WO2009092142A1 - A system and method for providing content to mobile devices - Google Patents

A system and method for providing content to mobile devices Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009092142A1
WO2009092142A1 PCT/AU2009/000323 AU2009000323W WO2009092142A1 WO 2009092142 A1 WO2009092142 A1 WO 2009092142A1 AU 2009000323 W AU2009000323 W AU 2009000323W WO 2009092142 A1 WO2009092142 A1 WO 2009092142A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mobile device
content
user
receiving
transmitting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2009/000323
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Digital Networks Pty Ltd Global
Jefferey Beaumont
Original Assignee
Global Digital Networks Pty Lt
Jefferey Beaumont
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2008900316A external-priority patent/AU2008900316A0/en
Application filed by Global Digital Networks Pty Lt, Jefferey Beaumont filed Critical Global Digital Networks Pty Lt
Publication of WO2009092142A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009092142A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/18—Payment architectures involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/12—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
    • G06Q20/123—Shopping for digital content
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
    • G06Q20/327—Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0014—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/16—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/2866—Architectures; Arrangements
    • H04L67/30—Profiles
    • H04L67/303—Terminal profiles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/2866—Architectures; Arrangements
    • H04L67/2895—Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data provider application, e.g. reverse proxies
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/56—Provisioning of proxy services
    • H04L67/565—Conversion or adaptation of application format or content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/18—Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/18—Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Definitions

  • This invention broadly relates to systems methods for providing content, for example multimedia flies, to mobile devices such as mobile telephones.
  • the portable device is a mobile telephone, but It could also be a portable music player, a personal digital assistant, a handheld gaming machine, an ultra-mobile personal computer and the like.
  • content for the portable devices is purchased by the owner of the portable device either using a personal computer or using the portable device itself.
  • the content is then typically transported to the mobile device by way of a data cable.
  • the content is typically delivered to the device using the mobile telephone network.
  • the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of: detecting characteristics of the mobile device; and selecting or modifying content to be sent to the mobile device based on the detected characteristics.
  • the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of detecting characteristics using a short-range wireless network.
  • the short-range wireless network uses a packet-based, frequency hopping radio link.
  • the radio link is a Bluetooth link.
  • the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device preferably includes the step of transmitting a query message to one or more mobile devices.
  • the method also preferably Includes the steps of displaying to a user Information identifying each of the mobile devices which respond to the query message and which are capable of receiving the content; and receiving from the user an indication of the mobile device to which the content is to be transmitted.
  • the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device preferably includes the further steps of generating an index key from information received from the mobile device in response to the transmission of the query message; and
  • the step of using the index key to determine the characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of using the index key to query a database storing information describing the characteristics of the mobile device.
  • the step of using the index key to determine the characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of using the index key to query a table storing information describing the characteristics of the mobile device.
  • the content preferably comprises a media object and a rights object. In these circumstances, it is preferable that
  • the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of detecting the media formats playable by the mobile device, and the step of selecting or modifying content includes the step of selecting or modifying the format of the media object in accordance with the detected media formats.
  • the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of detecting the rights management system enforceable by the mobile device, and the step of selecting or modifying content includes the step of selecting or modifying the format of the rights object in accordance with the detected rights management system.
  • the method preferably further includes the steps of displaying to the possessor of a mobile device information representing one or more discrete content items; and receiving an indication from the person identifying the content to be transmitted to the mobile device.
  • the method also preferably includes the step of receiving funds prior to transmitting the content to the mobile device.
  • the step of receiving funds preferably includes receiving funds at a location near the mobile device. More preferably, the step of receiving funds further includes the step of receiving funds in cash. Alternatively, the step of receiving funds further includes the step of receiving funds by way of electronic funds transfer.
  • the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the content comprising a media object and a rights object, the method comprising the steps of receiving an indication from a user identifying the content;
  • detecting characteristics of the mobile device including the media formats playable by the device and the nature of the rights objects that can be used by the device to enforce usage restrictions; selecting or modifying stored content to generate the media object and rights object in accordance with the detected characteristics; and sending to the mobile device the media object and rights object using the short-range wireless data network.
