Patent ID: 8881306

Claim:
A multi-server method for lending digital content, comprising: receive, at a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server system and via a wireless access point at a retail store location, an association request from a mobile electronic device, wherein the association request includes a request for a store ID associated with the retail store location; respond, via the first AAA server system and access point, with an association response back to the electronic device, wherein the association response includes the store ID; receive, at a second AAA server system and via the access point at the retail store location, a store login request from the electronic device, wherein the store login request includes a device ID for the electronic device along with a request for in-store access to digital content, and wherein the second AAA server system is configured to send a notification to a third server system if the store login request for in-store access to digital content is authorized; generate, via the third server system and in response to receiving the notification, a session for the electronic device and a redirect, wherein generating the session includes sending the redirect to the electronic device; receive, at the third server system and via the access point at the retail store location, an in-store authentication request from the electronic device based on the redirect, wherein the in-store authentication request includes the device ID; respond, via the third server system and access point, with an authentication response back to the electronic device, wherein the authentication response grants the electronic device in-store access to digital content accessible via the third server system, and wherein the in-store access to the digital content is granted only while the electronic device maintains proximity to the retail store location; receive, at the third server system, an in-store download request from the electronic device by virtue of the granted access, wherein the download request includes a request for digital content; and respond, via the third server system, with an in-store download response back to the electronic device, wherein the in-store download response includes at least a portion of the digital content.