Methods for entertainment-programming distribution

• US 20060253887A1
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starz Entertainment, LLC (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Starz Entertainment, LLC (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Inventors: Fukuda, John S., Lim, Rebecca R., Beyler, John C., Greene, Bob
• Granted Patent: US 8,037,501 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/118
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/835 Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

Methods for entertainment-programming distribution are provided. A set of entertainment programs is transmitted in real time over a public network for display on user computers in communication with the public network and identified as subscribers to the set of entertainment programs. A notification signal is transmitted with at least one of the entertainment programs to identify that entertainment program as available for download. A request is received from one of the user computers over the public network to download that entertainment program. It is verified that the user computer is authorized to receive downloaded entertainment programs in accordance with a subscriber agreement. The identified entertainment program is then downloaded to the user computer.

Claims

1. A method for distributing entertainment programming, the method comprising:

transmitting a set of entertainment programs in real time over a public network for display on user computers in communication with the public network and identified as subscribers to the set of entertainment programs;

transmitting a notification signal with at least one of the entertainment programs to identify the at least one of the programs as available for download;

receiving a request from one of the user computers over the public network to download the at least one of the entertainment programs;

verifying that the user computer is authorized to receive downloaded entertainment programs in accordance with a subscriber agreement; and

downloading the at least one of the entertainment programs to the one of the user computers.

2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one of the entertainment programs downloaded to the one of the user computers includes restrictions preventing playback after a defined time.

3. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising receiving a request from the one of the user computers over the public network to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs, wherein the at least one of the entertainment programs downloaded to the one of the user computers has no temporal playback restrictions.

4. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a request from the one of the user computers over the public network to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs; and

downloading the at least one of the entertainment programs onto a portable storage medium through the public network and the one of the user computers.

5. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a request from the one of the user computers over the public network to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs; and

downloading the at least one of the entertainment programs onto a portable media player through the public network and the one of the user computers.

6. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a request from the one of the user computers over the public network to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs;

identifying a subscriber address associated with the one of the computers; and

transmitting a request to a seller of a portable storage medium having the at least one of the entertainment programs to send the portable storage medium having the at least one of the entertainment programs to the identified subscriber address.

7. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a request from the one of the user computers over the public network to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs; and

transmitting the at least one of the entertainment programs to a subscriber set-top box for downloading onto a storage medium in communication with the subscriber set-top box.

8. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting the set of entertainment programs in real time over a television-programming distribution system to set-top boxes connected with the television-programming distribution system for display on televisions connected with the set-top boxes.

9. The method recited in claim 8 wherein transmitting the set of entertainment programs in real time over the public network and transmitting the set of entertainment programs in real time over the television-programming distribution system are performed substantially synchronously.

10. The method recited in claim 1 wherein downloading the at least one the entertainment programs to the one of the user computers begins substantially immediately after receiving the request from the one of the user computers to download the at least one of the entertainment programs.

11. The method recited in claim 1 wherein downloading the at least one of the entertainment programs to the one of the user computers begins after receiving the request from the one of the user computers to download the at least one of the entertainment programs at a time specified by a user.

12. The method recited in claim 1 further comprising generating a user interface for managing downloads of entertainment programs for display to a user after receiving the request from the one of the user computers over the public network to download the at least one of the entertainment programs.

13. A method for distributing programming, the method comprising:

transmitting a menu of entertainment programs over a public network for display on user computers in communication with the public network;

determining which of the entertainment programs in the menu is identified as available for download to user computers in accordance with a subscription agreement;

superimposing a notification symbol associated with each of the entertainment programs identified as available for download on the menu;

receiving a request from one of the user computers over the public network to download a specified one of the entertainment programs identified as available for download; and

downloading the specified one of the entertainment programs identified as available for download to the one of the user computers.

14. The method recited in claim 13 wherein the specified one of the entertainment programs downloaded to the one of the user computers includes restrictions preventing playback after a defined time.

15. The method recited in claim 13 further comprising receiving a request from the one of the user computers over the public network to purchase a copy of the specified one of the entertainment programs, wherein the specified one of the entertainment programs downloaded to the one of the user computers has no temporal playback restrictions.

16. The method recited in claim 13 further comprising:

receiving a request from the one of the user computers over the public network to purchase a copy of the specified one of the entertainment programs; and

downloading the specified one of the entertainment programs onto a portable storage medium through the public network and the one of the user computers.

