Patent Publication Number: US-2011066503-A1

Title: System and Method for Transferring Digital Media

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/031,555, titled “System and Method for Transferring Digital Media”, filed on Feb. 26, 2008, wherein the contents of the above mentioned application is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The embodiments described herein are generally directed to a system and method for the transferring of digital media, and more particularly, to a system and method for transferring of digital media to mobile devices and/or user storage devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Digital media is now commonplace in a user&#39;s everyday life and may include music, video, and data. The purchase of digital media, in particular music, is a common activity mostly in part due to the Internet. However, music purchases are tied to specific user computers. That is to say, when a user purchases music it is typically done from their personal computer where the content downloads (e.g., music files) are stored. 
     Existing digital media download systems are centered around an end-user&#39;s personal computer. For example, popular music downloading sites and services require that the user be at their personal computer to enable downloading. The music is ordered using a proprietary interface and then downloaded to the target hardware (e.g., the computer&#39;s hard drive) using the same interface. To transfer the music to a portable player the user must then create a playlist, synchronize music databases, or otherwise transfer the music to the portable player using a different functionality than the purchase functionality. 
     Other services may include requiring a user to bring a generic storage device (e.g., a USB FLASH drive or a SD card) to download digital media. However, the user would have to remove a memory device from the mobile device, plug the memory device into the local download portal, then remove the storage device and reinsert into the mobile device, requiring time and potentially creating failure of the mobile device or storage medium through repeated insert/removal operations. 
     Moreover, existing systems require that music be purchased through a portal and that the purchase is made from the user&#39;s personal computer to facilitate transfer of digital content. In other words, the user cannot be mobile or otherwise traveling while making music purchases. Such current systems prevent digital content purchases from kiosks or from computers other than the user&#39;s computer. 
     Other digital content purchases require multiple steps to accomplish downloading to a mobile device. A first step may include a user clicking on a link to get the content. A second step requires the user to log-in to a download service. A third step requires a check-out process where the user either validates that they want to purchase the content (after logging in to identify themselves) or to input their payment method. A fourth step may include looking at the mobile device to provide a password sent after step 3 (to verify that the user&#39;s device is properly identified). A fifth step includes typing the password from the mobile device into the portal input to complete the purchase. Such multi-step purchasing of content is burdensome, wastes valuable time, and requires transfer of information, manually by the user, from one system to another. 
     Additionally, the multi-step process as described above are used with a single portal, typically under the control of a content seller. The content seller provides a single portal for the user to go to, select content, then proceed through a multi-step process to download the content to the phone. However, such single-source systems do not provide for differentiation in the market or allow for numerous locations to provide the digital content. Indeed, the content sellers include single-source e-tailing. 
     Mobile devices, such as cellular phones, music/video/photo devices, and PDAs, have become a part of the digital media world. Unfortunately, there is no easy way for users to directly receive digital content for these devices. Thus, there exists a need for a direct downloading of digital media to a user&#39;s mobile device or to a user&#39;s general storage. Moreover, there is a need for users to download music to a mobile device requiring little effort. Additionally, there is a need for a digital content distribution system that support multiple sites providing content. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and inventive aspects will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a brief description: 
         FIG. 1  is an example of a system for content storage and sharing. 
         FIG. 2  is a trading platform that includes systems and functional components that cooperate with the content storage and sharing system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a system architecture for use with system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an example of an application sharing flow diagram for use with the systems and methods described herein. 
         FIG. 5  is an example of a local trading flow diagram for use with the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a flow diagram for content sharing between two users. 
         FIG. 6  is an example of a remote trading flow diagram for use with the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an example of a first version of a pay-per-click flow diagram for use with the systems and methods described herein. 
         FIG. 8  is an example of a second version of a pay-per-click flow diagram for use with the systems and methods described herein. 
         FIG. 9  is an example of a third version of a pay-per-click flow diagram for use with the systems and methods described herein. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram of a points system for use with the system and methods described herein. 
         FIG. 11  is an architecture for “one click” digital content transfer system. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow diagram for “one click” digital content transfer method. 
         FIG. 13  is an architecture for a multi-site digital content transfer system. 
         FIG. 14  is an architecture for a single-site digital content transfer system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, illustrative embodiments are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent the embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain novel aspects of an embodiment. Further, the embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the claims to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/031,555, titled “System and Method for Transferring Digital Media,” filed on Feb. 26, 2008, wherein the contents of the above mentioned application is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Examples of methods and systems for content storage and/or content sharing are discussed herein. Although the examples may be discussed in reference to particular systems and architectures, one skilled in the art recognizes that the systems and methods may be employed in a variety of architectures that may be interchangeable. Moreover, while there may be particular features associated with the “trading” of content and different features associated with the “sharing” of content, unless specifically limited, the use of “sharing” and “trading” may be used interchangeably to indicate the location (e.g., searching/finding of content) and and/or transfer of content from one user to another. 
     In general, the method and system for content storage and/or content sharing includes at least one interface to a user to upload, download, and trade digital content. A typical example of content trading includes digital music. In order to provide a legal trading system, using a royalty system, all digital content that is traded from one user to another is identified and the appropriate royalties are paid to the licensor. For example, where digital music is traded, the song(s) are identified by the royalty system and the appropriate royalties are paid, for example to the record company and/or artist. 
     The trading system also allows for personal storage of digital content in a locker. The locker may be a digital storage system  120  (e.g., a repository for digital content) that allows the user to upload and download content. Moreover, based on the user&#39;s direction, the user&#39;s digital content may be searched and traded by other users. For example, the user may label certain digital content as “private”, “public”, or provide access to “groups” of defined users. When a user defines content as “private” this means that the content is not available to other users for search or sharing. When a user defines content as “public” this can mean that “any” user may search and share the content. When a user defines content as available to a “group”, then the user may select an already existing group of users or they may create a group that may be defined by one or more users. As an alternative to labeling the digital content individually, the user may have folder or other repositories set up to receive digital content that label automatically provides access rights to the “private”, “public”, and/or “groups” to simplify the determination of access rights. 
