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Insurance Abstract
An insurance program is provided for a portable media player wherein
such player has media content or data downloaded thereon. The program
provides for the replacement of such stored media or data due to
loss of data, corrupted or missing files, etc. Such program is specific
to the player and may also be programmed to upgrade such media or
compensate the owner for the loss of such media.
Insurance Claims
I claim:
1. In a portable media player having built-in medial software storage
means for storing media software and other data programs downloaded
from a remote location to said player, the improvement which comprises:
an insurance program associated with said media storage means for
covering corruption or loss of software or data in the original
media software or data on said player.
2. The player of claim 1 wherein said media software and other
data is downloaded to the portable media player from the users computer
and said coverage provides for replacement of such software or data
corrupted or lost due to a crash on either said computer or said
portable media player.
3. The player of claim 1 wherein said coverage provides for replacement
of a corrupt program on said player.
4. The player of claim 1 wherein said coverage provides for upgrading
of the original media software or data stored on said player.
5. The player of claim 1 wherein said coverage provides for replacing
a missing file from said media software or data program on said
player.
6. The player of claim 1 wherein said coverage compensates the
owner of said player for any lost, corrupted or missing media software
or data on said player.
7. The player of claim 1 wherein said media software storage means
includes linking means for linking any media software or data to
a specific player so that it can be identified only to the owner
of that specific player.
8. The player of claim 7 wherein said insurance program is coupled
to said linking means so that said insurance program can only be
activated on the specific player to which the said media software
or data has been downloaded.
9. The player of claim 1 wherein said media software or data is
downloadable from a website, said website having a database related
to both the user of said player and said player itself whereby said
insurance program may be activated if a downloaded program on said
player crashes or is otherwise corrupted.
10. The player of claim 1 wherein said media software or data is
downloadable from physical media containing said software.
11. The player of claim 10 wherein said physical media is a DVD.
12. The player of claim 10 wherein said physical media is a compact
disk.
13. The player of claim 10 wherein said physical media is a memory
storage device.
14. The player of claim 9 wherein said database is programmed to
notify the user of said player automatically if a change in a downloaded
program on said player is detected.
15. The player of claim 14 wherein said database is programmed
to send a new insurance program along with the replacement downloaded
program.
16. The player of claim 15 wherein said database is programmed
to render the original insurance program obsolete when a new insurance
program is sent.
17. The player of claim 1 wherein said insurance program is specifically
related to a single media software or unit of data downloaded to
said player out of other media software or data downloaded to said
player.
18. The player of claim 1 wherein said insurance program is preset
for activation by a remote database to replace or upgrade media
stored on said player a predetermined number of times recorded on
said database.
19. The player of claim 1 wherein said insurance program is preset
for activation by a remote database to replace or upgrade media
or data stored on said player dependent on certain predetermined
parameters stored in said database.
20. A portable media player comprising: (a) media software storage
means for storing downloaded media software and data on said player;
and (b) an insurance program associated with said storage means
for covering lost or corrupted files in the original media software
and data stored on said player.
21. The player of claim 20 wherein said media software storage
means is built-into said player.
22. The player of claim 20 wherein said media software storage
means is on a removable device removably mounted in said player.
23. The player of claim 20 wherein said insurance program is adapted
to alter said media by replacing the same due to corruption or loss
of the original media or data.
24. The player of claim 20 wherein said coverage provides for compensation
to the owner of said player for any lost, corrupted or missing media
software or data on said player.
25. The player of claim 22 wherein said removable device is a flash
card.
26. The player of claim 22 wherein said removable device is a memory
stick.
27. The player of claim 22 wherein said removable device is a memory
card.
28. The player of claim 20 wherein said insurance program is adapted
to alter said media or data by upgrading the same due to changes
in the original media software or data.
29. The player of claim 20 wherein said media software storage
means includes locking means for locking any software downloaded
to said storage means so that it cannot be distributed to a different
player.
30. The player of claim 28 wherein said insurance program is coupled
to said locking means so that said insurance program can only be
activated on the specific player to which said media software or
data has been downloaded.
31. The player of claim 20 wherein said media software is downloadable
from a website, said website having a database related to the user
of said player and said player whereby said insurance program may
be activated if a downloaded program or media on said player crashes
or is otherwise corrupted.
32. The player of claim 31 wherein said database is programmed
to notify the user of said player automatically if a change in a
downloaded program on said player is detected.
