Abstract:
A web content monetization system is disclosed that allows a publisher to create content and to hide portions of that content subject to acceptance of certain conditions, such as a payment. The hidden content is determined by the publisher and is bounded by two tags that can be applied to any portion of the content by the publisher. In place of the hidden content is a placeholder that indicates the conditions under which the hidden content is revealed. When the conditions are met, the hidden content is instantly revealed to the user in the online interface. The hidden content is protected by a digital lock and is not accessible in any manner until the applicable conditions are met.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       NOTICE OF MATERIAL SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT PROTECTION 
       [0003]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following invention relates generally to online content usage and consumption, and more particularly to systems and methods related to content acquisition mechanisms on networked devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In the past few years, the online communication channel has emerged as a major communication channel for consumers. This channel allows users to experience content how, when, and where they want it, and in the specific ways they want to experience it. 
         [0006]    Today, the content creation market is dominated by advertising business models, and the content creators often get a limited share of the value generated by the content experience. This drives content quality down. 
         [0007]    Also, more and more networked devices are being developed (computers, mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, televisions, etc.), making it difficult and costly for the content creators to publish their content as well, as for the user to acquire content. 
         [0008]    The revenue models in the digital industry can be summarized as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0009]    First, the content creators can generate money through advertising. This model is split into two areas:
       (1) If the platform audience is large enough, they can sell the advertising on their own, like a big portal such as Microsoft or Yahoo!   (2) Or they can choose a syndicated advertising model. A technical solution is being developed that allows any website to participate in the scheme. This is typically what companies like Google have developed with the AdSense solution.       
 
         [0012]    Second, content creators could instead generate money by selling the content available on their platform, most commonly using subscription models. Such subscription models are locked within a certain Web environment (e.g., Financial Times sites network) or technology (e.g., Apple iTunes Store). 
         [0013]    There are no syndicated models like there are for advertising. A number of providers try to develop an agnostic subscription model, such as Press+, but they are based on commercial negotiations with each respective website, and can&#39;t scale quickly because they don&#39;t have a technical innovation that can be replicated across multiple sites. 
         [0014]    The systems and methods described herein aim to fix this gap with the development of a technical framework that is highly modular and flexible such that it can work on any website, any platform, and on any networked device. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is a network subscription and e-commerce system that may be used for flexible content monetization on multiple online platforms and applications. 
         [0016]    The invention may be characterized as a method, comprising the securing of content rights between two digital points at any place chosen by the content creator in a given application page; having a universal Application Programming Interface for flexible content monetization that can be added to any Content Publishing Platform; hiding defined section(s) of content according to given parameters in an application page; storing hidden content in a database and revealing content on user acceptance of monetization conditions; generating a micro-transaction to reveal content; instantly loading the acquired content to a purchaser after the monetization conditions are met; and generating and collecting commissions on fees using short URLs. 
         [0017]    The invention may be characterized as a system, comprising a User interface to manage user accounts, send payment requests corresponding to acquisitions of content, and manage a library of acquired content documents; a Content Creator Interface to monitor application page activities, view commissions and receive payment requests; a Content Creator interface that generates two tags based on set criteria, and allows content to be hidden between these two tags; a Content Creator Application, to be integrated into existing content publishing platforms, allowing precise and flexible tagging of the content and turn it into monetized solutions; an accounts and rights management platform, to define and control the content parameters and manage transactional flows between users, content creators and publishers; a payment interface to initiate transfer to various billing entities; and a short URL interface to manage leads flow and allocate sales communication to content referrers. 