  • the present invention provides a system for transmitting content to a mobile device, the system comprising a radio transceiver for querying a mobile device for device characteristics; receiving information identifying device characteristics from the mobile device; and transmitting content to the mobile device over a short range data network; a processing means in communication with the radio transceiver for sending and receiving information using the radio transceiver, a presentation device in communication with the processing means for presenting to a user information -identifying the content to be sent to the mobile device and information identifying the mobile device; an input receiving means in communication with the processing means for receiving indications of selections made by the user; a content selection means in communication with the radio transceiver for selecting content to make it suitable for transmission to the mobile device; and,
  • a content store in communication with the content selection means for storing content.
  • the radio transceiver preferably communicates over a packet-based, frequency-hopping radio link, which preferably involves communicating using the Bluetooth communications standard.
  • the presentation device may be the same as the input receiving means, and is preferably a touch-sensitive visual display.
  • the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of accepting payment from a user for content at a time immediately prior to transmission of the content to the mobile device, and at a location spatially proximate to the mobile device; and transmitting the content to the mobile device wherein the payment tender is cash.
  • the step of accepting payment from a user preferably Includes the step of accepting cash using a note or coin acceptor connected to a content transmission device for transmitting the content to the mobile device.
  • the content preferably comprises a media object and rights object, the media object preferably being one of an audio file; a video file; and an image file.
  • the content is transmitted to the mobile device using a short-range wireless network, which may use the Bluetooth protocol.
  • the mobile device is preferably a mobile telephone.
  • the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of accepting payment from a user for content at a time immediately prior to transmission of the content to the mobile device, and at a location spatially proximate to the mobile device;
  • the step of accepting payment from a user preferably includes the step of retrieving information from an object possessed by the user, the information including information identifying the account from which the funds are intended to be transferred.
  • the content preferably comprises a media object and rights object, the media object preferably bef ⁇ g one of an audio file; a video'file; and an image file.
  • the content is transmitted to the mobile device using a short-range wireless network, which may use the Bluetooth protocol.
  • the mobile device is preferably a mobile telephone.
  • Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the steps undertaken to effect device discovery and determine the characteristics of the device is the method of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user during the device discovery step of the preferred embodiment of the present Invention.
  • Figure 3 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user during after the device discovery step of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user during content selection by the user.
  • Figure 5 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user when purchasing content using a shopping cart model and before any payment is made.
  • Figure 5 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user when purchasing content using a shopping cart model and before any payment is made.
  • Figure 6 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user when purchasing content using a shopping cart model and after payment is made.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device from a stand-alone kiosk.
  • the kiosk includes a short-range wireless network transceiver, which in the preferred embodiment uses a packet-based, frequency hopping radio link such as a BluetoothTM link.
  • the kiosk also includes a display component, in the form of a visual display unit or screen, for presenting information to a user.
  • a display component in the form of a visual display unit or screen, for presenting information to a user.
  • the wireless network transceiver, the display component, and other parts of the kiosk are connected to a central processing unit (which may be comprised of more than one physical integrated circuit).
  • Figure 1 illustrates the process undertaken by the kiosk to select a mobile device (for example, a mobile telephone) to which to send content.
  • the central processing unit controls the wireless network transceiver through driver software, causing it to undertake device discovery.
  • Device discovery using BluetoothTM involves the transmission of a query message (in the form of inquiry packets including an Inquiry Access Code) to all devices within range of the transceiver.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a screen which may be displayed to the user during device discovery.
  • Device discovery may be triggered in step 10 by the user interacting with an input receiving means, which Is preferably the same as the display device and is a touch-sensitive and touch-activated screen. Device discovery may also be triggered by a proximity detection device (such as an infrared transceiver based proximity detection device) installed in or near the kiosk.
  • a proximity detection device such as an infrared transceiver based proximity detection device
  • Each discoverable BluetoothTM-enabled device within range of the transceiver will respond to the query message by transmitting Service Description Protocol profile descriptions (SDP profiles) (step 30), which identify the communication functions which are executable by the portable device.
  • SDP profiles Service Description Protocol profile descriptions
  • portable devices which do not respond with profile descriptions indicating that they are capable of executing the required communication functions are subsequently ignored (step 40).
