WO2002033579A1

WO2002033579A1 - System and method for facilitating access by one remote user of another user"s files

Info

Publication number: WO2002033579A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/032340
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nikolay G. Sokratov; Matthew T. Ashland
Original assignee: J. River, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-10-17
Filing date: 2001-10-17
Publication date: 2002-04-25
Also published as: AU2002213298A1

Abstract

A system and method for providing access to a remote user"s files and file organization scheme. Two or more computers (10, 20) are networked via the Internet or local area network (30). Each computer stores organizing software (100, 110) and file-playing software (120, 130) allowing a user to build a unique collection of files containing music, video and other media.

Description

System and Method for Facilitating Access by One Remote User of Another User's Files

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for sharing organized files. More particularly, the present invention relates to peer- to-peer file sharing that allows one user to use or play the files of a second user and for the first user to view and navigate through the second user's media player and file organization.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides the ability for a remote user to access the files, particularly media files (e.g. music and video files), of another user; to view the other's file organization scheme; and to use the other user's predefined settings in their media player for playback. This file sharing is accomplished without copying the files themselves. In other words, one user plays a file from another's computer without a copy of the file being made.

File organization software allows the user to organize his or her collected music files into categories, some of which may be user-defined and others may be supplied by the player software in accordance with the categorization data that sometimes accompanies the file. Player software allows the user to play the stored files. The file playing software may be combined with the file organization software or it may be separate from, but interactive with, the file organization software. In a preferred embodiment, this peer-to-peer file sharing is provided in conjunction with a file licensing system and method that requires ownership of license in order to play the selected files. More specifically, a preferred licensing system provides content files that are separate from a license file, and the file is playable through software which checks for the presence of a related license before allowing playback of a selected file. In conjunction with the peer-to-peer aspect, the software checks to be sure the second user has a license before allowing the second user to play the file selected which is stored on the first user's computer. In one embodiment, if a license does not exist, the software plays a pre-selected portion of the file or special preview content that is associated with or in the selected file.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An exemplary version of a system and method providing access to one remote user of another user's media collection and media player settings is shown in the schematic illustration of FIG. 1.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment (s)

This description incorporates herein by reference the disclosures of the following U.S. patent applications: Ser. No. 60/200,193, filed 4/28/00; Ser. No. 60/200,229, filed 4/28/00; Ser. No. 60/200,230, filed 4/28/00; and Ser. No. 60/200,231, filed 4/28/00.

While the preferred embodiment will be described in conjunction with the storage and playback of music files, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to its use in conjunction with music files, but can be applied to any type of files that can be streamed, regardless of content, including without limitation video, photographs, books, radio and television.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, two or more personal computers 10, 20 are networked via the Internet or a local area network (LAN) 30. Each computer 10, 20 incorporates a sound driver which controls a connected speaker or amplifier 40, 50. Each computer 10, 20 incorporates a video driver which controls a connected display screen or monitor 35, 45. In addition, each computer stores organizing software 100, 110 for organizing stored files. Further, each computer stores file-playing software 120, 130 for playing stored files. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the organizing software and playing software are combined in one software program 125, 135 (for simplicity, hereafter called the "player software "), but in alternate embodiments, the organizing software 100, 110 is separate from and interacts with the playing software 120, 130. Preferably the player software 125, 135 offers functions similar to those provided on a CD player for playing a compact disc, including the ability to jump to a selected track within a file, to raise and lower the volume, to change bass and treble settings and the like.

The organizational ability of the player software 125, 135 allows a user to build a unique collection of files containing music, video and other media. Like a collection of books, no two collections are the same, and the particular mix of titles is as unique as a human personality.

