FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic media, and specifically to methods and devices for personalization of such media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paper media items, such as books and pictures, are commonly autographed by the creators or subjects of such items. The author's signature in a book, for example, enhances the sentimental value to the owner and may also increase the financial value that collectors attach to the book. Autographed photographs of celebrities may be similarly valued.

Methods have been suggested for conveying autographs via electronic media. For example, PCT International Publication WO 2009/144740 describes a method and system for obtaining an autographed photograph via a mobile communication network. The user accesses a platform via the mobile communication network and chooses a background and customized text to appear in the photograph. The text information submitted by the user is converted into a font corresponding to the handwriting font of the chosen celebrity. A preview of the autographed photograph is displayed to the user. If the preview is satisfactory to the user, the user sends the contact details to which the autographed photograph is to be sent .

As a further example, U.S. Patent 7,207,476 describes a system in which a user is permitted to purchase a copy of a selected photograph of a public figure and to specify that the photograph copy be autographed by the selected public figure. Similarly, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/006519 describes a system and method for merchandising certified autographs via the Internet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention that are described hereinbelow provide systems and methods that can be used to place personal autographs on items of electronic media.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for autographing, including displaying a media item on a media display device and receiving in the media display device an input from a person associated with creation of the media item. Based on the input, a message is transmitted from the media display device to a server for authentication. Responsively to the authentication by the server, an electronic autograph of the person is received for display by the media display device together with the media item.

In a disclosed embodiment, displaying the media item includes displaying a page of an e-book, and, after receiving the electronic autograph from the server, displaying the electronic autograph on the page.

In some embodiments, the media display device includes a touch-sensitive interface, and receiving the input includes sensing a manual autograph produced on the touch-sensitive interface. Typically, transmitting the message includes transmitting an image of the manual autograph, and the input is authenticated by comparing the image to a stored autograph of the person.

Additionally or alternatively, receiving the input includes receiving a digital authentication code from a personal identification device that identifies the person. The personal identification device may include a stylus, which is used by the person to write a manual autograph, wherein receiving the input includes transmitting the digital authentication code from the stylus to the media display device.

Typically, the electronic autograph includes a file containing at least one item selected from a group of items consisting of an image of a manual autograph, an image of the person, a video clip associated with the person, an audio file associated with the person, and promotional content.

In some embodiments, receiving the electronic autograph includes receiving an encrypted file with a license token, which permits the media display device to decrypt and display the electronic autograph while inhibiting the display of the electronic autograph on other display devices. The method may include transferring the electronic autograph with the license token for display of the electronic autograph on another media display device, subject to deletion of the electronic autograph from the media display device that received the electronic autograph from the server. Additionally or alternatively, the method may include, after receiving and displaying the electronic autograph, authenticating the electronic autograph using at least one of the encrypted file and the license token. There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for autographing, including receiving at a server from a media display device a message based on an input received by the media display device from a person associated with creation of a media item. Responsively to the message, the input is authenticated at the server and, upon finding the input to be authentic, an electronic autograph of the person is transmitted for display by the media display device together with the media item.

A carrier medium may carry computer readable code for controlling a computer to carry out the methods described above.

There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for autographing, including a display screen, which is configured to display a media item. A processor is configured to receive an input from a person associated with creation of the media item and, based on the input, to transmit a message to a server for authentication of the input and, when the input is found to be authentic, to receive from the server an electronic autograph of the person and display the electronic autograph on the display screen together with the media item.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system for autographing, including a memory, which is configured to store signature authentication data. A processor is configured to receive from a media display device a message based on an input received by the media display device from a person associated with creation of a media item, to authenticate the input based on the message and the signature authentication data, and, upon finding the input to be authentic, to transmit an electronic autograph of the person for display by the media display device together with the media item.

There is moreover provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an authentication device, including a stylus for writing on a touch- sensitive screen of a media display device. A memory associated with the stylus contains a digital identification code. A communication interface is configured to transmit the digital identification code from the stylus to the media display device.

Typically, the communication interface is configured to transmit the digital identification code while the stylus is in use in writing on the screen. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface is configured to establish a wireless communication connection with the media display device.

There is furthermore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computer software product, including a computer-readable medium in which program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer, cause the computer to display a media item, to receive an input from a person associated with creation of the media item and, based on the input, to transmit a message to a server for authentication of the input and, when the input is found to be authentic, to receive from the server an electronic autograph of the person and display the electronic autograph on the display screen together with the media item. There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computer software product, including a computer-readable medium in which program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer, cause the computer to receive a message over a network from a media display device based on an input received by the media display device from a person associated with creation of a media item displayed on the media display device, to authenticate the input based on the message and, upon finding the input to be authentic, to transmit an electronic autograph of the person for display by the media display device together with the media item.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings in which :

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic, pictorial illustration showing a system for electronic autographing of media items, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention ;

Fig. 2 is a schematic frontal view of a media display device showing an electronic autograph, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for electronic autographing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic cutaway view of a device for electronic autographing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An e-book (short for electronic book, also known as a digital book) is an electronic version of a printed book, which can be read on a suitable media display device, such as a personal computer, an electronic tablet, or a suitably-configured hand-held device. E- books have many advantages, including wide availability, portability, low cost, and environmental friendliness. In the eyes of some users, however, they lose a certain aesthetic appeal and personal connection that are offered by paper books.

