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  Methods and systems for securing content played on mobile devicesUSPTO Application #: 20080109307Title: Methods and systems for securing content played on mobile devices Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for managing content, including advertising content, delivered to various network-connected devices, including screens, mobile devices, computers, televisions, radios, and the like, based on usage profiles associated with device-specific identifiers for mobile devices, short-distance wireless technologies for transmission of content and detection of proximity, and content targeting and management techniques. (end of abstract) Agent: Strategic Patents P.c.. - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventor: Shah Ullah USPTO Applicaton #: 20080109307 - Class: 705014000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, Or Cost/price Determination, Automated Electrical Financial Or Business Practice Or Management Arrangement, Distribution Or Redemption Of Coupon, Or Incentive Or Promotion Program The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080109307. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the following provisional application, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/825,708 filed Sep. 14, 2006. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field [0003] The methods and systems herein described relate to mobile device identification and authentication for access to and presentation of targeted content. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Methods and systems exist for targeting content, including advertising content, directed to users of network-connected devices, such as televisions, mobile handsets, computers, radios, advertising screens and the like. Such content-targeting methods face various challenges, depending on the users and devices to which content is targeted. For example, television and radio advertisements are often directed to a mass audience, with little information about specific users. Internet advertisements may be based on cookies or similar mechanisms that indicate that a user is returning to a particular site, but targeting based on cookies and similar information are subject to limitations, among them being that multiple users may access the Internet through the same device. Mobile content may be targeted more easily to a specific user, such as based on information about the user in a database maintained by a wireless carrier or based on the user's interaction with content on the mobile handset, but the more limited range of content that can be delivered to mobile devices means that profiles based on that usage are often limited and sometimes misleading. Accordingly, a need exists for better methods of targeting content to users of all types of network-connected devices. SUMMARY [0006] Methods and systems are disclosed herein for delivering content, including advertising content, to various network-connected devices. In various embodiments disclosed herein, methods and systems take advantage of capabilities and information available in various networking domains to deliver more targeted content to each of those domains, including using the collective capabilities and information derived from multiple domains to deliver content to each domain. [0007] One embodiment of the methods and systems disclosed herein relates to television content and advertising. In certain such embodiments a user profile may be derived from an individual's usage of a range of different types of network-connected devices, and the profile may be used to target television content, including advertisements, to the user. The network-connected devices from which usage profiles are derived may include mobile phones, computers, Internet-connected entertainment devices (such as Internet-connected televisions and radios) and other devices. Capabilities of mobile handset technologies may be used to unify a profile of a user across various network-connected devices. In embodiments, a device-specific identifier (DSI) of a mobile device owned by a user, such as a MAC address of the user's mobile phone, may be associated with user names that the user enters when interacting with network content, such as web sites, using that mobile device. Once the DSI is associated with one or more user names, activities associated with those user names can be tracked and used to generate a profile for that user, regardless of what network-connected device is used to undertake the activities. Additionally, when a user interacts with network content using various network-connected devices and does not enter a username, activity performed during those sessions may still be categorized into profiles as the device-specific identifier of the device through which the interactivity was performed is still recorded. As such activity may be derived from more than one user of the same device, patterns in activity performed on such devices without the accompaniment of a username may be conducted to find similarities among the network activity recorded containing both a DSI and username or to find similarities particularly to the network activity conducted on the user's mobile device as it is the most individual-specific network-connected device. Furthermore, when a user interacts with network content using a given network-connected device and does not enter a username, but during the same session of activity, on the same given network-connected device, as determined by proximity of access times, interacts with a second set of network content with a supplement of a username, activity performed with the first instance of network content, which was not supplemented with a username may be associated with activity performed with the second set of network content which was supplemented with a username, thus allowing activity performed with two unique sets of network content, one with a username, one without a username, to be categorized under the same profile of user activity. Thus, a multi-device profile may be created for that user, such that activity on a network performed on a network-connected device whether accompanied by a username or not, can still be categorized into a single profile for a user which represents a wide range of activities across multiple devices and domains. Once a usage profile is generated, targeting techniques, such as hand targeting, demographic targeting, geographic targeting, psychographic targeting, collaborative filtering, neural network-based targeting, hierarchical targeting, and the like may be used to target content, including advertisements, to be directed to the television of the user. In embodiments, use of short-distance wireless technologies supports more specific targeting of content to a user or a group of users and enables digital rights management, security and content management. In particular, a