  114 , which utilizes a detachable storage medium  122  therein, and a TV monitor or any other suitable display device  118  connected to the game console  114 . The modem or network adapter  112  is a device that is used to connect the client&#39;s terminal hardware, in this case the game console  114 , for connection to the network  108 . For example, if network  108  is a CATV network, modem  112  may be implemented as a cable modem device; and if network  108  is an ISDN network, modem  112  may be implemented as a terminal adapter. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the detachable storage media  122  stores a collection of interactive or non-interactive auxiliary content, such as computer games, movies, music clips, or advertisements which can be made up of video images, animations, sounds, applets, and so on. In one embodiment, the detachable storage media  122  comprises a CD-ROM or DVD disc. For the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the detachable storage media  122  is a packaged storage media that stores software programs that are used by the client system  120  to access the server system  110  over network  108 . The packaged storage media also includes a download management software program that controls the downloading of primary content data from the contents database  106  to the networked game console  114 . The client system  120  also includes a re-writeable storage media  116  coupled to the networked game console  114 . During normal operation, the networked game console  114  transfers data from the packaged storage media  122  onto the re-writeable storage media for temporary or medium term storage and execution. The re-writeable storage media  116  can also be used to store data or programs downloaded by the client system  120  over network  108 . The re-writeable storage media  116  may be implemented as a hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory device, or other suitable non-volatile memory device that attaches to the game console  114  through a port connection. 
         [0027]    The networked game console  114  is a network connectable playback device of interactive digital contents. Such a game console  114  normally utilizes the packaged storage media  122  as a contents distribution media in a non-networked environment. In other words, under ordinary use, the game console  114  is capable of playing back media contained on the packaged storage media  122 , which is normally an interactive video program (such as a game) even if the game console  114  is not connected to the network  108 . In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the packaged storage media  122  is used in a networked environment and operates in conjunction with downloaded primary content retrieved through a network connection, in order to provide linked or associated user-customized auxiliary content. Such auxiliary content could be provided by the primary content provider server system  110 , or by a separate server maintained by an auxiliary content provider or other primary content provider (not shown). 
         [0028]    The network game console  114  executes network access software which is loaded from the packaged storage media  122  or other internal storage medium, or which may be downloaded from the network, into an internal memory space. As stated above, the network access software allows the network game console to communicate with the download service management server  102 . The packaged storage media  122  also contains download management software. This software allows the networked game console  114  to perform various tasks. These include: scheduling downloading of contents from the contents database  106  of server system  110  and writing the downloaded contents into the re-writeable storage media  116 ; recording the usage history when the downloaded contents is used or otherwise accessed by the user so that the user can be charged a fee based on the usage of the contents; communicating such usage to the customer database  104  so that customer usage history and billing information can be updated; and expiring undesired or unpopular contents that are not used by the user after a certain period of time or that is explicitly requested to be removed by the user. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the software required to access the network from the user site and download the primary content is provided on the packaged storage media  122 . The primary content is then provided over the network  108  from the server system  110  upon request by the client system  120 . Alternatively, the network access software can also be provided over the network  108  for storage in the re-writeable storage media  116 . In yet a further alternative embodiment, both the network access software and primary content can be provided to the user on one or more packaged storage media  122 . 
         [0030]    The primary content provider can supply customized versions of the download management software that contain various types of content and network access programs. For example, the content may comprise digital content such as computer games, music clips, full-length audio and video programs, movies, still picture data, and other similar types of content. The content might further comprise promotional or advertising data associated with the primary content, such as movie previews, demo games, sample data, and other similar types of content that facilitate the user&#39;s selection of the distributed product. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart that illustrates sequential functions performed by the download service management server  102  during communication with a networked game console  114 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. In addition,  FIG. 3  is a flowchart that illustrates sequential functions performed by the networked game console  114  during communication with the download service management server, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In general, the process steps shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  occur in a mutually exchanged fashion, therefore, these steps will be described together. 
         [0032]    In step  201  on the server side, the download service manager  102  receives a request to establish a communication link from the network game console  114 . Similarly, in step  301  on the client or networked game console side, a request is sent to establish communication with the download service management server  102 . In one embodiment, a network socket connection according to known standards (e.g. TCP/IP) for bi-directional transmission of data packets is used to establish data communication between the management server  102  and the networked game console  114 . 
         [0033]    In step  311 , after the communication link has been established, a unique media ID indicating the packaged storage media  122  installed in the game console  114  is sent to the download service management server  102 . In the event of a first time user, the media ID is associated with the user and is thereafter used as a user identifier. In step  211  on the server side, the management server  102  receives the media ID. After receiving the unique media ID, in step  221  on the server side, the management server  102  retrieves, via LAN  101 , user information associated with the media ID. In the case of a new user, such information may not exist in the customer database  104 , so that the user may be prompted to supply basic information for establishing initial user information for the customer database  104 . 
         [0034]    At this point, in step  321  on the game console side, a request is sent to the download service management server  102  to retrieve downloadable primary content from the contents database  106 . When the server receives the user&#39;s request for downloadable content in step  231 , the download management server  102 , via LAN  110 , finds and extracts the requested content from the contents database  106  in step  241 . Next, in step  251 , the user information retrieved in step  221  is attached to the requested primary content extracted in step  241 , and the user information together with the requested primary content are transmitted to the networked game console  114  in step  261 . 
