DE19943306A1 - Tariff charging method for mobile telephone with digital music player logs tariff information for each played music title before transmission of recorded tariff to telephone service provider - Google Patents

Abstract

The tariff charging method has each digitized music title provided with inaudible tariff information, which is logged within an internal memory (6) of the mobile telephone (5) when the music title is played and transmitted to the telephone service provider, via the telephone network.

Description

Currently, music tracks, radio plays and audio books are mostly on a data carrier (e.g. CD) fixed and the income generated by the sale of the data carrier. By a lot Inexpensive copying options without loss of quality decrease the proportion of sold Data carriers. Music pieces are offered in digitized form on the Internet. Through digital Copies and the Internet can quickly spread music pieces. These ways have so far been fought because illegal copying does not adequately compensate Producers and authors takes place. On empty CDs and empty cassettes are low Copyright levies are levied, but they are not a sufficient substitute for the lost Represent revenue. In addition, it is not clear which music is transferred to this media the fees charged can therefore not correspond to the real use to the originator be distributed.

With music-on-demand offers, individual music tracks are available for the user against one Fee provided. This system has the advantage for the user to target individual music tracks to be able to acquire. However, it does not prevent further illegal spreading of these acquired ones Music tracks. Also an inaudible watermark, which encodes the Buyers of the title (similar to the serial number for software), hardly likely the illegal Prevent the spreading of music tracks. In addition, the buyer is still responsible for this system the archiving obligation. For example, a legally acquired song that is on a computer saved, will be lost in the event of a computer crash and this music title would have to be repeated can be purchased.

The aim of the invention is the rapid distribution speed for music and others Use information positively through the Internet, digital copies etc. and find a way that nevertheless ensures adequate remuneration for the authors.

The essence of the invention is the combination of a mobile phone, digital music player and one internal charge memory in such a way that the music played is billed can. The usage fee is only invoiced with or after listening to the Music.

The music tracks are set up in a digitized format via the Internet, telephone network Service boxes, CDs or other data carrier types made accessible. Since the remuneration only with wide use and rapid dissemination is desirable and can be achieved through use all modern communication channels. It can also be a direct transfer from Mobile to mobile via the built-in infrared interface.

The digitized music tracks have inaudible information about the track and billing attached. This can be done using known digital identifiers (e.g. ISRC, a system, the sound recordings are provided with a digital identifier) or a development of new ones Identifiers (often called digital watermarks) are made.

The transfer to the cell phone takes place via a data interface, the telephone network or via a Storage medium. The music is stored in the mobile phone by either integrated or a mobile data storage.  

The title is heard on the built-in digital player. As a rule, this is done by a Headphones are made, a connection of active speakers, to a stereo system or the car radio also realizable types of use. The control of the player can by means of the Keys already integrated in the telephone are made, the display of title, playing time etc. via the Phone display.

When playing a title through the player integrated in the mobile phone, a fixed one is created Amount billed via the network operator. The remuneration of music producers and owners of copyrights is due to the amount collected during playback. A sensible one Extension for free-standing devices represents the implementation of debiting facilities at which z. B. a sum of money can be booked in advance.

The technical design of the cell phone is characterized in that it is in addition to the for Communication necessary components, including an integrated digital music player contains, as well as a unit for recording the music played. In the cell phone is for capturing the Fees an internal memory is integrated, which serves as a buffer for the fees charged serves. At intervals to be determined (e.g. after a certain amount of fees has been reached) transmits the charges to the network operator via the network operator's telephone network. The Temporary storage also ensures charge recording at times when the cell phone is not in the Telephone network is logged in. The amount charged to the music listener will be Telephone bill or a separate bill billed.

An advantageous embodiment would be the call-by-call method currently used comparable collection of fees through the network operator. Also debiting one Prepaid credit account is a possible type of use.

The amounts collected in this way are accompanied by further information on the played pieces of music forwarded to a company or company that has a breakdown of the Remuneration to the author of the music tracks according to a key to be determined.

The process is shown in a very simplified schematic manner in drawing FIG. 1. Music titles are converted into a form that can be disseminated by digitization and compression using methods to be defined (e.g. MP3) ( 1 ). There is also an inaudible coding of the title with a unique code.

The music tracks prepared in this form are made available to interested parties via the Internet, CD, telephone network, public charging terminals and other forms of distribution ( 2 ) and the published pieces of music are registered with the accounting office ( 11 ).

The music tracks are via an interface ( 3 ), for. B. an infrared interface, transferred to the cell phone ( 5 ). The mobile phone is characterized by an integrated interface ( 3 ), the built-in music player ( 4 ), the internal charge memory ( 6 ) and the components ( 7 ) that normally belong to a mobile phone.

When playing music tracks, the charge information is temporarily stored in the internal charge memory ( 6 ) and, after defined intervals, the charges incurred are transferred ( 8 ) to the network operator's ( 9 ) memory via the mobile phone ( 7 ). The information about the music tracks being played is forwarded to an accounting point ( 10 ) which also stores the registration ( 11 ) of the tracks.

The music listener pays the usage fees either through the network operator (similar as with the call-by-call procedure) or via separate billing by Clearinghouse.  

The procedure outlined ensures adequate remuneration for music producers and authors. It uses the pronounced ability of digital media to quickly disseminate information. The consumer has the advantage of only paying for music when it is used and without private Archiving to be able to fall back on a large fund.

Claims (6)

1. Method for accounting for music and speech played on a mobile phone, in which a player and a memory for recording fees are integrated, characterized by the following features:

• - Distribution of the digitized music tracks in a compressed format with inaudible labeling for billing
• - Transfer the music tracks to the mobile phone via an interface, the telephone network or a storage medium
• - Play the music tracks via a music player integrated in the mobile phone
• - Registration of fees for the music played on the cell phone and temporary storage of the user fees incurred.
• - Transfer of the recorded fees over the mobile telephone network to the network operator

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the use of the spoken Word, e.g. B. in the form of an audio book and also the combination of language and music this procedure can be billed. 3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Distribution of music titles for distribution by publicly available or in Service boxes located in business areas, from which the user can find music tracks can download. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Transfer of music tracks to the cell phone via the telephone network even at fixed times in one automated form. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Billing of the music tracks played z. B. for a stationary operation also on prepaid Chip cards, the wired telephone network, the Internet, the television cable network or others Communication media can take place. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Music tracks can also be transferred directly from cell phone to cell phone.