33. The player of claim 31 wherein said database is programmed
to send a new insurance program along with the replacement downloaded
program.
34. The player of claim 33 wherein said database is programmed
to render the original insurance program obsolete when a new insurance
program is sent.
35. The player of claim 20 wherein said insurance program is specifically
related to a single media software or unit of data downloaded to
said player out of other media software or data downloaded to said
player.
36. The player of claim 20 wherein said insurance program is preset
for activation by a remote database to replace or upgrade media
stored on said player a predetermined number of times recorded on
said database.
37. The player of claim 20 wherein said insurance program is preset
for activation by a remote database to replace or upgrade media
stored on said player dependent on certain predetermined parameters
stored in said database.
38. The player of claim 20 wherein said media software is downloadable
from a physical media containing the software.
39. A portable media player comprising: (a) media software storage
means for storing downloaded media software on said player; and
(b) an insurance program associated with said player insuring both
said player from loss or theft thereof and said media software from
loss or corruption thereof.
Insurance Description
RELATIONSHIP TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application based
on Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/570,023, filed May 10, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The disclosure relates to portable media players; and, particularly,
to an insurance program built into the player to compensate the
user for data loss and corrupted programs or the like or replace
the same.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Portable media players (PMP) are well known in the art.
These players are usually pocket size devices that can store hundreds
of movies, games or other media on a built-in hard drive or other
storage means and play the same back when desired. The media, games,
photos or the like are thus stored on local storage, such as a built
in hard drive, memory card, or other removable storage.
[0006] If a PMP file is lost because of a computer crash or some
other reason, generally the user has no option but to purchase another
program for downloading.
[0007] There is a need for a program built in to a PMP for replacing
lost or damaged media or otherwise compensating the owner for the
lost or damaged files.
SUMMARY
[0008] It is an object of this disclosure to provide a built-in
insurance program for portable media players which, if a media file
is lost or damaged because of a computer crash or some other reason,
the insurance program may be activated to replace the lost or damaged
file or otherwise compensate the owner for such lost or damaged
files.
[0009] It is a further object of this disclosure to link specific
files with the unique portable media player to which the files have
been downloaded so that the downloaded media file cannot be redistributed
to another PMP and the insurance program covers replacement of,
or compensation for, only the damaged or lost files in that specific
PMP.
[0010] It is a further object of the disclosure to provide such
an insurance program for a specific portable media player where
upgrades of downloaded software purchased on line from a designated
website are covered by the program if the original software is lost
or damaged.
[0011] It is further object of this disclosure to provide such
an insurance program wherein a particular media or data program
is downloaded by a user to a specific computer, then copied, with
authorization, to a specific PMP.
[0012] It is still another object of this disclosure to provide
an insurance program which can only be utilized to cover media files
or data on a specific PMP.
[0013] It is another object of this disclosure to provide such
an insurance program which covers those media files or data files
associated with a specific user's domain, the files being the downloaded
to one or more devices, such as a PMP, associated with that particular.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] A portable media player is provided which is adapted to
store and playback various media, that may be downloaded after purchase,
or purchased by subscription or the like, such as:
[0015] 1. Personal video content;
[0016] 2. Media company content, including, but not limited to
movies, broadcast content, trailers, etc.;
[0017] 3. Music;
[0018] 4. Voice recordings;
[0019] 5. Photos and other images;
[0020] 6. Data in general.
[0021] The present disclosure contemplates a replacement insurance
program for the foregoing media purchased for use on a PMP. The
insurance program provides for either replacement of lost or damaged
media, a monetary payment, or both. Thus, if for any reason, such
as a computer or system crash, drive crash, lost or stolen PMP,
etc., or otherwise damaged or corrupted files, insurance, previously
paid for by the user, would replace or otherwise compensate for
the previously downloaded file. The previously downloaded file is
locked to a specific PMP so fraud is prevented and it cannot be
redistributed. If the original software is lost, or has been upgraded,
the insurance provides an upgrade by either installing a new program,
build on the original program, reinstallation of the original program,
if corrupted or otherwise lost, etc.
[0022] Preferably, the user's purchase of the software program
to be downloaded to the user's PMP is logged into a database provided
by the originator of the program. This may be carried out in a number
of ways, including, but not limited to, the login identification
of the user, the serial number or other information relating to
the specific PMP, the insurance policy purchased by the user, etc.