         [0035]    On the client side, in step  331  the game console  114  receives the requested primary content along with the attached user information. In step  351 , a record is stored in an internal memory (not shown) of the game console  114  of all the primary content items which have actually been used or viewed by the customer. Such a record may comprise an identifier of the primary content items that were viewed, and the duration for which an auxiliary content item was viewed if it was not played in its entirety. Such use or viewing constitutes a revenue bearing use that can be charged for by the content provider through the download management server  102 . 
         [0036]    In step  361 , the game console  114  sends the record established in step  351  to the download management server  102 , which in turn receives the playback record in step  271 . The transmittal of this record may be sent in any of various ways, for example as a comprehensive record at the end of user activity which is uploaded to the server during a sign-off procedure, or intermittently as each primary content item is viewed. As discussed above, the playback record, which is stored in the customer database  104  in step  281 , provides valuable feedback information to auxiliary content providers, such as advertisers, as to whether the auxiliary content was effective for a given target audience, and may also be used as a basis for assessing fees to the auxiliary content providers. 
         [0037]    The primary service provider then generates and distributes an appropriate invoice or other payment processing means to the user based on the user&#39;s access of the primary content data, step  291 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a superset of primary data is distributed to the user either by means of network download of packets of data or through the distribution of detachable media, such as packaged storage media  122 . The user has the option of accessing and using all of the data contained in the primary content or accessing only a subset of the primary content data. In either event, the user is charged only for the portion of data that is accessed and used. In one embodiment, the revenue bearing access by the user is detected by the download service management server  102  by means of trigger data that is encoded in the primary content data itself. More specifically, a specific portion of the primary content data referred to as “billing trigger data” is contained as a header with each piece of primary content. If this portion of the data is accessed or otherwise used by the user, the trigger data is transmitted to the download service management server  102  over network  108  to indicate the presence of a revenue bearing event with respect to that portion of the data. The trigger data portion of the code might be used to record the primary content items actually loaded and played on the networked game console  114 , along with the times and duration during which the primary content was played, or any other information obtained during playback of the primary content. This information may be stored in a data storage area of the game console  114 , and uploaded to the server  102  at any suitable time, such as after a given piece of primary content has been played, or during a sign-off process of the game console  114  from the network connection. 
         [0039]    The viewed contents record, particularly the times and duration for which a given piece of auxiliary content was viewed, are used as a basis for assessing a fee to the user of the networked game console  114 . Furthermore, the viewed contents record also enables customer information stored in the customer database  104  to be updated to include new information gained during viewing or interaction between the customer and the primary content. For example, in the case of an interactive piece of primary content, various questions may be asked of the user, or other user behavior monitored, which can then form part of the viewed contents record and be used for updating information on the customer in the customer database  104 . In the case of non-interactive content, information regarding which programs or content was viewed can be used to update customer information. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of primary data contents  400  that is downloaded to the networked game console  114 . The primary data stream  400  includes the primary content portion  403  that is to be viewed by the user of the game console. The primary content  403  is made up of one or more content items  415 , each of which is appended to a set of billing trigger data  419 . 
         [0041]    The data stream  400  further includes a unique media identification section  407 , which serves to identify the packaged storage media (such as an alphanumeric CD-ROM/DVD serial number), and which also establishes a user identifier for the user who utilizes the packaged storage media  122  in the game console  114 . Also included is an authentication or authorization code section  409 , which is used for authenticating access to the download service manager  102 . It is conceivable that the media ID section  407  and the authentication code section  409  could be the same, although preferably the functions of server access and media/customer identification are facilitated by separate codes. Alternatively, the media ID section  407  may comprise a software program that generates a unique user identifier in association with a prompt for a user input of initial user data, such as the name and address of the user. It should be noted that once the media ID  407  becomes associated with user information, the media ID  407  serves as a user identifier, so these terms may be used interchangeably hereinafter. 
         [0042]    The media ID  407  and authentication code  409  also serve jointly as an enabling key through which access to given primary content is authorized by the content server  102 . More specifically, when the media ID  407  is uploaded to the server  102 , on the basis of the media ID  407 , the server  102  can determine which primary contents, from among multiple contents in the contents database  106 , are authorized for access to the user on the basis of the user identifier. Should such a media identifier not be present, or be deemed to be incorrect or outdated, access to the content server  102  is suspended. Thus, the correct packaged storage media  122  must be present in the game console, and a correct and non-outdated media identifier must be determined, in order for access to the server  102  to be authorized. Another possibility is that the authorization code  409  provides access to a given server dedicated for downloading of a specified primary content from among multiple contents in the contents database  30 . Such a mechanism can be used for example, as a filter for certain user types (e.g., children) with regard to the content that is available in contents database  106 . 