  • Required communication functions may include the OBEX Object Push function and the OBEX File Transfer function.
  • the BluetoothTM transceiver receives the SDP profiles and provides them to the CPU.
  • Information identifying each of the mobile devices which respond to the query message and Indicate a capability of receiving the content is displayed to the user using the display device (touch screen) (step 50), under control of the CPU or associated video display hardware.
  • Blueto ⁇ thTM-enabled devices generally provide a text string which identifies the device (and is often user-configurable). These text strings may be displayed to the user. An example of what may be displayed to the user at this stage is shown in Figure 3.
  • the user can then indicate which of the discovered devices is the device to which the content is to be transmitted (step 60). This ensures that any purchased content is sent to the correct portable device, and not a portable device that happens to be within range of the transceiver but is owned by someone other 1han the person who has paid for the content.
  • the CPU generates an index key from the Service Description profiles and other information received from the mobile device (step 70).
  • the information used to create the index key includes:
  • BluetoothTM The generation of an index key in this manner is known as "Blueprinting", and is able to be easily implemented by a skilled person familiar with the BluetoothTM protocol.
  • the index key is used to query a table or database which contains device profile information (step 80).
  • the table or database associates the index key with information describing the characteristics of the mobile device, including the media formats playable by the mobile device and the rights management system enforceable by the mobile device.
  • a table is used to store the relevant data.
  • the table associates index keys (which represent device types) with supported Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) types (that is, content formats), and Digital Rights Management (DRWl) types (in the form of Open Mobile Alliance DRM types such as Digital Rights Management v 1.0 and Digital Rights Management v 2.0.
  • MIME Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension
  • DRM Digital Rights Management
  • Content is stored in a content store accessible by the CPU.
  • the content store may be located in the server housing the CPU. Alternatively, the content store may be part of a web server remote from, but accessible by, the CPU.
  • the content store may also be spread across numerous physical locations in a variety of formats.
  • the content store contains files in a variety of formats, each file containing a media object in a specific format (eg MP3) and an associated rights object which complies with Open Mobile Alliance DRM v 1.0. Accordingly, a single piece of content (eg a song) is stored in a number of different formats (eg MP3, WMA), each format being encapsulated in a file along with an associated rights object.
  • Content which has a media format and rights object which is compatible with the selected handset is displayed to the user through the presentation device (touch-sensitive screen).
  • the user can browse the content available using the presentation device and the input receiving means, and can select content for purchase.
  • the content is a music file
  • the cover-art for the song may be displayed.
  • a representative still image from the video may be displayed.
  • image files a thumbnail representation of 1he image may be displayed.
  • a user can select the item to be purchased by touching the area of the touchscreen displaying the ' cover-art, representative still image or thumbnail image corresponding to the desired content.
  • An illustration of what may be shown to the user during content selection is shown in Figure 4. •
  • a variety of purchasing models may be adopted. For example, content may be purchased on an item- by-item basis, or using a virtual shopping cart model.
  • the CPU checks to see whether there is any credit in a real or virtual credit meter associated with the kiosk.
  • the credit meter is a virtual credit meter maintained by the software running on the CPU. If there is sufficient credit in the virtual credit meter, the content is sent to the portable device as soon as it is selected, and the virtual credit meter is decremented. If there is insufficient credit in the virtual credit meter at the time the item is selected, the item is placed in a queue and is sent to the portable device as soon as sufficient credit appears in the virtual credit meter.
  • the amount in the virtual credit meter may be increased by the user inserting cash (in the form of coins or notes) into the note and coin acceptor devices in the kiosk.
  • the note and coin acceptor devices in the kiosk are connected to a content transmission device (comprising the CPU and the BluetoothTM transceiver) to enable transmission of content to the portable devices.
  • the amount in the virtual credit meter may be increased by the user providing funds by way of electronic funds transfer.
  • the user presents an object containing information identifying the user's bank account (such as a smart card or magnetic stripe card) to a reader attached to or built into, or otherwise associated with the kiosk.
  • the reader retrieves from the object information identifying the user's account, and uses this information to effect an electronic funds transfer from the User's bank account to the virtual credit meter.
  • Items may also be purchased using a virtual shopping cart model.
