Using social shares to unlock media files
View Patent ↗Embodiments are directed to a computer implemented method and system of restricting access to portions of a media file. The method includes marking a media file such that it has at least two portions. All of the portions are locked except the first portion. The number of times the media file is shared is tracked. Thereafter, a second portion can be unlocked once a threshold number of shares has been tracked. Shares can include social media shares, views, and the like. The media file can be a video file, audio file or other type of media file. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
marking, using a processor system, a media file such that it has at least three portions, wherein the marking is based at least in part on a respective duration of time of each of the at least three portions;
locking, using the processor system, all portions of the media file except a first portion of the media file;
providing, at the end of the first portion, a visual display indicating a first threshold number of shares required to unlock a second portion of the media file; tracking, using the processor system, a number of shares of the media file;
receiving a request from a user for notification, via a desired electronic format, that a second portion is unlocked;
determining, using the processor system, that the number of shares of the media file exceeds the first threshold number of shares;
unlocking, using the processor system, the second portion of the media file responsive, at least in part, to determining that the number of shares of the media file exceeds the first threshold number of shares;
transmitting, using the processing system, notification to the user that the second portion is unlocked via the desired electronic format;
determining, using the processor system, that the number of shares of the media file exceeds a second threshold number of shares, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold, and wherein the second threshold number of shares is an exponential increase from the first threshold number of shares; and
unlocking, using the processor system, a third portion of the media file responsive, at least in part, to determining that the number of shares of the media file exceeds the second threshold number of shares.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein:
unlocking the second portion of the media file comprises maintaining a lock on the third portion of the media file while unlocking the second portion of the media file.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:
distributing the media file with at least one portion of the media file being locked;
wherein the media file is configured to only allow playback of the unlocked portion of the media file.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 wherein:
the media file is configured to display a message at the end of the first portion of the media file to indicate a locked status of the second portion of the media file.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein:
tracking the number of shares of the media file comprises counting a number of times that the media file has been shared via social media.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein:
tracking the number of shares of the media file further comprises counting a number of times that the media file has been viewed.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein:
each portion of the media file has an equal length.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein:
marking the media file comprises marking the media file based on a received request indicating the respective duration of time of each of the at least three portions.
9. A computer system comprising:
a memory; and
a processor system communicatively coupled to the memory;
the processor system configured to perform a method comprising:
marking a media file such that it has at least three portions, wherein the marking is based at least in part on a respective duration of time of each of the at least three portions;
locking all portions of the media file except a first portion of the media file;
providing, at the end of the first portion, a visual display indicating a first threshold number of shares required to unlock a second portion of the media file; tracking a number of shares of the media file;
receiving a request from a user for notification, via a desired electronic format, that a second portion is unlocked;
determining, using the processor system, that the number of shares of the media file exceeds the first threshold number of shares;
unlocking, using the processor system, the second portion of the media file responsive, at least in part, to determining that the number of shares of the media file exceeds the first threshold number of shares;
transmitting, using the processing system, notification to the user that the second portion is unlocked via the desired electronic format;
determining, using the processor system, that the number of shares of the media file exceeds a second threshold number of shares, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold, and wherein the second threshold number of shares is an exponential increase from the first threshold number of shares; and
unlocking, using the processor system, a third portion of the media file responsive, at least in part, to determining that the number of shares of the media file exceeds the second threshold number of shares.
10. The computer system of claim 9 wherein:
unlocking the second portion of the media file comprises maintaining a lock on the third portion of the media file while unlocking the second portion of the media file.
11. The computer system of claim 9 further comprising:
distributing the media file with at least one portion of the media file being locked;
wherein the media file is configured to only allow playback of the unlocked portion of the media file.
12. The computer system of claim 11 wherein:
the media file is configured to display a message at the end of the first portion of the media file to indicate a locked status of the second portion of the media file.
13. The computer system of claim 9 wherein:
tracking the number of shares of the media file comprises counting a number of times that the media file has been shared via social media.
14. The computer system of claim 13 wherein:
tracking the number of shares of the media file further comprises counting a number of times that the media file has been viewed.
15. The computer system of claim 9 wherein:
each portion of the media file has an equal length.
16. The computer system of claim 9 wherein:
marking the media file comprises marking the media file based on a received request indicating the respective duration of time of each of the at least three portions.
17. A computer program product comprising:
a computer-readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer-readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions readable by a processor system to cause the processor system to perform a method comprising:
marking a media file such that it has at least three portions, wherein the marking is based at least in part on a respective duration of time of each of the at least three portions;
locking all portions of the media file except the first portion of the media file;
providing, at the end of the first portion, a visual display indicating a first threshold number of shares required to unlock a second portion of the media file; tracking a number of shares of the media file;
receiving a request from a user for notification, via a desired electronic format, that a second portion is unlocked;
unlocking, using the processor system, the second portion of the media file responsive, at least in part, to determining that the number of shares of the media file exceeds the first threshold number of shares;
transmitting, using the processing system, notification to the user that the second portion is unlocked via the desired electronic format;
determining, using the processor system, that the number of shares of the media file exceeds a second threshold number of shares, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold, and wherein the second threshold number of shares is an exponential increase from the first threshold number of shares; and
unlocking, using the processor system, a third portion of the media file responsive, at least in part, to determining that the number of shares of the media file exceeds the second threshold number of shares.
18. The computer program product of claim 17 wherein:
unlocking the second portion of the media file comprises maintaining a lock on the third portion of the media file while unlocking the second portion of the media file.
19. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising:
distributing the media file with at least one portion of the media file being locked;
wherein the media file is configured to only allow playback of the unlocked portion of the media file.
20. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein:
the media file is configured to display a message at the end of the first portion of the media file to indicate a locked status of the second portion of the media file.