Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-16
2001-12-18
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000, C707S793000, C709S217000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331865
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a distribution system of digital contents, i.e., digitally encoded published materials, and more particularly, to a digital content distribution system and method which are capable of preventing unauthorized subsequent distribution of the digital contents.
2. Description of Related Art
The rapid growth of computer and communication technologies has facilitated business transactions in a number of ways. One particular area of business transactions in the electronic commerce. Consumers can now conduct commercial transactions with business entities conveniently and efficiently over the communication networks such as the Internet. One particular area of electronic commerce is information retrieval. Examples of information retrieval include electronic books, personal digital assistants, etc.
Business transactions involving information retrieval devices (e.g., electronic books) present a number of difficulties. The transaction should be efficient, reliable, confidential, secure, and convenient. From a business standpoint, the transaction should also be profitable and provides mutual benefits for both the consumers and the business operators.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have a method and system to operate an information distribution network to distribute digital contents to consumers for viewing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a method and system for electronically distributing digital contents. The digital contents include textual, graphical and pictorial information. At least one portable electronic book is operative to request a digital content from a catalog of distinct digital contents, to receive and display the requested digital content in readable form. An information services system is in electrical communication with the portable electronic book to perform authentication and rendering the requested digital content. An authentication server authenticates the identity of the requesting portable electronic book. A copyright protection server renders the requested digital content sent to the requesting portable electronic book readable only by the requesting portable electronic book. At least one primary virtual bookstore is in electrical communication with the information services system. The primary virtual bookstore is a computer-based storefront accessible by the portable electronic book. The primary virtual bookstore includes the catalog of distinct digital contents and a repository which stores the distinct digital contents listed in the catalog.
In one embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a secondary virtual bookstore in electrical communication with the information services system. In this case, the information services system also includes a directory of virtual bookstores to provide the portable electronic book with access to the secondary virtual bookstore and its catalog of digital contents.
The information services system also includes a registration server for keeping track of the active state of the account associated with each portable electronic book in the system and for ensuring that each portable electronic book is associated with a primary virtual bookstore in the system.
The information services system further comprises a centralized bookshelf for each portable electronic book in the system. Each centralized bookshelf contains all digital contents sent to and owned by the corresponding portable electronic book. Each portable electronic book can permanently delete any of the owned digital contents from the associated centralized bookshelf.
The information services system further comprises an Internet Services Provider for providing Internet network access to each portable electronic book in the system.
The information services system can optionally include a notice board server for sending messages from the primary virtual bookstore and/or the secondary virtual bookstore to a portable electronic book in the system.
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Conboy Garth
Duga Brady
Leshner William S.
Novicov Aleksey
Pomeroy Thomas W.
Bayerl Raymond J.
SoftBook Press, Inc.
Thai Cuong T.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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