         [0018]    An aspect of the present invention is a digital content system, comprising: digital content; wherein the digital content comprises visible content and hidden content; code to display the digital content, comprising: a first tag, a second tag, and at least one condition for revealing the hidden content; wherein the hidden content is located between the first tag and the second tag; and content display means; wherein the code is executed by the content display means; wherein the visible content is visible on the content display means; wherein the hidden content is not visible on the content display means; and wherein the hidden content is instantly visible on the content display means when the at least one condition for revealing the hidden content is met. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment of this aspect, the visible content and the hidden content are determined by a content creator or a content publisher. In another embodiment, the first tag is a start tag; and the second tag is an end tag. Another embodiment further comprises a short URL; wherein the hidden content is referred to via the short URL. Another embodiment further comprises a short URL; wherein the short URL monitors referrals to the digital content; and wherein commissions are paid based on the referrals to the digital content. In yet another embodiment, the at least one condition comprises making a payment. 
         [0020]    Another embodiment further comprises a placeholder; wherein the placeholder appears in place of the hidden content before the at least one condition is met; and wherein the placeholder is removed and the hidden text is revealed when the at least one condition is met. In another mode of this embodiment, the placeholder comprises a description of the at least one condition for revealing the hidden content; and means to enable a user to satisfy the at least one condition. In a still further mode of this embodiment, the placeholder comprises a description of the hidden text. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, the content display means is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, mobile phones, tablet PCs, and Internet-capable devices. Still another embodiment further comprises a plurality of short URLs; wherein the digital content comprises a plurality of hidden content sections; wherein each of the hidden content sections is bounded by a set of first and second tags; wherein the at least one condition precedent comprises conditions for revealing one or more of the hidden content sections; wherein each short URL identifies at least one of the hidden content sections; and wherein either all of or a subset of hidden content sections can be revealed consecutively or concurrently by a user. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the present invention is a digital content system, comprising digital content; means for displaying the digital content to a user; means for denoting a portion of the digital content as hidden content; wherein hidden content is not visible on the means for displaying; means for specifying at least one condition precedent to revealing hidden content; means for determining whether the at least one condition precedent is met; and means for instantly revealing hidden content to a user if the at least one condition is met. 
         [0023]    One embodiment of this aspect further comprises means for tracking referrals to the digital content; and means for paying commissions based on the referrals. In one mode of this embodiment, the means for tracking referrals comprises a short-URL format. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the means for displaying digital content is selected from the group consisting of personal computers, mobile phones, tablet PCs, and Internet-capable devices. In another embodiment, the means for denoting a portion of digital content as hidden content comprises a start tag and an end tag; wherein the hidden content is located between the start tag and the end tag. 
         [0025]    A still further aspect of the present invention is a method for using digital content, the steps comprising providing an environment for a content creator or a content publisher to designate portions of digital content as hidden content; wherein the hidden content is located between a first tag and a second tag; wherein at least one condition is specified for revealing the hidden content; determining whether the at least one condition is met; and revealing the hidden content to a user instantly if the at least one condition is met. 
         [0026]    One embodiment of this aspect further comprises tracking referrals to the digital content; and paying commissions based on referrals to the digital content. In another embodiment, the first tag is a start tag and the second tag is an end tag. 
         [0027]    Further aspects of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, in which the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a summary of the revenue models in the digital industry. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is an architectural network overview according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a user transaction front view of an application page using a static element according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  shows a user transaction front view of an application page using a dynamic application element according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  shows the Content Creation Unit front view in a Publishing Platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  shows a Content Creation Unit front view in an Integrated Publishing Platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating the User Acquisition of a Content Unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating the Creation of System Content Unit as a manual process within a Publishing Platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating the Creation of System Content Unit as automated within an Integrated Publishing Platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the present invention is embodied in the system and method generally shown in  FIGS. 2 through 9 . The system may vary as to configuration and as to details of the parts, and the method may vary as to the specific steps and sequence, without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein. 