     An advertisement system may place advertisements for users to view before certain actions take place. In one example, advertisements may be inserted and viewed by a user before content upload or download takes place. In another example, advertisements may be shown during trading of content. In yet another example, advertisements may be shown before a search is performed on another user&#39;s content. As is understood by those skilled in the art, advertisements may be placed for viewing by a user at any action the user takes. By viewing the advertisements, the user may accumulate points or other benefits. 
     When using mobile devices, the user may synchronize the mobile device with the main system in order to transfer points that may be stored locally on the mobile device to the main account. 
     In general, a user may create an account and upload digital content to a database. This upload may be accomplished, for example, through a mobile device, web-portal, or other capable system (e.g., a music library, a personal digital content server, etc.). The user may then manage and organize their content for themselves and/or for sharing with other users. When using a mobile device, the user may install a mobile portal (e.g., software local to the mobile device) to manage their account or use a web interface. The mobile portal may also be configured to allow direct sharing with other user&#39;s mobile devices through networks such as Bluetooth®. Alternatively, the user may share or trade digital content through the use of networking protocols such as Wireless Access Protocol (WAP). 
     The user may acquire points by trading content, viewing advertisements, taking action (e.g., such as clicking or following a link, placing a call to a sponsored number, downloading content and/or advertising), and/or direct purchase. Points may be considered a currency of sort that may be used in the virtual world. Points may be accumulated by a user, for example, by trading, viewing of advertisements, or contacting advertisers. The points accumulated by a user may be redeemed for more storage space or, for example, gift cards to merchants or tickets to movies or events (concerts). 
     The content owner may also track their points and traded/shared content. Typical content, such as music, may be tracked by ID3, WMA, or other metadata associated with the digital content to determine the content owner. 
       FIG. 1  is an example of a system  100  for content storage and sharing. System  100  includes a first mobile device  102  and a second mobile device  104  connected through a network  110 . System  100  may be described as a multi-layer set of interfaces, services, and persistent data stores. Mobile devices  102 ,  104  may include communication devices, e.g. phones, and other devices that are capable of connecting to network  110 . Network  110  may include multiple types of networks and is generally intended to provide data connectivity. For example, network  110  may include public, private, and personal networks, including for example, wireless networks (e.g., Wi-Fi, blue tooth, etc.), wired networks (e.g., ATM, Ethernet, etc.), optical networks, and any combination thereof. Such combinational networks may be considered a hybrid network, for example, where digital, analog, wired, wireless, and/or optical transmission mediums may be employed to communicate data to either of mobile devices  102 ,  104 . 
     System  100  also may include a storage system  120 , a system server  130 , a terminal  140 , an advertisement server  150 , and royalty server  160 . Storage system  120  includes persistent storage of user data. In examples of system  100 , storage system  120  may include multiple storage hardware devices that may be located together (entirely or in part) or separate (entirely or in part), depending upon the network structure, user accessibility requirements, or other system requirements. Storage system  120  may also include user content (e.g., digital content such as digital music or other files) and user information (e.g., demographics and transaction history). 
     System server  130  is typically configured to provide the business logic for system  100  and may be used to administer system  100 , including user device provisioning (e.g., mobile device  102 ), account maintenance, tracking of points, and management of digital content. Users may create a registration and manage their digital content, share content, and trade content using an interface to system server  130 . Terms for the trading of digital content and transaction tracking may be built into system  100  as provided by system server  130 . 
     Terminal  140  shows a generic interface to system  100  that the user may upload and trade digital content. For example, terminal  140  may be a personal computer connected to network  110  via the internet. Advertisement server  150  may be used to provide advertisements to the user during the use of system  100 . Royalty server  160  may include systems to access a copyright owner&#39;s systems for reporting transactions and to provide information regarding users&#39; trades. 
     In general, as discussed herein, user content may also be termed digital content and may include, for example, music, video, documents, or other digital data. When copyrighted materials are traded, metadata about the digital content may be recorded and stored by system  100  (or another system in communication with system  100  for recording transaction information or content information). This information may include title, artist, and publisher information. Using this data, system  100  may properly accredit the copyright holder with license fees. In this way, system  100  provides a legal system for trading of digital media. 
       FIG. 2  is a trading platform  200  including system and functional components that cooperate with system  100  of  FIG. 1 . Trading platform  200  also cooperates with advertisement server  150  to generate revenue through the use of advertisement insertion in the trading of digital content. Trading platform  200  also provides a benefit to users and digital content owners by enabling users to monetize their digital content through trading. The user may be further benefited through the accumulation of points (e.g., accumulation of revenue) through viewing advertisements and/or the user receiving the content viewing advertisements. 
     A consumer interface layer  210  may include a portal  212  and a mobile client  214 . Portal  212  may be used with, for example, terminal  140  of  FIG. 1  using a generic terminal that accesses network  110 . In an example, portal  212  may be a web-based portal application providing users access to system  100  using typical web-browsers (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari). Portal  212  provides general system access including registration, account management, content management, content search, transactions, transaction history, and other features provided by system  100 . 
     Mobile client  214  may include a set of “Off Deck” mobile applications with similar functionality to portal  212 , but with additional features tailored to the mobile environment such as sharing via personal area networks (e.g., using Bluetooth). In general, mobile client  214  may be downloaded to a mobile device (e.g., mobiles devices  102 ,  104 ) and may be customized for the particular operating system used by the mobile device (e.g., Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, BREW, etc.). Alternatively, mobile client  214  may be configured as a generic application using cross-platform technology (e.g., JAVA). 
