FI118358B - A method for controlling the use of digital media content - Google Patents

Description

118358

Methods for controlling the use of digital media content

Field of the Invention

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

Background of the Invention

Today, publishers and other content providers provide a wealth of learning and teaching software (eg CD-ROMs). In addition, there are 10 tremendous learning materials on the Internet. Publishers also have websites on the Internet, called learning portals, which students can access through the Internet.

Digital media technology is rapidly becoming the language of instruction in the classroom environment. The language studios with their recorders are moving away from the road 15 classes. Computers connected to the network provide access to endless resources on the Internet. Analog material such as audio and video tapes disappear from the shelves and is systematically digitized and stored on powerful media servers. Establish self-study centers with students. can study at their own pace when it suits them best. Digitized ♦ · · 20 media are available in a variety of file formats, ranging from audio files in Windows: "(.wav) or QuickTime videos (.mov) to a compressed MPEG layer 3 audio file.

• · \ * ·: Content providers must be able to monitor visitors to their websites so that only authorized users can access them. Typically, this is done by authenticating the user with a username and password before accessing a particular web site. If the user is authenticated in a lucky manner, the user can use all the material for which they are! ···. username and password combination are associated. However, maintaining a combination may prove problematic, especially if different content requires its own user ID: 30 and a password. For example, publishing houses often offer shared access to educational institutions, schools and institutions such as universities. content on websites. Many users may have the same user code, · · · different departments or categories can access different content on a web site, etc. This makes it '* difficult to share and maintain usernames and passwords. The provision of different or tailor-made content to the users needs to be made more flexible, 2 but access control should be as simple as possible. You may also want to restrict access to the contents of the CD-ROMs. In addition, CD-ROM products or textbooks may be accompanied by support for multimedia material which may be used on the publisher's web site at no additional charge. A flexible, simple, and user-friendly method is required to allow access to additional material included in a particular product or textbook. At the same time, however, you must prevent unauthorized access to any other material on the Web site (such as additional material related to another textbook).

10 Summary of the Invention

The invention seeks to provide a novel method and tool for determining access rights to digital content, preferably in a manner that avoids or reduces the problems and drawbacks of prior art.

The objects of the invention are achieved by the methods, program, program product, web site and media player described in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

The basic idea of the invention is to provide protected content with a media-20 access file through which the protected content can be accessed. media files only if the program code or media player intended for access to the protected content contains a first valid activation key that matches the second auxiliary • • file stored in the media license file. with the exam key. Once the user selected the protected file, the mentioned **- | * | The signal or media player compares the first and second activation keys with each other, after which it independently blocks or allows access to the protected content. The media license file contains information that defines the actual media files that contain the protected content. If permitted by the program or media player, the media files may be accessed through the said media access path, as described therein. Media Access File. that is, it forms a kind of protective cover over the actual media file or media files. Actual media files may be in any standard format, but the media access file will hide media files: A: such that they cannot be accessed by standard media players, at least without special action. ♦ · 3 118358 is responsible for checking whether or not it has access to the media files behind the media license file. In other words, the use of a program or media player is limited to content for which it has a valid activation key. Optionally, the program or media player may also be able to use standard file formats not protected in accordance with the present invention. The user is provided with the first activation key for certain content at the time they gain access to that content - for example, by registering with the content provider or purchasing a CD-ROM product, textbook, etc. The key is stored with said software or 10 media players needed to access the content. Saving can be done automatically, for example as part of a web site registration, or the activation key can be entered manually by the user. The first few activation keys can be stored in the media player. The first activation key may also be closely associated with a program or media player, meaning that only this particular content can be used with the media player. The required computer program or media player may be downloaded at the time of user registration or included in the CD-ROM product.

The invention enables content providers to protect their media content packages by tying the use of the packages to "licensed" media players. Thus, in institutions and schools, the use of certain content may be restricted to terminals that have a media player with valid activation keys. However, an individual or institutional user may still have a standard username / password pair that allows them to access a website or other service and search for content names, but content can still be activated and accessed. ·. : $ 25 using only a licensed media player. This allows the content provider to be flexible • »· [! while providing different types of protected content for different users.

