FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to software, file access, and digital ledger technology. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for accessing and authenticating audio files and other digital files based on geolocation data.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Art, whether music and sound recordings, videos and motion pictures, or visual art such as photographs, graphic designs, and other images, has evolved so that rather than being recorded on physical mediums like compact discs, DVDs, or printed photos, works of art are often recorded (or encoded) in digital files. Generally, such digital files may be produced, copied, and shared in an unlimited number. Many collectors of art wish to acquire ownership of an original digital file or one of a limited set or series of digital files encoding content created by an artist much like purchasing a master recording or an original photograph.

[0003] A need exists for systems and methods for selling or otherwise transferring ownership or possession of a digital file from a first party to a second party wherein the second party can be certain of the authenticity, origin or provenance, and/or current ownership of the digital file both before and after such sale or other transfer. A further need exists for systems and methods that allow access, use, play, or viewing of a digital file to be limited after transfer to a new owner or licensee based on geographic location.

SUMMARY

[0004] The invention relates to systems and methods for accessing and authenticating a digital file. The digital file is any digital file type including audio, video, and image files. The system includes at least one digital file, a first process for accessing the system, a second process for authenticating the authenticity, provenance, and ownership of the digital file, a computing device for accessing the software and digital file, a remote server, a telecommunications network for connecting the computing device to the remote server, and a global positioning receiver. In addition to accessing the digital file, the system also authenticates authenticity and ownership of the digital file using a non-fungible token that is stored on a digital ledger. The global positioning receiver determines a geographic location of the computing device using geolocation data received by the global positioning receiver from a navigation satellite system.

[0005] With the advent of digital ledger technology, also known as blockchain, and non- fungible tokens, collectors of music, sound recordings, videos, and images can acquire ownership of digital files (or digital assets) whose origin or provenance, authenticity, and ownership are known both before and after a purchase or other transfer from one party to another party.

[0006] The systems and methods described herein provide an advantage to digital art sellers and collectors who wish to sell or acquire or otherwise transfer or receive ownership or possession of a digital file from a first party to a second party wherein the second party can be certain of the authenticity, origin or provenance, and/or current ownership of the digital file both before and after such sale or other transfer. Another advantage is provided by the systems and methods described herein by allowing access, use, play, or viewing of a digital file to be limited by a seller or licensor after transfer to a new owner or licensee based on geographic location.

[0007] Accordingly, the invention features a system for accessing and authenticating authenticity, provenance, and ownership of a digital file. The system includes at least one digital file, a first process for accessing user interfaces or webpages of the system and the at least one digital file, and a second process for authenticating the authenticity, provenance, and ownership of the at least one digital file using a non-fungible token (“NFT”). The system also includes a computing device for using the first process to access the user interfaces or webpages of the system and the at least one digital file and a remote server for storing data related to user information, the at least one digital file, and the NFT. The system further includes a telecommunications network for connecting the computing device to the remote server and a global positioning receiver for determining a geographic location of the computing device using geolocation data received by the global positioning receiver from a navigation satellite system. The first process allows the computing device to access and view or play the at least one digital file when the first process determines that the geographic location of the computing device is an allowed location.

[0008] In another embodiment of the system, the at least one digital file is an audio file, a video file, or an image file.

[0009] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions will control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figures 1-11 are screen shots of one exemplary embodiment of a system for accessing and authenticating an audio file.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

[0012] The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means.

[0013] All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0014] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein.

[0015] Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term “including” should be read to mean “including, without limitation,” “including but not limited to,” or the like; the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”; the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like “preferably,” “preferred,” “desired,” “desirable,” or “exemplary” and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations; however, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

[0017] All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained.

[0018] The invention provides systems and methods for accessing audio files and other digital files based on geolocation data and digital ledger technology (hereafter referred to as “blockchain” technology). The system includes software, a computing device, a remote server, a telecommunications network, an audio file or other digital file, and a global positioning receiver. In addition to accessing audio files and other digital files, the system also authenticates authenticity and ownership of the file using at least one non-fungible token (“NFT”). A NFT is a non- interchangeable, unique unit of data that is stored on a digital ledger, i.e., on a blockchain. Because each NFT is unique and non-interchangeable (meaning unable to be exchanged for or replaced) with any other unit of data, the NFT is useful for establishing ownership and authenticity of a digital file with which the NFT is digitally associated. In addition to digital assets such as various digital files of various file types (e.g., audio, video, and image files), the NFT and system may also be used to authenticate a physical asset such as, in one example, a lenticular image.