     Mobile client  214  may also provide special capabilities given that the performance of mobile device  102  (e.g., in data connection, bandwidth, and storage space) may not be as robust as those provided by terminal  140  (using portal  212 ). In an example, the storage space available for mobile device  102  may be limited. Thus, mobile client  214  provides for storage on the mobile device itself or on expansion memory (e.g., an SD card). Moreover, mobile client  214  may allow for asynchronous processing that provides the functionality to users to download content while they are trading. Additionally, if there is an interruption in data service, mobile client  214  may provide for continued downloading from the point of interruption rather than restarting the download transaction. 
     A compilation of core services  220  provide various services for the support of system  100  that may include content. In general, core service  220  provides for content management, transaction management, point management, user management and general services for the user community associated with system  100 . Core services  220  may include “middleware” that may use, for example, the “Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition” (J2EE). J2EE includes standards for enterprise applications that provide for modularization of components that include full support services with minimal coding. As an example, middleware (including core services  220 ) may be executed on, for example, system server  130  of  FIG. 1 . System server  130  may include a JBoss application server that allows core services written in J2EE to be executed for the operation of system  100 . However, as is known to those skilled in the art, the particular implementation of system  100 , including core services  220 , may not be not tied to a particular system architecture or software environment. Thus, the examples described herein using J2EE and JBoss are merely exemplary of a typical implementation. 
     User management system  222  offer services to the user to register (e.g. sign up for) an account using portal  212  or mobile client  214 . When registering through portal  212 , and once system  100  accepts the registration as complete and accurate, a message with a download link may be sent to a user&#39;s mobile device (e.g., mobile device  102 ). The user may then install mobile client  214  to their mobile device by clicking on the link and downloading an installation package for mobile client  214 . Alternatively, the user may download mobile client  214  to mobile device  102  using services such as a USB connection or using services such as ActiveSync or other connectivity solutions provided by the mobile device manufacturer. 
     Registration may also be performed through mobile client  214  directly from mobile device  102 . For example, mobile client  214  may be transferred from another mobile device (e.g., mobile device  104 ) through direct sharing, using a network (e.g., Bluetooth) or by providing a download link through, for example, a SMS text message or e-mail. Once installed, mobile client  214  may then be used to register the new user directly from their mobile device. Alternatively, the user may perform registration by entering the mobile phone number and e-mail address to initiate signing up for the services of system  100 . The user then receives a download link by e-mail or SMS message from system  100  and the new user can install mobile client  214  by clicking on the link. 
       FIG. 4  is an example of an application sharing flow diagram  400  for use with the systems and methods described herein. A first user  410  may initiate sharing mobile client  214  with a second user  412  by requesting mobile client  214  be sent to second user  412  by system server  130 . Second user  412  then receives a message that contains a link to mobile client  214 . Second user  412  then clicks the link  420  and downloads  422  mobile client  214 . Second user  412  then sends registration information  430  to register  440 . The user then may access  450  the user&#39;s new account and being digital content upload or trading. 
     In the deployment of mobile client  214 , the “Over the Air” (OTA) methods allow for application versioning and upgrade capabilities. Trading platform  200  may include client-side and server-side authentication through checking of credentials before a user can use the services of system  100 . 
     Point management system  224  may include user incentive systems based on virtual points to enable the user to monetize their digital content through trading of the content with other users and/or the viewing of advertisements to obtain points. The point system allows users to acquire additional digital content through system  100 , to enable the initiation of trading transactions through mobile client  214  and/or portal  212 , and to acquire additional storage space in system  100  for their digital content. 
     In particular, points may be acquired by the user by the trading of digital content, initiation of advertisements (e.g., through trading) or upload/download of digital content, and prepaying for points (e.g., using mobile client  214 , portal  212 , and/or other accounts such as PayPal or Google Checkout). When the user aggregates points, they may redeem their points for “Gift cards”, “Movie Tickets”, etc. If mobile client  214  is not connected, for example, to system server  130 , then points are accumulated locally on mobile device  102 . The user may then synchronize points from mobile client  214  to system server  130  by uploading (depositing) the points from mobile client  214  to their account. The user may also download (withdraw) their points from their account to their mobile client  214  to allow for localized trading when not connected to system server  130 . The storage of points on mobile device  102  allows for direct trading of local content with other mobile devices (e.g., mobile device  104 ). 
     A content management service  226  allows users to manage their content. For example, a user may “upload” or “download” digital content to their account from their terminal  140  (e.g., computer) using portal  212  or through their mobile device  102  using mobile client  214 . Moreover, content management service  226  also allows a user to search using portal  212  and/or mobile client  214 . The search may include searching the user&#39;s own digital content or the content of other user&#39;s that have provided access to their digital content to the particular user or the community. The search functionality provides one method to identify digital content of others for initiating trading. 
     Search functionality may be provided for any number of different scenarios. In a first example, a user may search their own content by title, content type (e.g., music, video, documents, etc.), date, and other parameters or metadata that may describe the content. In a second example, a user search/locate others&#39; content by using general “find content” functionality. One example includes a public search that is able to search public content from other users. For example, a user may search for a particular song title, and all public content from other users is searched. Another example includes a “browse” function that limits the search to “friends” or “groups”. 
     When using the “browse” functionality, a user&#39;s “friends” or “groups” appear for selection. The user may then pick a friend, group, or combination thereof and connect to their locker(s). The user then inputs the search information and begins the search of the connected lockers to discover content that matches the search information. Content from the “friends” and/or “groups” then appears for selection and trading. 
