WO2003003172A1

WO2003003172A1 - Methods of controlling user access to digital media content

Info

Publication number: WO2003003172A1
Application number: PCT/FI2002/000577
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timo Vasankari; Raimo KÖRKKÖ
Original assignee: Divace Oy
Priority date: 2001-06-29
Filing date: 2002-06-28
Publication date: 2003-01-09
Also published as: FI118358B; FI20012176A0; FI20012176A

Abstract

A protected media content with a media access file through which media files which contain the protected content can be accessed only if a media player necessary for using the protected content has a first valid activation key which matches a second authentication key stored in the media access file. The media player compares the first and second activation keys in response to the user selecting the protected content, and it independently denies or allows access to the protected content. The media access file contains information that defines actual media files containing the protected content, and if the computer program or media player allows the access, the media files are accessed through the media access file by means of the information contained therein. In other words, the use of the media player is restricted to the protected contents to which it has a valid activation key or keys.

Description

METHODS OF CONTROLLING USER ACCESS TO DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to methods and mechanisms for controlling user access to a protected media content, and especially to a media content on a web site or a multimedia product of a content provider.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays there is a large amount of learning and educational material available as software products (e.g. CD ROMs) from publishing houses and other content providers. Also on the Internet there is a huge amount of material suitable for learning sessions. The publishing houses even provide Internet web sites, called learning portals herein, which can be accessed by the students over the Internet.

Digital media technologies are rapidly finding their way to the lan- guage teaching classroom scene. Tape-based language laboratories are being replaced with computer labs. Computers become networked, providing access to the immeasurable wealth of resources on the Internet. Analogue material in form of audio and videotapes disappears from shelves and is being digitized and stored in a systematic manner on powerful media servers. Self-access centres are being created, allowing the learners to study at their own pace and in their own time. Digitized media come in various formats, from Windows sound format .wav or QuickTime .mov video to MPEG layer 3 type of audio compression.

It is essential for the content providers to control the access to the contents on the web sites so that only authorised users are allowed. Normally this is achieved by authenticating a user by a user name and a password when he/she enters the web site. Having been successfully authenticated, the user has access to all content material under that usemame/password combination. However, it is in some cases difficult to manage the name/password combinations, especially if they authorise the use of different kind of contents. For example, the publishing houses often offer to school and institutions, such as universities, collective access to the contents on the web sites. The number of users with the same access codes is high, different departments or school classes may be using different contents on the web site, etc. The distribution and management of the usemames/passwords in such institutions is a difficult task. It is also desired to have a more flexible way of offering different or customised contents to the users while making the access control as simple as possible. Also in the CD-ROM products, it may be desirable to control the ac- cess to the contents of the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM products or text books may also have supporting multimedia material which can be accessed on the publisher's web site without any extra fee. There is a need for a flexible, simple and user-friendly method for allowing access to the supporting material related to a specific product or text book while preventing unauthorised access to another content (such as support material for another text book) of the web site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention to provide a new method and a tool for controlling access to digital contents, preferably so as to alleviate or avoid one or more of the problems and disadvantages of the prior art approaches.

The objects of the invention are achieved by methods, a program, a program product, a web site, and a media player which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the inven- tion are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a protected content with a media access file through which media files which contain the protected content can be accessed only if a program code or a media player necessary for using the protected content has a first valid activation key which matches a second authentication key stored in the media access file. The comparison between the first and second activation keys is made by the program or media player in response to the user selecting the protected content, and it independently denies or allows access to the protected content. The media access file contains information that defines actual media files containing the pro- tected content, and if the program or media player allows the access, the media files are accessed through the media access file by means of the information contained therein. Thus, the media access file provides a kind of shell on top of the actual media file(s). The actual media files may be in a standard file format but they are hidden by the media access file so that they are not ac- cessible by standard media players, at least not without some extra effort. The security check functionality is provided in the computer program or media player which itself is responsible for checking whether or not it has a right to use the content behind the media access file. In other words, the use of the program or media player is restricted to the contents to which it has a valid activation key(s). The computer program or the media player may optionally be able to access standard file formats which are not protected according to the present invention. The first activation key to a specific content is given to a user when the user is authorised to use the specific content, e.g. when he or she registers into a web site of a content provided, purchases a CD-ROM product or text book, etc. The key is stored in association with the program or media player necessary for using the specific content. The storing may be automatic, e.g. part of a registration process to a web site, or the activation key may be entered manually by the user. There may be more than one first activation keys stored in association with a media player. The first activation key may also be fixedly associated with the program or media player so that the media player can only be used for this specific content. The necessary computer program or media player may be downloaded to a user computer upon registration or it may be contained on the CD-ROM product.

