Mechanism for distributing content data
First Claim
1. A method for distributing one or more digital content items to at least one receiver of one or more receiving devices, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a content distribution computer, user preference data comprising one or more user preferred content types, user billing information and data identifying a location of at least one receiving device where the one or more digital content items are to be received, and storing the user preference data in a user account;
generating, by the content distribution computer, a customized content listing comprising a plurality of digital content items from a plurality of digital content providers selected based on the user preferred content types and the data identifying the location of at least one receiving device;
receiving, by the content distribution computer, a selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of digital content items included in the customized content listing;
attempting to bill, by the content distribution computer, the user account for the selected digital content item using a cost associated with the selected digital content item and the user billing information; and
transmitting, by the content distribution computer, the selected digital content item to a receiver corresponding to the data identifying the location of the at least one receiving device if the user account was successfully billed for the selected digital content item.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The current invention provides a system for distributing content data to user locations. The content data preferably includes digital video data that is available on demand from a requesting location. A system server stores user accounts and generated customized program schedules for the user account based on user criteria which includes user preferences. Authorized users access their accounts to modify user criteria and to select program transmissions. Preferably, a computer and a television set receive program transmissions from a system network, wherein the computer provides a logical interface between the television set and content data transmitted over the system network.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for distributing one or more digital content items to at least one receiver of one or more receiving devices, the method comprising:
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receiving, by a content distribution computer, user preference data comprising one or more user preferred content types, user billing information and data identifying a location of at least one receiving device where the one or more digital content items are to be received, and storing the user preference data in a user account; generating, by the content distribution computer, a customized content listing comprising a plurality of digital content items from a plurality of digital content providers selected based on the user preferred content types and the data identifying the location of at least one receiving device; receiving, by the content distribution computer, a selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of digital content items included in the customized content listing; attempting to bill, by the content distribution computer, the user account for the selected digital content item using a cost associated with the selected digital content item and the user billing information; and transmitting, by the content distribution computer, the selected digital content item to a receiver corresponding to the data identifying the location of the at least one receiving device if the user account was successfully billed for the selected digital content item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method using one or more computers to select and receive one or more digital content items, the method comprising:
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transmitting, by the one or more computers, user preference data comprising one or more user preferred content types, user billing information and data identifying a location of the one or more computers where the one or more digital content items are to be received, and storing the user preference data in a user account; receiving, by the one or more computers, a customized content listing comprising a plurality of the digital content items from a plurality of digital content providers selected based on the user preferred content types and the data identifying the location of the one or more computers where the one or more digital content items are to be received; transmitting, by the one or more computers, a selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of digital content items included in the customized content listing; receiving, by the one or more computers, confirmation that the user account was billed for the selected digital content item using a cost associated with the selected digital content item and the user billing information; and receiving, by the one or more computers, the selected digital content item following the confirmation that the user account was successfully billed for the selected digital content item. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for distributing one or more digital content items to at least one receiver, the system comprising:
a catalog interface component configured to; receive user preference data comprising one or more user preferred content types, user billing information and data identifying a location of at least one receiving device where the one or more digital content items are to be received, and storing the user preference data in a user account, generate a customized content listing comprising a plurality of the digital content items from a plurality of digital content providers selected based on the user preferred content types and the data identifying the location of the at least one receiving device, and receive a selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of digital content items included in the customized content listing; a billing component configured to bill, by the content distribution computer, the user account for the selected digital content item using a cost associated with the selected digital content item and the user billing information; and a media transport component configured to transmit the selected digital content item to a receiver corresponding to the data identifying the location of the at least one receiving device if the user account was successfully billed for the selected digital content item. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification