Media delivery prioritization system and method
First Claim
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12. A method of allocating priority for 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:
- (a) providing a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, 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 an availability status of media items present in said first subscriber selection queue during a predetermined period, including identifying items selected by the first subscriber which have reduced availability;
(c) providing a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, 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;
(d) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system;
(e) determining a priority as between said first subscriber and said second subscriber using the computing system for said common playable media item title based on steps (a)-(c);
(e) allocating said common playable media item title to either said first subscriber or said second subscriber with the computing system for said common playable title based in part on said priority;
wherein said priority decisions are made by the computing system to increase priority for selected subscribers experiencing delays and/or reduced shipments of playable media items.
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Abstract
A network based distribution system and method is disclosed for automatically prioritizing distribution of playable media items, such as movies in a digital format. The system automatically allocates priority based on title supply/demand or subscriber satisfaction criterion to enhance retention of subscribers.
188 Citations
24 Claims
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12. A method of allocating priority for 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:
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(a) providing a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, 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 an availability status of media items present in said first subscriber selection queue during a predetermined period, including identifying items selected by the first subscriber which have reduced availability;
(c) providing a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, 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;
(d) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system;
(e) determining a priority as between said first subscriber and said second subscriber using the computing system for said common playable media item title based on steps (a)-(c);
(e) allocating said common playable media item title to either said first subscriber or said second subscriber with the computing system for said common playable title based in part on said priority;
wherein said priority decisions are made by the computing system to increase priority for selected subscribers experiencing delays and/or reduced shipments of playable media items. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of allocating priority for 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:
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(a) providing a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first list of one or more first playable media items delivered and/or to be delivered to said first subscriber;
wherein said list of one or more first playable media items are ranked by the first subscriber in a desired priority of delivery;
(b) providing a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, 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;
wherein said first list of one or more first playable media items are ranked by the first subscriber in a desired priority of delivery;
(c) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a requested a common playable media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system;
wherein said common playable media item title is associated with a first ranking in said first list and a second ranking in said second list;
(d) determining a priority as between said first subscriber and said second subscriber using the computing system by comparing said first ranking and said second ranking;
(e) allocating said common media item title to either said first subscriber or said second subscriber with the computing system for said common title based in part on said priority;
wherein said priority decisions are made by the computing system to increase priority for subscribers indicating a higher preference for said common playable media item title. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of allocating priority for 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:
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(a) providing a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first list of one or more first playable media items delivered and/or to be delivered to said first subscriber;
wherein said list of one or more first playable media items are ranked by the first subscriber in a desired priority of delivery;
(b) providing a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, 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;
wherein said first list of one or more first playable media items are ranked by the first subscriber in a desired priority of delivery;
(c) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a requested a common playable media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system;
(d) measuring a first customer satisfaction value for said first subscriber and a second customer satisfaction value for said second subscriber based on identifying titles of playable media items previously delivered to each;
(e) determining a priority as between said first subscriber and said second subscriber using the computing system by comparing said first customer satisfaction value and said second customer satisfaction value;
(e) allocating said common media item title to either said first subscriber or said second subscriber with the computing system for said common title based in part on said priority. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24)
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24-1. The method of claim 21, wherein said customer satisfaction value is further based on a time associated with a subscriber for viewing said playable media items.
Specification