Optical Disc Ownership Validation via Secondary Device Network
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users with next-generation gaming consoles lacking optical disc drives are unable to play their existing optical discs, as there is no hardware component for playing physical media, leading to a financial and emotional loss due to the need to repurchase digital versions of games they already own.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for software ownership validation using secondary devices, where a local network connects a first device without an optical disc drive to a second device with an optical disc drive, allowing the first device to access the electronic content by validating user ownership through settings or external services, enabling streaming or downloading of digital content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gaming consoles are constructed without optical disc drives to modernize the system, then device complexity is reduced and system performance is improved, but the ability to play previously acquired optical discs is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary device as an intermediary between the optical disc and the primary gaming console. The secondary device (which may be a smartphone, tablet, or computer) contains the necessary optical disc drive and software to read the disc and validate ownership. It then communicates with the primary console over a network to enable playback, thus mediating the interaction between the disc and the console without requiring the console itself to have an optical drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or representation of the optical disc's content and ownership information. The secondary device reads the optical disc and generates digital data including ownership validation information. This digital copy is then transmitted over the network to the primary console, allowing the console to access and play the content without physically containing the original disc or drive.
2Ease of manufacture
If optical disc drives are removed from next-generation consoles to reduce manufacturing costs, then ease of manufacture is improved, but users lose access to their existing game libraries
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary device serves as an intermediary that preserves access to existing game libraries. It contains the optical disc drive to read physical media and stores ownership information digitally. The secondary device then transmits this information to the primary console over a network, enabling the console to access previously acquired games without having its own optical drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical disc drive system in the primary console with a network-based digital validation system. Instead of using a physical drive to read discs directly in the console, the system uses a secondary device to read the disc mechanically, then substitutes this with electronic data transmission over a network to convey ownership and content information to the primary console for playback.
3Device complexity
If online validation services are used to verify software ownership, then device complexity is reduced, but internet fees and bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary device performs preliminary validation of software ownership before content delivery. It reads the optical disc, verifies ownership information, and prepares validation data in advance. This preliminary action occurs locally on the secondary device using the physical disc as proof of ownership, reducing the need for repeated online validation queries and associated bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service validation by using the optical disc itself as the validation key. The secondary device reads the disc and uses its own resources to verify ownership information stored on the disc. This self-service approach reduces dependency on external online validation services, thereby reducing internet bandwidth consumption while maintaining security through the physical disc's unique identification data.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for providing software ownership validation of optical discs using secondary devices. In aspects, a user may request access to electronic content using a first device. In response to the request, a local network comprising the first device may be queried to identify a second device having access to the electronic content. For example, the second device may comprise an optical disc comprising the electronic content. Upon identifying the second device, the second device may be queried to determine whether the second device is able to validate the user's ownership of the electronic content. If the second device is able to validate the user's ownership of the electronic content, the first device is provided access to the electronic content.