DISPLAY DEVICES

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U. S. Provisional Application Serial No.

62/512,953, filed May 31 , 2017, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

Field of the invention

[0002] The present invention provides a cloud based system for viewing digital artwork.

More particularly, the present invention provides a system which allows both users and content providers to control how artwork is purchased and displayed on a display device.

Background

[0003] Traditionally, artwork has mainly been displayed either in museums or centralized locations, especially due to the cost and rarity of most artwork (e.g., limited edition, one of a kind, etc.). Modern technology has allowed for high resolution scans of artwork to be accomplished. Also, many artworks are also created exclusively in a digital format. However, the owners of the digitized artwork or other content providers usually have little control over who has downloaded the artwork or how it is displayed. Further, viewers of artwork typically only have access to limited resolution or unauthorized versions of digital artwork. Therefore, there exists a need for a system which enables content providers to control and monetize their artwork and/or collections and also allows users to choose how and when to display the provided artwork in a home or other more convenient setting.

Summary

[0004] The present invention provides a cloud based system for enabling access to digital and digitized images and art. The user can access the digital art via a paid subscription or for free. For example, users that have purchased a display device can access a group of digital images and art on a regular basis, i.e. monthly, annually, etc. [0005] This system also allows businesses or artists to offer, for payment or for free, access to this media via an online, cloud based repository. The digital art is hosted via servers, data centers and other data storage facilities and made accessible via a cloud- based service. A cloud platform is one in which data, in this case, digital images, art and digital art videos, are hosted remotely and delivered to an end point via wireless technologies. The means of accessing these images via the cloud can be via mobile, web, smart TV, and other Wi-Fi or digital transmission enabled interfaces. Known

technologies for data storage, data transmission, cloud storage, mobile interfaces, wireless and digital transmission, and display technology can be architected to create the process for enabling an end user to access via digital subscription digital art works, images and digital art videos, that data, and display it on a second screen; and a business to offer this service.

Brief description of the drawings

[0006] Figure 1 depicts a system diagram of the cloud based digital art subscription system.

[0007] Figure 2 depicts a flowchart showing the process used to create user accounts and to pair display devices with control devices.

[0008] Figure 3 depicts a flowchart showing the process used to log artwork statistics and to calculate payout information for content providers.

[0009] Figure 4 depicts a flowchart showing the process used to provide optimized

digital artwork to display devices.

Detailed Description

[0010] Described herein are systems and methods for providing exclusive access to digital art via a cloud based system for both artists, providers, and end users. A subscription services provides subscribers with access and control, using control devices, to various tiers and levels of different digital art. The digital art can be displayed on an associated display device which is under control of the control device.

[0011] Referring first to Figure 1, depicted is an overall system architecture utilized in the present invention. As shown, each user of the subscription service utilizes a control device 102 to control a display device 104. In some embodiments, the functionality of the control device 102 and the display device 104 may be combined into a single unit such as in a smart TV or other display device with a functional user interface.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the control device 102 is a user's own smartphone or other similar device, such as a tablet, laptop, or desktop. An application, downloaded onto the control device 102, is utilized to control the display device 104 and to manage subscriptions as will be described later. The control device 102 interfaces with the display device 104 over a local area network (LAN 106) utilizing known techniques. For example, LAN 106 may be a local wireless network operating under the 802.x standards or other communication protocols such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. In other embodiments, control device 102 can communicate with display device 104 over Internet 108 using known methods (e.g., via an application installed on control device 102).

[0013] A user of control device 102 can display various digital artwork on display device 104 via a subscription service which is described herein. In order to display the digital artwork, a user must first be authenticated to verify that they have a valid subscription and/or a verified display device 104. Access control server 1 10 controls the

authentication of control device 102. When a user of control device 102 wishes to access new digital art or to display digital art for the first time on display device 104, the user first enters their credentials on control device 102 (e.g., user name and password).

Access control server 1 10 then contacts subscription server 1 12 to verify that the user has a valid subscription or is otherwise verified to use the subscription. The details of each user are stored in user database 1 14. Details stored in user database 114 include, but are not limited to, information about the user, device IDs of associated display devices, and the level of access that the user is to be provided to the subscription service.

[0014] In some embodiments, a user may register multiple control devices 102 with the subscription service for a single display device 104. Or, in other embodiments, a user may register multiple control devices 102 for control of multiple display devices 104 in any permutation. The important aspect is that each control device 102 is authenticated as being owned by a particular user and thus can access the private mode of display device 104 as opposed to other control devices 102 that may only have access to display device 104 when it is in public mode.

