Abstract:
A machine-readable media device and a media distribution system are provided. The device has a first readable portion and a second readable portion. The first portion can initialize a license verification process to a remote location, while the second portion has media that can only be accessed only upon successful completion of the license verification process. The system includes a machine-readable media device, a unique identifier disposed on the machine-readable media device, and media disposed on the machine-readable media device. A machine reads the unique identifier and communicates the unique identifier to a remote server. The remote server authorizes the machine to access the media based on a comparison of the unique identifier to a database resident on the remote server.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present disclosure relates to the distribution of media. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for distributing media.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     The distribution of media (“media”) such as songs, movies, computer games, software, and other media to end-users is an important aspect of the consumer acceptance and commercial success of the distributed media.  
         [0005]     Traditionally, media has been stored on a physical, machine-readable device such as, but not limited to, a compact disc (“CD”), a digital video disc (“DVD”), a digital mini disc, and other non-disc machine-readable devices. These physical media devices are then distributed to consumers through retail sales outlets or rental outlets. The sales and rental outlets can include physical stores, as well as virtual Internet stores. The retail distribution model gives the consumer an unlimited license to the valuable media stored on the physical device. Namely, the consumer can use the media an unlimited number of times. As such, the retail distribution model has led to a pricing structure that accounts for the unlimited license, which can make the pricing potentially cost prohibitive to the average consumer.  
         [0006]     More recently, media has been distributed to the user as requested over networks, such as, but not limited to, the world wide web (i.e., Internet), cable networks, and satellite networks. Here, the media remains stored on the distributor&#39;s server and, thus the distributor retains a control over the media. The consumer can purchase a single use license for the media as desired. The media is then provided to the user over the network. Unfortunately, this streaming data distribution model does not enable sales of media at traditional retail outlets, which can limit the commercial appeal of this distribution method to many consumers. Also, the amount of data present in the media often makes transmission or streaming of data across networks slow and/or unreliable.  
         [0007]     Disposable media devices are being developed to address the unlimited license aspects of the retail distribution model and the need for sales at traditional retail outlets of the streaming data distribution model. An exemplary disposable media device is a DVD that self-destructs forty-eight hours after the package is opened. Such disposable media devices are commercially available from Evatone of Clearwater, Fla. Unfortunately, this time-sensitive distribution model has not yet proven economically or ecologically viable.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a need for methods, systems, and devices for distributing media that overcome one or more of the drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior distribution systems, methods, and devices.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     A machine-readable media device is provided. The device includes a first readable portion and a second readable portion. The first portion can initialize a license verification process to a remote location. The second readable portion has a selected media that can only be accessed only upon successful completion of the license verification process.  
         [0010]     A media distribution system is also provided. The system includes a machine-readable media device, a unique identifier disposed on the machine-readable media device, and media disposed on the machine-readable media device. A machine reads the unique identifier and communicates the unique identifier to a remote server. The remote server authorizes the machine to access the media based on a comparison of the unique identifier to a database resident on the remote server.  
         [0011]     A method of distributing media is provided. The method includes storing the media on a machine-readable device; storing a unique identifier on the machine-readable device; associating the unique identifier with an account stored on a remote database; receiving the unique identifier in the remote database when the machine-readable device is read; and authorizing use of the media based on a comparison of a condition of the account to a predetermined condition.  
         [0012]     In some embodiments, a rechargeable media account is provided. The account includes a value associated with one or more unique media identifiers. The value can be decreased when a user accesses a rechargeable media device identified by the unique media identifier. In addition, the value can be increased as needed by the user. In some embodiments, the rechargeable media account can include a plurality of unique media identifiers. Here, the value can be decreased when a user accesses media identified by any of the plurality of unique media identifiers.  
         [0013]     The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of an exemplary embodiment of a media distribution system; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic depiction of an exemplary embodiment of a rechargeable media device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is provided a media distribution system according to the present disclosure generally referred to by reference numeral  10 . System  10  includes a rechargeable media device  12 , an audio-visual device  14 , and a server  16 . In system  10 , audio-visual device  14  is adapted to communicate with server  16  via a network  18 , such as the Internet. Server  16  is positioned remote from audio-visual device  14 . For example, server  16  can be located at a media distributor&#39;s facility, while audio-visual device  14  can be located at a consumer&#39;s home.  