17. The method recited in claim 13 further comprising:

receiving a request from the one of the user computers over the public network to purchase a copy of the specified one of the entertainment programs;

identifying a subscriber address associated with the one of the computers; and

transmitting a request to a seller of a portable storage medium having the specified one of the entertainment programs to send the portable storage medium having the specified one of the entertainment programs to the identified subscriber address.

18. The method recited in claim 13 further comprising:

receiving a request from the one of the user computers over the public network to purchase a copy of the specified one of the entertainment programs; and

transmitting the specified one of the entertainment programs to a subscriber set-top box for downloading onto a storage medium in communication with the subscriber set-top box.

19. The method recited in claim 13 wherein downloading the specified one of the entertainment programs to the one of the user computers begins substantially immediately after receiving the request from the one of the user computers to download the specified one of the entertainment programs.

20. The method recited in claim 13 wherein downloading the specified one of the entertainment programs to the one of the user computers begins after receiving the request from the one of the user computers to download the specified one of the entertainment programs at a time specified by a user.

21. The method recited in claim 13 further comprising generating a user interface for managing downloads of entertainment programs for display to a user after receiving the request from the one of the user computers over the public network to download the selected one of the entertainment programs.

22. A method for distributing programming, the method comprising:

transmitting a set of entertainment programs in real time over a television-programming distribution system to set-top boxes connected with the television-programming distribution system for display on televisions connected with the set-top boxes;

transmitting a notification signal with at least one of the entertainment programs to identify the at least one of the entertainment programs as available for download;

receiving a request initiated by a user from one of the set-top boxes over the television-programming distribution system to download the at least one of the entertainment programs;

identifying a user computer authorized to receive downloaded entertainment programs and associated with the one of the set-top boxes, the user computer in communication with a public network; and

downloading the at least one of the entertainment programs over the public network to the user computer.

23. The method recited in claim 22 wherein the at least one of the entertainment programs downloaded to the user computer includes restrictions preventing playback after a defined time.

24. The method recited in claim 22 further comprising receiving a request to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs, wherein the at least one of the entertainment programs downloaded to the user computer has no temporal playback restrictions.

25. The method recited in claim 22 further comprising:

receiving a request to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs; and

downloading the at least one of the entertainment programs onto a portable storage medium through the public network and the user computer.

26. The method recited in claim 22 further comprising:

receiving a request to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs; and

downloading the at least one of the entertainment programs onto a portable media player through the public network and the user computer.

27. The method recited in claim 22 further comprising:

receiving a request to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs;

identifying a subscriber address associated with the one of the set-top boxes or with the user computer; and

transmitting a request to a seller of a portable storage medium having the at least one of the entertainment programs to send the portable storage medium having the at least one of the entertainment programs to the identified subscriber address.

28. The method recited in claim 22 further comprising:

receiving a request to purchase a copy of the at least one of the entertainment programs; and

transmitting the at least one of the entertainment programs to the one of the set-top boxes for downloading onto a storage medium in communication with the one of the set-top boxes.

29. The method recited in claim 22 wherein downloading the at least one of the entertainment programs to the user computer begins substantially immediately after receiving the request from the one of the set-top boxes to download the at least one of the entertainment programs.

30. The method recited in claim 22 wherein downloading the at least one of the entertainment programs to the user computer begins after receiving the request from the one of the set-top boxes to download the at least one of the entertainment programs at a time specified by the user.

31. A method for distributing programming, the method comprising:

transmitting a menu of entertainment programs over a television-programming distribution system to set-top boxes connected with the television-programming distribution system for display on televisions connected with the set-top boxes;

determining which of the entertainment programs in the menu is identified as available for download to user computers in accordance with a subscription agreement;

superimposing a notification symbol associated with each of the entertainment programs identified as available for download on the menu;

receiving a request initiated by a user from one of the set-top boxes over the television-programming distribution system to download a specified one of the entertainment programs identified as available for download;

identifying a user computer authorized to receive downloaded entertainment programs and associated with the one of the set-top boxes, the user computer in communication with a public network; and

downloading the specified one of the entertainment programs over the public network to the user computer.

32. The method recited in claim 31 wherein the specified one of the entertainment programs downloaded to the user computer includes restrictions preventing playback after a defined time.

33. The method recited in claim 31 further comprising receiving a request to purchase a copy of the specified one of the entertainment programs, wherein the specified one of the entertainment programs downloaded to the user computer has no temporal playback restrictions.