  • selection of the items by the user adds the items to a virtual shopping cart.
  • the user can then insert the required funds into the kiosk as described above, and sequentially select the items in the shopping cart to be sent to the portable device.
  • Figure 5 is an example illustration of what may be displayed to a user before the user provides any funds. Each content item only becomes selectable for transmission when there are sufficient funds in the virtual credit meter to pay for the content item.
  • Figure 6 is an example illustration of what may be displayed to a user after the user has provided funds to the kiosk.
  • the illustrated "Buy" button changes colour and flashes when th ⁇ virtual credit meter has sufficient funds.
  • the content items are ssnt to the portable device either as they selected, or as a series of concatenated transmissions as a separate step after all of the desired content in the shopping cart has been accepted.
  • appropriate composite files are selected using information stored in a table and indexed by an index key which can be generated from a information received during the device discovery process.
  • j content and rights objects can be stored in a generic format, and altered to suit the portable device after device discovery.
  • a video file may be stored in an MPEG-2 encoded video file, but the table entry for a discovered device indicates that the only MIME-type that the device can handle is video/quicktime. In such circumstances the kiosk can transcode the stored MPEG-2 video file into a QuickTimeTM-format video file for transmission to the handheld device.
  • the customer When the customer has selected the content, under control of the CPU stored content will either be transformed into an appropriate format, or selected from the content store which stores set of files in a variety of formats.
  • This content (that is, the composite file containing both the media object and the rights object) is then transmitted through the BluetoothTM transceiver to the portable device under control of the CPU,
  • the selection of content from the content store may be made by the CPU, using information received from the table which stores identification of the MIME-type and DRM-type supported by the portable device.
  • the present invention at least in the preferred embodiments, has advantages including:

Abstract

Systems and methods for transmitting content to one or more mobile devices, involving querying and detecting characteristics of the mobile device, selecting or modifying content to be sent to the mobile device based on the detected characteristics, and transmitting content to the mobile device over a short range data network.

Description

A system and method for providing content to mobile devices FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention broadly relates to systems methods for providing content, for example multimedia flies, to mobile devices such as mobile telephones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is now common in developed countries for people to carry with them portable devices which can play content such as audio, video or graphic content. In many cases, the portable device is a mobile telephone, but It could also be a portable music player, a personal digital assistant, a handheld gaming machine, an ultra-mobile personal computer and the like.
Conventionally, content for the portable devices is purchased by the owner of the portable device either using a personal computer or using the portable device itself. In the case where the content is purchased using a personal computer, the content is then typically transported to the mobile device by way of a data cable. Where the content is purchased using the portable device rtself , the content is typically delivered to the device using the mobile telephone network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of: detecting characteristics of the mobile device; and selecting or modifying content to be sent to the mobile device based on the detected characteristics.
Preferably the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of detecting characteristics using a short-range wireless network. More preferably, the short-range wireless network uses a packet-based, frequency hopping radio link. Even more preferably, the radio link is a Bluetooth link.
The step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device preferably includes the step of transmitting a query message to one or more mobile devices. The method also preferably Includes the steps of displaying to a user Information identifying each of the mobile devices which respond to the query message and which are capable of receiving the content; and receiving from the user an indication of the mobile device to which the content is to be transmitted. The step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device preferably includes the further steps of generating an index key from information received from the mobile device in response to the transmission of the query message; and
using the index key to determine the characteristics of the mobile device.
Preferably, the step of using the index key to determine the characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of using the index key to query a database storing information describing the characteristics of the mobile device.
Alternatively, the step of using the index key to determine the characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of using the index key to query a table storing information describing the characteristics of the mobile device.
The content preferably comprises a media object and a rights object. In these circumstances, it is preferable that
the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of detecting the media formats playable by the mobile device, and the step of selecting or modifying content includes the step of selecting or modifying the format of the media object in accordance with the detected media formats.
It is also preferable that the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of detecting the rights management system enforceable by the mobile device, and the step of selecting or modifying content includes the step of selecting or modifying the format of the rights object in accordance with the detected rights management system.
The method preferably further includes the steps of displaying to the possessor of a mobile device information representing one or more discrete content items; and receiving an indication from the person identifying the content to be transmitted to the mobile device.