The present invention allows the content providers to protect their media content packets by binding the use of these packets to "authorised" media players. Consequently, in institutions and schools, the use of the specific contents can be restricted to user terminals that have media players with valid activation key(s). An individual and institutional user may still have a conventional username/password pair for entering a web site or other service and for viewing the content names, but activation and use of any specific content is possible with an authorised media player only. Thus, the content provider can provide different users with different protected contents in a very flexible way.

In media products on a CD-ROM or similar electronic storage, the invention can be used for making the copying of media files more difficult or even impossible if the media files can be handled only through the media access file(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail by means of the preferred embodiments and with reference to the attached draw- ings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a media player;

Figure 2 illustrates the relationship between the media player, a media file, and a media access file;

Figure 3 is a block and flow diagram illustrating the authorised us- age of protected media material in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by means of an example in which the computer program or media player neces- sary for using a protected content is a media player capable of playing out common media file formats, such as MPEG, WAW, RA and MP3. In this respect, it is similar to other RealMedia players or MS media player currently available. The Real Media players relate to a new technology standard called RealAudio and RealMedia. This technology provides an ongoing stream of audio and/or video while being downloaded into a computer from the Internet or another source. It means that no time is wasted in downloading a file first and then playing it back.

One potential application field of the present invention is language learning, and therefore the media player according to the invention may in- elude additional functions like 'Speak', recording of a microphone input synchronized to a media file, and showing subtitles. In language learning applications, the media player may actually be a digital representation of a dual-track recorder. One track (Program) serves for recording (capturing) the program source (e.g. authentic foreign language audio from the radio, TV, digital media, the Internet). The second track (Learner), as the name suggests, is designed for the learner to record (speak) his input (repeating after the program source for pronunciation practice, translating the program source into the learner's mother tongue, or producing open-ended responses). An example of the appearance (a user interface) of such a media player is shown in Figure 1. Typi- cally, it is a window to be opened on the screen of a media device under a control of the operating system, e.g. similarly to any program window in the Windows environment. The buttons 10 and 11 in the bottom bar correspond to the standard buttons on a cassette or a video recorder (Play, Rewind, Pause etc.). The time scale 12, the pointers 13 and the counters 14 indicate the play- time for both tracks. Volume can be controlled by the control button 15. In the top left corner there are standard buttons 16 for controlling the size of the program window and for closing the program.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the media player is a program run on a multimedia computer, that is a personal computer provided with a sound card, speakers, and a microphone, and a CD-ROM drive and/or communication capability enabling communication with a media server in a local area network (LAN) and/or a web site on the Internet. However, a media player can be a program run on any user device capable of executing a program code. More generally, a media device can be any device capable of play- ing digital media content files.

Additionally, in accordance with the invention, media files can be connected to the media player by means of a specific file format, Media Access file, called a DIM file below. The media player according to the invention acts as a player for standard file formats, e.g. mp3, wav, mpeg, but with a limi- tation concerning the playing of media stored via the DIM files. The media access file provides a kind of shell on the top of the actual media files. The relationship between a media player, a DIM file and a media file is illustrated schematically in Figure 2. For each content package, two types of activation keys are created. The key of type 1 is stored into a register in the media player. That register contains keys to identify a user license for media content packages, e.g. on-line material for a language course book. Each item of such a content package, that is each DIM file, includes a corresponding activation key of type 2 to be compared with the type 1 activation key in the register in the media player. These two keys need not be the same, but they are match- ing pairs in some way. One example of how the keys may correspond each other is specified below.