[0015] Upon authentication of the user, the control device 102 (or control devices) is provided a listing of digital artworks which the user may access to be displayed on display device 104. For example, the user may be provided with a series of thumbnails or a listing of different databases (e.g., organized by artist, collection, museum, etc.). From the provided listings, the user can select the digital artwork to be displayed on display device 104. As will be described later, the user may display the digital artwork for a limited amount of time or may set up a rotating display (e.g., a slideshow) so that the artwork is constantly changing. In some embodiments, the user may utilize control device 102 to control the displays of multiple registered display devices 104. All of the digital artwork is stored in art database 116. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, art database 1 16 may reside on multiple servers that are geographically distributed for redundancy. For example, some digital artwork deemed to be more exclusive or valuable may reside on more well -protected servers than other artworks.

[0016] As will be described here, a usage server 1 18 tracks the amount of time each digital artwork stored in an art database 116 is displayed on the various display devices 104 of other users. The display time or percentage of total display time is the metric used to determine the compensation provided to each artist or digital artwork provider. Payout server 120 is responsible for providing direct compensation to the artists or digital content providers on an agreed upon payment schedule (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, etc. or after a certain amount of royalties have been accrued). The statistics of usage server 1 18 can also be accessed by artists and digital artwork providers to determine which artworks are popular, popularity over time, and other metrics which can be utilized by the artist or digital artwork provider to negotiate future pricing. For example, an artist may determine that a certain artwork has become very popular and want to reduce further access to prevent dilution of the image. Additionally, payouts may be modified based on usage criteria to incentivize certain behavior (e.g. give a bonus to the top artworks). Securing Downloads and artwork display

[0017] An important aspect of the present invention is ensuring that only verified display devices 104 are provided access to digital artworks. To ensure that the download and access to the digital artwork on display device 104 is secure, multiple means of pairing between the control device 102 and display device 104 are provided. One method the platform employs for securing access provides download links that are only valid for a certain, specific time window. That window may change depending on the action and relevant access of the display device 104. [0018] An exemplary pairing process utilized to associate an end user with a particular control device 102 and one or more display devices 104 is described with respect to Figure 2. As a first step in the pairing process, the end user downloads an application onto each control device 102 which allows the end user to register in step 202. Next, it is determined in step 204 if the user has an existing account. This can be determined by having the user supply login credentials which are checked against existing information in user database 1 14. If it is determined that the user has an existing account, it is next determined if the user has one or more display devices 104 associated with the user account in step 206. At this stage, the user may add display devices 104 in a number of ways. As a first method, the application may include an automatic scanning method which searches LAN 106 for existing display devices 104 and automatically associates these with the user account in step 206. In another method, the user may enter the device ID of each display device 104 to be added to the user account. After the user has added all display devices 104, the user database is update in step 212 and the user is informed of a successful or unsuccessful pairing in step 214. An alternate method of control allows devices to be controlled remotely by referencing the database to send commands to the display device.

[0019] If a user does not have an account, the application provides a registration process by which a user can create a user account in step 208 and subscribe to one or more subscription service levels as will be described later. After the user creates an account, the user then associates one or more display devices 104 with control device(s) 102 in step 210. The user database 114 is then updated with both the new user account information as well as the listing of paired display devices in step 212. The user is informed of the successful pairing in step 214.

[0020] Another method for securing the user's access and the digital artwork itself is to restrict the download of the digital art image, video, file, rendering or generative experience. For example, links to only allow access from the specific IP addresses associated with a specific user. Another method for securing the user's access and the artwork itself is to cryptographically encrypt the download file so that only a specific display device or to watermark the image for restricted access. Such a system and method is disclosed in related U. S. Patent No. 9, 137,415, issued on September 15, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety. Control Device Restrictions

[0021] An end user of control device 102 may want to restrict or provide access to

display digital artwork on a display device 104 owned and/or controlled by them (whether that device is a second device, i.e. control device to display device, or also the control device, i.e. if the control device is the display device). The platform enables the user to set the display device 104 to enable a public mode or a private mode. The "public mode" enables other users to control the display device 104 (again whether that is a second device controlled by the control device 102, or the control device itself). For example, if the other users are able to connect to LAN 106, they can control display device 104 via an app downloaded and installed on their smart phone or other device. A middle-ground between "public" and "private" ground is also possible, where control is allowed only to an explicit list of users.

[0022] However, in some embodiments, a user may wish to restrict control of display device 104 to only one or more control device(s) 102 which were previously been registered by the user with access control server 110 (i.e., their information is retrievable from user database 114). A user may also want to restrict the display device 104 to only allow that user's control device 102 and account to display digital artwork to the display device 104, which is considered "private mode". The platform enables the user, aka display device 104 owner or controller, to enable either public or private mode to enable or disable other devices or accounts on the display device 104. The user can make this selection at any time and at any time can change their selection through the system interface. To secure and enable public and/or private mode on the display device 104, the platform enables the control device 102 to send information to the display device 104. When the control device 102 sends the information to the display device 104, the display device 104 includes information on the requesting user, which is then used to determine and release or restrict authorization.