... In media products available on CD-ROMs or similar electronic storage media, the invention may make it difficult or even prevent copying of media files if the media files can be processed ϊ * ·· 30 only through the media license file (s).

»* · Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

: Y: Figure 1 shows a media player; • ·: * ·. · 35 Figure 2 shows the relationship between a media player, a media file, and a media access • 4 118358 cookie file;

Fig. 3 is a block and flow diagram illustrating the authorized use 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 illustrated by an example wherein a computer program or media player required for accessing protected content is capable of playing common media file formats such as MPEG, WAW, RA, and MP3. In this sense, it is similar to other available RealMedia or MS media players. Real Media players use the new RealAudio and RealMedia technology standards. The technology allows you to play an uninterrupted stream of audio and / or video while it is being downloaded to the computer from the Internet or other source. Saves time when you do not have to download the file completely before it can be played.

A possible field of application of the present invention is language learning. For this reason, the media player of the invention may include additional features such as 'Speak', microphone-synchronized recording of a media file, and subtitling. In fact, the media player for language learning applications may be a digital version of a dual tape recorder. The first track (program track) is recorded (captured) by a source (eg 20 foreign language authentic audio material from radio, TV, digital media or the Internet).

. . ·. The second track (student track) is for recording the student's own output * * *; · "(pronunciation exercise by repeating the source model, • · · [translating the source language into the student's native language or producing free-form | | answers). * j 25 look and feel of the media player (user interface), usually a window that opens to control the media layout screen in the operating system, just like any program window in Windows.The buttons 10 and 11 in the bottom bar correspond to the standard cassette or VCR buttons (Play, Rewind, Pause, etc.). The time scale 12, the cursors 13, and the counters 14 30 show the playing time of both tracks. The volume control is * · ·. *. Number 15. The standard buttons at the top left 16 • · *: resize the application window for.

: ·; · * In the preferred embodiment described herein, a media player is a program used in a multimedia computer. Multif · ·: *. 'J 35 thediatric computer refers to a personal computer if • i 118358 5 has a sound card, speakers and a microphone, and a CD-ROM drive and / or communication connections to a media server on a local area network (LAN) and / or the Internet. a web site. The media player can also be a program run on any device capable of executing program-5 macros. More generally, media art can be any device that can play digital media files.

According to the invention, the media files can be attached to the media player by means of a special file format, that is, a media access file, hereinafter referred to as a DIM file. The media player of the invention can play standard file formats such as mp3, wav and mpeg, but playback of media files stored via DIM files is limited. A media license file acts as a kind of protective cover for the actual media files. The relationships between the media player, the DIM file, and the media file are shown schematically in Figure 2. For each content packet, two different types of activation keys are created. The type 1 key is stored in the media player registry. This registry contains the keys to identify the user license for a specific media content package, such as the online course material associated with the language course book. Each content packet, or DIM file, has a corresponding type 2 activation key, which is compared to a type 1 activation key found in the media player's registry. The two keys do not need to be the same, but they must agree on certain criteria. Below is an example. of the keys.

*** * The DIM file format can be as follows: <HTML> j 25 <HEAD> * · * | <TITLE> Media Player Object </TITLE>] / <meta name = "ELITE_KEY" content- "key"> </HEAD> <BODY> 30 <dl>: '\ t <DD> <A HREF = "FILE: /// program file path ">:; i .: 9; Digital Video File; 192; </A> <DD> <A HREF="FILE:///data file path">: V: 35 11; Syncronization File; 192; </A> </DL> • · 6 118358 </ BODY > </HTML> 5 The 'meta name' field defines the content package's metaname, in this case 'ELITE_KEY'. The 'content' field contains key type 2.

The first <DD> tag specifies the actual media file name, eg FILE: /// My Documents / EnglishLesson1.mp3.

10 The second <DD> tag specifies a separate data file. Texts are saved, eg FILE: /// My Documents / EnglishLessonl.DID.

</A> tags specify the parameters used by the media player.

Below is an example of an activation key structure. (As the structure also takes into account other patent applicant's production codes, it has parts that are not essential to the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to any particular activation key structure.)