The DIM file format may be as shown in the following example:

<HTML>

<HEAD> <TITLE>Media Player Object</TITLE>

</HEAD>

<BODY>

<DL>

<DD><A HREF="FILE:///program file path"> 9;Digital Video File;192;</A> <DD><A HREF="FILE:///data file path"> 11;Syncronization File;192;</A> </DL>

</BODY> </HTML>

The field 'meta name' defines the meta name for the content packet, in this case "ELITE_KEY". The field 'content' contains the type 2 key. The first <DD> tag defines the name of the actual media file, e.g. FILE:///My Documents/EnglishLessonl .mp3.

The second <DD> tag defines the additional data file for subtitles etc.; e.g. FILE:///My Documents/EnglishLessonl. DID. The </A> tags define parameters for the media player.

The structure for the activation key may be as shown in the following example (the structure is adapted to other product codes of the applicant, and it therefore contains sections which are not relevant from the invention's point of view; the invention is not intended to be restricted to any specific structure of the activation keys):

XXXXXXX-KKGGGGEE-ZZZZZZ-QQQ where sections are as following:

A Package code XXXXXXX is a 7-digit product code identifying the content package this activation key is created for. The value of this code is the same for keys of both types, but different for each content package, e.g. each course book.

A Key mode KK is a 2-digit code defining the mode (type) of the key. This code identifies whether the key is to be stored in the media player register (valuel for type 1), or in the DIM file (value 2 for type 2). Other values mean an invalid key.

A Counter GGGG is a 4-digit code, which has no purpose for type 1 key. This code has a fixed value 0000 for the type 1 keys. For type 2 keys, the counter code contains a checksum calculated from name of the media file.

An Internal Product Id EE is a 2-digit code that specifies that the key is for media player version having DIM file capability (value3). The same value is user for both type 1 and type 2 keys. Only keys with valid value are ac- cepted for type 1 or type 2.

A 6-digit serial number ZZZZZZ has no special purpose for either key type, value fixed 111111.

A 3-digit checksum QQQ is calculated from the other parts of the activation key by a suitable algorithm.

The content provider may have a key stamper program for creating DIM files and marking them with a correct and valid key of type 2. For example, the key stamper program may take as input the packet code (XXXXX) and serial number (ZZZZZZ) segments of the key, and create the complete key by inserting the values KK and EE, calculating the checksum GGGG from the name of the media file, and finally the complete checksum QQQ for all fields. When calculated, the Key is written into the DIM file in the format specified above.

A new activation key of type 1 can be stored into a register or a file in the media player. There is likely to be several activation keys for a single media player, one for each media package the user has a license for. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the user of the media player cannot view the actual activation keys in the register but only the meta-names of contents or media packets he has a license (a valid activation key) for. This makes it more difficult to copy the key to other media players. A new activation key can be entered in several ways. One way is to enter the activation key manually using special purpose functionality in the media player. Another way is to enter the activation key automatically. The key may be, for example, in a special file so that opening such a file with the media player will result in the new activa- tion key being stored among the possible previous activation keys in the activation key register. This file may contain a single row of data, such as: Media player Activation Key: ##key##. The file may be opened when the user registers as an authorised user of the specific content on a web site of the content provider, for example, or from a media content product, e.g. on CD-ROM. The automatic storing of the key has an advantage that is easy for a user and that makes the misuse of the key more difficult. In an embodiment of the invention, there is a customized version of the media player for each media content packet. Such a customized media player containing the corresponding type 1 key is loaded to the user workstation when the user registers as an authorized user. This customised media player can only play contents protected by a DIM file having a matching key, and optionally standard unprotected media files. Thus, the DIM file forms a kind of shell on the top of the actual media file(s) by hiding the actual media file from the media player and the user. The DIM file also defines the physical location of the media file(s). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, only the meta-name of content (such as 'English lesson") is shown to a user e.g. in the form of hyperlink. When the user selects a content by clicking the meta name e.g. on the user interface of a web browser, the corresponding DIM file is loaded to the user workstation or user device and a media player is activated. The media player checks whether the type 1 and type 2 keys match before the media player shown in Figure 1 appear on the screen of the user workstation. Then the media player plays the media file(s) containing the selected content material through the DIM file by means of the media file information defined in the DIM file. If the keys do not match, the media player shown in Figure 1 does not appear on the screen but a message is displayed informing that access to that content is not allowed. The message may also indicate how to register as an authorized user of that content.