short-distance wireless communication between a mobile handset and another network-enabled device, such as using a Bluetooth, WiFi, WUSB, UWB or other wireless protocol, allows the methods and systems disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, to determine or verify the proximity of the user's handset, and by inference the user, to the other network-enabled device. Thus, a user's proximity to a television screen can be determined by using a short-distance wireless protocol to access the MAC address of the handset. Once proximity is determined or verified, it can be used for various purposes, including tracking what the user (or other nearby users) view on the television screen, such as for ratings purposes, managing (including with digital rights management techniques) the content the user is allowed to view on the screen (including allowing the user to share content from a user's library as long as the user's mobile handset is in proximity to the screen), and targeting the content directed to the user on the screen, including advertising, for which a user-specific profile which includes the activities performed on a multitude of network-connected devices may be referenced. Thus, the methods and systems disclosed herein allow for user-specific control of content delivered to the screen the user is watching, based on proximity of the user's mobile handset to the screen. [0008] Another embodiment of the methods and systems disclosed herein relates to radio advertising. In certain such embodiments a user profile may be derived from an individual's usage of a range of different types of network-connected devices, and the profile may be used to target audio content, including advertisements, to the user. As in other embodiments, the network-connected devices from which usage profiles are derived may include mobile phones, computers, Internet-connected entertainment devices (such as Internet-connected televisions and radios) and other devices. Capabilities of mobile handset technologies may be used to unify a profile of a user across various network-connected devices. In embodiments, a device-specific identifier (DSI) of a mobile device owned by a user, such as a MAC address of the user's mobile phone, may be associated with user names that the user enters when interacting with network content, such as web sites, using that mobile device. Once the DSI is associated with one or more user names, activities associated with those user names can be tracked and used to generate a profile for that user, regardless of what network-connected device is used to undertake the activities. Additionally, when a user interacts with network content using various network-connected devices and does not enter a username, activity performed during those sessions may still be categorized into profiles as the device-specific identifier of the device through which the interactivity was performed is still recorded. As such activity may be derived from more than one user of the same device, patterns in activity performed on such devices without the accompaniment of a username may be conducted to find similarities among the network activity recorded containing both a DSI and username or to find similarities particularly to the network activity conducted on the user's mobile device as it is the most individual-specific network-connected device. Furthermore, when a user interacts with network content using a given network-connected device and does not enter a username, but during the same session of activity, on the same given network-connected device, as determined by proximity of access times, interacts with a second set of network content with a supplement of a username, activity performed with the first instance of network content, which was not supplemented with a username may be associated with activity performed with the second set of network content which was supplemented with a username, thus allowing activity performed with two unique sets of network content, one with a username, one without a username, to be categorized under the same profile of user activity. Thus, a multi-device profile may be created for that user, such that activity on a network performed on a network-connected device whether accompanied by a username or not, can still be categorized into a single profile for a user which represents a wide range of activities across multiple devices and domains. Once a usage profile is generated, targeting techniques, such as hand targeting, demographic targeting, geographic targeting, psychographic targeting, collaborative filtering, neural network-based targeting, hierarchical targeting, and the like may be used to target content, including advertisements, to be directed to the audio-enabled devices, such as Internet radios, of the user. In embodiments, use of short-distance wireless technologies supports more specific targeting of content to a user or a group of users and enables digital rights management, security and content management. In particular, a short-distance wireless communication between a mobile handset and another network-enabled device, such as an Internet-radio, such as using a Bluetooth, WiFi, WUSB, UWB or other wireless protocol, allows the methods and systems disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, to determine or verify the proximity of the user's handset, and by inference the user, to the other network-enabled device. Thus, a user's proximity to an Internet radio can be determined by using a short-distance wireless protocol to access the MAC address of the handset. Once proximity is determined or verified, it can be used for various purposes, including tracking what the user (or other nearby users) listen to on the audio-enabled device, such as for ratings purposes, managing (including with digital rights management techniques) the content the user is allowed to listen to on the audio-enabled device (including allowing the user to share content from a user's library as long as the user's mobile handset is in proximity to the audio-enabled device), and targeting the content directed to the user on the audio-enabled device, including advertising. Thus, the methods and systems disclosed herein allow for user-specific control of content delivered to the audio-enabled device to which the user is listening, based on proximity of the user's mobile handset to the audio-enabled device. [0009] Another embodiment of the methods and systems disclosed herein relates to point-of-presence content delivery, such as live event content delivery and point-of-sale advertising. In certain such embodiments a user profile may be derived from an individual's usage of a range of different types of network-connected devices, and the profile may be used to target point-of-presence content, including advertisements, to the user. As in other embodiments, the network-connected devices from which usage profiles are