     When the user is presented with content matching the search information (e.g., search results), they may further narrow the search by “ratings” of the content. For example, the search results may include the title of the content, the size of the content (e.g., “title . . . 1.2M”), the encoding type (e.g., MP3), and the length of the content (e.g., 3.2 minutes). In the case of music content, this allows the user to judge whether the content is indeed the content searched for. Moreover, a rating system may be employed that allows users to rate the content after they have sampled it. Where certain content is very popular, it may receive a high rating (e.g., five stars). Other rating systems may be employed that use the number of trades for particular content, or a hybrid system that may include a formulaic approach having inputs of user rating and number of downloads. 
     A transaction management service  228  provides functionality for trading and tracking of trades. Transaction management service  228  generally enables users to use mobile client  214  to share or trade their digital content in close proximity through Bluetooth technology (local trading) or long distance using WAP (remote trading). Transactions initiated by mobile client  214  are stored within mobile client  214  until the transaction history information is synchronized with the system server  130 . The synchronization may be initiated by the user or by transaction management service  228  after a defined number of transactions. 
     Transaction management service  228  assists in capturing the copyright information such as author, publisher, etc. from the digital content during trading activities of copyrighted content. Transaction management service  228  may also be used by mobile client  214  during local trading and may be used on system server  130  during remote trading. The transaction information collected during trading may be saved as part of the transaction history. One example of such a collection of transaction information may include the extracting of metadata to identify potential copyright information related to the digital content (e.g., MP3 files and WMA files). Transaction management service  228  generally extracts the metadata information from an ID3 tag embedded in MP3 files and tag embedded in WMA files. 
     Although collection of transaction information using metadata collection methods may not be able to prevent users from modifying the tag information, other methods may be employed to make the system more robust for determining the correct copyright information. For example, transaction management service  228  may include the capability to detect modification of tag information by validating the user&#39;s tag information for digital content with other metadata repositories. Another example of detection may include employing a digital content fingerprinting service to particularly identify digital content. Using, for example digital fingerprinting, the transaction history information and the signature information may be captured and stored on system server  130 . Using this collected information, system server  130  may generate a trading activity report for the content owner. 
     Community services  229  may provide general services for the users such as blogging, grouping, and social networking through portal  212  and/or mobile client  214 . In addition, services such as bulletin board-type services allow a user to promote their digital content for trading and may be used for mass messaging of content availability. 
     A data storage system  230  may be provided as a persistent storage system using, for example, storage system  120  of  FIG. 1 . A user repository  232  may include a relational database used to store information about each user, the user&#39;s content, and transaction information. A content universe  234  may include a file system to store the user&#39;s digital content. 
     A content owner interface  240  may include a tracking reporting portal  242  that may include a web-based portal application. The content owner may then access their reports using an ad-hoc reporting system or business summary report. 
       FIG. 3  is a system architecture  300  for use with system  100  of  FIG. 1 . In general, system  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) and trading platform  200  may include a “rich client” operating on mobiles devices (e.g., a cell phone) and server application/services operating on system server  130 . The clients, such as mobile client  214 , may be developed using different technologies that are suitable for the different types of operating systems found on the mobile devices. For example, mobile client  214  may be developed using Windows Mobile for a particular mobile device  102  where the implementation is based on Windows .Net compact framework (e.g., .Net compact framework 2.0). Where mobile client  214  is configured for the Symbian OS, it may be developed based on J2ME technology (CLDC 1.1, MIDP 2.0, JSR 82, JSR 75, kSoup etc.). In another example, where mobile client  214  is configured for a Brew system, it may be developed based on C++ library provided by Brew. 
     Local sharing between mobile devices  102 ,  104  is shown using Bluetooth communications  310  (also described below with respect to  FIG. 5 ). However, other communication systems may be used to provide direct communication of mobile devices  102 ,  104 . Moreover, local sharing may also include sharing using other networks that allow for point-to-point communication between mobile devices  102 ,  104  but not direct communication. For example, the devices may use the internet, accessed by wired or wireless means, to communicate directly with each other using a proxy server or point-to-point communication (but not using system server  130 ). Such systems, although not enabling direct communications, also fall under the category of local communications. Remote communications are shown by mobile devices  104 ,  306  as communicating through system server  130 . 
     Storage system  120  is shown in  FIG. 4  as divided into an account repository  120 A and a content universe  120 B. Although they are shown divided, each may be part of the same storage system or network, or they may be divided. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the physical storage medium and location of account repository  120 A and content universe  120 B may be configured in many ways. 
     A copyright manager  320  tracks trading of digital content so that the proper content owner may be credited. For example, copyright manager  320  may include portions of content management service  226 , transaction management service  228 , and tracking reporting portal  242  (see  FIG. 2 ). By tracking the owners of copyrighted materials, and the trades that occur between users, system  100  provides a legal trading platform for the exchange of copyrighted digital content. Ultimately, where appropriate, a content provider  330  (e.g., a content publisher, content owner, content licensor, content licensee, or other provider or licensing entity) may be credited with a license fee based on the trading of copyrighted material between users. 
     As described herein, local trading includes trading that takes place between two mobile devices  102 ,  104  without access to system server  130 . This may be accomplished through local networking services such as Bluetooth but is not limited to such an implementation. An example of a local trading flow diagram  500  is shown in  FIG. 5 . A first user may use first mobile device  102  to initiate a trade with a second user and second mobile device  104 . 
