Architecture system for in-store reading

1. 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.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the device ID is a serial number associated with the electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second AAA server system and the third server system are associated with a content provider business entity and the first AAA server system is associated with another business entity that is a partner or vendor of the content provider business entity.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first AAA server system and access point are configured to authenticate an electronic device based on a factory-loaded client certificate.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first AAA server system is configured to communicate with the second AAA server via a Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) protocol.

6. A multi-server system for lending digital content, comprising:

a first authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server system configured to receive, 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, the first AAA server system further configured to respond via the access point with an association response back to the electronic device, wherein the association response includes the store ID;

a second AAA server system configured to receive, 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 further configured to send a notification to a third server system if the store login request for in-store access to digital content is authorized; and

the third server system which is configured to, in response to receiving the notification, generate a session for the electronic device and a redirect, and send the redirect to the electronic device, wherein the third server system is further configured to:

receive, 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 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 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 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.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the device ID is a serial number associated with the electronic device.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the second AAA server system and the third server system are associated with a content provider business entity and the first AAA server system is associated with another business entity that is a partner or vendor of the content provider business entity.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein the first AAA server system and access point are configured to authenticate an electronic device based on a factory-loaded client certificate.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the first AAA server system is configured to communicate with the second AAA server via a Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) protocol.