Embodiments of the present invention that are described hereinbelow restore a degree of personalization to digital media items, such as e-books and pictures, by enabling a person associated with the creation of the item to autograph it. Thus, for example, an e-book may be autographed by the author, or a photograph by its subject. The autograph is produced by actual interaction between the person who creates it and a media display device that displays the media item, and may be protected against unauthorized copying. It thus conveys to the viewer a sense of personal connection and value similar to an autographed paper book or photograph.

In the embodiments described below, a media display device displaying a certain media item receives an input from a person associated with the creation of the media item. The input may, for example, be in the form of a manual autograph that the person traces on a touch screen. Alternatively or additionally, the input may comprise a digital authentication code provided by a personal identification device belonging to the person. Based on this input, the media display device transmits a message to an autograph server.

The server authenticates the input and, upon finding the input to be authentic, transmits an electronic autograph of the person to the media display device. The electronic autograph typically comprises a file containing a graphical object, which may contain, for example, an image of the person's manual autograph, an image of the person, and/or a video clip associated with the person, or multiple instances of such items. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic autograph may comprise other items, for example:

• An audio file associated with the person.

• Promotional content regarding other works by the same person of from the same publisher.

• Other promotional content, such as recommendations from the person or the publisher or the operator of the server regarding other books, or film versions of the book, or films or songs of the person (if the person making the autograph is an actor or singer) .

The autograph file may be encrypted and may be accompanied by a license token, which permits the media display device to decrypt and display the electronic autograph, while inhibiting unauthorized display of the electronic autograph on other display devices. The media display device shows this electronic autograph together with the media item itself. In this manner, for example, the author' s autograph may be superimposed on the first page of an e-book.

These encryption and licensing features may subsequently be used in authenticating the autograph. For example, if the owner of an autographed e-book offers it for sale to a collector, the collector may submit a query to the server using the encrypted file and/or license token and receive an electronic certificate of authenticity in return. This authentication feature can enhance the commercial value of electronically- autographed items.

Fig. 1 is a schematic, pictorial illustration showing a system 20 for electronic autographing of media items, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the pictured scenario, readers queue to have an author 24 autograph his e-book, which is displayed on a media display device 22, such as a tablet computer. Each reader may bring his or her own device 22 for signature by the author. Alternatively or additionally, the author may create the autographs on a display device owned by the author or by a third party, and the autographs may then be downloaded to these readers .

Author 24 may provide the input to create his autograph in various ways. In the pictured example, author 24 creates the autographs by manually autographing a touch-sensitive screen of device 22 using a stylus 26. This stylus may be a general-purpose implement, such as the styluses that are supplied with many touch-sensitive devices, or it may be configured to serve as an electronic personal identification device of author 24, as explained further hereinbelow and shown in Fig. 4. Alternatively, the author may simply use his finger to trace his signature on the screen of device 22, or he may use another sort of electronic personal identification device to authenticate himself.

Upon receiving the input from author 24, device 22 transmits a message based on the input to an autograph server 30. Device 22 may, for example, transmit the message over a wired or wireless connection to a network access point 28, which then conveys the message to server 30 via a network 32, such as the Internet. Server 30 comprises a processor 34 and a memory 36, which stores signature authentication data. Processor 34 is programmed in software to carry out the functions that are described herein. This software may be downloaded to server 30 in electronic form, over a network, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the software may be stored on tangible, non-transitory storage media, such as optical, magnetic, or electronic memory media.

Server 30 compares the input provided by author 24 to the corresponding authentication data in memory 36. If the comparison shows that the input is authentic, server 30 transmits an electronic autograph of author 24 back via network 32 to device 22. The device can then display the electronic autograph together with the e-book by author 24.

Fig. 2 is a schematic frontal view of media display device 22 showing an electronic autograph 50, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Device 22 in this embodiment is pictured as a tablet computer, with a touch-sensitive display screen 40. This sort of media display device is also referred to as an "e-reader." Alternatively, as noted above, in other embodiments the media display device may comprise a personal computer (desktop or portable) , a dedicated e- book reader, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, or any other suitable type of device. Device 22 comprises a microprocessor 42, with a memory 44 and a communication interface 46, as are known in the art. Microprocessor 42 is typically programmed in software to carry out the functions that are described herein. This software may be downloaded to device 22 in electronic form, over a network, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the software may be stored on tangible, non-transitory storage media, such as optical, magnetic, or electronic memory media.

