# US 2014/0230035 A1 · Controlling access to digital content > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0230035 A1 - Document ID: US20140230035A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/253,359 - Filed: 2014-04-15 - Published: 2014-08-14 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-30 - Assignees: SanDisk Technologies LLC - Applicants: Sandisk Technologies Inc. - Inventors: FABRICE JOGAND-COULOMB - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140230035A1 ## CPC - H04L 63/10: {for controlling access to devices or network resources} - G06F 21/10: Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material (protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16) {; Digital rights management [DRM]} - G06F 21/78: to assure secure storage of data (address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00) - G06F 2221/2135: Metering - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Method for utilizing digital content is provided. The method includes controlling a throughput rate for utilizing the digital content by an accessing system, where the throughput rate is associated with information related to the digital content and is stored as a file. The throughput rate is controlled by a storage system that is operationally coupled to the accessing system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for utilizing digital content, comprising: in a storage system with digital content and a file system structure, the digital content stored as a file associated with the file system structure, performing: receiving a request for digital content; and controlling a throughput rate associated with access to the digital content in the storage system, wherein while the storage system is operationally coupled to an accessing system the digital content is provided to the accessing system according to the throughput rate, wherein the throughput rate is associated with information related to the file and is based on a content bit rate, and wherein the content bit rate is determined by the storage system and is related to the file system structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the throughput rate is modified based on processing a security key. ### Claim 3 A method for utilizing digital content, comprising: in a storage system with digital content and a file system structure, the digital content stored as a file associated with the file system structure, performing: receiving a content bit rate from an external device; and controlling a throughput rate associated with access to the digital content in the storage system, wherein while the storage system is operationally coupled to an accessing system, the digital content is provided to the accessing system according to the throughput rate, wherein the throughput rate is associated with information related to the file and is based on the content bit rate by the storage system from the external device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the throughput rate is modified based on processing a security key. ### Claim 5 A data storage device comprising: a memory; and a memory controller coupled to the memory and configured to control a throughput rate associated with access to digital content to be sent to an accessing system, wherein the memory controller is configured to process a security key before the digital content is sent to the accessing system, wherein the memory controller adjusts a data transmission rate of the digital content to reach the throughput rate, and wherein the thoroughput rate is controlled based on results of processing the security key. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the memory controller receives information regarding a file that stores the digital content. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the throughput rate is provided to the memory controller using a command. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the throughput rate depends on a bit rate of retrieval of the digital content by the accessing system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the throughput rate is set when a request to use the security key is received. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the throughput rate is associated with an account that is used to access the digital content. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the throughput rate is stored by the memory. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the throughput rate is received by the memory. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the throughput rate is determined by the memory controller. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein a naming schema indicates an operation for utilizing the digital content, and wherein the throughput rate is associated with the operation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the memory controller uses a delay to control the throughput rate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The data storage device of claim 15, wherein the delay is based on temporarily storing the digital content in an input/output buffer for a duration before releasing the digital content to the accessing system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The data storage device of claim 16, wherein the delay is variable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The data storage device of claim 16, wherein an initial delay is applied when the digital content is initially accessed by the accessing system and the delay is increased as the digital content is utilized by the accessing system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The data storage device of claim 16, wherein no delay is applied when the digital content is initially accessed by the accessing system, and wherein the delay is increased as the digital content is utilized by the accessing system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 5) The data storage device of claim 5, wherein the throughput rate is used to control display of advertisement content before non-advertisement content is utilized by the accessing system.