That is, the disclosure herein provides for a system that tracks
the consumer's purchase (e.g., user ID, PMP serial number, purchase
date, content title, price, where the data or media was purchased,
file type, format/resolutions, etc.) and, in case of lost or damaged
media, either automatically or manually sends a replacement file
(electronically or physically) to the consumer or otherwise compensates
the consumer. This file can be loaded automatically or manually
onto the PMP device (i.e., on to the same PMP device, or, in case
of theft, on to a new PMP device). If the latter is the case, and
the PMP device is a replacement, a record is kept identifying the
serial number of the lost or stolen device.
[0023] If the user's program crashes, the insurance policy may
be activated automatically when the player is connected up to a
computer with an open internet connection, or by telephone, etc.
The home server or program originator may detect the loss of content
or program corruption automatically and provide a replacement program.
The detection would include determining the coverage of the insurance
policy, whether full coverage of any downloaded program, or specific
to a single program, or a combination of programs. The specific
software program that was lost or damaged is thus replaced with
a new program along with a new license or insurance program. Such
new license or insurance program would render the original program
obsolete so that, if the original program was somehow recovered,
it will not play. The insurance program may have some flexibility
in the number of times a claim may be made under the program, such
by user or the people in the user's household, the specific player,
the particular content, etc. and how the program is replaced (e.g.,
by sending a new file, the original file, a key to unlock a file
at some remote location, etc.). Alternatively, the owner may be
compensated for such loss.
[0024] In summary, a portable media player having built-in or removable
medial software storage means for storing media software on the
player is provided having an insurance program associated therewith
for insuring the owner of the player from various calamities. The
media software storage means links any media software to the specific
player so that it can be identified to that particular player and
user. The content can be downloaded from the web or loaded from
physical media such as DVD, CD, or other like memory storage means.
Such storage means may be built-in or removable from the player
and the insurance program may be initiated by the owner of the player
if the player is lost or stolen.
[0025] It is contemplated that the PMP should connect to a PC.
The PC should be able to manage the files on the PMP using a tool
similar to Windows File Manager, a proprietary file managing system
owned by Microsoft, Inc. Files can be copied from the PMP to the
PC and vice versa, as long as all content protection remains with
the files. The user should have an easy mechanism to transfer content
from a PC to the PMP. The PMP should enable the user to view, manage,
and manipulate the files on the PMP using tools like Windows File
Manager (i.e., drag & drop files, create and manage folders,
rename files, etc) or any other file management or control manager
system, such as iTunes, a proprietary service of Apple Computer
Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.
[0026] The PMP should also interface with software that may reside
on the PC. The PMP should be able to connect to the PC via a cradle.
The PMP can then be inserted into the PC cradle where it automatically
syncs with the PC to transfer any new movies, music, or images from
the PC based on user selected profiles (e.g., select all new files,
select only new files on a specific date or genre, parents or children'
profile, etc). The PMP should also enable the content to be synchronized
with the PC based on consumer profiles (i.e. kids, parents, or a
specific person). The profile would specify what types of content
to copy down to the PMP. For example, Dad may want sports, R rated
movies, easy listening songs, and images of the kids when he travels.
Such downloaded media may have the insurance program contemplated
herein provided along with the specific media so that it pertains
only to that media.
[0027] The disclosure herein contemplates that the PMP user registers
its device with the provider.
[0028] The purpose of registration would be to require the customer
to accept the usage rules for content for PMP devices, mechanism
to unlock files for PMP use, gather account information (name, address)
for 1-click purchases, as well as insurance programs for replacement
or compensation of corrupted or lost files, etc, and for forensic
tracking of content files.
[0029] The user must register to use or purchase PMP files. Once
the purchase is complete, the file will be bound to the primary
personal computer (PC) of the user. Based on the license restrictions
set by the media company for each title, the user may be able to:
[0030] Transfer the PMP file to another PC
[0031] Transfer the PMP file to an approved PMP
[0032] Transfer the PMP file to other users
[0033] Create a backup PMP file on CD
[0034] Once the file is bound to the user PC, it is the user's
responsibility to maintain the content. Purchased PMP files will
not be replaced if lost, stolen, or otherwise damaged unless insurance
is provided, as discussed herein.
