Title-acceptance and processing architecture

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating donation of a digital asset from a user to an entity. A mechanism is provided by which the user may designate the digital asset to be donated. The mechanism is configured to receive at least a representation of the digital asset. A type of the digital asset is identified with reference to the received representation of the digital asset. Further processing of the received representation of the digital asset is effected with reference to the type. At least the representation of the digital asset is stored in a repository associated with the entity. A notification is provided to the user that ownership of the digital asset has been transferred to the entity.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for facilitating donation of a digital asset from a user to an entity, comprising:
 providing a mechanism by which the user may designate the digital asset to be donated, the mechanism being configured to receive at least a representation of the digital asset;   identifying a type of the digital asset with reference to the received representation of the digital asset;   effecting further processing of the received representation of the digital asset with reference to the type;   storing at least the representation of the digital asset in a repository associated with the entity; and   providing a notification to the user that ownership of the digital asset has been transferred to the entity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism comprises an object in a graphical user interface onto which the user may drag-and-drop a representation of the digital asset. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism is accessed via a link in a graphical user interface, and includes at least one object by which the digital asset may be identified. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism employs one of electronic mail, a text message, an instant message, or an HTTP post. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the representation of the digital asset comprises a digital bearer instrument representing at least one right relating to the digital asset. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein effecting further processing of the representation of the digital asset comprises invoking the at least one right relating to the digital asset. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising delivering additional materials as a consequence of invoking the at least one right. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further wherein the additional materials are delivered in a separate transaction relative to the transfer of the ownership of the digital asset. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the digital bearer instrument is embedded in another data structure. 
     
     
         10 . A system for facilitating donation of a digital asset from a user to an entity, the system comprising at least one computing device configured to:
 provide a mechanism by which the user may designate the digital asset to be donated, the mechanism being configured to receive at least a representation of the digital asset;   identify a type of the digital asset with reference to the received representation of the digital asset;   effect further processing of the received representation of the digital asset with reference to the type;   store at least the representation of the digital asset in a repository associated with the entity; and   provide a notification to the user that ownership of the digital asset has been transferred to the entity.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the mechanism comprises an object in a graphical user interface onto which the user may drag-and-drop a representation of the digital asset. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the mechanism is accessed via a link in a graphical user interface, and includes at least one object by which the digital asset may be identified. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the mechanism employs one of electronic mail, a text message, an instant message, or an HTTP post. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the representation of the digital asset comprises a digital bearer instrument representing at least one right relating to the digital asset. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the at least one computing device is configured to effect further processing of the representation of the digital asset by invoking the at least one right relating to the digital asset. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the at least one computing device is further configured to receive additional materials as a consequence of invoking the at least one right. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  further wherein the additional materials are delivered in a separate transaction relative to the transfer of the ownership of the digital asset. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the digital bearer instrument is embedded in another data structure. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-implemented method for facilitating donation of a digital asset from a user to an entity, comprising:
 providing a mechanism by which the user may designate the digital asset to be donated, the mechanism being configured to receive at least a representation of the digital asset and initiate transfer of ownership of the digital asset to the entity; and   presenting a notification to the user that the ownership of the digital asset has been transferred to the entity.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the mechanism comprises an object in a graphical user interface onto which the user may drag-and-drop a representation of the digital asset.