초록 ▼

Methods, devices, and systems are provided in a multi-level computer architecture which provides improved capabilities for managing courseware and other content in a shared use operating environment such as a computer network. In particular, the invention provides a commercial networked instruction

Methods, devices, and systems are provided in a multi-level computer architecture which provides improved capabilities for managing courseware and other content in a shared use operating environment such as a computer network. In particular, the invention provides a commercial networked instruction content delivery method and system which does not exclude synchronous sharing but is focused on asynchronous sharing. Security in the architecture provides content property holders with the ability to know how many minutes of use an individual made of licensed material and with increased certainty that their material cannot be used, copied, or sold in usable form unless lo and until a user site is connected or reconnected to a minute-by-minute counter which is located off the premises of the user. This security link helps protect software and other works which are being sold or licensed to an individual, organization, or entity, and creates income opportunities for owners of such content.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by patent is:] [1.]1. A method for managing content in a shared use operating environment, the shared use operating environment including a registration server, a content server connectable by a network link to the registration server, and a client worksta

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by patent is:] [1.]1. A method for managing content in a shared use operating environment, the shared use operating environment including a registration server, a content server connectable by a network link to the registration server, and a client workstation connectable by a client-server network communications link to the content server, the method comprising the steps of:registering a user at the registration server, thereby characterizing the user as a registered user;receiving at the content server a request by the registered user for access to content which contains at least one previously treated critical portion;authenticating the request;serving at least the critical portion over the client-server network communications link for presentation to the registered user at the client workstation; andmetering usage of the content by the registered user.