Display device Logging Process and use cases: Artist payouts. Log Tracking and Frame Stats

[0023] Artists, arts organizations, and content partners, i.e. "content providers" also referred to as "intellectual property owners", who provide work to the platform are compensated for the content they provide via payout server 120. Intellectual property owners are paid royalties based on % of total display time per subscription period. The platform enables content providers to be compensated for their Artwork Display Time in proportion of Total Display Time for the % of time their artwork is displayed on the display devices 104. For example, if a certain artwork by a certain content provider is displayed 20% of the overall time art has been displayed within a specified subscription period (i.e. one month or one year), that content provider will receive a proportional, 20% payout of the overall royalty rate paid to participating content providers during that period.

[0024] The platform enables this through processes that track events to the usage server 118 and viewing related events. To track events to the usage server 118, the various display devices 104 send events to the usage server 118 to calculate the amount of time a specific artwork is viewed.

[0025] These events allow the various content providers to know how long an artwork has been used over a period of time during a specified subscription period (i.e. one month, or one year). This information is then used by the payout server 120 to calculate the dollar amount of compensation owed to that content provider in the specified period of time. The viewing related events tracked by the usage server 118 also enable other features of the platform.

[0026] Viewing related events tracked by the usage server 118 allow the platform to know what types of artwork, based on metadata and other curatorial criteria, are displayed in what frequency and allows the system to derive information about the use and display of said artwork to deduce important insights about it, i.e. which artwork is frequently displayed and most popular. This information can be provided to content providers as feedback on how their artworks are performing and has other business use case in assessing the value of an artwork outside of its use as a means to submit royalty payments to content providers. This information can also be provided to the platform to optimize the selection of content provided to and recommended to end users.

[0027] Viewing related events tracked by the access control server 118 also allow the platform to track the "general health" of the display device 104, whether the display device 104 is a proprietary frame (i.e. specifically sold and provided by Depict) or another display device 104. Information that can be received and utilized from the viewing related events include but are not limited to: the amount of time the device has been continually running, when the device was last updated, if and when the device disconnected from the network, etc.

[0028] The general process utilized for logging artwork display time and paying out royalties to content providers is depicted in Figure 3. Each display device 104 (system wide) independently and periodically tracks the total display time for each digital artwork in a defined time period in step 302. The logged usage statistics are reported to usage server 118 in step 304 by each display device 104. Then, based upon a determined payment cycle for each content provider (e.g., weekly, monthly), the payout server 120 regularly accesses the usage information stored on usage server 118 in step 306. The payout server can then utilize the usage information to determine a payout amount for each content provider in step 308.

[0029] In order to better keep track of both artwork display time for royalty payment and the logged usage statistics, blockchain technology may be used to keep an accurate ledger for royalty payments, digital artwork viewing time, display device 104 usage, etc. This provides a verifiable method for accurately keeping track of all usage and transactions in the platform, especially since large sums of money may be involved in certain transactions (e.g., for payment of an artwork or for higher priced subscriptions).

[0030] In some embodiments, subscribers may be able to choose to allocate how artist royalties are to be allocated for each subscription. For example, if a paid subscriber has particular interest in an artist or content provide, that paid subscriber can choose to donate a portion of the subscription fund. The amount of the subscription fund that can be donated each payment period may be set to a percentage of the overall subscription rate. For example, a user may be able to donate 10% of the subscription fee each month to the artist or content provider of their choice.

Device ID identification and content variant matching

[0031] End users will have certain expectations about the quality of the content displayed on the display devices 104. To optimize the end user's experience across display devices 104, the platform enables different digital art content to be optimally displayed on different types of display devices 104 with different features, such as different sizes, resolutions, etc. and retain quality of artwork, regardless of the size, resolution and specifications of the display device 104. [0032] Each display device 104 has a device ID stored thereon which includes the display capabilities of each display device 104. The device ID can be specific for a certain type of display device 104 (e.g., display devices that are 50") or uniquely assigned to each display device 104 (e.g. such as a MAC address). A lookup table stored on access control server 110 can then be utilized to select the appropriate digital artwork from art database 1 16 for display on display device 104. In some embodiments, the device ID enables access control server 1 10 to limit the amount or types of artworks available to control device 102 for selection

[0033] The device ID enables the control device 102 to include information describing the size, resolution and other technical features or specifications of the display device 104 when requesting the artwork from access control server 1 10. The access control server 1 10 then uses this information to assess and deliver the appropriate content to then display on the Display device 104; optimized resolution and sized version of the selected content is then displayed on the Display device 104. In addition to size and resolution, access control server 1 10 may utilize a number of other criteria to determine what version of the digital artwork will render best on the display device 104. Examples of these other factors include, but are not limited, to display size, haze, brightness, HDR capabilities, and other technical features and specifications of the display device 104's internal systems.

[0034] When the control device 102 makes a request to access control server 110 to view digital artwork, the device ID for the display device 104 is included in the request. In the user database 114, the device ID for each display device 104 owned by the user is stored. This enables the access control server 1 10 to determine the capabilities of the display device 104 for which artwork has been requested.