         [0038]    In the development of any actual implementation of the present invention, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system, legal and business related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such development efforts might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0039]    For purposes of the instant specification, the terms “content creator”, “creator”, “content publisher”, and content publisher” are used to denote the person or entity that is the source or creator of the published content and are used interchangeably. The term “user” refers to the one accessing the content that is provided by the creator or publisher. “Content” refers to digital content, which can be static (e.g., text, photos, etc.) or dynamic (e.g., movies, animation, etc.). “Code” refers to any instructions created by the creator or publisher using the system or method of the instant invention that involves content, such as, but not limited to, HTML source code or the output from any other platform involving the creation or display of content. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  illustrates an architectural subscription and e-commerce network that includes a user  110  connecting to the Internet using any Internet-capable device (e.g., personal computer, mobile phone, tablet PC, etc.). Such a device is used for accessing and displaying Public Online content  120  (e.g., a website, web application, etc.) and consulting different application pages  121  (e.g., a web-based text page or content like digital video, graphics, designs, music, etc.) to the user  110 . In this embodiment, the application pages  121  contain one Hidden Content Unit  150  and are interacting  122 , 123  with the Content Monetization Platform  130  that manages a set of Accounts and Rights Management  133  at the core of the embodiment for monetization of the content. It contains an e-commerce solution with a payment interface  134  which has the capacity to handle multiple types of payment platforms  160  (e.g., credit cards, airlines miles, other systems credits) or revenues generated by advertising networks  161 . The Accounts and Rights Management controls the logic and conditions parameters that define the Hidden Content Unit  150 . Such parameters are set in the Content Creator Application  141 , which is part of the Content Publishing Platform  140 . The Content Publishing Platform  140  can be any available platform for creating, managing and/or publishing content (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, Joomla!, YouTube, Atex, Facebook, mobile apps, etc.). The Content Publishing Platform  140  is used by the Publisher  111  to create, manage, and/or publish  124  the Public Online Content  120  that the user  110  sees. 
         [0041]    To access the monetized content, the users of the system create an account through the User Interface  131 . To create the content to monetize, content creators open an account through the Content Creator Interface  132 . Using the short URL interface  135 , the Content Creators can attribute commissions to Users, who will then receive a commission for the links they share on their social sharing platform  170  (e.g., e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a user transaction front view of an embodiment of the present invention using a static element (e.g., text, photos, etc.). An application page  121  contains different sets of content elements; some elements have visible content  220 , and some elements have hidden content and are described as Hidden Content Units  150 . Such Hidden Content Units are defined by a start tag  240  and an end tag  241 . Any content between these two tags will be hidden, subject to a digital lock. The Hidden Content Unit  150  is a placeholder containing a consumer description  151  of the conditions required to remove the Hidden Content Unit  150 . By accepting these conditions  231 , the Hidden Content Unit  150  is instantly removed  232 , and the application page  121  is now fully visible, in which a single element, Visible Document Content  221 , is present. The transaction or activity occurs immediately, without the necessity of opening any new pages or windows during the transaction. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  shows a user transaction front view like that shown in  FIG. 3 , but using a dynamic content section (e.g., video, slideshows, audio, etc.). During a given section of dynamic content within an application unit  128 , some elements are visible  228 , while some elements have been covered with a Hidden Content Unit  150  defined by a start tag  240  and an end tag  241 . The tags may be activated by set parameters like time, number of frames, content quality, or any other technical parameter desired by the content owner. When reaching the start tag  240 , a consumer description  151  gives the conditions required to remove the Hidden Content Unit  150 . Similar to  FIG. 3 , by accepting the condition  231 , the digital lock is opened and the full Visible Content Section  229  is available to the user. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is an embodiment of the publisher front-view interface. Within the Content Publishing platform  140 , a publisher can access the Content Creator Application  141  to create a Hidden Content Unit  150 . The Content Creator Application  141  may be seen as a specifically-developed plug-in to the Content Publishing Platform  140 , or as a future element added to the platform using the system API (Application Programming Interface). Mandatory Criteria  430  define the required elements to create a monetized Hidden Content Unit  150 : A start day/time (DD/MM/YY-24:00)  431 , and an end day/time  432  using the same format (these may be added automatically). The monetized element value  433  (price in local currency, or points systems). A short Hidden Content Unit description  436  describes what is hidden behind the Hidden Content Unit and will be displayed within the consumer description  151  seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0045]    More optional criteria  440  may be found in the interface; such criteria  441  may vary by Content Publishing Platform  140 , content types (e.g., digital video, audio, text, images, etc.), or both. 