The method also preferably includes the step of receiving funds prior to transmitting the content to the mobile device. The step of receiving funds preferably includes receiving funds at a location near the mobile device. More preferably, the step of receiving funds further includes the step of receiving funds in cash. Alternatively, the step of receiving funds further includes the step of receiving funds by way of electronic funds transfer. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the content comprising a media object and a rights object, the method comprising the steps of receiving an indication from a user identifying the content;
detecting the presence of the mobile device within the communication range of a short- range wireless data network; presenting to the user details identifying the mobile device; receiving the selection of the mobile device from the user;
detecting characteristics of the mobile device including the media formats playable by the device and the nature of the rights objects that can be used by the device to enforce usage restrictions; selecting or modifying stored content to generate the media object and rights object in accordance with the detected characteristics; and sending to the mobile device the media object and rights object using the short-range wireless data network.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a system for transmitting content to a mobile device, the system comprising a radio transceiver for querying a mobile device for device characteristics; receiving information identifying device characteristics from the mobile device; and transmitting content to the mobile device over a short range data network; a processing means in communication with the radio transceiver for sending and receiving information using the radio transceiver, a presentation device in communication with the processing means for presenting to a user information -identifying the content to be sent to the mobile device and information identifying the mobile device; an input receiving means in communication with the processing means for receiving indications of selections made by the user; a content selection means in communication with the radio transceiver for selecting content to make it suitable for transmission to the mobile device; and,
a content store in communication with the content selection means for storing content.
The radio transceiver preferably communicates over a packet-based, frequency-hopping radio link, which preferably involves communicating using the Bluetooth communications standard.
The presentation device may be the same as the input receiving means, and is preferably a touch- sensitive visual display.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of accepting payment from a user for content at a time immediately prior to transmission of the content to the mobile device, and at a location spatially proximate to the mobile device; and transmitting the content to the mobile device wherein the payment tender is cash.
The step of accepting payment from a user preferably Includes the step of accepting cash using a note or coin acceptor connected to a content transmission device for transmitting the content to the mobile device.
The content preferably comprises a media object and rights object, the media object preferably being one of an audio file; a video file; and an image file.
Preferably, the content is transmitted to the mobile device using a short-range wireless network, which may use the Bluetooth protocol.
The mobile device is preferably a mobile telephone.
In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of accepting payment from a user for content at a time immediately prior to transmission of the content to the mobile device, and at a location spatially proximate to the mobile device; and
transmitting the content to the mobile device wherein the payment is effected using electronic funds transfer.
The step of accepting payment from a user preferably includes the step of retrieving information from an object possessed by the user, the information including information identifying the account from which the funds are intended to be transferred.
The content preferably comprises a media object and rights object, the media object preferably befπg one of an audio file; a video'file; and an image file.
Preferably, the content is transmitted to the mobile device using a short-range wireless network, which may use the Bluetooth protocol.
The mobile device is preferably a mobile telephone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In order that the nature of the present invention may be more clearly understood, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the steps undertaken to effect device discovery and determine the characteristics of the device is the method of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user during the device discovery step of the preferred embodiment of the present Invention.
Figure 3 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user during after the device discovery step of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user during content selection by the user.
Figure 5 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user when purchasing content using a shopping cart model and before any payment is made.
Figure 5 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user when purchasing content using a shopping cart model and before any payment is made.
Figure 6 is an illustration of an example of information that may be displayed to the user when purchasing content using a shopping cart model and after payment is made. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In a first aspect, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transmitting content to a mobile device from a stand-alone kiosk. The kiosk includes a short-range wireless network transceiver, which in the preferred embodiment uses a packet-based, frequency hopping radio link such as a Bluetooth™ link.
The kiosk also includes a display component, in the form of a visual display unit or screen, for presenting information to a user. The wireless network transceiver, the display component, and other parts of the kiosk are connected to a central processing unit (which may be comprised of more than one physical integrated circuit).