[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, the access control server 110 is able to actively determine the display device 104 capabilities without receiving the device ID. In this embodiment, the display device can be looked up in a database of known devices (e.g., by manufacturer or model number). Once information about the display device 104 has been acquired, content is rendered for the display device 104 to ensure quality display and the appropriate version of the content will be selected based on the display device 104's identified features and specifications. [0036] Enabling digital art content to be rendered accurately at appropriate resolution and size on multiple different size display devices 104 is a monetizable feature that is included within the subscription platform for an increased fee in addition to an already existing subscription (e.g., as an add-on). This feature may also be included free of cost in some tiers of the subscription service or entirely offered for free.

[0037] A preferred method for accessing and providing digital artwork to an end user will now be described with respect to Figure 4. First, a user utilizes control device 102 to make a request to access control server 110 for a particular digital artwork in step 402. The access control server 110 then makes a determination if the user has access to the requested digital artwork in step 404. As will be described in the following description, this determination depends upon a number of criteria. For example, a user may not have access to specific digital artwork because the number of viewing slots for that digital artwork are full. Also, the request may be rejected because the user does not have the correct level of access (e.g., the user is in a lower-tiered subscription than required by the digital artwork). If the request is rejected, the user is notified via a message displayed either on display device 104 or control device 102 in step 406. As an alternative to displaying a message, playback may be allowed but could be restricted either by duration (to only 5 minutes for example) or by quality (a lower level quality could be allowed indefinitely)

[0038] If it is determined by access control server 110 that the user does have access to the digital artwork, it is next determined if a device ID was included in the request in step 408. If the device ID is included in the request, the access control server 110 can easily lookup the capabilities of the display device in step 210 and an optimized digital artwork can be retrieved from art database 1 16 in step 414. The optimized digital artwork can then be displayed on display device 104 in step 416.

[0039] If the device ID is not included in the request, the access control server 110 can utilize other means to determine the capabilities of display device 110 in step 412. For example, the request may alternatively list a make/model of the display device 104 and this information can be used to lookup the capabilities of the display device 104.

Alternatively, the registered display devices 104 associated with the requesting user ID may be stored in user database 114. This information can then be used to retrieve an appropriate optimized digital artwork from art database 116 in step 414. The optimized digital artwork can then be displayed on display device 104 in step 416.

Content Access and Restrictions

[0040] The type and variety of artwork available in art databasel 16 may come from multiple sources and have varying costs. Certain digital artworks are more rarified than others. The access control server 110 is programmed with information related to the difference in content rarity and licensing structures by enabling certain restrictions to be placed on accessing certain artworks via the subscription service and platform. Certain types of works within subscriptions may have access and restrictions specific to those works but different from the overall subscription. Fees may or may not apply to enable access. Certain types of subscriptions may and will allow different types of access. Fees may and will apply to enable that access. Types of access and restrictions enabled by the subscription service platform include but are not limited to the following described embodiments.

[0041] Access can be restricted to only allow a certain number of concurrent users, i.e. only 50 people at a time are allowed to view a particular artwork at one time. To achieve this, when a display device 104 or control device 102 requests to display a given artwork from the access control server 1 10, it is determined ho many display devices 104 are currently displaying the given artwork, and if there are currently any open '"slots" for the requesting display device 104. Assuming the display device 104 passes all other checks (e.g., based on the device ID check), the requesting display device 104 can be assigned an open "slot" before the access control server 110 returns the artwork to the requesting Display device 104. If all '"slots" are full, then the requesting display device 104 request will be rejected, regardless if all other criteria passed.

[0042] In some embodiments, access to particular artwork can be limited to a particular user account or display device in the form of a "limited edition" digital artwork. For example, a user may wish to retain exclusive rights to display a certain digital artwork or collection of digital artworks on his/her own display devices 104. Such limited edition artwork can be offered as a subscription service (e.g., the user subscribes to limited editions for a period of one year, month, week, etc) or as an outright "purchase" of the digital artwork where a user pays a single one-time fee for exclusive access to digital artwork or a particular collection of digital artworks. In some embodiments, a user may later "sell" or 'loan" their limited edition collection to other users, similar to the sale or rental of physical artwork.

[0043] A limited edition digital artwork may also be shared among multiple users or subscriptions if desired, in this embodiment, a user who is a full or partial owner of the artwork can gift parts of the artwork to other control devices 102 or display devices 104.

This would allow the gifted user to see how the artwork would appear on their display device 104 before purchase of the artwork from the gifting user, for example. Or, in another embodiment, another user may be granted access to the full digital artwork only if all owners of the digital artwork agree to "gift" the artwork, either permanently or temporarily. This also allows partial owners to retain rights in the digital artwork as it cannot be sold unless all owners gift their share of the artwork to one or more final owners.