derived may include mobile phones, computers, Internet-connected entertainment devices (such as Internet-connected televisions and radios) and other devices. Capabilities of mobile handset technologies may be used to unify a profile of a user across various network-connected devices. In embodiments, a device-specific identifier (DSI) of a mobile device owned by a user, such as a MAC address of the user's mobile phone, may be associated with user names that the user enters when interacting with network content, such as web sites, using that mobile device. Once the DSI is associated with one or more user names, activities associated with those user names can be tracked and used to generate a profile for that user, regardless of what network-connected device is used to undertake the activities. Additionally, when a user interacts with network content using various network-connected devices and does not enter a username, activity performed during those sessions may still be categorized into profiles as the device-specific identifier of the device through which the interactivity was performed is still recorded. As such activity may be derived from more than one user of the same device, patterns in activity performed on such devices without the accompaniment of a username may be conducted to find similarities among the network activity recorded containing both a DSI and username or to find similarities particularly to the network activity conducted on the user's mobile device as it is the most individual-specific network-connected device. Furthermore, when a user interacts with network content using a given network-connected device and does not enter a username, however during the same session of activity, on the same given network-connected device, as determined by proximity of access times, interacts with a second set of network content with a supplement of a username, activity performed with the first instance of network content, which was not supplemented with a username may be associated with activity performed with the second set of network content which was supplemented with a username, thus allowing activity performed with two unique sets of network content, one with a username, one without a username, to be categorized under the same profile of user activity. Thus, a multi-device profile may be created for that user, such that activity on a network performed on a network-connected device whether accompanied by a username or not, can still be categorized into a single profile for a user which represents a wide range of activities across multiple devices and domains. Once a usage profile is generated, targeting techniques, such as hand targeting, demographic targeting, geographic targeting, psychographic targeting, collaborative filtering, neural network-based targeting, hierarchical targeting, and the like may be used to target content, including advertisements, to be directed to a point-of-presence device, such as a screen or audio-enabled device, that is in proximity to the user. In embodiments, use of short-distance wireless technologies supports more specific targeting of content to a user or a group of users and enables digital rights management, security and content management. In particular, a short-distance wireless communication between a mobile handset and another network-enabled device, such as using a Bluetooth, WiFi, WUSB, UWB or other wireless protocol, allows the methods and systems disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, to determine or verify the proximity of the user's handset, and by inference the user, to the other network-enabled device, in this case a point-of-presence device such as a screen at a live event, a point-of-sale screen, or a point-of-presence audio-enabled device. Thus, a user's proximity to such a point-of-presence device can be determined by using a short-distance wireless protocol to access the MAC address of the handset. Once proximity is determined or verified, it can be used for various purposes, including tracking what the user (or other nearby users) view on a screen or hear on an audio-enabled device, such as for ratings purposes, tracking the effectiveness of advertising, managing (including with digital rights management techniques) the content the user is allowed to view on the screen (including allowing the user to share content from a user's library as long as the user's mobile handset is in proximity to the screen), and targeting the content directed to the user on the screen, including advertising. Thus, the methods and systems disclosed herein allow for user-specific control of content delivered to the screen or audio-enabled device the user is watching, based on proximity of the user's mobile handset to the screen or audio-enabled device. [0010] One embodiment of the methods and systems disclosed herein relates to Internet content. In certain such embodiments a user profile may be derived from an individual's usage of a range of different types of network-connected devices, and the profile may be used to target Internet content, including advertisements, to the user. The network-connected devices from which usage profiles are derived may include mobile phones, computers, Internet-connected entertainment devices (such as Internet-connected televisions and radios) and other devices. Capabilities of mobile handset technologies may be used to unify a profile of a user across various network-connected devices. In embodiments, a device-specific identifier (DSI) of a mobile device owned by a user, such as a MAC address of the user's mobile phone, may be associated with user names that the user enters when interacting with network content, such as web sites, using that mobile device. Once the DSI is associated with one or more user names, activities associated with those user names can be tracked and used to generate a profile for that user, regardless of what network-connected device is used to undertake the activities. Additionally, when a user interacts with network content using various network-connected devices and does not enter a username, activity performed during those sessions may still be categorized into profiles as the device-specific identifier of the device through which the interactivity was performed is still recorded. As such activity may be derived from more than one user of the same device, patterns in activity performed on such devices without the accompaniment of a username may be conducted to find similarities among the network activity recorded containing both a DSI and username or to find similarities particularly to the network activity conducted on the user's mobile device as it is the most individual-specific network-connected device. Furthermore, when a user interacts with network content using a given network-connected device and does not enter a username, however during the same session of activity, on the same given network-connected