[0019] The system is accessible by a user via use of software. In one embodiment, the system can include downloadable or installable software that is installed on a computing device (e.g., a software program installed on a computer or an “app” installed on a tablet computer, smartphone, or other mobile device) for access and use by the user. In another embodiment, the system can include non-downloadable software by which the user accesses the non-downloadable software of the system via a web browser. The software can include a graphical user interface (GUI) having control features with which the user may interact.

[0020] The system includes software for accessing the system where one or more digital files are stored or are otherwise accessible. The system also includes software for authenticating the authenticity, provenance, and ownership of the one or more digital files.

[0021] The computing device includes a processor and associated memory and can be any suitable computing device such as, for example, a computer, a tablet computer, or a smartphone. The computing device is capable of receiving data from the telecommunications network and of transmitting data via a connection to the telecommunications network. The computing device may be include a connected display screen or an integrated display screen for displaying images or video of the system and its software. The system may include more than one such display screen. For example, the display screen can display the GUI for viewing by the user. The display screen may have a wired or wireless connection to the computing device. The computing device may also include one or more input devices that are connected to or integrated parts of the computing device. For example, input devices that may be connected to or integrated parts of the computing device include a touchscreen, a computer mouse, a touch mouse pad, and other pointing devices; physical and virtual keyboards; and microphones for receiving voice commands. Such input devices can be used to control features and input information into the software of the system. Each input device may have a wired or wireless connection to the computing device. In exemplary embodiments, a plurality of users use the system with each user accessing the system via such user’s computing device.

[0022] In exemplary embodiments, the system further includes audio speakers for receiving and audibly playing an audio output from the computing device. The audio speakers may be integrated parts of the computing device, or in other embodiments, the audio speakers may be separate components having a wired or wireless connection to the computing device for receiving the audio output.

[0023] In some embodiments, the remote server stores one or more digital file of each user so that such digital file may be accessed by the user who owns it or by other users who are permitted access by the owning user. The remote server may also include processes that permit users to buy, sell, and trade digital files. In some embodiments of the system, the software for accessing and using the system is installed on the remote server for access by each user’s computing device via the telecommunications network. Users’ account information and other user information may also be stored on the remote server, although in some embodiments, such information may be stored locally on each user’s computing device.

[0024] The telecommunications network can be any communications network capable of receiving and transmitting data, e.g., the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a WiFi network, or a cellular telecommunications network. The telecommunications network communicatively connects each user’s computing device to the remote server, and thus, communicatively connects two or more users with one another. In some embodiments of the system, a first user’s computing device may be communicatively connected directly to a second user’s computing device by the telecommunications network.

[0025] As explained above and elsewhere herein, the system is useful for accessing audio files and other digital files based on geolocation data and blockchain technology. Examples of audio files that may be accessed include any digital audio file such as MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, and OGG file formats. The system may also be used to access digital video files including digital video file formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, and WMV file formats. The system may also be used to access digital image files including digital image file formats such as JPEG (or JPG), GIF, PDF, PNG, BMP, TIFF, PSD, Al, and RAW file formats. The digital file may be an original digital file meaning that it is the first such digital file encoding the content stored therein (e.g., a song, a beat, or other audio recording, a video, or an image). The digital file may be the original and only digital file encoding such content or it may be one of two or more digital files encoding the same content. The digital file may be one of a limited set of digital files all encoding the same content. The NFT associated with the digital file encodes data that can be used to confirm or determine the authenticity, origin or provenance, and/or current or past ownership of the digital file.

