Video-on-demand system
First Claim
1. A video-on-demand system, comprising:
- a first generation video data storage unit for storing original video data files;
a second generation video data storage unit for storing video data files sorted by category and classified in indexed master files; and
a remotely accessible computer server configured for accessing the video data files, creating temporary video data files and downloading the temporary video data files for storage and viewing on a customer'"'"'s video playing device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A video-on-demand system provides efficient commercial distribution for renting and/or selling movies, video programs, video games and electronic data. Data input stations upload original video data from videotapes, videocassettes, videodisks or film, or from electronic data format on transferable storage media or over a telecommunications line. A video data capture computer converts the original video data into a preferred video data storage format and stores the video data files in a first generation video data storage unit. The video data files are sorted by categories and classified in indexed master files stored on a second generation video data storage ID unit. NTSC, PAL and/or HDTV versions of the video data files are created and stored in separate data storage units for serving different markets. Customers access the system through computer servers connected to the Internet. The computer servers access the video data file in the data storage units and create a temporary video data file, which is downloaded to the customer via the Internet. The video data file is downloaded at high speed and stored on the customer'"'"'s video player device for viewing at a later time. The video data files can be downloaded, stored and viewed on a desktop computer, a laptop computer, palmtop computer, a set-top data storage device connected to a television set, video game device, or a personal digital assistant, cellular telephone or pager with video capabilities. The system includes back-up mirror storage files at all levels of the system for security against data loss.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A video-on-demand system, comprising:
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a first generation video data storage unit for storing original video data files;
a second generation video data storage unit for storing video data files sorted by category and classified in indexed master files; and
a remotely accessible computer server configured for accessing the video data files, creating temporary video data files and downloading the temporary video data files for storage and viewing on a customer'"'"'s video playing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A video-on-demand system, comprising:
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a first data input station configured for uploading original video data of movies or other video programs from their original storage medium;
a second data input station configured for uploading original video data of movies or other video programs from electronic data format;
a video data capture computer for converting the original video data to original video data files of a selected data storage format;
a first generation video data storage unit for storing the original video data files;
a back-up first generation video data storage unit for storing back-up original video data files;
a second generation video data storage unit for storing video data files sorted by category and classified in indexed master files;
a back-up second generation video data storage unit for storing back-up video data files sorted by category and classified in indexed master files;
a first video data storage unit for storing a first version of the video data files in a first specified video display format;
a back-up first video data storage unit for storing back-up copies of the versions of the video data files in the first specified video display format;
a second video data storage unit for storing a second version of the video data files in a second specified video display format;
a back-up second video data storage unit for storing back-up copies of the versions of the video data files in the second specified video display format;
a first remotely accessible computer server configured for accessing the video data files in the second generation video data storage unit, the first video data storage unit and/or the second video data storage unit, creating temporary video data files and downloading the temporary video data files via an Internet Service Provider for storage and viewing on a customer'"'"'s video playing device; and
a second remotely accessible computer server configured for accessing the video data files in the second generation video data storage unit, the first video data storage unit and/or the second video data storage unit, creating temporary video data files and downloading the temporary video data files via a wireless Internet Service Provider for storage and viewing on a customer'"'"'s video playing device.
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Specification