Methods and apparatus for vending and delivering the content of disk recordings

• US 20060280437A1
• Filed: 06/01/2005
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TiVo Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gotuit Media Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Morton, Daniel M., Logan, James D.
• Application Number:
  US11/142,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20060280437A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4756 for rating content, e.g. scoring a recommended movie
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums

Abstract

A DVD player/recorder incorporates a hard drive mass memory device for temporarily storing program content and metadata, includes a network interface for connecting to content and metadata providers, as well as other resources and other computers, via the Internet, a television interface for connecting to a conventional television set which reproduces content from the DVD player, and also connects the DVD player to a set top box which provides a connection to a cable or satellite provider which forms a further source of programming and metadata. The DVD player can retrieve and play content, and permit the navigation of content, specified on a metadata playlist file.

Claims

1. A method for distributing and managing virtual copies of the content of physical disk media assets comprising, in combination, the steps of:

maintaining a virtual asset database which identifies the media assets to which purchasers may be given access pursuant to purchase contracts,

distributing metadata to prospective purchasers containing a catalog of said media assets which are available for purchase from one or more content providers,

establishing said purchase contracts between content providers and purchasers, establishing and maintaining customer records reflecting, for each given one of said purchasers, the identification of each media asset purchased by said given one of said purchasers, the terms upon which each of said purchased asset may be used by said given one of said purchasers, and history of the actual use of that asset by said given purchaser; and

delivering said media asset as data to said purchasers via a communications link in response to requests received from said purchasers, and

performing accounting functions relating to the purchase and delivery of said media assets to said purchasers.