Figure 1 illustrates the process undertaken by the kiosk to select a mobile device (for example, a mobile telephone) to which to send content. In step 20, the central processing unit (CPU) controls the wireless network transceiver through driver software, causing it to undertake device discovery. Device discovery using Bluetooth™ involves the transmission of a query message (in the form of inquiry packets including an Inquiry Access Code) to all devices within range of the transceiver. Figure 2 illustrates a screen which may be displayed to the user during device discovery.
Device discovery may be triggered in step 10 by the user interacting with an input receiving means, which Is preferably the same as the display device and is a touch-sensitive and touch-activated screen. Device discovery may also be triggered by a proximity detection device (such as an infrared transceiver based proximity detection device) installed in or near the kiosk.
Each discoverable Bluetooth™-enabled device within range of the transceiver will respond to the query message by transmitting Service Description Protocol profile descriptions (SDP profiles) (step 30), which identify the communication functions which are executable by the portable device. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, portable devices which do not respond with profile descriptions indicating that they are capable of executing the required communication functions are subsequently ignored (step 40). Required communication functions may include the OBEX Object Push function and the OBEX File Transfer function. The Bluetooth™ transceiver receives the SDP profiles and provides them to the CPU.
Information identifying each of the mobile devices which respond to the query message and Indicate a capability of receiving the content (by providing appropriate SDP profile Information) is displayed to the user using the display device (touch screen) (step 50), under control of the CPU or associated video display hardware..During device discovery Bluetoσth™-enabled devices generally provide a text string which identifies the device (and is often user-configurable). These text strings may be displayed to the user. An example of what may be displayed to the user at this stage is shown in Figure 3. The user can then indicate which of the discovered devices is the device to which the content is to be transmitted (step 60). This ensures that any purchased content is sent to the correct portable device, and not a portable device that happens to be within range of the transceiver but is owned by someone other 1han the person who has paid for the content.
Once the user has selected his or her device, the CPU generates an index key from the Service Description profiles and other information received from the mobile device (step 70). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information used to create the index key includes:
(a) part of the portable devices Bluetooth™ network address (eg the first three bytes);
(b) the RecHandle information associated with each SDP profile; and
(c) the Listener ID channel associated with the portable devices RFCOMM service.
The generation of an index key in this manner is known as "Blueprinting", and is able to be easily implemented by a skilled person familiar with the Bluetooth™ protocol.
The index key is used to query a table or database which contains device profile information (step 80). The table or database associates the index key with information describing the characteristics of the mobile device, including the media formats playable by the mobile device and the rights management system enforceable by the mobile device. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a table is used to store the relevant data. The table associates index keys (which represent device types) with supported Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) types (that is, content formats), and Digital Rights Management (DRWl) types (in the form of Open Mobile Alliance DRM types such as Digital Rights Management v 1.0 and Digital Rights Management v 2.0.
Content is stored in a content store accessible by the CPU. The content store may be located in the server housing the CPU. Alternatively, the content store may be part of a web server remote from, but accessible by, the CPU. The content store may also be spread across numerous physical locations in a variety of formats. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the content store contains files in a variety of formats, each file containing a media object in a specific format (eg MP3) and an associated rights object which complies with Open Mobile Alliance DRM v 1.0. Accordingly, a single piece of content (eg a song) is stored in a number of different formats (eg MP3, WMA), each format being encapsulated in a file along with an associated rights object.
Content which has a media format and rights object which is compatible with the selected handset is displayed to the user through the presentation device (touch-sensitive screen). The user can browse the content available using the presentation device and the input receiving means, and can select content for purchase. Where the content is a music file, the cover-art for the song may be displayed. Similarly, where the content is a video file, a representative still image from the video may be displayed. For image files, a thumbnail representation of 1he image may be displayed. A user can select the item to be purchased by touching the area of the touchscreen displaying the' cover-art, representative still image or thumbnail image corresponding to the desired content. An illustration of what may be shown to the user during content selection is shown in Figure 4. • A variety of purchasing models may be adopted. For example, content may be purchased on an item- by-item basis, or using a virtual shopping cart model.