         [0046]    Once the criteria are set, pressing “Generate”  450  would create the start tag  240  and the end tag  241  within the Content Unit Tags element  460 . These tags can then be placed manually  470  or automatically  471  within the Application Page  121 , and once the content is published, these tags create a Hidden Content Unit  150 . 
         [0047]    Using the short URL interface  135 , a short URL  171  is created to be used for communication of the content and to allow commission management to users sharing the given Application Page  121 . The user transaction of such model is shown on  FIG. 3 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of the publisher front-view interface, this time using an Integrated Publishing platform  148  to manage a section of dynamic content, such as YouTube videos or SlideShare presentations. A specific Integrated Content Creation Application  142  would have been installed for such a publishing platform. The operative principles are similar to those described in reference to  FIG. 5 . The difference is, for the setup of the tags, two insertion points should be specified: a first insertion point  434  to start the Hidden Content Unit  150 , and a second insertion point  435  to specify the end of the Hidden Content Unit  150 . Such insertion points  434 , 435  can be based on amount of time, number of frames, or any other technical criteria available within the Application Unit  128  or part of the Integrated Publishing Platform  148 . The user transaction of such model is shown on  FIG. 4 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart of the processes and systems involved during the User Acquisition of a Content Unit. At the starting point, a user comes to an application page  121  (or Application Unit  128 ) in which a Hidden Content Unit  150  is in place. Through standard browser recognition, such as (but not limited to) an Internet Explorer/Firefox cookie, the System detects if the user already has an account  620 ; if so, it means the user is a repeat user  640 . Further user info (e.g., login details) may be detected  641  or the user may manually enter account details  643  if the user info is not detected. Once the user accepts the condition presented  642 , a second user confirmation is requested  644 , and if confirmed, the system checks account parameters in the Account and Rights database  133 . If the account has insufficient credit, the user may recredit his account  645 . If enough credits are in the account, the User account is debited  646 , and a check is done to determine if the user came from a Short URL link  171 . If so, the referrer account is updated as well. The content is then loaded instantly  232  from the Content Publishing Platform  140  into the application page  121  (or the Application Unit  128 ). Full document content  221  (or Content Section  229 ) is then visible immediately, without the need for opening any other windows or pages. 
         [0050]    If the user comes for the first time and has no account  630 , an option to open an account is presented  631 . If the user refuses to open an account, the Hidden Content Unit  150  remains on the application page and the user can continue reading the rest of the page  632 . If an account is created  633  and user parameters are saved  133 , a confirmation request is sent to the new user  635 . Upon user confirmation  636 , the content is loaded instantly  232  from the Content Publishing Platform  140  into the application page  121  (or Application Unit  128 ). 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of the processes and systems involved during the use of the Creation of Content Unit. At the starting point, a Content Creator (e.g., journalist, designer, video, consumer, etc.) wants to monetize the content he has created or is currently creating  710 . The Publisher connects to the third-party content publishing platform  140  that he uses to manage, edit, or publish his content. There are two conditions for the system to work: (1) the Content Creator needs to have an account already present in the system  132  or needs to create an account  721 , and (2) the Content Creator Application  141  needs to be installed by the Publisher or the Content Creator Application  141  needs to be installed within its third-party Content Publishing Platform  722 . The Content Creator starts the editing process of adding, modifying, and/or creating original content  730 . He then accesses the Content Creator Application  141 . The Content Creator Application  141  will automatically retrieve certain parameters  750 , such as, but not limited to, Application page name  751 , Application Page URL  752  (http:// . . . ), Publisher ID  753  (if, for example, the Content Creator is affiliated with a larger institution), and Content Creator ID  754 . The Content Creator would key-in the mandatory parameters  430 , such as start date/time  431 , end