     In local trading, first mobile device  102  may initiate a discussion  510  between users about the proposal for a trade of digital content and the agreed upon points. Once decided, the first user may send a proposal  512  for trade to the second user. The second user may then accept proposal  512  and the first user may initiate the transfer of digital content  514  to the second user. The second user then receives  516  the digital content. For the transfer of digital content, the agreed upon points are sent  520  from the second user and received by  522  the first user. The points balances for the first and second users are then updated  530 . Additionally, the transaction history (including identifying data regarding the content traded) is stored for later synchronization with system server  130  for accounting and royalty payment purposes. If the first user has accomplished a predetermined number of transactions  540  (in this example,  10  transactions), then the transaction history is synchronized  542  with system server  130 . Similarly, when the second user has accomplished a predetermined number of transactions  550  (in this example, 10 transactions), then the transaction history is synchronized  552  with system server  130 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a flow diagram for content sharing between two users. In terms of process, “sharing” may be distinguished from “trading” in that bartering between users does not place. The system may be configured so that “sharing” may provide for a user to search other user&#39;s lockers to find content. When the desired content is located, the user may then simply request the transfer of content without the other user&#39;s interaction or assent. Of course, the user providing the content would have allows for the requesting user to be allowed access to the content (e.g., by way of permissions). Other sharing systems may employ a software agent (e.g., an auction agent or avatar) that may not require user input. 
     User 1 determines that more content is desired and selects a search method  560 . The user may choose to search “public”, “groups”, “friends” or any combination thereof. When, for example, the user selects “public” and “groups” or “friends”, the search results will include both public and restricted content. When, for example, the user knows that their “friends” have a particular content file then it may allow a more focused to search to exclude “public” content that might otherwise clutter the search results. 
     A query  562  may then be made for content residing in the chosen group(s)/friend(s) or public repositories. Query  562  connects with the appropriate locker(s) to access content with the appropriate permissions (e.g., public/group/friend) and sends results  570  back to user 1. User 1&#39;s mobile device may then display the results  572  at mobile client  214  (see  FIG. 2 ). Alternatively, the results may be displayed at a portal (e.g.,  212  of  FIG. 2 ). With the content displayed, user 1 may select the content  574  for sharing using name, size, rating, etc. User 1 then initiates content sharing  580  and the transfer process begins from user 2&#39;s locker to user 1&#39;s locker. User 2 receives points  582  for providing the shared content. User 1 may watch an advertisement  590  or may use points to receive the content (not shown). At the same time the advertisement is displayed, the user may receive the content  592  over any variety of networks. In general, the advertisement may be displayed to the user before the transfer of content, during the transfer of content, and/or after the transfer of content. Moreover, advertisements may be used before, during, and/or after a content search is performed. 
     Other examples of sharing and/or trading may be predicated upon search algorithms and/or heuristics for determining the user&#39;s desired content. For example, the user may employ the search methods described above that may take into account the desired quality (e.g., minimum quality) of the content, the size (e.g., storage space required), cost (e.g., currency, points, advertisement viewing, etc.), operator ratings (e.g., determined by system  100 ), general user ratings, specialized ratings developed by the user searching, or other factors (e.g., whether “cover art” is provided in the case of music content). The user may search for content and the content may be presented as ranked by the user&#39;s criteria to provide them the most relevant content based on their desirability parameters. 
     An example of a remote trading flow diagram  600  is shown in  FIG. 6 . In remote trading, the requests and digital content are typically provided by system server  130  and/or storage system  120 . First mobile device  102  may initiate a discussion  610  between through system server  130  to second mobile device  104  about a proposal for a trade of digital content and the agreed upon points. The second user may accept of decline the proposal  620 . If accepted, the second user sends the acceptance  622  to the first user. System server  130  then sends  624  the digital content agreed upon to the second user. The trade status is updated  626  to reflect the reception of the digital content. As with the local trading of  FIG. 5 , the points balances for the first and second users are then updated  530 . Additionally, the transaction history (including identifying data regarding the content traded) is stored for later synchronization with system server  130  for accounting and royalty payment purposes. If the first user has accomplished a predetermined number of transactions  540  (in this example, 10 transactions), then the transaction history is synchronized  542  with system server  130 . Similarly, when the second user has accomplished a predetermined number of transactions  550  (in this example 10, transactions), then the transaction history is synchronized  552  with system server  130 . 
     In addition to providing a storage and trading platform, system  100  may also provide security on multiple tiers. For example, user accounts and user content are protected as well as the publisher&#39;s copyrighted content. User authentication may be used on both mobile client  214  and portal  212  before access is granted to a user account or to user content. Users are to be authenticated and “logged in” before they access their accounts or use mobile client  214  to trade content. 
     During local trading (e.g., using Bluetooth), mobile client  214  may include security measures based on, for example, RFCOMM and Service Discovery Protocol. During the “pairing” of mobile devices  102 ,  104 , the PIN exchange may occur first to enable the authentication of each mobile device  102 ,  104 , followed by the data being exchanged. Data encryption may also be implemented during the data exchange. During local trading, the identifying information of the digital content (e.g., ID3 tag information, content title, publisher, etc.) may be captured for the transaction history and saved at mobile client  214  for future synchronization with system  100 . Once connected to system  100 , mobile client  214  uploads the transaction and traded content information to system server  130  for the records and for report generation. Encryption at mobile client  214  may also be used to encrypt user account information, passwords, point balance, transaction history, etc. 
     During remote trading using mobile client  214 , users may exchange digital content using wireless application protocol (WAP) and the data may be transferred using, for example, HTTPS protocols to securely connect with system server  130  and storage system  120 , etc. Similarly to local trading, signature information and content information may be captured for the transaction history and saved to system server  130 . 
     In general, alternative embodiments may include mobile devices, web-portals, computers, and any combination thereof. To facilitate the sharing or trading of digital content, a central server (e.g., system server  130 ) may be employed to deliver digital media. However, if two mobile devices (e.g., mobile devices  102 ,  104  of  FIG. 1 ) are used to trade digital content directly, they may use short-range wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) to communicate the digital content. If short-range wireless technology is not available or is not desired for use, the mobile devices may use any network to communicate to system server  130  to trade digital content. 