         [0017]     Advantageously, system  10  separates the number of plays from the physical disc by managing the use of rechargeable media device  12  at server  16 . For example, rechargeable media device  12  is a limited use device. Namely, the use of rechargeable media device  12  is conditional on an authority message received from server  16  over network  18 . In this manner, system  10  manages the number of “licenses to” or “uses of” the media on rechargeable media device  12  at a central location (i.e., server  16 ). This number of uses can be updated or recharged, as desired, by the consumer.  
         [0018]     System  10  enables rechargeable media device  12  to be sold through traditional retail outlets (e.g., physical and virtual stores). Further, system  10  enables the price of rechargeable media device  12  to be based on a limited number of uses of the media. This allows rechargeable media device  12  to be priced similar to the pricing of the aforementioned time-sensitive devices. Also, since the media is resident on rechargeable media device  12 , system  10  eliminates the need for streaming of data as in the streaming data distribution systems.  
         [0019]     In the illustrated embodiment, rechargeable media device  12  is a DVD and audio-visual device  14  is a DVD player  20  in electrical communication with a television  22 . DVD player  20  is an Internet capable device capable of communicating over network  18  (e.g., the Internet) with server  16 . Internet capable DVD devices are commercially available from, for example, Gateway, Inc. under the “Connected” trade name. Thus, system  10  is configured to manage the use of rechargeable media device  12  at server  16  via network  18 .  
         [0020]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , rechargeable media device  12  has a first portion  24  and one or more second portions  26 . First portion  24  allows system  10  to verify the status of the license to the media. In an exemplary embodiment, first portion  24  includes a unique DVD identifier  28  and an address  30  to server  16 . Second portions  26  include the selected media, such as, but not limited to, a movie, a song, a computer game, computer software, and the like.  
         [0021]     The use of system  10  is described with simultaneous reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To begin use, the consumer places rechargeable media device  12  in audio-visual device  14 . Audio-visual device  14  begins by reading first portion  24 . First portion  24  directs audio-visual device  14  to send a first message  32  to server  16 . First message  32  is a request for the authority to access second portion  26 . For example, first message  32  can be sent to server  16  located at address  30  and can include unique DVD identifier  28 . Thus, system  10  is configured to request authority to access second portion  26  by sending unique DVD identifier  28  over network  18  to server  16  when the consumer attempts to access the media on rechargeable media device  12 . Specifically, first portion  24  initializes a license verification process to server  16 .  
         [0022]     Server  16  determines the status of rechargeable media device  12  upon receipt of first message  32 . Rechargeable media device  12  can have a first status indicative of an authority to access second portion  26  or a second status indicative of a denial to access the second portion. Server  16  returns a second message  34  to audio-visual device  14  indicative of this status. Audio-visual device  14  accesses or denies access to second portion  26  based upon second message  34 .  
         [0023]     In an exemplary embodiment, system  10  includes a database  36  resident on server  16 . Database  36  can include an account for the particular rechargeable media device  12  represented by unique DVD identifier  28  present in first message  32 . The account can be rechargeable, as desired, by the user. For example, the user can increase the monetary value or number of uses present in the account. In response to first message  32 , server  16  determines whether the account associated with unique DVD identifier  28  has sufficient monetary value or number of uses to authorize the requested use of the rechargeable media device  12 . When server  16  determines that the account has sufficient value or number of plays, the server sends second message  34  to audio-visual device  14  allowing access to second portion  26  and decrements the account a predetermined amount.  
         [0024]     However, when server  16  determines that the account lacks sufficient value or number of plays, the server sends second message  34  to audio-visual device  14  denying access to second portion  26 . In some embodiments where second message  34  denies access, the second message can prompt the user to purchase additional uses or value on an on-demand basis.  
         [0025]     In this manner, system  10  allows second portion  26  to be accessed by the consumer only when authorized by server  16 . Moreover, system  10  does not need to transmit the media present on rechargeable media device  12 . Rather, system  10  merely transmits the request for authority and the acceptance or denial of such request between server  16  and audio-visual device  14 .  