device, as determined by proximity of access times, interacts with a second set of network content with a supplement of a username, activity performed with the first instance of network content, which was not supplemented with a username may be associated with activity performed with the second set of network content which was supplemented with a username, thus allowing activity performed with two unique sets of network content, one with a username, one without a username, to be categorized under the same profile of user activity. Thus, a multi-device profile may be created for that user, such that activity on a network performed on a network-connected device whether accompanied by a username or not, can still be categorized into a single profile for a user which represents a wide range of activities across multiple devices and domains. Once a usage profile is generated, targeting techniques, such as hand targeting, demographic targeting, geographic targeting, psychographic targeting, collaborative filtering, neural network-based targeting, hierarchical targeting, and the like may be used to target content, including advertisements, to be directed to the Internet-connected device of the user. In embodiments, use of short-distance wireless technologies supports more specific targeting of content to a user or a group of users and enables digital rights management, security and content management. In particular, a short-distance wireless communication between a mobile handset and another network-enabled device, such as using a Bluetooth, WiFi, WUSB, UWB or other wireless protocol, allows the methods and systems disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, to determine or verify the proximity of the user's handset, and by inference the user, to the other network-enabled device. Thus, a user's proximity to an Internet-connected device can be determined by using a short-distance wireless protocol to access the MAC address or other DSI of the handset. Once proximity is determined or verified, it can be used for various purposes, including tracking what the user (or other nearby users) view on the Internet-connected device, such as for ratings purposes, managing (including with digital rights management techniques) the content the user is allowed to view or listen on the device (including allowing the user to share content from a user's library as long as the user's mobile handset is in proximity to the device), and targeting the content directed to the user on the device, including advertising. Thus, the methods and systems disclosed herein allow for user-specific control of content delivered to the screen the user is watching or the audio-device to which the user is listening, based on proximity of the user's mobile handset to the Internet-connected device. [0011] One embodiment of the methods and systems disclosed herein relates to mobile advertising. In certain such embodiments a user profile may be derived from an individual's usage of a range of different types of network-connected devices, and the profile may be used to target television content, including advertisements, to the user. The network-connected devices from which usage profiles are derived may include mobile phones, computers, Internet-connected entertainment devices (such as Internet-connected televisions and radios) and other devices. Capabilities of mobile handset technologies may be used to unify a profile of a user across various network-connected devices. In embodiments, a device-specific identifier (DSI) of a mobile device owned by a user, such as a MAC address of the user's mobile phone, may be associated with user names that the user enters when interacting with network content, such as web sites, using that mobile device. Once the DSI is associated with one or more user names, activities associated with those user names can be tracked and used to generate a profile for that user, regardless of what network-connected device is used to undertake the activities. Additionally, when a user interacts with network content using various network-connected devices and does not enter a username, activity performed during those sessions may still be categorized into profiles as the device-specific identifier of the device through which the interactivity was performed is still recorded. As such activity may be derived from more than one user of the same device, patterns in activity performed on such devices without the accompaniment of a username may be conducted to find similarities among the network activity recorded containing both a DSI and username or to find similarities particularly to the network activity conducted on the user's mobile device as it is the most individual-specific network-connected device. Furthermore, when a user interacts with network content using a given network-connected device and does not enter a username, however during the same session of activity, on the same given network-connected device, as determined by proximity of access times, interacts with a second set of network content with a supplement of a username, activity performed with the first instance of network content, which was not supplemented with a username may be associated with activity performed with the second set of network content which was supplemented with a username, thus allowing activity performed with two unique sets of network content, one with a username, one without a username, to be categorized under the same profile of user activity. Thus, a multi-device profile may be created for that user, such that activity on a network performed on a network-connected device whether accompanied by a username or not, can still be categorized into a single profile for a user which represents a wide range of activities across multiple devices and domains. Once a usage profile is generated, targeting techniques, such as hand targeting, demographic targeting, geographic targeting, psychographic targeting, collaborative filtering, neural network-based targeting, hierarchical targeting, and the like may be used to target content, including advertisements, to be directed to the mobile device of the user. In embodiments, use of short-distance wireless technologies supports more specific targeting of content to a user or a group of users and enables digital rights management, security and content management. In particular, a short-distance wireless communication between a mobile handset and another network-enabled device, such as using a Bluetooth, WiFi, WUSB, UWB or other wireless protocol, allows the methods and systems disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, to determine or verify the proximity of the user's handset, and by inference the user, to another mobile device. Thus, a user's proximity to a mobile device can be determined by using a short-distance wireless protocol to access the MAC address or other DSI of the handset. Once proximity is