Stored program pay-per-play

• US 6,025,868 A
• Filed: 04/07/1997
• Issued: 02/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Smart VCR Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Russo, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US08/834,984
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 348/3, 348/4, 348/7, 348/6, 348/12, 348/1, 345/328, 398/200.49
• US Class Current: 725/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• 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 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• 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 21/44204 Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A stored program pay-per-play system includes a high-capacity storage medium facilitating compilation of video, audio or other programs at a subscriber'"'"'s site. While the recording of such programs may take place at any time preceding playback, billing occurs only when, and if, the subscriber chooses to select a program for replay or actually enjoys the program substantially in its entirety. Billing is alternatively based on a store-credit or account debiting scheme. The recording of program materials may be directed automatically by subscriber-operated storage management facilities which scan program schedules and select materials to be recorded, based on title, cast, program genre or any other of a variety of viewer/listener preferences. Alternatively, the program provider may automatically download programs, either based upon actual or surmised viewer preferences, or at the provider'"'"'s discretion, for example, using newly-available selections. Display generation circuitry is preferably implemented, enabling the viewer to review selections to be downloaded, those selections available for immediate replay, remaining account balance, and other features, including "parental lockout" and so forth.

Claims

1. A video program pay-per-view system adapted for use with an associated display device, comprising:

a video disk player for receiving a digital video disk including one or more pay video programs;

a modem for establishing communications with a service provider over a telephone network;

an operator control; and

a controller in communication with the video disk player, a modem, and operator control, the controller being programmed to perform the following functions;

a) select a video program for viewing on the display device in accordance with the operator control, and

b) communicate to the service provider that the operator has selected the program for viewing enable payment to the provider.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the operator is billed after the program has been selected for viewing.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the operator is billed after the program has been substantially viewed in its entirety.

4. The system of claim 1, further including means for transferring program selection information to the service provider after the program has been selected for viewing.

5. The system of claim 1, further including means for effectuating an electronic funds transfer to the service provider prior to the viewing of the program.

6. A video program pay-per-view system situated at a subscriber'"'"'s location, comprising:

a video disk player to receive a disk containing a video program, the viewing of which has associated therewith a payment to a program provider;

an output to deliver the program to a display device for viewing;

means enabling the program to be selected for viewing; and

means to communicate at the appropriate time to the provider that a program has been selected for viewing, enabling the provider to receive the payment associated with the program.

7. The video program pay-per view system of claim 6, further including data decompression means to expand a program received in digitally compressed form.

8. The video program pay-per view system of claim 6, further including a bidirectional cable system forming a portion of the means to communicate to the provider that a program has been selected for viewing.

9. The video program pay-per view system of claim 6, further including means to receive a key to descramble a pay program in scrambled form, receipt of the key being in response to a communication to the provider that a program has been selected for viewing.

10. A video program pay-per-play system, comprising:

a disk player for receiving a video program from a provider, use of the program having a payment associated therewith;

means for selecting the program to be enjoyed; and

means for providing payment from the user to the provider of a program, but only after that program has been selected for use.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the means for providing payment from the user to the provider includes an electronic funds transfer prior to the enjoyment of the program.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the means for providing payment from the user to the provider includes the debiting of an account previously established between the user and the provider.

13. A method of compensating a pay-program provider, comprising the steps of:

recording a pay video program onto a video disk in encoded form;

providing a player for the disk at a subscriber'"'"'s location, the player including a modem interconnected to a telephone network;

installing the disk into the player and selecting the program to be played;

automatically dialing a service provider in response to the program selection for the purpose of informing the service provider that the program has been selected for viewing; and

billing the subscriber'"'"'s location for the program.