XXXXXXX-KKGGGGEE-ZZZZZZ-QQQ

The parts are as follows:

Package Code XXXXXXX is a seven-digit product code that 20 determines for which content package that activation key is. The code value is the same for both key types but varies from the content packet, e.g.

•: *: Depending on the textbook.

«··. * ·. Key Type KK is a two-digit code that specifies the key type. The code indicates whether the key is stored in the media player register (type 1 • ·. 25 corresponds to value 1) or in a DIM file (type 2 corresponds to value 2). Other values mean ** | habits of invalid key.

I. / Counter GGGG is a four-digit code that is not relevant to the Type 1 key. For type one, the code has a fixed value of 0000. For keys of type 2, the counter code contains a checksum * ·· 30 man, which is calculated based on the media file name.

: [**: The internal product identifier EE is a two-digit code that specifies the code. \ m indicates that the key is for a version of the media player that can: play DIM files (value 3). The same value is used for Type 1 • ♦ * · ♦ · * and Type 2 keys. For types 1 and 2, only keys with a valid value are accepted: A: 35.

; * ·, · The six-digit serial number ZZZZZZ is of little importance • * 7 118358 for both key types, the value is always 111111.

The three-digit checksum QQQ is calculated based on the other parts of the activation key according to a given algorithm.

The content provider may have a key stamping program that can 5 create DIM files and mark them with a valid and valid Type 2 key. For example, the stamp program can be provided with a key packet code part (XXXXX) and a serial number part (27.7777) and generate a complete key by entering the values KK and EE and calculating the checksum based on the GGGG media file name. Finally, the total checksum QQQ for all fields is calculated. 10 Once the key has been calculated, it will be written to the DIM file as described above.

The new Type 1 activation key can be stored in a media player registry or file. There is likely to be multiple Akti keys per one media player, one for each media package for which the user has 15 licenses. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the user of the media player does not access the actual activation keys in the registry, but only the metanames of the contents or media packages for which he has a license (a valid activation key). This makes it difficult to copy the key to other media players. The new activation key may be provided in different ways. One way is to use the standalone function of the media player and enter the activation key yourself. Another way is to automatically activate the activation key:; *; SION. For example, the key may be in its own file and when such a file · ♦ ·: ·. the file is opened, the new activation key is stored in the activation key register, possibly «·· * 'among other keys already there. The file may contain • · .... 25 only one line, for example: Media player Activation Key: ## key ##. For example, a file may be opened when a user registers and authorizes specific content on a content provider's web site as an authorized user, or may be opened from a media content product such as a CD-ROM.

The key to automatic key storage is the ease of use of the user: * ·· 30 and the difficulty of key misuse. In one embodiment of the invention, there is a customized version of each media content package for a media player. Such a custom media player with the corresponding type of · · · 1 key is downloaded to the user's workstation when it registers - **: · * and the user information is accepted. Such a customized media player can play only content protected by a DIM file containing the appropriate key and, if desired, ordinary, unprotected media files.

Thus, a DIM file is a kind of protective envelope around the actual media file (s) and hides the media file from both the media player and the user. The DIM file also specifies the physical location of the media file or -5 files. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, only the content meta-name (e.g., "English lesson") is displayed to the user, e.g., as a hyperlink. When the user selects a particular content by clicking on the metaname in e.g. web browser interface, the corresponding DIM file is downloaded to the user's workstation or device whether the Type 1 and Type 2 keys are compatible before the media player shown in Figure 1. According to the media file information specified in the DIM file, the media player plays specific media file or files via the DIM file. notice that the user does not have access to the content in question, or the notice can also guide you through how to register for that content.

Preferably, the media player checks the correctness of the Type 1 and 2 keys before checking the compatibility of the keys.

For example, a Type 1 activation key may be tested for accuracy as follows:

Verification Step 1: Is the key part KK valid for key type 1.

. . ·. Verification Step 2: Is the internal product code EE valid for the type of media player.

| . Verification Step 3: Is the checksum QQQ the correct size for the key. | \ 25 strings.

Similarly, the correctness of the Type 2 activation key in the DIM file can be tested, for example: • · φ

Verification Step 1: Is the key part KK valid for the key type 2. Verification Step 2: Is the internal product code EE valid for the used media player.