[0044] Access can be restricted to a specified number of display devices 104. in addition to restricting the total number of concurrent display devices 104 permitted to display any given artwork, artwork display access may be restricted to a certain number of display devices 104 for any given user account, i.e. for a particular artwork in a particular account, the system may only allow that account to display that artwork on 3 Display devices 104 at any given time. To achieve this, when a display device 104 requests to display a given artwork from access control server 1 10, the number of concurrent slots available to the end user are checked. Each user would only have a set number of "slots" available to them and any requests beyond their allocated amount of "slots" would be rejected.

[0045] Access can also be restricted by the type of display device 104. For example, some digital artworks may be smaller in size and cannot be upscaled to be displayed on larger display devices 104. in other instances, an artist may place restrictions on certain artworks so that they cannot be reduced in size because certain significant details of the digital artwork would not be visible on a smaller display device 104. This can be accomplished by utilizing the device ID associated with each display device which are used to identify its make and model For unique, specific, limited edition, or otherwise specified Display devices 104, there exist special device IDs for that display device 104 that will enable an end user to access and display content that is exclusively permitted to thai particular display device 104. [0046] In some embodiments, access can be restricted to a specific amount of time allotted for display of a particular digital artwork or classes of artworks. A subscription can and may include works with access restriction that covers a specific duration allotted. This access can apply to specific works within a subscription or to the entire subscription itself. For example, a single work may be restricted to 500 hours of display time/per user or in total, network wide; or an entire subscription itself may be restricted to 1000 hours per user or in total, network wide. For artworks or entire subscriptions that allow subscribers/end users to access a work or the entire subscription for a set number of hours per user, this means the end user has 500 hours to view said artwork or the contents of said subscription. The system enables users to access work or subscriptions for a set number of hours per user by tracking the amount of time the artwork has been displayed by said user and tracking the remaining amount of time the artwork is permitted to be displayed by said user. If the artwork has remaining time permitted, the artwork will be displayed. If the artwork does not have remaining permitted time, it will be declined.

[0047] In another embodiment, the user's subscription may allow a user to change the digital artwork on each registered display device 104 only a certain number of times per month. For example, a user may be limited to changing the digital artwork on a first display device 104 ten times per month and on a second display device 104 twenty times per month. Or, certain subscriptions may specify a certain total number of digital artwork displays for all devices and the user can decide how to allocate the displays. For example, if a user's subscription includes a total of thirty displays, the user may decide to user five displays on a first display device 104 and the remaining twenty five on the second display device 104. Unused displays can also be "rolled over" to the next subscription period.

[0048] In other embodiments, the service can restrict display time network-wide for particular digi tal artworks to a specific number of total hours or total hours per time period (e.g., per month). This type of network wide display time restriction works similarly to the per user restriction, except that the system tracks the total time the artwork has been displayed across the network and the total lime remaining for allowable display across the network. If the artwork has time left, the user's request display will be permitted. If the artwork does not have time left, the display will be denied. In either situation, once the allotted permitted display time has run out, if the artwork is displaying at that time, it will cease to be displayed.

[0049] In certain embodiments, the total hours of display time for each digital artwork may be dynamically increased or decreased depending upon the popularity or viewing rate of the digital artwork. For example, a digital artwork may start out the month with

1000 hours of total viewable hours, if the digital artwork becomes very popular (e.g., high viewing in a short amount of time), the number of hours could be dynamically adjusted so that the digital artwork is not removed from rotation too early in the month. The total viewable hours for each digital artwork can also be varied at predetermined cycles (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly) in order to accommodate viewing demand.

[0050] In some embodiments, different digital artworks may be provided with different display rates. For example, a digital artwork may have a multiplier (2x) that requires two hours for a single hour of display time. The multiplier for each digital artwork in the system may be reassessed each month based on popularity, total display time, display length (i.e., longest period that an artwork is displayed). This allows different artworks to be supplied to users at different rates. The rate charged to a user may also be dependent upon the user's subscription level or they length of time that the user has maintained an acti ve subscription.

[0051] The above described restrictions require that the display devices 104, control devices 102, the access control server 110, and the usage server 118 are in periodic contact with each other. Otherwise, the display time cannot be accurately tracked, in order to handle situations where a display device 104 is not always connected to LAN 106 or Internet 108, the usage server 1 18 may allot the display device 104 or a user account controlled by a control devices 102 a limited time license for a digital artwork. The total amount of time allotted to the display device 104 is then subtracted from the total amount of time for the artwork (e.g., per display period). The display device 104 then tracks the amount of time that the digital artwork is displayed and reports this information at a later point to usage server 118 (upon reconnection). Any unused time from the license can then be added back to the overall viewing time for the digital artwork and can become available again to other users. This allows for users to essentially pre-load digital artwork for a limited period of time while still allowing for proper compensation to authors and for offline use of digital display device 104. Subscription types, categories, licensing, content types and tiers

[0052] End users will have different preferences for different types of digital artwork content. Different types of content have different monetary and market value based on the artist, organization, exclusivity terms, and/or licensing restrictions around that artwork. The platform enables users to select different tiers or types of subscriptions based on the type of artwork they would like to access.