     Along with the storage and trading of digital content, the tracking of any trading may be recorded. For example, where music files are traded between users, the system may keep records of the transaction and the digital content being traded. For example, metadata related to the digital content may be recoded so that the proper licensors may be compensated for digital content traded to another user. Each time a transfer occurs, the information from the digital content is recorded so that the number of times each particular file has been traded can be accounted for. The individual trade, or the aggregate trades, may be used to determine a royalty or license payment to the content owner (e.g., the copyright holder). 
     In another aspect, an advertising system my interject advertisements into the trading, uploading, downloading, or playing of digital content. For example, the advertisement system may include advertisements when a file is uploaded or accessed by a user. Moreover, the system may show an advertisement with each trade of digital content to offset the costs of payment to the content owner. These advertisements may also provide points to the user for watching them. Depending upon the user information collected (e.g., location or demographics), the advertisement system may also tailor the advertisements to the particular user. This may have value-added benefits to the advertisers or potential advertisers so that they may use targeted advertisement methods to provide more relevant advertisements to the user. 
     Generally speaking, the advertisement system may include certain advertisement methods including pay-per-click, pay-per-call, and pay-per-view. When using the pay-per-click advertising method, the user&#39;s mobile device may be loaded with banner advertisements. If targeted advertisements are used, the banners may be chosen based on the profile of the user. Along with the advertisement, there may be a link that takes the user to the advertiser&#39;s site. For each click-through made by the user, the advertiser is charged a certain fee for the advertisement. 
     In the pay-per-call method, there are typically three main variations. Each variation provides that the user&#39;s mobile device may be loaded with banner advertisements from the server. The user then views the banner when logging-in to the application and selects the banner of greatest interest. In the first variation, the selection then initiates a call to be placed directly to a number chosen by the advertiser, typically a store or call center operated by the advertiser (see  FIG. 7  as an example of a first version of a pay-per-click flow diagram for use with the systems and methods described herein). 
     In the second version, the selection initiates a 1-800 call to the server that in turn diverts the call to the advertiser (see  FIG. 8  as an example of a second version of a pay-per-click flow diagram for use with the systems and methods described herein). As discussed herein, the “click” system may include not only a user&#39;s clicking a link to take them to an advertisement or storefront, but the “click” model may also include calling, and downloading content. the content may include, for example, a ring-tone (e.g., for a phone), a background (e.g., for a display device), music content, video content (e.g., a clip), or other content accessible by the user&#39;s device. 
     In the third variation, the user&#39;s selection sends an authorization to accept calls from the selected advertiser (see  FIG. 9  as an example of a third version of a pay-per-click flow diagram for use with the systems and methods described herein). The authorization is received by the system and the sales-lead is passed on to the advertiser. 
     In the pay-per-view method, the user&#39;s mobile device may include a bulletin message from the server based on the profile of the user. The user then may view the bulletin and may click the message to download the content. Once downloaded, the user may view the content. Points may be given to the user for viewing the advertisement, clicking the link, downloading content, and/or viewing the content. Indeed, where an advertisement is initially interesting to a user, the further the user investigates the advertisement (e.g., by requesting more information, viewing other advertisements or similar advertisements, contacting the advertiser, or visiting the advertiser&#39;s storefront) the more points may be accrued. Moreover, the further the user investigates an advertisement, the number of points may be increased according to the depth of the user&#39;s investigation. 
     An example of how content may be linked to the pay-per-click method may include music related to an advertisement. When or after an advertisement is shown, the user may be provided a number of links that may include a link to the advertiser&#39;s storefront or a link to the music played (e.g., background music) during the advertisement. The user may then download the music (e.g., by following a link to the content) and/or may continue to the storefront (e.g., by following a link). With each event, the user may be credited with points. Moreover, in the example where the user downloads content, the user may be presented with another advertisement during the download and may be credited with more points. 
     In each of the types of advertising methods, revenue from the advertisers may be generated by the operator of the system. The revenue schedule and amount may vary depending on the advertiser and the advertising method. Further, the viewing and/or listening to advertising may occur while the user is doing one of the many activities offered by the system. For example, the user may choose to watch an advertising video clip while uploading content or while trading digital content with a friend. 
     The system and methods described herein contemplate a point-based system where users can buy, gain, and use points for designated activities provided by the system.  FIG. 10  is a diagram of a points system  1000  for use with the system and methods described herein. For example, viewing an advertisement can result in the user being credited points. Alternatively, the user could purchase points with real currency. These points can then be used to pay another user in exchange for the trade of a song. In one example, the system may be entirely point-driven such that users are initially prompted with activities to gain points or use points as payment for the activity and/or content. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , general points management actions are shown (see also point management system  224  of  FIG. 2 ). A user may view points balances on a server using process  1010 . This allows the user to determine how many points have accumulated to their account in real-time. However, viewing points on the server alone does not include points that may be on the mobile device. To view a point balance that shows the point balance on a mobile device, process  1012  is used by the user on their mobile phone to access the local points balance. 
     Point redemption actions  1020  may include purchasing more storage for the user&#39;s locker. The examples as explained herein for the usage of points are only some examples of potential uses. In general, points may be redeemed for intangible and tangible goods and/or services. In one example, the user may redeem X points for 1 MB of storage space (e.g., redemption of 5 points increases the users storage by 1 MB). When storage allocations are redeemed of a generally large size, there may be a volume discount or it may be a flat rate for storage (e.g., Y points for 5 MB or storage and Z points for 25 MB of storage). 