[0026] The system may also include an audio/music player process, a video player process, or both, which may be installed or accessible on the user’s computing device. The audio/music player process plays audio files stored in or accessed by the system while the video player process plays video files stored in or accessed by the system. The audio/music player process transmits its output to the one or more speakers connected to or integrated with the computing device so that the user may listen to the audio file. The video player process transmits its output to the displayed screen and one or more speakers connected to or integrated with the computing device so that the user may listen to and view the video file.

[0027] The global positioning receiver (commonly, and hereafter, referred to as a “GPS device”) is any device capable of receiving a signal containing geolocation data from a navigation satellite system such as the Global Positioning System and using such data to calculate the GPS device’s geographic location.

[0028] In alternate embodiments and particularly in embodiments that do not include a GPS device (e.g., where the computing device is a desktop computer), the geographic location of the computing device may be determined by software installed on the computing device, the remote server, or both and using the telecommunications network to detect an approximate location of the computing device. In still another alternate embodiment, the geographic location of the computing device may be manually set or selected by the user.

[0029] In embodiments of the system that are used to access, display, and authenticate image files, the system may include a weather-reactive process. Using the geographic location of the computing device determined by the GPS device, the weather-reactive process receives data from a weather data source for that current geographic location of the computing device. Using a weather effect, the weather-reactive process alters an image of the image file as it is displayed on the display screen based on the weather data received for the computing device’s geographic location. For example, if the weather in the current geographic location of the computing device is sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowing, then the image of the image file may be displayed with a weather effect that includes static (i.e., stationary or motionless), moving, or video sunshine, clouds, rain, or snow, as the case may be, that is visible when the image is displayed on the display screen. As another example, the weather-reactive process might cause the image to be displayed with a weather effect that is different from the actual weather of the computing device’s geographic location such as, for example, a sunny weather effect when the actual weather is rainy, cloudy, or snowing. The weather-reactive process may also alter the display of the image based on time data received from the GPS or another source so that the image is displayed differently depending on the time of day, e.g., brighter during the day to evoke a daytime scene in the image and darker, with or without moonlight or starlight) at night to evoke a nighttime scene in the image as it is displayed. Display of the image may be dynamic so that the weather effect and/or lighting (i.e., brightness or intensity and color) change as the actual weather or time of day or calendar date changes as the image is being displayed.

[0030] The weather data source can be any electronic or digital source of weather data (e.g., the National Weather Service) that provides and transmits weather data based on geographic location via the telecommunications network to the computing device, the remote server, or both. [0031] Similarly, in embodiments of the system that are used to access, play, and authenticate audio and video files, a weather-reactive process may be used to select songs that are evocative or representative of a particular weather type. For example, if a local temperature at the current geographic location of the computing device is 85 degrees or higher, the weather-reactive process may select a song (or music video) for playback that has a summertime theme. The weather-reactive process may also select a song (or music video) for playback based on time data received from the GPS or another source so that the song (or music video) is representative of or has a theme that evokes, e.g., sunrise, sunset, daytime, or nighttime. In another embodiment, the weather-reactive process may also select a song (or music video) for playback based on date data received from the GPS or another source so that the song (or music video) is representative of or has a theme that evokes a particular month, season, or holiday.

[0032] The system may further include software or processes for establishing “geofencing” that permits the user to access the digital file for playing or viewing only when the user’s computing device is located in a predetermined geographic area, e.g., at the user’s home, within an area defined by certain geographic coordinates, or in a particular town, city, municipality, county, state, region, nation, or continent. Such software of the system may disable access to the digital file when the user’s computing device is removed from the geofenced area.

[0033] In one exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1-11 and described in the following paragraphs, the software includes a login user interface (“UI”), which can be accessed via a software application on the computing device or via a web browser in the case of non- downloadable software that is accessed via a website. The login UI can also include new user registration process for a new user, who has not previously created a user account, to create a new user account. The new registration process may be included on the login UI or on a separate registration UI that is accessed by selecting a link on the login UI to take the user to a registration UI. The registration process, whether on the login UI or on a separate registration UI, permits a new user to register for an account to access and use the system. The registration process requires the new user to provide certain user information, to create user credentials (e.g., user name and password), or both.