[0053] For example, digital artwork subject to CC0 licenses (creative commons) do not require royalties beyond the basic structure of the basic artist payout system in the subscription service platform (e.g., compensation per time viewed). With a CC0 license, a user pays a single subscription fee (e.g., per display device 104) and has access to all digital artwork covered by the creative commons license. Such a subscription is the most basic fee-based subscription service available to users.

[0054] The CC0 license (as well as other subscriptions that will be described) are

generally automatically renewed during a set time period (e.g., one per month). Content remains accessible for display on display devices 104 so long as subscription fees are current. Content with more exclusive and restrictive licenses (e.g., not the creative commons license) or provided by content providers with royalty rate requirements that are varied from the royalties offered in the basic structure of the system's base level artist payout system will be included in higher-tiered subscriptions that come at a higher cost per subscription term. The access for display in these higher tiers will be the same as the lower tiers, and inclusive of the content in those tiers, but will be priced higher and include the aforementioned more rarified content. The higher-tier content may optionally be available as a separate "add-on" subscription as well.

[0055] Multiple types of licensing structures and royalty rates will apply dependent on the source of the digital artwork, its licensing structure, and/or its rarity. Subscription tiers are determined and monetized based on relative rates, rarity, other features of the artwork, artists, content provider, etc. and end users are charged based on the tier of subscription they select, and that tier's cost per subscription period.

[0056] A description will now be given of various subscription tiers available to users of control devices 102 and display devices 104. These described tiers are provided for exemplary purposes and additional tiers or other subscription services may also be offered as is known in the art and has already been described. [0057] A first subscription tier that may be offered is herein referred to as the "free tier." This tier is available to any person that has purchased a display device 104 and has properly registered a control device 102 to control the display device 104. In the free tier, a user is provided access to a set library of digital artwork that may be accessed (e.g., public domain artwork). In a preferred embodiment, the user is also provided with a rotating listing of more exclusive content normally only available to paid subscription tiers. This rotating listing ensures that users that have purchased a display device 104 will always have access to a limited set of new digital artwork on a regular basis. For example, the rotating listing may change weekly, monthly, or annually. The rotating listing also serves to entice users to subscribe to higher paid tiers of subscription services by making available more exclusive digital artwork for a fixed amount of time.

[0058] In order to entice users to subscribe to higher level subscriptions, every month a user in the free tier may be provided with limited access to digital artwork from higher level subscriptions. Or, if users utilize their display device extensively (i.e., constantly display digital artwork), they may be provided with earned credits that they can use to purchase viewing time to digital artwork only available in higher tier subscriptions.

[0059] The free tier may provide a passive user experience and does not provide any display controls to the user. Rather, the free tier essentially functions as a slideshow service, only allowing users to "favorite" and save preferred digital artwork to a saved listing that can be accessed by the user. The free tier also serves as a "fallback" display mode in case a user's subscription has temporarily expired or is put on hold (e.g., while a user is traveling), ensuring content is always available on display device 104 in any circumstance.

[0060] The free tier may be ad supported and periodically display paid advertising. This provides another incentive for users to "upgrade" in order to remove ads from display on display device 104. Also, since the free tier is entirely programmed and controlled by a single entity (i.e., the provider of the subscription service), they have complete control over the type of digital artwork and the order that it is displayed. For example, the provider may wish to highlight a particular artist or collection of artworks, enabling lesser known digital artworks or collections to have greater mass circulation.

[0061] The next level of subscription tiers described herein are paid subscription tiers, each of which provides access to additional features and/or digital artwork not available in the free tier. All paid subscriptions provide control device 102 with access to a larger collection of digital artwork than the free tier. In addition, the control device 102 is provided with advanced functionality (e.g. a user can decide what content to displayed, display user generated content, control information overlay, etc.). All of these additional features provide additional value to the user. The paid subscriptions also avoid the user having to subscribe to multiple different collections of art.

[0062] In some embodiments, paid subscriptions may be shared between one or more users (e.g., limit of three users). A principal user would handle billing and account controls for the paid subscription. At any time, the principal owner could share the subscription with one or more other users. However, while the paid subscription is being shared, the principal owner would be provided with reduced or no access to the paid subscription. The principal owner could revoke access provided to other users at any time.

[0063] The paid subscriptions also provide the content providers with a more reliable source of income and the content providers can analyze the data on the usage server 118 to predict future revenue.

[0064] A first tier of paid subscriptions in the lowest cost subscription service per month.

The first tier provides all of the aforementioned advantages of a paid subscription over the free tier. The first tier provides unlimited access to a core body of digital artworks (e.g., numbering in the hundreds or thousand). The first tier also provides the user the ability to display their own user generated content (e.g., user created or commissioned digital artworks).