     Alternatively, the user may redeem points for the trading of content. In one example, the user may trade content at a rate of 1 point per content trade. This allows the user to increase their content by using points, rather than real money for purchase. In another option, the user may redeem points for gift cards. The gift cards may be used at merchants, retailers, or tickets to movies or events (concerts). For example, a user may redeem 150 points to obtain two movie passes. Another example could be redemption of 250 points for a $25 gift card to a retailer. 
     In general, points may be obtained in a variety of ways and some are shown at point acquisition actions  1030 . The methods and circumstances of obtaining points as discussed herein are not intended to be limiting as they are merely examples of how users obtain points. A user may purchase points using currency (e.g., US Dollars), they may obtain points through sharing of the application (e.g., a friend downloads mobile client  214  and registers for service), they may obtain points through promotions (e.g., signing up for the service), or through trading. Other examples of how a user may obtain points includes following a link from provided by an advertisement (e.g., to a website), placing a phone call provided by an advertisement, downloading content provided by an advertisement (e.g., a ringtone, a background image, music content, or a video or further advertisement clip), providing advertisement information or a link to advertisement to another user, promotional campaigns, or other marketing or trading activities. 
     A user may receive points through trading of content when another user downloads their content. For example, user A may search and located content from user B. User A then may watch an advertisement or use points to download user B&#39;s content to their own locker. When content is traded, user B then may receive points based on the nature of the transaction. In an example of music sharing, user B may receive 5 points when user A downloads the music content. However, the points for a transaction may change based on the content traded (e.g., movie content may have different points than music content or data content). Additionally, the points for a trade may vary based on the license agreement with a copyright holder. 
     Points management actions  1040  may be employed by the user to deposit or withdraw points from their account. Such actions are similar to banking operations. However, the deposit and withdraw are performed on points rather than money. 
       FIG. 11  is an architecture for “one click” digital content transfer system  1100 . A user may initiate browsing a list of content  1110  from a user portal  1112  at a partner site  1114 . Such browsing may include searching for digital content or viewing web-pages that contain information about digital content with the ability to connect the user with the digital content. The user may then select the digital content  1120 . Selection of content may be, for example, by clicking a button from the click a button provided by partner site  1114 . The button, or other selection mechanism, includes an identifier for the digital content (e.g., a serial number, location, or other indicator as to the digital content&#39;s uniqueness). Selection of digital content  1120  may be, for example, by way of clicking a button that will initiate the downloading to the user&#39;s mobile device. 
     When the user selects digital content  1120 , the user&#39;s portal  1112  contacts  1130  the download facilitation services  1132  to initiate download to the user&#39;s mobile device. The user&#39;s portal  1112  sends the unique identifier for the digital content as provided by partner site  1114  (e.g., via the button). Download facilitation services  1132  then sends a download message  1140  to the user&#39;s mobile device  1142 . Download facilitation services  1132  include, for example, a load balancer  133  to spread communications and downloads to multiple servers  1134 , application repositories  1136 , and content servers  1138 , among other services. It is contemplated that download facilitation services  1132  may be embodied in a single device at one location, multiple devices at one location, or multiple devices at many locations. 
     Download message  1140  may include a link or identifier to initiate download to the user&#39;s mobile device  1142 . For example, mobile device  1142  may receive an SMS message with source location, source identifier, and/or authentication information to allow mobile client  214  (see  FIG. 2 ) to connect with content download facilitation services  1132  to download the digital content. Alternatively, information to facilitate download of the digital content may be send to mobile device  1142  via a proprietary messaging system and/or a web-application. 
     The user initiates transfer  1150  of the digital content by clicking or activating the link provided by download message  1140 . Download facilitation services  1132  then connects with partner site  1114  to request the content  1160  specified by the user. In this example, partner site  1114  contains the persistent storage for the content. However, in other examples partner site  1114  may simply identify the digital content so that another storage system may provide the digital content. However, since in this example partner site  1114  stores the digital content, partner site  1114  sends  1170  the digital content to download facilitation services  1132 . Upon requesting the content  1160 , sending the digital content  1170 , or after either requesting  1160  or sending  1170 , download facilitation services  1132  may collect tracking information  1172  about the digital content, metadata, or other information to identify the digital content. This tracking information, as discussed herein, may be used to properly identify the digital content and to credit the appropriate entities with the transfer. 
     In another example, mobile client  214  may initiate  1150  downloading of digital content automatically. Such a system may be setup as a configuration of mobile client  214  such that when download message  1140  arrives, mobile client  214  automatically initiates  1150  download. This may be useful for the user where user interaction is not desirable. For example, when the user is browsing phone at portal  1112  and does not wish to use mobile device  1142  at the same time, or for example, when mobile device  1142  is not available. 
     Mobile client  214  (see  FIG. 2 ), from mobile device  1142 , then connects to download facilitation services  1132  to initiate  1150  authenticate/download the digital content. Download facilitation services  1132  then delivers  1180  the digital content to mobile device  1142 . As can be seen herein, a single click from the user (e.g. at initiation of transfer  1150 ) provides the digital content to the user&#39;s mobile device  1142 . Such a single click or “one click” approach minimizes the user&#39;s time, effort, and complexity to obtain the digital content. 
     In the context of the above system  1100 , advertisements may be inserted at various times to provide revenue streams. Examples include providing the user with advertisements at any stage in the process, including selecting the digital content  1120 , contacting  1130  the download facilitation services  1132 , downloading message  1140 , initiating transfer  1150 , requesting the digital content  1160 , sending the digital content  1170 , or delivering  1180  the digital content. 
     Additionally, the system may include advertisement(s) during download and/or before the digital content is accessed by the user. In a system where the advertisement is shown before first use, the user may not be required to watch an advertisement to download the digital content, but rather would be required to watch an advertisement before accessing the digital content. 