The media player preferably checks the validity of the type 1 key and the type 2 key prior to checking whether or not they match.

The validity checking of an activation key of type 1 may include the following steps, for example:

Check step 1 : Is the key part KK valid for the key type 1.

Check step 2: Is the Internal product Id EE valid for the media player type used.

Check step 3: Is the checksum QQQ correct for the total key string. Similarly, the validity checking of an activation key of type 2 in the

DIM file may include the following steps, for example:

Check step 1 : Is the key part KK valid for the key type 2.

Check step 2: Is the Internal product Id EE valid for the media player used. Check step 3: Is the Counter GGGG a valid checksum calculated from the name of the media file.

Check step 4: Is the checksum QQQ correct for the total key string.

After a successful validity checking, the media player then compares whether the type 1 key stored in association with the media player and the type 2 key in the loaded DIM file match. In this example, the keys match if the value of the 7-digit package code (XXXXXXX) is the same in the both keys.

In the above description, the principles of the invention were illustrated by means of preferred embodiments. In the following, the authorized usage of the protected media material from World Wide Web (WWW) services is described by means of a more generic example with reference to Figure 3.

Firstly, the terms used in Figure 3 are explained. The numbering is similar to the reference numbering in Figure 3.

(31) "User" is a person who wants to use a content, such as media files, located in web based services or other electronic storage, such as CD ROM with his/her personal computer or a similar programmable device, such as PDA, smart phone wireless telecommunication device, etc. The user may use the content for several purposes, e.g. for learning various subjects.

(32) "WWW service" is a collection of content files, metafiles and other related material usually stored in file servers accessible via local area network or the Internet including mobile Internet or Mobile IP services, or on a CD-ROM.

(33) "Key1" and "Key2" are codes used for authorisation of usage of the content located in the "www service" 32. The "Key1" and "Key2" also protect the copyrights of the content owner. The "Key1" and "Key2" differ from each other, and one of them is located in the "Meta file" (36) while the other is supplied to the "Media device" in a login procedure.

(34) "Media device" is software or a personal computer or any personal device, such as PDA, smart phone, or any wireless communication device which allows the user to use the content material for various purposes. (35) "Media File" is any media, like video or audio, in digital format suitable for use in a personal computer or another personal device.

(36) "Meta file" is a file on media device containing information about physical location the "Media file" 35 and an authorisation key (Key1 or Key2) The operation of the configuration shown in Figure 3 is now described. The letters A...F refer to the respective reference symbols in Figure 3.

(A) The user 31 logs into the WWW service 32 by providing a personal user code and password or a similar authentication procedure.

(B) When the user is verified and approved of as a user of the WWW service 32, the system sends the key 1 or the key 2 to be stored into the media device 34 parameters. (C) When the user 31 selects the content defined in the meta-file 36, the media device 34 first checks whether the key 1 (or the key 2) which is stored in the meta file 36 matches with the key 2 (or the key 1) provided by the WWW service 32 and being thus known to the media device 34. (D) If there is no match, the media device 34 does not allow further activities with that particular media file 35.

