Playable Media Delivery Capacity Exchange Method

• US 20060241967A1
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Media Queue LLC
• Original Assignee: Media Queue LLC
• Inventors: Gross, John Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 8,606,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/307
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/40 Support for services or applications

Abstract

A network based distribution system and method is disclosed for exchanging capacity between subscribers for distribution of playable media items, such as movies in a digital format. The system allows subscribers to exchange capacity directly between themselves, and/or to have such exchange performed automatically on their behalf.

Claims

1. A method of allocating capacity delivery of playable media items over 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 delivery queue for the first subscriber with a computing system accessible over an electronic network, said first subscriber delivery queue having a first capacity for delivering playable media items to said first subscriber;

(b) providing a second subscriber delivery queue for the second subscriber with said computing system, said second subscriber delivery queue having a second capacity for delivering second playable media items to said second subscriber;

(c) exchanging capacity between said first subscriber delivery queue and said second delivery queue for delivery of playable media items with said computing system in response to a request received from one or both of said first subscriber and second subscriber over said electronic network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said request represents a confirmation of an agreement between said first subscriber and said second subscriber.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein a combined capacity of said first subscriber delivery queue and said second subscriber delivery queue remains constant after step (c).

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said playable media items include movie titles stored on a digital disk.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said playable media items are delivered electronically over a broadband channel.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said capacity is exchanged temporarily for securing a single additional playable media item.

7. The method of claim 1, where said capacity can be exchanged in the form of individual delivery slots.

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

monitoring exchanges of capacity with said computing system for at least one of the following purposes;

(a) determining demand for titles;

(b) identifying potential subscriber account changes;

predicting success/capacity requirements of future titles.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein capacity exchanges are performed automatically on behalf of said first subscriber and/or second subscriber over said electronic network.

10. A method of allocating capacity delivery of playable media items over 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 delivery queue for the first subscriber with a computing system accessible over an electronic network, said first subscriber delivery queue having a first capacity for delivering playable media items to said first subscriber;

(b) providing exchange information for a portion of said first capacity, which exchange information can be reviewed over a network connection by a second subscriber to the media distribution service;

wherein said exchange information identifies an amount of consideration required for said first subscriber to obtain said portion of said first capacity;

(c) providing a second subscriber delivery queue for the second subscriber with said computing system, said second subscriber delivery queue having a second capacity for delivering second playable media items to said second subscriber;

(d) receiving a request over the network connection from said second subscriber to locate additional capacity for delivering said playable media items;

(e) offering said portion of said first capacity to said second subscriber in accordance with said exchange information associated with said first media title;

(f) providing said portion of said first capacity to said second subscriber in response to said second subscriber consenting to provide said consideration;

wherein capacity for delivering playable media items can be exchanged between said second subscriber and said first subscriber under control of said media distribution service.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein a combined capacity of said first subscriber delivery queue and said second subscriber delivery queue remains constant after step (c).

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said playable media items include movie titles stored on a digital disk.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said playable media items are delivered electronically over a broadband channel.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein said capacity is exchanged temporarily for securing a single additional playable media item.

15. The method of claim 10, where said capacity can be exchanged in the form of individual delivery slots.

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

monitoring exchanges of capacity with said computing system for at least one of the following purposes;

(a) determining demand for titles;

(b) identifying potential subscriber account changes;

predicting success/capacity requirements of future titles.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein capacity exchanges are performed automatically on behalf of said first subscriber and/or second subscriber over said electronic network.

18. A method of automatically allocating capacity delivery of playable media items over 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 delivery queue for the first subscriber with a computing system accessible over an electronic network, said first subscriber delivery queue having a first capacity for delivering playable media items to said first subscriber;

(b) receiving a request for a first playable media item from said first subscriber over said electronic network;

(c) automatically locating a second subscriber with access rights to said first playable media item using said computing system;

(d) automatically changing capacity of said first subscriber delivery queue and/or a second subscriber delivery queue for a second subscriber using said computing system in exchange for securing access to said first playable media item for said first subscriber.

19. The method of claim 18, further including a step:

receiving an indication of a consideration required by said second subscriber for obtaining access rights to said first playable media item.

20. The method of claim 19 further including a step:

causing the computing system to automatically negotiate on behalf of the first subscriber for said access rights.