34. The method recited in claim 31 further comprising:

receiving a request to purchase a copy of the specified one of the entertainment programs; and

downloading the specified one of the entertainment programs onto a portable storage medium through the public network and the user computer.

35. The method recited in claim 31 further comprising:

receiving a request to purchase a copy of the specified one of the entertainment programs;

identifying a subscriber address associated with the one of the set-top boxes or with the user computer; and

transmitting a request to a seller of a portable storage medium having the at least one of the entertainment programs to send the portable storage medium having the at least one of the entertainment programs to the identified subscriber address.

36. The method recited in claim 31 further comprising:

receiving a request to purchase a copy of the specified one of the entertainment programs; and

transmitting the specified one of the entertainment programs to the one of the set-top boxes for downloading onto a storage medium in communication with the one of the set-top boxes.

37. The method recited in claim 31 wherein downloading the specified one of the entertainment programs to the user computer begins substantially immediately after receiving the request from one of the set-top boxes to download the specified one of the entertainment programs.

38. The method recited in claim 31 wherein downloading the specified one of the entertainment programs to the user computer begins after receiving the request from the one of the set-top boxes to download the at least one of the entertainment programs at a time specified by the user.

39. A method for distributing programming, the method comprising:

transmitting a first set of entertainment programs over a public network for display on user computers in communication with the public network and identified as subscribers to the first set of entertainment programs;

storing a second set of entertainment programs on a server interfaced with a television-programming distribution system connected with set-top boxes, each of the second set of programs being configured to be played on a television with one of the set-top boxes with user control over progression of the each of the second set of entertainment programs, at least one of the first set of entertainment programs having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs, and at least one other of the first set of entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs;

transmitting a notification signal with the one of the first set of entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs to identify such entertainment program as available for download;

receiving a request from one of the user computers over the public network to download the one of the first set of entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs;

downloading the one of the first set of entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs onto the server to provide a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs and to provide an ability to be played by the user with program control over the progression of such entertainment program.

40. A method for distributing programming, the method comprising:

transmitting a menu of entertainment programs over a public network for display on user computers in communication with the public network;

storing a set of entertainment programs on a server, each of the set of entertainment programs being configured to be played for a user with user control over progression of the each of the set of entertainment programs, at least one of the entertainment programs in the menu having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs, and at least another of the entertainment programs in the menu not having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs;

superimposing a notification symbol associated with the one of the entertainment programs in the menu not having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs as available for download on the menu;

receiving a request from one of the user computers over the public network to download the one of the entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs; and

downloading the one of the entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs onto the server to provide a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs and to provide an ability to be played by the user with user control over the progression of such entertainment program.

41. A method for distributing programming, the method comprising:

transmitting a first set of entertainment programs in real time over a television-programming distribution system to set-top boxes connected with the television-programming distribution system for display on televisions connected with the set-top boxes;

storing a second set of entertainment programs on a server, each of the second set of programs being configured to be played for a user with user control over progression of the each of the second set of entertainment programs, at least one of the first set of entertainment programs having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs, and at least one other of the first set of entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs;

transmitting a notification signal with the one of the first set of entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs to identify such entertainment program as available for download;

receiving a request initiated by a user from one of the set-top boxes over the television-programming distribution system to download the one of the first set of entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs; and

downloading the one of the first set of entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs onto the server to provide a counterpart in the second set of entertainment programs and to provide an ability to be played by the user with user control over the progression of such entertainment program.

42. A method for distributing programming, the method comprising:

transmitting a menu of entertainment programs over a television-programming distribution system to set-top boxes connected with the television-programming distribution system for display on televisions connected with the set-top boxes;

storing a set of entertainment programs on a server, each of the set of entertainment programs being configured to be played for a user with user control over progression of the each of the set of entertainment programs, at least one of the entertainment programs in the menu having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs, and at least another of the entertainment programs in the menu not having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs;

superimposing a notification symbol associated with the one of the entertainment programs in the menu not having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs as available for download;

receiving a request initiated by a user from one of the set-top boxes over the television-programming distribution system to download the one of the entertainment programs in the menu not having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs; and

downloading the one of the entertainment programs not having a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs onto the server to provide a counterpart in the set of entertainment programs and to provide an ability to be played by the user with user control over the progression of such entertainment program.