[0065] As an example, a second tier of paid subscriptions provides all the features of the first tier, but provides users with access to additional artworks and themes (collections of artwork grouped by a common artist or subject matter). The second tier also provides the user with advanced functionality, such as allowing the user to compose playlists for display on multiple display devices 104 (using one or more control devices 102).

[0066] A third tier of paid subscription may provide access to digital artwork that incurs vastly greater licensing fees. Such a tier would be the most expensive of the paid subscription services offered. In some instances, the digital artworks available on the third tier may only be available to third-tier subscribers and not accessible anywhere else. Such a third tier would provide a unique and exclusive service, especially with the inclusion of rare or unique digital artwork.

[0067] In some embodiments, the paid subscriptions may require control device 102 to implement an extra layer of security to ensure that the digital artworks and the user's subscription are adequately secured. For example, if a user adds a paid subscription, they may be required to add a security to control device 102 such as a passcode. In some embodiment, the paid subscriptions may also require that the user enter a PIN or other access code each time that the application (for controlling the display devices 104) is access on control device 102.

[0068] The system also enables users to access free content from time to time that is disseminated for display on display devices 104 via the same subscription service as the paid subscription options and tiers but does not require payment. This content can be any type of content, and is restricted in its access to only allow display on display devices 104 for a specified period of time, i.e. one week, one month, one year, etc. At the end of the specified period of time, the free to access content will no longer be available for display, and may or may not be replaced with new content to be displayed for another restricted duration of time.

[0069] Instead of paid subscriptions based on set amounts of viewing time or unlimited viewing, owners of display devices 104 may also be able to buy tokens at pre-set rates. The users can then redeem tokens for viewing of digital artwork. In this embodiment, each collection or artwork would be provided with a token price that specifies the amount of required tokens and the allotted viewing time (e.g., 1 day, 1 month, etc.). Tokens could be offered to user at a decreasing rate for increased token purchase. The tokens could serve as a currency for the platform, and users could gift tokens for other users, redeem tokens for artwork, and even use tokens to purchase artwork.

[0070] In addition to being given a set number of tokens per cycle, the amount of tokens required to display a given work of art could vary. For example, CC0 artwork may require only a fraction of a token while highly exclusive artwork could require 5 tokens. Additionally there could be a notion of an "upkeep", where it costs some amount (either a flat rate, progressively more, or decreasing) of tokens to keep the artwork up (e.g. 5 tokens to initially display some highly valuable content and then 1 token per day to keep it displayed).

Subscription Restrictions [0071] In additional to the various tiers of subscriptions described above, certain subscribers may want access to unique content. This may be accomplished i a number of ways. For example, each type of subscription can be limited to the number of end users that can access the subscription (e.g., 50 or 100 subscribers). These types of subscriptions are herein referred to as limited-edition subscriptions. Such limited-edition subscriptions differ from artwork specific access that has already been described in that each of the subscribers of the limited-edition subscriptions are pro vided access to the same content. However, just like the limited-edition artwork, the users thai have access to the limited-edition subscriptions can sell (or rent) this subscription to other users for a price different from what they originally paid.

[0072] To enable different types of access to different types of subscriptions, for

example, as mentioned above, the subscription server 112 stores the type of subscription in the user database along with the user identification information. Each time a user attempts to gain access to content in art database 116. It is determined if the user has access to the that content. For subscriptions limited to a particular number of people, the subscription server 112 stops issuing licenses for that particular subscription after the predetermined limit for that limited-edition subscription has been met.

User Generated Content

[0073] End users may also want to use the subscription service to host and display

content they themselves already own, or made, or otherwise are in possession of. The paid subscription services enables this through a "user generated content" feature. End users who wish to use the subscription service to display content on display devices 104 through the service can upload content to their account. The uploaded content is then stored in the user's account database, and is accessible only to that user for the purpose of display on the display device 104. The means of accessing this content for the display on the display device 104 is the same as for content provided by designated content providers through the end user's account. For example, control device 102 may present to the user a folder or heading titled "uploaded content" or "user content" which provides the user access to their own digital artwork that was previously uploaded.

[0074] In some embodiments, users may wish to make their content available to the subscription service. In this instance, the user content would be added to art database 116 and the user may receive royalties from payout server 120 depending upon the amount of time that the content is viewed.

[0075] In order to make uploaded content available to other users, the user uploading the content would submit this content for review to the platform. If accepted this content is subject to the same terms as content from specific content providers and intellectual property owners. Users who upload their own content may also use it specifically for their own private use on their own display devices 104. This service could be monetized by allotting users who choose to upload content for their own private use on a display device 104, and could be included as an additional charge on the existing subscription fee.

[0076] Paying subscribers (e.g., first-third tiers) can also create or curate play lists of digital artwork suitable to their on preferences. These playlists can be shared with other user. If a particular playlist becomes popular (e.g., viewed by a large amount of subscribers), the user may receive a payout for the playlist based on viewership because they have increased the popularity of the platform.

