Media auto exchange system and method

• US 20040172274A1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Media Queue LLC
• Original Assignee: Media Queue LLC
• Inventors: Gross, John N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,688,462 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions

Abstract

A network based distribution system and method is disclosed for automatically exchanging playable media items, such as movies in a digital format. The automatic exchange system includes a number of components that interoperate to improve a subscriber'"'"'s experience, including an intelligent queue monitor which works on his/her behalf to identify potential items of interest for the subscriber. The system can thus automatically exchange for desirable tides, including other titles from other subscribers, under a set of programmed directives from the user, and/or in response to supply/demand requirements of other subscribers.

Claims

1. A method of exchanging playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) monitoring a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a list of one or more first playable media items delivered and/or to be delivered to said first subscriber;

(b) monitoring a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to said second subscriber;

(c) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common tide in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues;

wherein the first subscriber has a first right of access to said common tide which is earlier than a second right of access to said common tide held by said second subscriber;

(d) automatically switching said first right of access to said second subscriber for said common tide based on a value of a subscriber satisfaction criterion for said second subscriber generated by an exchange program operating under control of the media distribution service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said subscriber satisfaction criterion for said second subscriber is based on identifying a set of tides shipped to said second subscriber and/or viewed by said second subscriber during a subscription period.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said subscriber satisfaction criterion is also based on a priority identified by said second subscriber for each tide in said set of tides.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said subscriber satisfaction criterion for said second subscriber is compared to a value for a subscriber satisfaction criterion for said first subscriber.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said switching step is further based on a comparison of a first priority value assigned by the first subscriber for said common tide, and a second priority value assigned by said second subscriber for said common tide.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said switching step is further based on a comparison of at least one delivery status value associated with first tides in first subscriber selection queue, and at least one delivery status value associated with second titles in said second subscriber selection queue to determine a relative expected future delivery of tides to each subscriber.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said switching step is further based on a comparison of a first access time period used by said first subscriber when accessing media items, with a second access time period used by said second subscriber when accessing media items, such that said first access right is switched when said second subscriber uses less time for viewing media.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said first right of access is based on a first time that said first subscriber requested said common title.

9. The method of claim 1, further including a step:

obtaining permission from said first subscriber before automatically switching said first right of access.

10. The method of claim 9, further including a step:

providing an inducement to said first subscriber to secure said permission.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said inducement is increased with time.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said inducement is proportional to a ranking for said first right of access, such that greater inducements are offered for more immediate access rights than later access rights for media tides.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said inducement is proportional to a subscriber rating assigned by the media distribution service.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said inducement is proportional to a subscriber service plan.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said inducement includes additional access rights for other media tides.

16. The method of claim 1, further including a step:

providing an inducement to a third subscriber to return said common title within a certain time period after it has been delivered for use to said third subscriber.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said inducement includes an offer to increase a tides out capacity for said first subscriber while simultaneously reducing a tides out capacity for said second subscriber.

18. A method of exchanging playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) monitoring a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first ordered list of one or more first playable media items to be delivered to the subscriber in a first priority defined by the first subscriber;

(b) monitoring a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second ordered list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to the second subscriber in a second priority defined by the second subscriber;

(c) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common tide in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues;

wherein the first subscriber has a first right of access to said common tide which is earlier than a second right of access to said common tide held by said second subscriber;

(d) determining whether an inducement should be provided to said first subscriber to surrender said first right of access;

(e) offering said inducement to said first subscriber;

(f) providing said first right of access to said second subscriber when said first subscriber accepts said inducement;

wherein steps (a) through (f) are performed automatically by an exchange program operating under control of the media distribution service.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said first playable media items are movies.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said media distribution service operates as an Internet based e-commerce website.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said first subscriber and second subscriber have subscription services with the media distribution service which limit a number of tides which can be accessed at one time.

22. A method of exchanging playable media items distributed by a network based service provider, the method comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a request over the network for a first media title from a first subscriber;

b. determining if a copy of said first media tide can be provided to the first subscriber without requiring a bid from said first subscriber;

c. in response to the results of step (b) being affirmative, providing a copy of said first media title to said first subscriber without obtaining additional consideration from the first subscriber;

d. in response to the results of step (b) being negative, automatically reviewing a second subscriber selection queue maintained by the network based service provider on behalf of said first subscriber to locate said first media title for said first subscriber;

e. determining if said first media title is available through a reserve bid in said second subscriber selection queue;

f. in response to the results of step (e) being affirmative, offering said first media title to said first subscriber in accordance with said reserve bid;

g. repeating steps (d) and (e) in response to the results of step (e) being negative;

h. providing said first media title from said second subscriber selection queue to said first subscriber when said first subscriber accepts said reserve bid.

23. A computing system for exchanging playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the computing system comprising:

(a) a monitoring routine, said monitoring routine being configured for;

i) monitoring a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first ordered list of one or more first playable media items to be delivered to the subscriber in a first priority defined by the first subscriber; and

ii) monitoring a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second ordered list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to the second subscriber in a second priority defined by the second subscriber; and

iii) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common tide in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues;

wherein the first subscriber has a first right of access to said common title which is earlier than a second right of access to said common tide held by said second subscriber;

(b) an exchange routine configured for;

i) automatically switching said first right of access to said second subscriber for said common tide based on a value of a subscriber satisfaction criterion for said second subscriber generated by an exchange program operating

24. A computer system for exchanging playable media items distributed by a network based service provider, the computer system comprising:

(a) a subscriber exchange routine which is configured for;

i) receiving a request over the network for a first media title from a first subscriber;

ii) determining if a copy of said first media tide can be provided to the first subscriber without requiring a bid from said first subscriber;

iii) providing a copy of said first media tide to said first subscriber without obtaining additional consideration from the first subscriber in response to the results of step (b) being affirmative,

iv) in response to the results of step (b) being negative, reviewing a second subscriber selection queue maintained by the network based service provider to locate said first media tide for said first subscriber;

v) determining if said first media tide is available through a reserve bid in said second subscriber selection queue;

vi) in response to the results of step (e) being affirmative, offering said first media tide to said first subscriber in accordance with said reserve bid;

vii) repeating steps (d) and (e) in response to the results of step (e) being negative;

ix) providing said first media tide from said second subscriber selection queue to said first subscriber when said first subscriber accepts said reserve bid.