date/time  432 , Monetization Value  433 , and short description of the element  436 . Some optional parameters  440  can also be added, depending on the platform (e.g., Facebook, WordPress, etc.), the type of content (e.g., video, audio, text, images, etc.), and/or the item activity (e.g., number of views, numbers of monetized units, etc.). After entering the needed parameters, the Content Creator finishes by generating the elements  450 . The system generates a short URL to be used for leads and commission management  135 , and the parameters are stored with the Accounts and Rights Management platform  133 . The start and end tags  240 , 241  are then created  460  using the parameters set above. The tags  240 , 241  are added to the Application Page, either manually  470  or automatically  471  as shown in  FIG. 5 . When the Content Creator decides to publish the Application Page  760 , the content contained between the start and end tags  240 , 241  is saved on the publishing platform  140  and is replaced by the Hidden Content Unit  150 . The tags and the latest parameters are saved  770  within the Account and Rights Management platform  133 . The application page  121  is now live with Hidden Content Unit  150 . The publisher front view interface of such model is shown on  FIG. 5 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart of an alternative embodiment using an Integrated Publishing platform  148 , such as YouTube or SlideShare, in which some insertion points are defined by the content creator (e.g., a specific section of a movie or an animation), and the tags are automatically added during the upload or rendering process. The flow chart sequence is similar to that described in reference to  FIG. 8 . The Publisher connects to the third-party integrated content publishing platform  148 , creates, edits, and/or adds content  730 , and accesses the integrated system application  142 . Automatic parameters are added  750 , and two new mandatory parameters are required: publishers should specify two mandatory insertion points: the first insertion point  434  to start the Hidden Content Unit  150 , and the second insertion point  435  to specify the end of the Hidden Content Unit  150 . Such insertion points  434 , 435  can be based on amount of time, number of frames, or any other technical criteria available within the Application Unit  128 . Similar to  FIG. 8 , the publisher clicks “Generate”, the tags are added automatically  471  at the specified insertion points  434 , 435 , and the tags are automatically saved  770  in the content publishing platform  140 . The Application Unit  128  is then published. The publisher front view interface of such model is shown on  FIG. 6 . 
         [0053]    The present invention delivers the following key benefits:
       (1) From a consumer stand point:   a. Free: Most content can still be enjoyed for free   b. Single sign-on: No need to open multiple subscriptions/accounts with multiple publishers   c. Open: Works on all networked devices using standard Web technology   d. Flexible: User can buy what he wants easily, how and when he wants   e. Instant: Instant gratification when buying content   f. Social: Share content and receive commissions on referrals   (2) From a content creator/publisher stand point, here are some of the key benefits:   a. Quality: Promotes quality by supporting content creation monetization   b. Earnings: Publishers can receive significant new, incremental revenues   c. Control: Publishers keep control of how and what content is being sold   d. Flexibility: Integrates within all types of Web pages and content types   e. Communication: Build buzz on worthy content through use of paid referrals   f. Easy to use: Install within minutes and use within the content publishing platforms       
 
         [0068]    As noted previously, adaptations of the present invention are easily conceived and would exist in the spirit of the original invention. For example, a page may have content from more than one publisher, or may have both static and dynamic content containing hidden content. It is therefore possible to create a page with multiple hidden content sections, each containing content from a different source, and each having a unique short-URL identifier to manage access and commissions. Content on a page may come from the same source, but payment may be made to different entities for revealing specific hidden content on that page. A user may choose to reveal only certain sections of hidden content or all sections of it, subject to the user&#39;s needs. For example, the user can reveal any or all hidden content sections during one browsing session or may choose to selectively reveal hidden content sections during different browsing events. 
         [0069]    Although the description above contains many details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, technical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”