         [0026]     Database  36  can operate in a one-to-one relational manner as discussed above. Namely, database  36  can associate unique DVD identifier  28  to an account particularly for that identifier (e.g., a dedicated account). Of course, it is also contemplated by the present invention for database  36  to operate in a one-to-many relational manner. Here, the user can create a universal account in database  36  and then can associate any number of unique DVD identifiers  28  to that universal account. In use of such a one-to-many database  36 , first message  32  can further include the account number of the universal account. In both examples, the user can recharge the value or number of uses in their client, universal or dedicated, account on an as needed basis.  
         [0027]     The universal account can be loaded or associated with any desired media at the time of purchase of rechargeable media device  12 . In addition, the universal account can be loaded or associated with any desired media as needed, such as when a dedicated account for a particular rechargeable media device  12  has been exhausted. In some embodiments, the consumer can merge the value or number of plays resident in one or more dedicated accounts into the value resident in a universal account.  
         [0028]     Advantageously, the systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure allow the consumer to create a library of media less expensively than previously possible. For example, prior systems required the consumer to buy a DVD for $20 or rent the DVD for $5 per rental. In contrast, system  10  enables the consumer to buy rechargeable media device  12  having several initial uses for $5. Once the initial uses are spent, the consumer can recharge, as desired, the use of the media stored on the rechargeable media device on an as needed basis. Thus, system  10  provides the consumer with the ability to inexpensively create a library of works. This library can be created without the need for the infrastructure to receive large amounts of data as is required by the streaming data distribution model. Further, this library can be created without the need for the unlimited license pricing structure of the retail distribution model.  
         [0029]     In some embodiments of system  10 , the initial purchase of rechargeable media device  12  can include a pre-selected number of uses in the account for that particular rechargeable media device. In other embodiments of system  10 , the consumer, at the time of purchase, can purchase any desired number of uses of the rechargeable media device  12 . Here, the purchase price of the rechargeable media device  12  can be based on the number of uses desired.  
         [0030]     In this manner, system  10  allows the user to create the dedicated account or universal account on server  16  at the time of purchase of rechargeable media device  12 . Further, system  10  allows the user to create the dedicated account or universal account on server  16  at anytime after the purchase of rechargeable media device  12 . Regardless of when the account is created, the value of the account can be increased or the number of plays in the account can be increased (“recharged”) as needed by, for example, a telephone transaction, an Internet transaction, and other transactional methods.  
         [0031]     Accordingly, system  10  can include a rechargeable media account resident on server  16 . The account can include a value associated with one or more unique DVD identifiers  28 . The value can be decreased when a user accesses a rechargeable media device  12  identified by the unique DVD identifier  28 . In addition, the value can be increased as needed by the user. In some embodiments, the rechargeable media account can include a plurality of unique DVD identifiers  28 . Here, the value can be decreased when a user accesses a rechargeable media device  12  identified by any of the plurality of unique DVD identifiers  28 . The value in the rechargeable media account according to the present disclosure can be a monetary value, a number of plays of the media, and the like.  
         [0032]     In still other embodiments of system  10 , the system can be configured to establish an upper purchase limit for a particular media. Here, the user would gain full, unlimited access to the media on rechargeable media device  12  after purchasing a predetermined number of uses. In this manner, system  10  can be configured to cap the consumer&#39;s maximum cost. Notwithstanding the users full, unlimited access to the media, system  10  would confirm its status each time rechargeable media device  12  is accessed.  
         [0033]     For purposes of clarity, system  10  is illustrated having one audio-visual device  14  communicating with one server  16 . Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for system  10  to have any number of servers  16  communicating with any number of audio-visual devices  14 . Further, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for network  18  to be a wired network, a wireless network, or any combinations thereof to provide communications between server  16  and audio-visual devices  14 .  
         [0034]     It should also be recognized that system  10  is illustrated by way of example as a DVD system. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure system  10  to be other systems. For example, audio-visual device  14  can be a personal computer or a laptop computer capable of reading rechargeable media device  12  and communicating with server  16 . Further, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for device  12  to be any physical, machine-readable device capable of storing the desired media. For example, media device  12  can be a DVD, CD, a digital minidisk, a digital tape, a memory stick, and other machine-readable devices.  
         [0035]     It be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.  
         [0036]     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.