Video on demand system with parameter-controlled bandwidth deallocation

• US 7,010,801 B1
• Filed: 06/09/2000
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Synamedia Limited
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jerding, Dean F., Van Orden, Robert T., Crandall, Bindu, Banker, Robert O., Rodriguez, Arturo A., Gutknecht, Valerie Grew, Addington, Timothy H., Goel, Sashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Srivastava, Vivek
• Application Number:
  US09/590,520
• Time in Patent Office: 2,097 Days
• Field of Search: 725 87- 97, 725/39, 725/1, 725/8
• US Class Current: 725/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/441 Acquiring end-user identification , e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6338 directed to network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for an interactive media services system to provide media to a user through an interactive media services client device. The client device is coupled to a programmable media services server device. The method includes the step of implementing an interactive media guide. Additionally, the client device is implemented to present the interactive media guide to the user. A system operator is provided an interface to the programmable media services server. Control options are provided within the interface to allow the system operator to configure a plurality of rental options available to the user. Finally the interactive media service system is implemented such that the plurality of rental options can be executed by the user in a requested active media session.

Claims

1. A method for an interactive media services system to provide media to a user through an interactive media services client device, said client device coupled to a programmable media services server device, said method comprising steps of:

implementing an interactive media guide;

implementing said client device to present said interactive media guide to said user;

providing a system operator with an interface to said programmable media services server; and

providing control options within said interface to allow said system operator to set a plurality of parameters concerning bandwidth usage;

terminating a media session through said interactive media services system if one of a plurality of client device and system variables comprises a timeout, said timeout occurring when said media session has been in a stop state for a period equal to a stop timeout parameter configured as one of said plurality of parameters concerning bandwidth usage; and

forcing said client device to present a main screen of said interactive media guide after said media session is fully terminated, allowing bandwidth to be allocated elsewhere.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said terminating step involves said interactive media services system keeping said media session active until the end of a rental duration period assigned to said media session independent of the behavior of any of a plurality of client device and system variables.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein another one of said plurality of client device and system variables comprises another timeout, said other timeout occurring when said media session has been in a pause state for a period equal to a pause timeout parameter configured as one of said plurality of parameters concerning bandwidth usage.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said period is equal to said pause timeout parameter, client device is forced to present a stop state and said media session is halted.

5. A method for an interactive media services system to provide media to a user through an interactive media services client device, said client device coupled to a programmable media services server device, said method comprising steps of:

implementing an interactive media guide;

implementing said client device to present said interactive media guide to said user;

providing a system operator with an interface to said programmable media services server;

providing control options within said interface to allow said system operator to set a plurality of parameters concerning bandwidth usage; and

comparing a cancellation period to one of said plurality of parameters concerning bandwidth usage regarding a no charge cancellation period, if a cancellation period is less than said no charge cancellation period a purchase fee assigned to said user for a media session is erased from billing record.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said interactive media services system keeps said media session active until the end of a rental duration period assigned to said media session independent of the behavior of any of a plurality of client device and system variables.