If items are purchased on an item-by-item basis, when the user has selected content for purchase, the CPU checks to see whether there is any credit in a real or virtual credit meter associated with the kiosk. Preferably the credit meter is a virtual credit meter maintained by the software running on the CPU. If there is sufficient credit in the virtual credit meter, the content is sent to the portable device as soon as it is selected, and the virtual credit meter is decremented. If there is insufficient credit in the virtual credit meter at the time the item is selected, the item is placed in a queue and is sent to the portable device as soon as sufficient credit appears in the virtual credit meter. The amount in the virtual credit meter may be increased by the user inserting cash (in the form of coins or notes) into the note and coin acceptor devices in the kiosk. The note and coin acceptor devices in the kiosk are connected to a content transmission device (comprising the CPU and the Bluetooth™ transceiver) to enable transmission of content to the portable devices.
Alternatively, the amount in the virtual credit meter may be increased by the user providing funds by way of electronic funds transfer. The user presents an object containing information identifying the user's bank account (such as a smart card or magnetic stripe card) to a reader attached to or built into, or otherwise associated with the kiosk. The reader retrieves from the object information identifying the user's account, and uses this information to effect an electronic funds transfer from the User's bank account to the virtual credit meter.
Items may also be purchased using a virtual shopping cart model. In this case, selection of the items by the user adds the items to a virtual shopping cart. When the user has finished selecting ail of the desired items of content (such as songs, videos, or images), the user can then insert the required funds into the kiosk as described above, and sequentially select the items in the shopping cart to be sent to the portable device. Figure 5 is an example illustration of what may be displayed to a user before the user provides any funds. Each content item only becomes selectable for transmission when there are sufficient funds in the virtual credit meter to pay for the content item. Figure 6 is an example illustration of what may be displayed to a user after the user has provided funds to the kiosk. The illustrated "Buy" button changes colour and flashes when th© virtual credit meter has sufficient funds. The content items are ssnt to the portable device either as they selected, or as a series of concatenated transmissions as a separate step after all of the desired content in the shopping cart has been accepted.
In the example described above, appropriate composite files (each comprising a media object in a specific format and a rights object) are selected using information stored in a table and indexed by an index key which can be generated from a information received during the device discovery process. Alternativelyj content and rights objects can be stored in a generic format, and altered to suit the portable device after device discovery. For example, a video file may be stored in an MPEG-2 encoded video file, but the table entry for a discovered device indicates that the only MIME-type that the device can handle is video/quicktime. In such circumstances the kiosk can transcode the stored MPEG-2 video file into a QuickTime™-format video file for transmission to the handheld device. The process of sending the content will now be described in more detail. When the customer has selected the content, under control of the CPU stored content will either be transformed into an appropriate format, or selected from the content store which stores set of files in a variety of formats. This content (that is, the composite file containing both the media object and the rights object) is then transmitted through the Bluetooth™ transceiver to the portable device under control of the CPU, The selection of content from the content store may be made by the CPU, using information received from the table which stores identification of the MIME-type and DRM-type supported by the portable device.
The present invention, at least in the preferred embodiments, has advantages including:
(a) enabling customers to obtain content for their mobile device using cash or by instantaneous electronic funds transfer, and without the need for a credit card or mobile telephone account;
{b) maintaining content security during short range wireless transmission;
(c) enabling customers to obtain content not provided by a data carriage provider without paying additional data carriage charges.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example an alternative wireless network protocol such as wireless USB may be used for communicating with the handheld devices. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in ad respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of: detecting characteristics of the mobile device; and selecting or modifying content to be sent to the mobile device based on the detected characteristics.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of detecting characteristics using a short-range wireless network.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the short-range wireless network uses a packet-based, frequency hopping radio link.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the radio link is a Bluetooth link.
5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of transmitting a query message to one or more mobile devices.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 further including the steps of displaying to a user information identifying each of the mobile devices which respond to the query message and which are capable of receiving the content; and receiving from the user an indication of the mobile device to which the content is to be transmitted.
7. A method as claimed in either of claims 5 or 6 wherein the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the further steps of generating an index key from information received from the mobile device in response to the transmission of the query message; and using the index key to determine the characteristics of the mobile device.
S. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the step of using the index key to determine the characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of using the index key to query a database storing information describing the characteristics of the mobile device.
9. A method as claimed m claim 7 wherein the step of using the index key to determine the characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of using the index key to query a table storing information describing the characteristics of the mobile device.
10. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the content comprises a media object and a rights object.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of detecting the media formats playable by the mobile device, and the step of selecting or modifying content includes the step of selecting or modifying the format of the media object in accordance with the detected media formats.
12. A method as claimed in either of claims 10 or 11 wherein the step of detecting characteristics of the mobile device includes the step of detecting the rights management system enforceable by the mobile device, and the step of selecting or modifying content includes the step of selecting or modifying the format of the rights object in accordance with the detected rights management system.
13. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including the steps of displaying to the possessor of a mobile device information representing one or more discrete content items; and receiving an indication from the person identifying the content to be transmitted to the mobile device.
14. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including the step of receiving funds prior to transmitting the content to the mobile device.
15. A method as clamed in claim 14 wherein the step of receiving funds includes receiving funds at a location near the mobile device.
16. A method as claimed in either of claims 14 or 15 wherein the step of receiving funds further includes the step of receiving funds in cash.
17. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the step of receiving funds further includes the step of receiving funds by way of electronic funds transfer.
18. A method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the content comprising a media object and a rights object, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an indication from a user identifying the content; detecting the presence of the mobile device within the communication range of a short- range wireless data network; presenting to the user details identifying the mobile device; receiving the selection of the mobile device from the user; detecting characteristics of the mobile device including the media formats playable by the device and the nature of the rights objects that can be used by the device to enforce usage restrictions; selecting or modifying stored content to generate the media object and rights object in accordance with the detected characteristics; and sending to the mobile device the media object and rights object using the short-range wireless data network.
19. A system for transmitting content to a mobile device, the system comprising: a radio transceiver for querying a mobile device for device characteristics; receiving information identifying device characteristics from the mobile device; and transmitting content to the mobile device over a short range data network; a processing means in communication with the radio transceiver for sending and receiving information using the radio transceiver; a presentation device in communication with the processing means for presenting to a user information identifying the content to be sent to the mobile device and information identifying the mobile device; an input receiving means in communication with the processing means for receiving indications of selections made by the user; a content selection means in communication with the radio transceiver for selecting content to make it suitable for transmission to the mobile device; and. a content store in communication with the content selection means for storing content.
20. A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the radio transceiver communicates over a packet- based, frequency-hopping radio link.
21. A system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the radio transceiver communicates using the Bluetooth communications standard.
22. A system as claimed in any one of claims 19 - 21 wherein the presentation device is the same as the input receiving means.
23. A system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the presentation device Is a touch-sensitive visual display.
24. A method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of accepting payment from a user for content at a time immediately prior to transmission . of the content to the mobile device, and at a location spatially proximate to the mobile device; and transmitting the content to the mobile device wherein the payment tender is cash.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the step of accepting payment from a user includes the step of accepting cash using a note or ooin acceptor connected to a content transmission device for transmitting the content to the mobile device.
26. A method as claimed in 24 or 25 wherein the content comprises a media object and rights object.
27. A method as claimed in" claim 26 wherein the media object is one of an audio file; a video file; and an image file.
28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the content is transmitted to the mobile device using a short-range wireless network..
29. A method as claimed in claim 28 wherein the short-range wireless network uses a Bluetooth protocol.
30. A method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 29 wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone.
31. A method for transmitting content to a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of accepting payment from a user for content at a time immediately prior to transmission of the content to the mobile device, and at a location spatially proximale to the mobile device; and transmitting the content to the mobile device wherein the payment Is effected using electronic funds transfer.
32. A method as claimed in claim 31 wherein the step of accepting payment from a user Includes the step of retrieving information from an object possessed by the user, the information including information identifying the account from which the funds are intended io be ■ transferred.
33. A method as claimed in 31 or 32 wherein the content comprises a media object and rights object.
34. A method as claimed in claim 33 wherein the media object is one of an audio file;
a video file; and an image file.
35. A method as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 34 wherein the content is transmitted to the mobile device using a short-range wireless network.
36. A method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the short-range wireless network uses a Bluetooth protocol.
37. A method as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 36 wherein the mobile device i$ a mobile telephone.
PCT/AU2009/000323 2008-01-24 2009-03-19 A system and method for providing content to mobile devices WO2009092142A1 (en)

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