         [0043]    The content data stream  400  additionally contains a net access indicator  411  that the packaged storage media  122  is intended for interaction with the server  102  in a networked environment. The net access indicator  411  may itself comprise network access software which enables the necessary network connection, or it may simply comprise a flag indicating that network software residing in the game console  114  includes a small program for establishing a minimal network connection to enable more versatile network software to be downloaded from the server and executed in the game console  114 . 
         [0044]    The billing trigger data  419  is used to store or provide various parameters that control the use of the appended primary data content  415 , and can be used to report usage to the download service management server  102 . In one embodiment, the primary content  415  may be data that expires after a certain period of time that the data is not used or accessed. For this embodiment, the trigger data  419  comprises a count value that is stored in the re-writeable storage media  116 . As time elapses, the trigger data count is increased until a pre-defined maximum count is reached. If the associated content data  415  is accessed, the count is stopped. If the maximum count is reached, the associated primary content expires. This is typically accomplished by causing the game console  114  to erase the portion of the re-writeable storage media  116  that stores the content, or marking this area as available for re-writing. Besides a time count, various other non-use or abuse parameters can be programmed into the trigger data. For example, if the content  415  is accessed too many times or is attempted to be accessed by an unauthorized user, as determined by the media ID  407  and/or authentication code  409 , the content data can be caused to be erased. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the process steps undertaken in the networked game console  114  prior to and during a network connection with the primary content server  102 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    In step  502  when the game console is turned on, a standard boot sequence is initiated through an internal BIOS for enabling essential communications between peripheral devices and the like, whereby the system is initialized for operation by the user. 
         [0047]    For a networked based access to the content provider server and download management server (which may be the same or different servers), a bi-directional network connection is established in step  504 . In this case, an authorization code on the packaged storage media may used to enable the network connection. 
         [0048]    In step  506 , the primary content requested by the customer is downloaded into the networked game console  114  from the content provider server. As was described in relation to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the desired primary content may have attached thereto certain user information that is associated with the user ID from the customer database  104 . As for determining which primary content is authorized and hence downloadable to a given user, the user may be presented with a menu option which displays only those primary content items, from among all items contained in the contents database  106 , that are authorized to the user for downloading and viewing, thereby facilitating selection by the user. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, download of primary content data may be scheduled to occur at a particular time, or at regular pre-determined intervals of time, such as for subscription products (e.g., on-line magazines), or updateable products. 
         [0050]    In step  508 , usage of the primary content by the user is recorded and stored in the customer database  104 . This records the content that is actually used or accessed by the user and can be indicated to the server by means of the trigger data illustrated in  FIG. 4  or through other similar indication means. Such means may include a data message that is automatically transmitted to the content provider as soon as a section of primary content in the downloaded data stream is accessed. 
         [0051]    Certain primary data transmitted to the user may be time sensitive data that is programmed to expire after a certain period of time or after a certain number of uses. These could include, for example rental programs or movies, or the like. In step  510 , the system check to see whether any time sensitive data has expired. For such time sensitive data, the unused or unaccessed primary data is expired, step  510 . The process then ends when the content provider charges the user for the used primary data, step  512 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary business model that can be implemented according to the embodiments of the present invention. The basic business model presumes that the downloadable primary content  604  from the contents database of the content provider  602  comprises a popular interactive game, movie, music or any other digital content that may be purchased by user  606 . 
         [0053]    Upon request by the user  606 , downloadable primary content  604  is transmitted over a network from the content provider  602  to the user  606 . The content  604  may comprise a large amount of software or content products, such as a collection of games, songs, movies, or any combination thereof, or similar items. The user need not have specified in advance exactly which items were desired, but instead specified a pre-existing collection of product available from the user. Depending upon use, a record is created in a customer database stored at a download manager server site. Based on the use record which is created for the user, the content provider  602  can collect a payment  608  from the user  606  based on the downloaded product that is actually used or viewed. 
         [0054]    In an alternative embodiment, the content  604  is a software product or digital product that is available to user  606  on a rental basis. The content  604  in this case is charged for by the content provider  602  based on the rental use by the user  606 . After the specified rental period has elapsed, the program or content automatically expires. This eliminates the need for the user to return the media to the content provider, or otherwise prove to the content provider that the product has been discarded or rendered unusable if it is stored in a user storage device  612 . 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, the content may be provided to the user by an auxiliary content provider  610 . The auxiliary content provider may provide revenue-bearing content to be paid for by the customer, or it may provide auxiliary content that is to be associated with the primary content  604  provided by the content provider  602 . Such auxiliary contents are typically advertisements from various auxiliary content providers  100 , which may be commercial companies or the like. The auxiliary providers may be partners or affiliates of the content provider that provide certain services for the content providers, for example demographic data collection. In this case, the auxiliary content may be content such as user surveys and such, some of which may expire after a certain period of time, so as not to overly impact upon the user. 
         [0056]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the flexible product distribution scheme can be used by parties that reward customers for use, rather than charge a fee. For example, if the user elects to view or access a message or program, such as an advertisement or program that is to be tested, the user can be compensated either by money or other creditable units such as product vouchers, coupons, airline miles, and similar items. 
         [0057]    In the foregoing, a system has been described downloading primary content from a content provider to a user and charging the user only for the portions of the primary content that were used. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.