determined or verified, it can be used for various purposes, including managing (including with digital rights management techniques) the content another user is allowed to access on another mobile device (including allowing the user to share content from a user's library as long as the user's mobile handset is in proximity to the other user's device), and targeting the content directed to the user on the other device, including advertising. [0012] One advantage of the methods and systems herein is they enable a drastic improvement in the television advertising industry. There are certain technology and business drivers for a higher penetration of more advanced set-top boxes that may be associated with improvements in television advertising. [0013] DVDs may become a technological non-necessity in a few years. Users will consume video via a direct feed/download. This video data will need to go through a data box in the home that routes not only video, but other data streams such as voice and Internet data inside the home. As a result, viewers that will not subscribe to premium television channels will likely have an advanced set-top box for the consumption of non-premium television channels and for watching movies. [0014] Fixed-Mobile-Convergence (FMC) indicates that landlines may soon become a technological non-necessity. A device that switches a cell phone's connection from a cell-tower to the broadband connection inside the home (in the form of cable, satellite, Fixed WiMax, or other broadband connection) may become necessary. It is very reasonable to assume, especially with the triple and quadruple play packages being presented to consumers, that the features of such a device will eventually be embedded into the same unit that controls video downloads including television and movies. [0015] Using the mobile device is potentially the only way to attain a real-time, live assessment of who is watching the television and tailor the advertisements delivered to the unique combinations of viewers. A father and son watching television content together represent two very unique advertising markets. To best take advantage of this blend of viewers simultaneously viewing television, for the purposes of accurate and proportional advertising, a device that is overwhelmingly individual specific such as the mobile handset may provide tremendous value. [0016] Additionally, activity performed on a mobile handset as a portion of overall activity performed on a network-connected device, is increasing rapidly and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. [0017] For Internet publishers of websites, blogs, or for Internet retailers, the server-side software which facilitates the creation of user-specific profiles rooted in the mobile DSI but which also take into consideration all network-connected devices, is a technology that may but will not necessarily, provide the same value as a free advertising network for Internet websites, blog publishers, or Internet retailers allowing them access to the best available user-specific Internet usage metrics so they can serve the best possible ads on available ad inventory or in the case of an Internet retailer, promote the best products suited for visitors to the given Internet retailer's website. Based on the content, fees may be collected by a provider of a mobile DSI identification/authentication service, such as for video, unlimited viewing, extending the content on a given Internet platform to another platform such as television content, portable/flexible electronic screens used to make digital text portable, radio, and the like. [0018] As a result of mobile carriers dealing with voice revenue decaying rapidly and as even the margins on data consumption are becoming hyper-competitive, mobile carriers are rapidly seeking ways to monetize their high penetration numbers through advertising. From business processes which rely upon the methods and systems disclosed herein, mobile carriers may receive a portion of advertising revenue from various sources of advertising, including television which accounts for 34% of all advertising dollars in the US or $72 billion in 2006. As video on the internet becomes more prevalent, advertising related revenue will only grow and through technological advances, television and internet advertising and content delivery will benefit. [0019] Digital Rights Management synergies with content producers are enabled by the methods and systems herein. Content production companies such as News Corporation can enjoy digital rights management services to protect their premium content while using the methods and systems herein to aid in the serving of highly-precise, targeted ads, such as by using DSI based identification/authentication profiles. [0020] Placing an emphasis on a mobile handset's device-specific identification (DSI) as a base for a user-specific profile generated from activity performed on various network-connected devices may be based on an understanding that it is essentially carried on a given user's person and thus is very individual-specific. Additionally, since it is carried on a given user's person, it follows the user in many places where other devices such as a PC/laptop might not, thus allowing user-specific profiles created with specific dependencies and ties to the mobile handset, to be portable by virtue of the inherent portability of mobile handset. Additionally, when attempting to aggregate all the Internet usage habits of a user across various devices, beginning with the mobile DSI may facilitate the aggregation by enabling the use of clues or information associated with the mobile handset DSI and the associated user to determine what other information, found as a result of Internet usage on other network-connected devices associated with the same user, to aggregate with it. Starting with a fixed position, or multi-user device, such as a PC, a television, or other stationary Internet-enabled device presents user identification challenges that the mobile handset does not. These challenges are mainly rooted on the basis that such devices may, and often, have multiple regular users. Therefore the mobile handset may serve as a primary identification device for a scenario in which the methods and systems herein (e.g. identification or authentication) could be applied for advertising, content/software as a service-authentication, and the like. The mobile handset is widely regarded as becoming the most frequently used computing interface, making it ideal for user authentication purposes. However, the methods and systems described herein do not all require a mobile component, and therefore, for the purposes of the unique methods and systems described herein, they can be associated with mechanisms that do include a mobile component. [0021] These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings. 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