· * '** Verification Step 3: Has the name of the media file been checked. *. sum, counter GGGG, valid.

• · · «··: Check Step 4: Is the checksum QQQ correct relative to the entire key string.

* 35 After validation has been validated, the media player compares the type 1 * key stored with the media player and the downloaded DIM file

»S

9 118358 Type 2 keys with each other. In this example, the keys are compatible if the value of the seven-digit packet code (XXXXXXX) is the same in both.

The principles of the invention have been described above by means of preferred embodiments. Next, the permitted use of the protected material provided through the World Wide Web Services (WWW) is illustrated in Figure 3 and a more general example.

First, the terms used in Figure 3 will be explained. The numbering corresponds to the numbering in Figure 3.

(31) "User" means any person who, from his or her personal computer or similar programmable device such as a PDA, smartphone, wireless communications device, etc., wishes to use it for web services or other electronic storage, such as CD- ROM-based content such as media files. The user can use the content for different purposes, for example studying different things.

15 (32) "WWW Service" is a collection of content files, metadata, and other material that is generally stored on a file server and is used to access the local network, the Internet - which includes Internet mobile services and mobile IP services. - or via CD-ROM.

(33) "Key1" ("Key1") and "Key2" ("Key2") are codes used to verify access to content on the "Web Service" 32.

"Avainl" and "Avain2" also protect the copyright of the content owner. : es *: "Key1" and "Key2" are different and one is located in the "metadata" (36), the other is passed to the "media device" upon login.

(34) "Media device" is software that is personal to you. : 25 computers or any personal device such as a PDA, smartphone, or any wireless communication device that allows content • •

Versatile utilization.

* ··· * (35) "Media File" means any digital media, such as audio or video, suitable for use with: * "30 personal computers or other personal devices.

· «: ...! (36) A "Meta file" is a file located on a media device:. *. File, which contains information about the 35 physical locations of a "media file" and the "··! employment key (Key1 or Key2).

• · * "The operation of the configuration shown in Figure 3 is described below.

• ·: .v 35 The letters A to F refer to the corresponding letters in Figure 3.

• *:. * ·· (A) User 31 logs on to Web Service 32 by entering 10 118358 personal usernames and passwords or by using an equivalent authentication method.

(B) Once the user is authenticated and approved as a user of the web service 32, the system sends key 1 or 2 to be stored in parameters 34 of the media device 5.

(C) When the user 31 selects the content defined in the metadata 36, the media device 34 first checks whether the key 1 (or key 2) stored in the metadata 36 and the key 2 (or key 1) identified by the media device 34 are matched.

10 (D) If the keys do not match, the media device 34 does not allow other actions on the media file 35 in question.

(E) If the keys match, the metadata 36 determines the exact location of the media file 35 and allows access to the media file 35 assigned to the media fold 34.

15 (F) The digital content of the media file 35 is transferred from the web service 32 to the user's 31 media devices 34.

It is obvious to those skilled in the art that as technology advances, the idea of the invention can be implemented in different ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

* • · • «** · · ** ** ** 1 1 1 1« # 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 · • · • »» ·· • · t 1 · • 1 «· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ···

Claims (19)

