IP Library Granted Patent US 12,158,927
Granted Patent B2
US 12,158,927 · App. 17/285,864 · Granted Dec 3, 2024

Method and system for electronic content delivery to a user device through a wireless captive audience device

Inventors: Amandeep Singh Kochar (Charlotte, NC); Robert James Bogan (Waxhaw, NC); Michael Boyd Ervin (Charlotte, NC); Jason Cory Mei (Plano, TX)
Assignee: Baker & Taylor, LLC
G06F21/10H04L9/0643H04L9/088G06Q2220/18
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,158,927
App. No.
17/285,864
Granted
Dec 3, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Digital content distribution methods, systems and devices are provided. The digital content distribution utilizes a content distribution server for providing a user device access to digital content. In certain embodiments, the content distribution server: (a) receives a check-out request from a user device via a content access device; (b) provides metainfo to the user device via the content access device; (c) receives an open content command comprising an identifier of the digital content and an identifier for a user from the user device; (d) determines from the open content command whether the user device is authorized to view the digital content; and (e) provides a license response to the user device based on the user device being authorized to view the digital content, the license response comprising a license and the digital content.

Claims (32)

1. A method, performed by a content distribution server, for providing a user device access to digital content, the method comprising:

receiving a check-out request from the user device via a content access device;

providing metainfo to the user device via the content access device, the metainfo including a unique identifier of a check-out transaction associated with the check-out request;

receiving an open content command comprising an identifier of the digital content, an identifier for a user from the user device, and an identifier of an owner of the digital content;

determining from the open content command whether the user device is authorized to view the digital content;

providing a license response to the user device based on the user device being authorized to view the digital content, the license response comprising a license for viewing the digital content and the digital content;

receiving a check-in request from the user device, the check-in request including the unique identifier of the check-out transaction; and

revoking the license for viewing the digital content provided to the user device based on receiving the check-in request from the user device.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising making the license for viewing the digital content available to other user devices to gain viewing rights to the digital content.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the license comprises an expiration date timestamp, the expiration date timestamp defines a period of time after which the license for viewing the digital content expires and the user device no longer has rights to view the digital content.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the content access device is a wireless router, and the content distribution server interacts with the user device via a browser of the user device.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the wireless router comprises a network access storage (NAS) that stores the digital content.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the license comprises encryption keys for decrypting digital content.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the digital content was encrypted using a base 64 encode Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA1) hash and the encryption keys from the license allow the user device to decrypt the base 64 SHA1 hash.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the digital content is an electronic book (e-book) in an ePUB standard stored in an encrypted state in Web Crypto.

9. A content distribution system for providing a user device access to digital content, the system comprising:

a content access device configured for wireless communication with the user device; and

a content distribution server configured for:

receiving a check-out request from the user device via the content access device;

providing metainfo to the user device via the content access device, the metainfo including a unique identifier of a check-out transaction associated with the check-out request;

receiving an open content command comprising an identifier of the digital content, an identifier for a user from the user device, and an identifier of an owner of the digital content;

determining from the open content command whether the user device is authorized to view the digital content;

providing a license response to the user device based on the user device being authorized to view the digital content, the license response comprising a license for viewing the digital content and the digital content;

receiving a check-in request from the user device, the check-in request including the unique identifier of the check-out transaction; and

revoking the license for viewing the digital content provided to the user device based on receiving the check-in request from the user device.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the content distribution system is further configured for making the license for viewing the digital content available to other user devices to gain viewing rights to the digital content.

11. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the license comprises an expiration date timestamp, the expiration date timestamp defines a period of time after which the license for viewing the digital content expires and the user device no longer has rights to view the digital content.

12. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the content access device is a wireless router, and the content distribution server interacts with the user device via a browser of the user device.

13. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the wireless router comprises a network access storage (NAS) that stores the digital content.

14. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the license comprises encryption keys for decrypting digital content.

15. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the digital content was encrypted using a base 64 encode Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA1) hash and the encryption keys from the license allow the user device to decrypt the base 64 SHA1 hash.

16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the digital content is an electronic book (e-book) in an ePUB standard stored in an encrypted state in Web Crypto.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 22, 2026
From: CIT NORTHBRIDGE CREDIT LLC, AS AGENT
To: BAKER & TAYLOR, LLC
Reel/Frame 074442/0335 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2022
From: KOCHAR, AMANDEEP SINGH; BOGAN, ROBERT JAMES; ERVIN, MICHAEL BOYD; MEI, JASON CORY
To: FOLLETT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 060589/0017 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2021
From: BAKER & TAYLOR, LLC
To: CIT NORTHBRIDGE CREDIT LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 058027/0432 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: FOLLETT CORPORATION
To: BAKER & TAYLOR, LLC
Reel/Frame 058011/0799 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62746425 · Oct 16, 2018
Related Publication 20210349968A1 · Nov 11, 2021