[0035] Thus, the disclosure herein contemplates an insurance program
built in to a portable media player having media content associated
therewith, for replacing or otherwise compensating the owner of
the PMP for corrupted or damaged files, missing files, loss of data,
etc. The program is tied to the particular PMP and may also cover
upgraded or improved programs. Such a program protects the owner
of the PMP from computer crashes, etc. The media stored or downloaded
to the PMP built-in hard drive, or removable storage means, may
originate from an external source, such as a DVD, CD, memory storage
card, etc.
[0036] The database on the PMP may be programmed to detect a change
in a program on the PMP and trigger the insurance program. When
the changed program is replaced or the user is otherwise compensated
for the lost, damaged or corrupted program or the like, a new replacement
insurance program may be sent to the PMP rendering the original
insurance program obsolete. The insurance program contemplated herein
may be keyed to a single program stored on the PMP to the exclusion
of others. The database may be resident on the PMP or on the user's
computer.
[0037] Although the insurance program contemplated herein may be
triggered by a damaged, lost or corrupted program, the program may
be preset for activation from a remote database, e.g., the users
computer, or website, when the PMP is coupled to the same as through
a personal computer, to automatically replace or upgrade media stored
on the PMP. Such may be preset for a pre-determined number of times
that is recorded on the remote database. Such a preset insurance
program may also be dependent on certain predetermined parameters
stored in the remote database.
[0038] The media stored on the PMP may be provided in a built-in
hard drive, removable media, such as a flash card, memory stick,
etc. Such media may be locked to the particular PMP so that the
insurance program contemplated herein is only effective with that
particular PMP.
[0039] Although the insurance program contemplated herein may be
automatically activated, as heretofore discussed, it may be activated
by the owner of the PMP if the owner detects a lost or damaged or
corrupted file or the like. Such an insurance program may compensate
the owner of the PMP for the loss of the program rather than replacing
the same.
[0040] Although the disclosure disclosed herein has been discussed
with respect to a portable media player that receives data from
a host computer, the insurance program may be resident on either
the player or at the host computer. Further, although specific types
of physical media are disclosed, obviously such types of technology
is growing rapidly and the disclosure herein is considered as applicable
to all presently known storage means and methodology for storing
the same, such as SmartMediaMMC/SD, CompactFlash, Memory Stick,
UMD, BluRay, Bluetooth, HD DVD, CD, etc., and other such means and
methodology that will come along in the future.
[0041] Thus, there is disclosed a portable media player having
built-in medial software storage means for storing media software
and other data programs downloaded from a remote location to the
player. The player includes an insurance program associated with
media storage means for covering corruption or loss of software
or data in the original media software or data on the player.
[0042] Such media software and other data is downloaded to the
portable media player from the user's computer and the coverage
provides for replacement of such software or data corrupted or lost
due to a crash on either the computer or the portable media player.
The coverage may provide for replacement of a corrupt program on
the player or upgrading of the original media software or data stored
on the player. The coverage may provide for replacing a missing
file from the media software or data file on said player.
[0043] The coverage may compensate the owner of the player for
any lost, corrupted or missing media software or data on the player.
The media software storage means may include linking means for linking
any media software or data to a specific player so that it can be
identified to a particular player and user. The insurance program
may be coupled to the linking means so that the insurance program
can only be activated on the specific player to which the media
software or data has been downloaded.
[0044] The media software or data may be downloadable from a website,
the website having a database related to both the user of the player
and the player itself whereby the insurance program may be activated
if a downloaded program on the player crashes or is otherwise corrupted.
The media software or data is downloadable from physical media containing
the software. Such physical media may be a DVD, a compact disk,
or a memory storage device.
[0045] The database may be programmed to notify the user of the
player automatically if a change in a downloaded program on the
player is detected. The database may be programmed to send a new
insurance program along with the replacement downloaded program
and may be programmed to render the original insurance program obsolete
when a new insurance program is sent. The insurance program may
specifically related to a single media software or unit of data
downloaded to the player out of other software or data downloaded
to the player.
[0046] The insurance program may be preset for activation by a
remote database to replace or upgrade media stored on the player
a predetermined number of times recorded on the database. The insurance
program may be preset for activation by a remote database to replace
or upgrade media or data stored on the player dependent on certain
predetermined parameters stored in the database.
[0047] Although a particular embodiment of the disclosure is disclosed,
variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope of the
disclosure is only to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.
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