Subscription pay men t

[0077] Subscribers may pay for subscriptions using any known platform (e.g., direct bank transfer, credit card, PayPal, etc.). In additional, subscribers may pay for their subscriptions by using the control device 102 and/or display device 104 to mine for cryptocurrency. The mining could pay for all or part of the price of a subscription, depending on how much cryptocurrency was mined. In addition, CCO users may receive some paid subscription benefits, such as allowing the use of control device 102, if they allow the display device 104 or control device 102 to be used to mine for cryptocurrency.

[0078] Further, paid subscribers can send out referrals to other users. If any of the other users later become subscribers, the user may receive a reduction in their membership fee depending upon the number of accepted referrals, which could eventually lead to a free paid subscription. In other embodiments, the user may receive a temporary credit for an accepted referral, such a free month of membership.

[0079] Loyal customers that have maintained an active subscription may receive

discounts or other offers for long term commitment. For example, long term customers may receive incremental discounts (per month, per year, etc.) for maintaining the active subscription. The incremental discount may start after any predetermined period of time such as one year, five years, etc. Further, the discount amount may be tied with the subscription level, with third tier subscribers receiving a larger discount than first tier subscribers.

Definitions

[0080] The following descriptions provide general explanations and definitions of the terminology used in the specification. These definitions are not meant to be limiting. Rather, the definitions are provided as a concise explanation of the terminology used herein.

[0081] Control device 102 is the device with which the experience is guided and through which art can be displayed on another device or, the control device 102 itself.

[0082] Display device 104 is a device whose predominant function is to act as a display for content, in this case digital artworks, digital video artworks and digital art images. The display device 104 may be able to be used as a control device 102, but does not have to, as its main function to act is a display for the content. Display device 104

encompasses "Display Technologies" meaning any and all display devices 104, media, platforms, channels and technologies, whether now existing or hereafter developed, on or through which Artwork can be presented, viewed, or accessed, including, but not limited to, projectors, digital displays (such as the Depict Frame™), phones, televisions, computers and web sites,

[0083] End L ^! ser(s) mean individuals or entities who have registered for the service and/or subscribed to the service, other than as a content and intellectual property provider.

[0084] Subscriber is an end user who has registered for the service, other than as a

content and intellectual property provider.

[0085] Device Owner - the end user or subscriber who owns the display device 104 or is otherwise in control of it using one or more control devices 102.

[0086] "Artwork Display Time" is the amount of time that specific pieces of digital artwork are displayed in any given time period. This is preferably calculated as minutes per month.

[0087] "Total Display Time" is the amount of time that all Artwork on the Depict

Service are displayed by Users. This is usually calculated as minutes per month. [0088] "Artwork Popularity," as to a given piece of Accepted Artwork, means the quotient resulting from Artwork Display Time divided by Total Display Time,

[0089] "Royalty Rate' ^" is the applicable percentage rate set forth on the first page of this Agreement.

[0090] "Royalties" are fees paid to content and intellectual property providers based on the Royalty Rate and share of total Subscription Revenue (based on Artwork Display Time in proportion to Total Display Time).

[0091] "Artwork" means objects, environments, or experiences that are visual in nature, were created by the use of skill and imagination, and possess an aesthetic that is valued and of a quality and type that would be collected by art museums or private collectors. These artworks include but are not limited to artworks created digitally, digital reproductions of existing artworks, digital photographs, digital art videos, generative artworks, digital photographs, cinemographs, composites, and digital images considered as artwork.

[0092] Digital Image File refers to a digital file of an image or a video, that was either created digitally or reproduced through digital means.

[0093] Content provider refers to an individual or organization who has willingly

contributed content to the service to be used by end users for display on Display devices

104.

[0094] Intellectual property owner has the same definition as Content Provider, and refers to an individual or organization who has willingly contributed content to the service to be used by end users for display on Display devices 104.

[0095] "User Generated content" is content provided by the end user, and not a content provider or an intellectual property provider to be viewed on the Display device 104.

[0096] Display device 104 Permissions - Certain display devices 104 have device IDs that indicate what artworks or accounts are permitted to display artworks on that device. If the selected artwork is permitted for the device, display will be allowed. If it is not permitted, it will not be allowed. Device IDs are associated in a database that are then checked against the artwork permissions before display accessibility is determined by the system and then allowed or disallowed for display by the end user.

[0097] Access Control Server 110 is the real-time server used to authenticate users and keep track of a list of "slots" for a given artwork across the network. Every artwork can be given any number of "slots", from 1 (to only allow a single Display device 104 to view the artwork) to unlimited (to allow any number of Display devices 104 to view the artwork).

8] These and other aspects, features, implementations, and advantages can be expressed as methods, methods of doing business, program products, software, systems, components, databases, data structures, and in other ways. These and other aspects, features, implementations, and advantages will become apparent from the following description, and from the claims.