Systems and Methods for Providing Media Content

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for delivering and unlocking restricted media content on physical media. The disclosed methods and systems provide restricted media assets on a physical media. The restricted media assets may be ad-sponsored media content. Restrictions on the restricted media assets may be removed by providing an unlock code, either on an online or offline media player. In the ad-sponsored media context, an unlocked version might comprise an ad-free version.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 : A method comprising:
 providing, to an entertainment system, a first set of digital media assets, a second set of digital media assets, and a unique identifier associated with the second set of digital media assets, wherein the first set of digital media assets are accessible upon receipt by the entertainment system, and wherein the second set of digital media assets are accessible by the entertainment system using an unlock code;   receiving a request for access to the second set of digital media assets, the request including the unique identifier associated with the second set of digital media assets;   obtaining, in response to the request, the unlock code using the unique identifier; and   providing the obtained unlock code to the entertainment system to enable the entertainment system to play the second set of digital media assets.   
     
     
         23 : The method of  claim 22 , wherein the unlock code is obtained when a release date condition associated with the second set of digital media assets is satisfied. 
     
     
         24 : The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first set of digital media and the second set of digital media are stored in a physical medium, and wherein the unique identifier identifies the physical medium. 
     
     
         25 : The method of  claim 24 , wherein the unique identifier is a pre-recorded media serial number (PMSN) of the physical medium. 
     
     
         26 : The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first set of digital media assets includes a version of a media content asset with advertisements, and the second set of digital media assets includes an advertisement-free version of the media content asset. 
     
     
         27 : The method of  claim 22 , wherein the second set of digital media assets includes at least one additional media asset that is not included in the first set of digital media assets. 
     
     
         28 : The method of  claim 22 , wherein the request is received from the entertainment system, and the entertainment system is not connected to a network. 
     
     
         29 : The method of  claim 22 , wherein the request is received from the entertainment system over a network. 
     
     
         30 : A system comprising:
 a memory storing a first set of digital media assets, a second set of digital media assets, and a unique identifier associated with the second set of digital media assets, wherein the first set of digital media assets are accessible upon receipt by an entertainment system, and wherein the second set of digital media assets are accessible by the entertainment system using an unlock code;   a processor configured to:
 provide, to the entertainment system, the first set of digital media assets, the second set of digital media assets, and the unique identifier associated with the second set of digital media assets; 
 receive a request for access to the second set of digital media assets, the request including the unique identifier associated with the second set of digital media assets; 
 obtain, in response to the request, the unlock code using the unique identifier, and 
 provide the obtained unlock code to the entertainment system to enable the entertainment system to play the second set of digital media assets. 
   
     
     
         31 : The system of  claim 30 , wherein the unlock code is obtained when a release date condition associated with the second set of digital media assets is satisfied. 
     
     
         32 : The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first set of digital media and the second set of digital media are stored in a physical medium, and wherein the unique identifier identifies the physical medium. 
     
     
         33 : The system of  claim 32 , wherein the unique identifier is a pre-recorded media serial number (PMSN) of the physical medium. 
     
     
         34 : The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first set of digital media assets includes a version of a media content asset with advertisements, and the second set of digital media assets includes an advertisement-free version of the media content asset. 
     
     
         35 : The system of  claim 30 , wherein the second set of digital media assets includes at least one additional media asset that is not included in the first set of digital media assets. 
     
     
         36 : The system of  claim 30 , wherein the request is received from the entertainment system, and the entertainment system is not connected to a network. 
     
     
         37 : The system of  claim 30 , wherein the request is received from the entertainment system over a network. 
     
     
         38 : A method for use by a media server having a memory storing a first set of digital media assets including a version of a media content asset with advertisements, a second set of digital media assets including an advertisement-free version of the media content asset, and a unique identifier associated with the second set of digital media assets, the method comprising:
 providing, to the entertainment system, a first set of digital media assets including the version of a media content asset with the advertisements;   receiving, from the entertainment system, a request for access to the second set of digital media assets, the request including the unique identifier associated with the second set of digital media assets;   obtaining, in response to the request, an unlock code using the unique identifier; and   providing, to the entertainment system, in response to obtaining the unlock code, the second set of digital media assets including the advertisement-free version of the media content asset.   
     
     
         39 : The method of  claim 38 , further comprising:
 providing the unlock code to the entertainment system to enable the entertainment system to unlock the second set of digital media assets including the advertisement-free version of the media content asset.   
     
     
         40 : The method of  claim 38 , wherein prior to providing the second set of digital media assets to the entertainment system, the method further comprising:
 unlocking the second set of digital media assets.   
     
     
         41 : The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first set of digital media is stored in a physical medium, and wherein the unique identifier identifies the physical medium.