System And Method For Facilitating The Home Viewing of First-Run Movies

• US 20110093319A1
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeff Chow
• Original Assignee: Jeff Chow
• Inventors: Chow, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 8,768,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0213 Consumer transaction fees
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2223 being a public access point, e.g. for downloading to or uploading from clients arrangements specially adapted to plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63
• 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 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• 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 21/835 Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed

Abstract

The home viewing of movies currently being shown in one or more theaters is facilitated. Facilitating home viewing of first-run, feature length movies may increase the amount of money earned during the theatre run of the movies. For example, this may enable users that would not be able to view movies in the theatre, and/or that would not be willing to view at least some of the movies in the theatre, to purchase the ability to view the movies.

Claims

1. A system configured to facilitate home viewing of first-run movies, the system comprising:

a kiosk; and

a player device associated with a user, the player device being configured to removably connect with the kiosk to receive movie video files from the kiosk associated with first-run movies, and to enable the user to view the movie video files from the player device;

wherein the kiosk is configured such that prior to providing movie video files associated with a given movie to the player device, the kiosk obtains payment for the given movie; and

wherein the kiosk is further configured such that responsive to obtaining payment for the given movie, the kiosk issues an incentive to the user that enables the user to obtain a ticket to view the given movie in a movie theatre at a reduced price.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the reduced price is free.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the player device is configured to removably connect with the kiosk via a kiosk communication connector carried by the player device, and wherein the kiosk communication connector is formed to preclude connection of the player device to a consumer computing platform via the kiosk communication connector.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the player device is configured to be operatively linked with an electronic display associated with the player device such that movies stored on the player device are playable on the electronic display.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the player device is configured to operatively link with the electronic display via a wireless link.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising a display adaptor coupled to the electronic display, the display adaptor being configured to removably connect with the player device to operatively link the player device with the electronic display.

7. A method of facilitating home viewing of first-run movies, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of first-run movies to electronic storage associated with a kiosk;

receiving a removable connection at the kiosk with a player device;

obtaining payment for viewing a first-run movie;

responsive to obtaining payment for viewing the first-run movie;

transferring movie video files associated with the first-run movie from the kiosk to the player device, thereby enabling a user to view the first-run movie via the player device; and

issuing an incentive to the user that enables the user to obtain a ticket to view the first-run movie in a movie theatre at a reduced price.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the reduced price is free.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the removable connection between the kiosk and the player device is accomplished via a kiosk communication connector carried by the player device, and wherein the kiosk communication connector is formed to preclude connection of the player device to a consumer computing platform via the kiosk communication connector.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the player device is configured to be operatively linked with an electronic display associated with the player device such that movies stored on the player device are playable on the electronic display.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the player device is configured to operatively link with the electronic display via a wireless link.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising operatively linking the player device with the electronic display via a display adaptor coupled to the electronic display, the display adaptor being configured to removably connect with the player device to operatively link the player device with the electronic display.