In the pictured example, screen 40 presents text 48 of an e-book selected by the user. After author 24 has signed the e-book, screen 40 shows autograph 50 superimposed on the text on the display. In this case, the autograph comprises both handwritten text, as written by author 24, along with a picture 52 of the author. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic autograph may comprise other textual and/or graphical elements, possibly including a video clip associated with author 24. For example, the video clip may show the author (or possibly only the author's hand) writing his signature.

The electronic autograph typically has the form of an encrypted file, which is transmitted by server 30 and will be opened by the e-book application software running on device 22 only if accompanied by a suitable license token, such as a license file. In the absence of the license token, the software may refuse or may be unable to open the electronic autograph file. For example, the license token may comprise a key that is needed for decryption of the autograph file.

The license associated with the electronic autograph may be controlled using methods and conventions of digital rights management (DRM) , which are also used in controlling the distribution of e-books themselves. The license file may specify, for example, that the electronic autograph file is non-transferrable, or may be transferred to another media display device only if the electronic autograph is deleted from the original device. The transfer of the electronic autograph may be controlled by server 30, wherein the server checks that the electronic autograph has been deleted from the original device before providing the target device with a new license. Alternatively, a secure client agent on each media display device may communicate with other devices so as to disable the electronic autograph on the original device and only then enable it on the target device. For example, a smart card in the original device may generate a license, which will allow a smart card in the target device to open the electronic autograph, but only after the smart card in the original device has deleted its own entitlement to grant access to the autograph .

Fig. 3 is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for electronic autographing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method is described here, for the sake of clarity and convenience, with reference to the elements of system 20, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The elements of this method may similarly be implemented, however, in other sorts of system configurations and using other types of media display devices.

To autograph an e-book on device 22, author 24 manually traces his signature on screen 40, using either stylus 26 or another implement, or even his finger, at a signature step 60. The author may also add other text, such as a dedication, or hand-drawn graphics. Processor 42 in device 22 creates an image file containing a bitmap, JPEG image, or other graphical representation of what the author has traced on the screen, at an image file creation step 62.

In addition to or instead of the handwritten signature on screen 40, author 24 may optionally provide a digital authentication code, referred to herein as a "key, " at a key input step 64. The key may have the form of a PIN code or other password that the author inputs manually to device 22. In the pictured embodiments, however, the key is conveyed to media display device 22 by a personal identification device belonging to author 24. The key may be conveyed to device 22 either before, after, or during the author' s manual autographing of the e-book at step 60. The key may comprise, for example, an encrypted electronic signature or any other suitable secure identifier. The personal identification device that provides the key may, for example, comprise a smart card or dongle, which communicates with device 22 via a wired or wireless connection. Alternatively, stylus 26 may be configured to serve as the personal identification device .

Fig. 4 is a schematic, cutaway view of stylus 26, which serves as the personal identification device of author 24 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Stylus 26 is personalized for author 24 and contains a memory 82 holding the author' s unique digital key. The stylus has a tip 80 for writing on touch- sensitive screen 40. When the author brings stylus 26 into proximity with device 22, a wireless communication interface 84, such as a Bluetooth® interface, establishes a connection with communication interface 46 of device 22. Alternatively, stylus 26 may have a cable (not shown) for connecting to a port of device 22. Once the connection has been established, communication interface 84 transmits the author's key to device 22. This sort of dual-function, personalized stylus can enhance the autographing experience for both the author and the reader .

Returning now to Fig. 3, device 22 transmits a message to server 30 conveying the input provided by author 24, at a message transmission step 66. This input may comprise the image file formed at step 62 and/or the key received at step 64. Optionally, the owner of device 22 (such as the reader who is obtaining the author's autograph) may be required to input a command and/or password to begin the interaction with the server. The message to the server may be encrypted for security.

Server 30 processes the input to authenticate the author, at an authentication step 68. For example, the server may compute a correlation or other fitting function between the author' s manual signature in the image file transmitted by device 22 and a reference image of the signature that is stored in memory 36. The computation will yield a score indicating the quality of the match, such as a root mean square (RMS) distance between the points on input and reference signature curves. If the match score is within a predetermined range, server 30 will recognize the input signature as authentic. Typically, device 22 is not allowed to adjust the range, since such adjustment might be used by a hacker to learn how to copy the signature. Furthermore, server 30 may reject an input signature that matches a previous signature too closely, since such a close match may be indicative of a copy or other forgery of the authentic signature. Alternatively or additionally, server 30 may authenticate the author on the basis of the author' s digital key that was received at step 64 and transmitted at step 66.

Upon finding the author' s input to be authentic at step 68, server 30 transmits an electronic autograph file to device 22, at a signature transmission step 70. As noted earlier, the autograph file typically comprises an image of the author' s signature and possibly other handwritten text, and may also include other graphical, audio, video and/or textual elements (possible including promotional content), as well as a license token. Alternatively, if authentication fails at step 68, server 30 transmits an error message to device 22 at step 72, and refuses to send the electronic autograph until and unless the authentication process is completed successfully .

Although the embodiments described above relate specifically to autographing of e-books, the principles of the present invention may similarly be applied in autographing other digital media items, such as photographs and other images. It will thus be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art.