Program Subscription Method and System

• US 20100281496A1
• Filed: 05/04/2009
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tradsol Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Tradsol Pty Limited
• Inventors: Carew, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/434,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20100281496A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/5
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content 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 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• 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 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A system for accessing video content or audio content over the internet comprising a server linked to the internet and storing the video content or audio content; a nominated terminal device of a subscriber to access the video content or audio content; and a graphical interface enabling the subscriber to select available programs from the audio or video content for viewing or listening on the nominated terminal device. The selection of programs is transmitted over the internet to the server and the server transmits the selected programs or links to the selected programs to the nominated terminal device for access by the subscriber for a predetermined period of time.

Claims

1. A method of accessing video content or audio content over the internet, the method comprising:

subscribing to receive the video content or audio content;

the subscriber selecting available programs of the video content or audio content using a graphical interface for viewing or listening on a nominated terminal device;

transmitting the selection to a server;

transmitting the selected programs or links to the selected programs from the server to the nominated terminal device whereupon the subscriber is able to access the programs for a predetermined period of time.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the selection of available programs by the subscriber is based on programs that are to be recorded and subsequently transmitted to the terminal device.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the selection of available programs by the subscriber is based on programs that have previously been broadcast.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising transmitting from the server means for providing a subscriber with the graphical interface on the terminal device of the subscriber.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the means for providing the graphical interface is a computer program that is downloaded to the subscriber terminal device upon receipt and approval by the server of personal details of, and payment for the subscription, by the subscriber.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the means for providing the graphical interface is a computer program that is stored at the server so that the subscriber accesses the interface at a website.

7. A method according to claim 1 further comprising storing the selected programs in a memory of the terminal device when there is no connection available over the internet.

8. A method according to claim 1 further comprising transmitting the selected programs or changes to the selected programs to the server when a connection over the internet is established.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the subscriber is able to select, in addition to each program, a time, date and frequency of download of each program to the nominated terminal device, either downloaded as the entire program for local storage on the nominated device or as hyperlinks to each program, available at the server.

10. A system for accessing video content or audio content over the internet, the system comprising:

a server linked to the internet and storing the video content or audio content;

a nominated terminal device of a subscriber to access the video content or audio content;

a graphical interface enabling the subscriber to select available programs from the audio or video content for viewing or listening on the nominated terminal device;

wherein the selection of programs is transmitted over the internet to the server and the server transmits the selected programs or links to the selected programs to the nominated terminal device for access by the subscriber for a predetermined period of time.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the selected programs are stored in a memory of the terminal device when there is no connection available over the internet.

12. A system according to claim 10 wherein the server receives the audio and/or video content from servers associated with any one of television networks, radio networks, film studios, or websites associated with any of television networks, radio networks or film studios.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the content is received by the server after broadcast or telecast or at the time of by any of the television networks, radio networks or film studios.

14. A system according to claim 10 wherein programs selected by subscribers for recording are recorded and stored in a storage medium at the server, having storage allocated to each such subscriber.

15. A system according to claim 14 wherein the storage medium includes a virtual hard disk recorder in which recordings of content have been made, but which cannot be displayed all simultaneously among the various subscribers in which each subscriber has allocated memory sectors of the recorder available for temporarily storing recorded programs of the subscribers.

16. Computer program means for providing access to video content or audio content over the internet, the computer program means instructing a processor to:

provide a graphical interface to the video or audio content that enables selection of available programs from the content for viewing on or listening on a nominated terminal device;

transmit the selected programs over the internet to a server;

receive from the server the selected programs or links to the selected programs; and

enable the subscriber to access the programs for a predetermined period of time.

17. Computer program means according to claim 16 wherein the selection of programs is based on video content or audio content that has previously been broadcast.

18. Computer program means according to claim 16 wherein the selection of programs is based on video content or audio content that is to be recorded and subsequently transmitted to the terminal device.

19. Computer program means according to claim 16 wherein the computer program means transmitted to the nominated terminal device of a subscriber over the internet.