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart for a “one click” model for digital content transfer method  1200 , which is discussed in view of the system  1100  of  FIG. 11  (discussed above in detail). In step  1210 , the user browses a partner site  1114  and may select content for download. Once content is determined, the control proceeds to step  1120 . 
     At step  1220 , the user selects  1120  the digital content. Selection of content may be, for example, by clicking a button from the click a button provided by partner site  1114 . The button, or other selection mechanism, includes an identifier for the digital content (e.g., a serial number, location, or other indicator as to the digital content&#39;s uniqueness). Selection of digital content  1120  may be, for example, by way of clicking a button that will initiate the downloading to the user&#39;s mobile device. Control proceeds to step  1230 . 
     At step  1230 , portal  1112  contacts  1130  the download facilitation services  1132  to initiate download to the user&#39;s mobile device. The user&#39;s portal  1112  sends the unique identifier for the digital content as provided by partner site  1114  (e.g., via the button). Control then proceeds to step  1240 . 
     At step  1240 , download facilitation services  1132  sends a download message  1140  to the user&#39;s mobile device  1142 . Control then proceeds to step  1250 . 
     At step  1250 , the user or mobile agent  215  (see  FIG. 2 ) may initiate transfer  1150  of the digital content. The initiation of transfer may be asynchronous from selecting  1120  the digital content in that the message transfer need not be performed close in time with selecting  1120 . However, a system may be configured to include a timeout or other mechanism to remove or de-authorize download message  1140  (e.g., arbitrarily set, 30 minutes, 1 day, 30 days, 1 year, etc.). Such initiation may include the clicking of a link, responding to a message, or it may be automatic and initiated when mobile agent  215  receives download message  1140 . Upon initiation of transfer  1150 , an advertisement may be shown to the user. Control then proceeds to step  1260 . 
     At step  1260 , download facilitation services  1132  connects with partner site  1114  to request the content  1160  specified by the user. Alternatively, download facilitation services  1132  may contact another server, repository, or service to request the content  1160 . Such a system may be useful where partner site  1114  is a distributed system or uses separate systems for storage of content. In another example, download facilitation services  1132  connects with partner site  1114  and partner site  1114  may operate as a pass-through or redirector to a provider that can serve digital content. Control then proceeds to step  1265 . 
     At step  1265 , an advertisement is shown to the user. Only after the advertisement is viewed will the downloaded content be released to mobile device  1142 . Alternative examples include advertisements shown at various locations through method  1200 . Control then proceeds to step  1270 . 
     At step  1270 , partner site  1114  (or other source/server) sends  1170  the digital content to download facilitation services  1132 . Control then proceeds to step  1272 . 
     At step  1272 , download facilitation services  1132  (or another service) may collect tracking information  1172  about the digital content being sent  1170  to download facilitation services  1132 . Control then proceeds to step  1280 . 
     At step  1280 , digital content is delivered  1180  to mobile device  1142 . 
     In the context of the above system  1100 , advertisements may be inserted at various times to provide revenue streams. Examples include providing the user with advertisements at any stage in the process, including selecting the digital content  1120 , contacting  1130  the download facilitation services  1132 , downloading message  1140 , initiating transfer  1150 , requesting the digital content  1160 , sending the digital content  1170 , or delivering  1180  the digital content. Additionally, the system may include advertisement(s) during download and/or before the digital content is accessed by the user. In a system where the advertisement is shown before first use, the user may not be required to watch an advertisement to download the digital content, but rather would be required to watch an advertisement before accessing the digital content. Such advertisements may be inserted to viewing by the user on mobile device  1142  and/or portal user  1112 . 
       FIG. 13  is a multi-site architecture  1300  for a multi-site digital content transfer system. Architecture  1300  includes a similar architecture to  FIG. 11 . However, there are multiple partner sites  1114 A,  1114 B,  1114 C, that user portal  1112  may connect with. Using the buttons, as described herein with respect to  FIGS. 11-12 , the user may select digital content from any number of partner sites  1114 A,  1114 B,  1114 C and download the digital content directly to their mobile device  1142 . Using a system of multiple sites to provide digital content, or identifying digital content, the user may visit any number of sites offering digital content and is not necessarily limited to a single-site. Moreover, allowing for downloads via identification of the digital content (e.g., using buttons with identifying information) the content providers may easily and quickly implement systems to provide digital content to users and/or purchasers. Such a system also allows the digital content provider to be independent of the single-site or single-source content providers and maintain control over digital content repositories, identification, and tracking of downloads, among other information. 
       FIG. 14  is a single-site architecture  1400  for a single-site digital content transfer system. In comparison to multi-site architecture  1300 , single-site architecture  1400  provides a single site  1410  for access by user portal  1112 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the user must transfer digital content  1412  from single site  1410  to user portal  1112 , and then transfer the digital content from user portal  1112  to media player  1420 . Thus, single-site architecture does not provide for direct downloading to a mobile device. 
     As discussed herein, the embodiments use a storage system, a trading system, and a royalty tracking and payment system. However, each of the systems described may be used in conjunction with each other, could be used separately, or could be used in other applications. Additionally, other functionality not described herein may be added without straying from the scope of the embodiments. For example, the ability to broadcast messages to all or certain users of the system, a news, stock, and sports score feed option, download and registration process, and the ability to share or send the system software to another user are examples of additional functionally that may be implemented. Moreover, the system contemplates the use of streaming content rather than the trading of digital media. Thus, a user may wish to listen to music at a much-reduced rate or to determine whether the music should be purchased. As such, these examples are merely examples of how functionality may be expanded and are not meant to limit the scope of the foregoing disclosure. 
     The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The embodiments should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application. 
     With regard to the processes, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes described herein are provided for illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way be construed to limit the claimed invention. 
     Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims. 
     All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.