[0034] After the user has created a user account and is logged in to that account, the system includes a user page UI, which displays a list of digital files owned by the user that are stored in or accessible through the system. Such digital files may include digital files that the user has purchased through the system or other sources as well as digital files that the user has created. Such digital files may also include digital files that the user has listed as being for sale to other users of the system. In addition to the list of digital files that the user owns, the user page UI may include social media features such as, for example, the ability to “follow” and to “unfollow” other users as well as lists of other users who the user is following as well as other users who are following the user. The user page UI also includes a user profile that includes information the user wishes to display such as user information specific to the user and one or more photographs of the user or other images the user may choose to display on the user’s user profile. The user page UI may also include separate sections that must be selected (e.g., by using the input device of the computing device) to access and view each such section.

[0035] For example, one such section may show a description of a digital file that is for sale by another user. The description may include a name of an artist who performed a musical work recorded in the digital file, a photograph or other image (e.g., album artwork or artist logo), and a price at which the digital file may be purchased or at which bidding begins for the purchase of such digital file.

[0036] Another such section may include a list of the descriptions of each digital file that the user has purchased from other users of the system. [0037] The system may also include a funding process that the user may utilize to transfer funds to an account of the system administrator or a third party that the system administrator designates to hold such funds for the benefit of the user. The user may use these funds to purchase digital files using the system.

[0038] The system may also include an auction process allowing one or more users to place bids for the purchase of a digital file that is for sale by another user or by the system administrator. The auction process includes a time limit feature that ends the auction after a predetermined amount of time or at a predetermined specific time. After the time limit feature terminates bidding by terminating the auction process, the system may charge the winning user for the amount of the user’s last bid to complete the purchase of the digital file that was the subject of the auction. The system may charge the highest bid/purchase price to funds that the winning user has deposited through the system with the system administrator or third party designated by the system administrator or by charging the user’s debit or credit card, bank account, cryptocurrency account, or other payment account for which the user has provided the system with payment details.

[0039] The invention also provides systems and methods for authenticating digital and physical artworks using blockchain technology. Such system includes the systems, devices, apparatuses, parts, components, processes, and methods described elsewhere herein in addition to any additional systems, devices, apparatuses, parts, components, processes, and methods described in this and the following paragraphs. Artworks that can be authenticated using these systems and methods include digital and physical drawings, paintings, and other works of visual art. In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the artwork can be a lenticular image. A lenticular image is a photograph or other image printed on lenticular lenses to simulate depth in the image or to provide the image with the ability to change or to appear to move as it viewed at different angles. [0040] In one embodiment of these systems and methods, the lenticular image includes a QR code or other bar code that can be scanned or otherwise read by bar code reader, e.g., a smartphone or other mobile device having a camera or scanner and code reading software. For example, a QR code could be printed on or affixed to the image or to the front or rear of the material on which the image is printed or on a frame of the image. In another embodiment, the QR code might also be concealed or embedded in the image itself so that it is readable by the reader but is not visible to the naked human eye. In still another embodiment, the QR code might be readable by the reader only when the reader is pointed at the lenticular image from a particular angle. After the QR code or other bar code is scanned or read by the reader, the system can compare the data encoded by such bar code, which is associated with a NFT, to determine or confirm that the lenticular image is an original, one of a limited series or set, or to confirm the authenticity, origin or provenance, and/or ownership of the lenticular image.

[0041] In another exemplary embodiment of these systems and methods, a radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tag or a near-field communication (“NFC”) tag may be embedded in or affixed to the lenticular image for reading or scanning by a RFID reader or NFC reader. After the RFID tag or NFC tag is scanned or read by the reader, the system can compare the data encoded on such tag, which is associated with a NFT, to determine or confirm that the lenticular image is an original, one of a limited series or set, or to confirm the authenticity, origin or provenance, and/or ownership of the lenticular image.

[0042] These systems and methods may also be used to determine or confirm that the lenticular image is an original, one of a limited series or set, or to confirm the authenticity, origin or provenance, and/or ownership of visual works of art other than lenticular images such as for example, original or limited edition copies or prints of paintings, drawings, photographs, printed images, and sculptures.

Other Embodiments

[0043] It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.