A method of checking usage rights for a digital contents, wherein a first activation key is given to a user at the stage when the user becomes an authorized user of a digital content, said first activation key being stored in connection with the program code needed for presentation of the digital content at a terminal to the user, a media usage rights file is provided which shows a second activation key and information on at least one media file containing said digital content, said program permits, once the user has selected said digital content , use of said at least one media file found in said media usage file using said information only if the first activation key stored in connection with said program and the stored media usage file, said second activation key match. The method of claim 1, wherein said information contains information about the physical state of said eating at least one media file containing said digital content. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user contacts the web page offering said digital content, the user selects said digital content from said web site, the media usage rights file associated with the web site. The selected digital ··· content is downloaded from said www page in said user terminal, • said program compares said first activation key with .. said second activation key stored in said downloaded media usage file, * · * ·; * * Said program prevents use of said eating at least one: media file, if the first and second keys do not match, the program defines the state of said eating at least one media file that * ·· Λ contains said digital contents using information contained in said media usage file and permits the use of said eating medium media file, if said first and second keys match. "118358 The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the user selects said digital contents on a local storage means in the user terminal, said media usage rights file associated with said digital contents is downloaded from said local storage means, said program compares said first activation key with said second activation key, stored in said media usage rights file downloaded in the machine, said program prevents the use of said at least one media file downloaded in the local storage means, if the first and second keys do not match, the program defines the physical state of said at least one media file containing said digital contents and stored on the local storage means by the information contained in said media usage file and allowing the use of said at least one media file if said first and second keys match. The method of claim 4, wherein said local storage means is a storage disk located in the disk station of said user terminal. The method of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said program is a media player and said digital content comprises audio and / or video material. A web page that offers a user a digital content through a network connection comprising *: · *: at least one media file containing said digital content,: a media usage rights file, displaying an initial activation - • * key and information about the said at least one media file containing. said digital content, means for downloading said media usage rights file in said user terminal so that a media player in said user terminal can, when said user selects said digital content, compare said first activation key with that associated with the the media player stored the second activation key and use the information found in · ***: said media usage file said at least one media file only if ··· said first activation key and said second activation key match '; * ·, * 35. * · T • · »• · 18 118358 A web page according to claim 7, which contains means for presenting hyperlinks on said web page, which refers to various digital contents, wherein said download means responds to activation of said hyperlink which means that the media usage rights file for the selected digital content site is selected in the user terminal. . 9. A method for controlling the use of a digital content to be executed from a user terminal, wherein the user terminal stores at least one first activation key, which was given to the user, then the usage rights for at least a predetermined digital content are downloaded into said user terminal. a media usage rights file which displays a second activation key and information on at least one media file containing said digital content, in response to the user choosing said at least one digital content, access is granted to use said at least one media file containing said digital content, accessing said at least one media file using information found in said media usage rights file only if said first and second activation keys match. The method of claim 9, wherein said information contains information about the physical state of said eating at least one media file containing said digital content. 11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a contact is made with a web page which offers said digital content, said digital content is selected from said web page. said media usage rights file corresponding to said digital. ···, contents are downloaded from said web page in said user terminal, # · said first activation key is compared with said second activation key stored in said media usage file, downloaded in said machine. use of said eating at least one media file is prevented if the:: *: first and second activation keys do not match, ··· * use of said eating at least one media file containing. ·, said digital contents are allowed, if said first and second keys fit * ; '·] 35 together. «* T •« t • · 19 118358 The method of claim 9,10 or 11, wherein said digital contents are selected from said local storage means, said media usage rights file associated with said selected digital contents are downloaded from said local storage means, said first activation key is compared to said second active key. ring key stored in said media usage rights file downloaded into the machine, use of said at least one media file stored on said local storage means, if the first and second keys do not fit together, use of said at least one media file containing said digital contents are allowed, if said first and second keys match. A program, which contains program codes for executing all of the steps mentioned in claims 9,10,11 or 12, when the program is run in a computer or corresponding device. A program product, which contains program codes stored on a computer readable means for performing the method mentioned in any of claims 9, 10, 11 or 12 when the program is run in a computer or equivalent device. :.in.: 15. Media player intended for playing media files, comprising the ·· • * ·· first means for storing at least one first activation key, *: **: given to the user then received the usage rights for at least one: * ·. determined digital content, • · · ...: other means for comparing said first activation key. with the second activation key, which is stored in a media user's legal file, downloaded in the user machine after selecting said eating device a digital content, third means, with the aid of which access to said selected digital content is provided. and at least one media file that is defined in said media usage file and which has said selected digital content is played only if said first activation key and said second activation key match. • · · The media player of claim 15, wherein said at least one media file contains at least one audio file. The media player of claim 15 or 16, wherein said digital content is a multimedia presentation and wherein said at least one media file contains a combination of two or more of the following media file types: audio, video and text file. The media player of claim 15.16 or 17, wherein said multi-player is a wireless user device. The media player of claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein said media player is a program to be executed, which program is run in a user device, for example in a wireless user device. • · · · · · ··· · »· · t · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · «·· · 1 · · · M · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·