System for interactively distributing information services

• US 7,069,575 B1
• Filed: 10/26/2000
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sedna Patent Services LLC
• Inventors: LaRocca, Tobie J., Goode, Chrostopher W. B.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, KIEU OANH T
• Application Number:
  US09/697,269
• Time in Patent Office: 2,070 Days
• Field of Search: 725/87, 725/88, 725/91, 725/93, 725/86, 725/97, 725/100, 725/102
• US Class Current: 725/86
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• 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 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6334 for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key wireless communications network key management H04W12/04; wireless communications network access security H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6405 Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

In an interactive information distribution system that utilizes open sessions to provide requested information to users, a method for sharing the use of open sessions between a plurality of set top terminals associated with a common account number or user.

Claims

1. In an interactive information distribution system utilizing an open session to provide requested information, a method comprising:

(a) receiving a title selection request from a set top terminal; and

(b) if the title selection request is an initial request for said title by said set top terminal, performing the steps of;

opening a session with said set top terminal including determining, at a network management system, a use time associated with said requested title;

sending the determined use time to a session control manager;

monitoring, at said session control manager, said use time associated with said requested title;

streaming said requested title to said set top terminal for display within constraints of said use time; and

(c) if the title selection request is a subsequent request for said title of a previously terminated session with said set top terminal existing, performing the steps of;

restoring said terminated session; and

providing said requested title to said set top terminal if said use time associated with said requested title has not expired.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises the step of:

associating a view time with said requested title.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at step (c) said requested title is not provided to said set top terminal if said view time associated with said requested title has expired.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of:

opening a new session with said set top terminal if said use time associated with said requested title has expired;

associating a new use time with said requested title; and

providing said requested title to said set top terminal.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

(d) opening a new session with said set top terminal if said view time associated with said requested title has expired;

associating a new use time and a new view time with said requested title; and

providing said requested title to said set top terminal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at step (c) said selected title is provided to said set top terminal beginning at a previous termination point.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at step (c) said selected title is provided to said set top terminal beginning at a title start point.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said set top terminal has associated with it an account, said account being billed for providing said requested title to said set top terminal; and

said use time defines the time within which said requested title may be accessed by said set top terminal without incurring an additional billing charge.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said set top terminal has associated with it an account, said account being billed for providing said requested title to said set top terminal; and

said view time defines the amount of time that said requested title may be presented by said set top terminal without incurring an additional billing charge.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(d) terminating an open session in response to said use time associated with said requested title being expired.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said open session is terminated at step (d) only after said set top terminal has concluded presenting said requested title.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said open session is terminated at step (d) only after said set top terminal has requested that the providing of said requested title be halted.

13. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

(d) terminating an open session in response to said view time associated with said requested title being expired.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said open session is terminated at step (d) only after said set top terminal has concluded presenting said requested title.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said open session is terminated at step (d) only after said set top terminal has requested that the providing of said requested title be halted.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein:

said view time is incremented while said requested title is presented by said set top terminal, said incrementing of said view time being halted in response to receiving a command indicative of a halt to said presentation.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said command indicative of a halt to said presentation comprises one of a stop command and a pause command.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein:

said view time is incremented while said requested title is presented by said set top terminal, said incrementing of said view time being halted in response to receiving a command causing said providing of said requested title to said set top terminal to cease.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving a title selection request comprises:

providing a menu including at least one title from provider equipment of said information distribution system to said set top terminal, where a user is enabled to select said at least one title.