A database 150, 160 stores a collection 175, 185 of media files that the user has obtained, such as by downloading a file onto the PC's hard drive from the internet or copying a file from a CD or DVD. More specifically, the collection 175, 185 is based on information about media file locations that is imported by the user and stored in the database 150, 160. The user can then rearrange the files into new combinations of files so that the sequence of playback can be varied or tracks from multiple albums may be combined or so that files that are similar can be grouped together. In other words, the user can define categories and store files selectively into those categories. All user changes and preferences as to the display presented by the player software and the categories defined by the user are stored in small database files.

The information that defines the user's collection 175, 185 and its arrangement is stored by the player software 125, 135 in the series of relatively small database files. These database files contain: a list of categories into which selections are organized; a current play list; user-defined play lists; list of media files; list of net radio stations; list of smart lists, and the like.

By reading these files, a copy of the player software can determine how to display the contents. For example, a Bob Dylan album might be displayed as an album under the artist Bob Dylan, but it or parts of it might also be displayed in a playlist called "Jan's favorites" or a smart list called "Music from the 60s". Each set of databases therefore creates a unique view or display.

In a preferred embodiment, the player software allows one user to see another user's views as well as their own. Switching to another user's view gives a user the same view that the other user would see on their own computer. The connection between the two computers 10, 20 is established via a TCP/IP socket, but it could be done with other network protocols. The transfer of the database file set is accomplished using FTP, but other file transfer protocols could be used. One or each participating computer 10, 20 has file-sharing server software 200, 210 which facilitates the hosting of files for another computer 20, 10 to access. In the preferred embodiment, the file-sharing server software 200, 210 is a separate program, but it could alternatively be included in the player software 125, 135.

In use, one user from his/her computer 10 and running player software 120 requests that a connection be opened to a second computer 20. A socket is opened to the second computer 20, and the user requests the database files from the server software 210 on the second computer 20.

When the server 210 receives the request, it locates the database files and sends them over the network 30 to the player software 100, 120 running on the first PC 10. The user then displays the view of the second PC's player software 130 to the user of the first PC 10 on its display screen 35. This "voyeur" user on computer 10 then has playback selection that is identical to that of the player 110 playing its own files, i.e. files stored on the same computer. User on computer 10 can start files, chained files together, shuffle files, repeat files and so on. During playback, player controls such as seek and volume work as if the file were local. The file is not downloaded, but is streamed from the second machine 20 to the first 10, played back in real time, and discarded when finished. No copy of the file is kept in the preferred embodiment, though this feature could be provided.

Preferably, the server software 200, 210 can provide streams to two or more players on other computers simultaneously, so that multiple PC's in a single home or office or even, in different locations could play the same music at the same time.

In a preferred embodiment, this peer-to-peer file sharing feature is incorporated into a file licensing system by which users purchase licenses to the files which they download or copy. The preferred system incorporates security measures such that the player software checks that a valid license exists before playing a stored file. In conjunction with such a system, a preferred server 200 makes a validation request via Internet or network connection 300, 310 to a controlling authority, in response to the user's request to play a file. When it receives a user's request it similarly validates the user. This control helps assure legal usage and allows illegal uses to be denied. Validation can be performed for one or both sides to determine that the user and the usage are authorized. Validation is done via Internet request to a validation server 320 or servers.

The server 200, 210 can limit the number of connections allowed. The server 200, 210 can also require a login and password from the user.

Although an illustrative version of the system and method is shown, it should be clear that many modifications to the system and method may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the PCs described and illustrated can be replaced by mainframes, handheld digital devices such as "personal digital assistants" (PDAs), telephones, and any other devices which translate digital information.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for sharing files, comprising: a) first and second computers networked together for data transfer therebetween;

b) each said computer storing software that categorizes files, provides for the user to playback files and provides a graphical user interface through which the user can manipulate the organization and the playback of files;

c) database files stored on said first computer defining selections made by the user for the organization and playback of files when running said software;

d) said first computer having storage space for storing content files that can be streamed upon transfer over a network; and

e) server software residing on said first computer for allowing said second computer to access said database files and said content files stored on said first computer.