Method for replicating media using unique identifiers
AssigneeCinram Group, Inc.
InventorShintaro Takehara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are provided to manage the replication of contest recording media by assigning unique identifiers for content and media, and manage a database of records corresponding to the unique identifiers which include information related to the use of the unique identifiers. In addition, methods and apparatuses are provided for responding to content copy authorization requests, and are synergistically integrated with media replication management methods and apparatuses by using the same database of records corresponding to unique identifiers as a basis for such responses.
Claims18
A method for managing the replication of content recording media, said method including the steps of:
- (a) receiving, from a requestor, a request for one or more unique identifiers, said request indicating at least a requested number of unique identifiers, identification of the requestor and identification of a content for which the unique identifiers are requested;
- (b) assigning to the requestor at least the requested number of unique identifiers and returning the assigned unique identifiers to the requestor;
- (c) storing a record in a database for each of the unique identifiers returned in (b), each record indicating for the corresponding unique identifier returned in (b) a first status indicating that the unique identifier has been returned;
- (d) receiving a notice from the requestor including a second status indicating, for each unique identifier that is recorded to an acceptable medium after having been returned in (b), that the unique identifier has been used;
- (e) updating the record in the database for each of the unique identifiers included in the notice received in (d) from the requestor to indicate the second status;
- and
- (f) causing, for future requests, unique identifiers having a record indicating the first status or second status to not be returned to a future requestor.
A unique identifier managing apparatus configured to manage the replication of content recording media, said apparatus comprising:
- a network communication part configured to share information through a network with one or more clients;
- a data storage part configured to store a database including records for one or more unique identifiers;
- a control part configured to:
- (a) process a request received from a requestor through the network communication part, said request indicating at least a requested number of unique identifiers, identification of the requestor and identification of a content for which the unique identifiers are requested;
- (b) assign to the requestor at least the requested number of unique identifiers and return the assigned unique identifiers to the requestor through the network communication part;
- (c) store a record in the database for each of the unique identifiers returned in (b), each record indicating for the unique identifiers returned in (b) a first status indicating that the unique identifier has been returned;
- (d) receive a notice from the requestor through the network communication part including a second status indicating, for each unique identifier that is recorded to an acceptable medium after having been returned in (b), that the unique identifier has been used;
- (e) update the record in the database for each of the unique identifiers included in the notice received in (d) from the requestor to indicate the second status;
- and
- (f) cause, for future requests, unique identifiers having a record indicating the second status to not be returned to a future requestor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.