(E) If the keys match, the meta-file 36 defines the exact location of the media file 35 and allows the media device 34 to access the defined media file 35. (F) Digital content of the media file 35 is transferred from the www service 32 to the media device 34 of the user 31.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of controlling user access to a digital content, compris- ing providing a user with a first activation key when the user becomes an authorized user of a digital content, storing the first activation key in association with a program code needed for presenting the digital content to the user at a user terminal, providing a media access file containing a second activation key and information indicating at least one media file containing the digital content, the program, in response to the user selecting the digital content, allowing access to the at least one media file by means of the information in the media access file only if the first activation key stored in association with the program and the second activation key stored in the media access file match.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the information includes information about the physical location of the at least one media file containing the digital content.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the user contacting a web site offering the digital content, the user selecting the digital content on the web site, downloading the media access file corresponding to the selected digital content from the web site to the user terminal, the program comparing the first activation key with the second activation key stored in the downloaded media access file, the program preventing access to the at least one media file, if the first and second keys do not match, the program defining the location of the at least one media file containing the digital content by means of the information in the media access file and allowing access to the at least one media file, if the first and second keys match.

4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the user selecting the digital content on a local storage medium at the user terminal, loading the media access file corresponding to the selected digital content from the local storage medium, the program comparing the first activation key with the second activation key stored in the loaded media access file, the program preventing access to the at least one media file stored on the local storage medium, if the first and second keys do not match, the program defines the physical location of the at least one media file containing the digital content on the local storage medium by means of the information in the media access file and allows access to the at least one media file, if the first and second keys match.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the local storage medium is a memory disc inserted into a disc drive in the user terminal.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the program is a media player, and wherein the digital content includes audio and/or video material.

7. A web site offering a digital content to a user over a network con- nection, comprising at least one media file containing the digital content, a media access file containing a first activation key and information indicating the at least one media file containing the digital content, means for downloading the media access file to a user terminal of the user in order to enable a media player in the user terminal device, when the user selects the digital content, to compare the first activation key with a second activation key stored in association with the media player and to access the at least one media file by means of the information in the media access file only if the first activation key and the second activation key match.

8. A web site according to claim 7, comprising means for presenting hyperlinks for different digital contents available on the web site, the means for downloading being responsive to activation of any of the hyperlinks for downloading a media access file of the respective digital content to the user terminal.

9. A method of controlling user access to a digital content from a user terminal, comprising storing at a user terminal at least one first activation key given when a user became an authorized user of at least one predetermined digital content, loading to the user terminal a media access file containing a second activation key and information indicating at least one media file containing the digital content, allowing, in response to the user selecting the at least one digital content, access to at least one media file containing the digital content access to the at least one media file by means of the information in the media access file only if the first activation key and the second activation key match.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the information includes information about the physical location of the at least one media file containing the digital content.

11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, comprising contacting a web site offering the digital content, selecting the digital content on the web site, downloading the media access file corresponding to the selected digital content from the web site to the user terminal, comparing the first activation key with the second activation key stored in the downloaded media access file, preventing access to the at least one media file, if the first and second activation keys do not match, allowing access to the at least one media file containing the digital content, if the first and second keys match.

12. A method according to claim 9, 10 or 11 , comprising selecting the digital content on a local storage medium at the user terminal, loading the media access file corresponding to the selected digital content from the local storage medium, comparing the first activation key with the second activation key stored in the loaded media access file, denying access to the at least one media file stored on the local storage medium, if the first and second keys do not match, allowing access to the at least one media file containing the digital content, if the first and second keys match.

13. A program comprising program code means for performing every step of any one of claims 9 to 12 when the program is run on a com- puter or on a similar device.

14. A program product comprising program code means stored on a computer-readable medium for performing the method of any one of claims 9 to 12 when the program is run on a computer or on a similar device.

15. A media player for playing media files, comprising first means for storing at least one first activation key given when a user became an authorized user of at least one predetermined digital content, second means for comparing the first activation key with a second activation key stored in a media access file which is loaded in response to the user selecting the at least one digital content, third means for allowing access to the selected digital content and playing at least one media file which is defined in the media access file and which contains the selected digital content only if the first activation key and the second activation key match.

16. A media player according to claim 15, wherein the at least one media file includes at least one audio file.

17. A media player according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the digital content is a multimedia presentation, and wherein the at least one media file includes a combination of two or more of following media file types: an audio file, a video file and a text file.

18. A media player according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the media player is a wireless user device.

19. A media player according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the media player is an executable program run in a user device, such as a wireless user device.