Viewing limit controls

• US 7,464,392 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starz Entertainment, LLC (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Starz Encore Group LLC (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Inventors: Beyler, John C., Sie, John J., DePrez, Gregory R., Casaubon, Jean Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller; John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Saltarelli; Dominic
• Application Number:
  US10/300,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20030124973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,212 Days
• Field of Search: 725/8, 725/5, 725/2, 725/25, 725/27, 725/28, 725/29, 725/87, 725/104, 725/6, 725/30, 725/46
• US Class Current: 725/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/74 of satellite networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/78 CATV [Community Antenna Television] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/39 for identifying broadcast space-time use of Electronic Programme Guides H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/65 for using the result on users' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• 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 21/2543 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 21/25435 involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• 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 21/44204 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 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• 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 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17363 : at or near the user terminal

Abstract

A system for controlling the viewing of programs at a user location having one or more viewing devices. The system comprises a viewing control system, which is adapted to count a number of viewings of a program during a time period, determine whether the number of viewings exceeds a viewing limit for the time period, and prevent further viewings of the program if the number of viewings exceeds the viewing limit for the time period.

Claims

1. In a system for delivering video programs to end users, a method for controlling the viewing of video programs at a user location having one or more viewing devices, the method comprising:

identifying a first viewing limit allocation for a first type of video on demand (VOD) programming for a first recurring portion of a day over a plurality of days;

identifying a second viewing limit allocation for the first type of programming for a second recurring portion of a day over the plurality of days, the second viewing limit allocation different from the first viewing limit allocation;

counting a number of viewings of the type of VOD programming during the first portion of the day and the second portion of the day over at least a subset of the plurality of days;

determining whether the number of viewings exceeds the applicable viewing limit, wherein a viewing of the first type of VOD programming during the first portion of the day depletes the first viewing limit allocation at a faster rate than the viewing of the first type of VOD programming during the second portion of the day depletes the second viewing limit allocation;

preventing further viewings of the first type of VOD programming during the first portion of the day if the number of viewings for the first portion of the day exceeds the first viewing limit allocation, wherein;

a second program is of a second type that is different from the first type,

a third viewing limit is associated with the second type, and

the first and second viewing limit allocations are each different from the third viewing limit.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the type of VOD programming is selected from a group consisting of near VOD programs and subscription VOD programs.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the the plurality of days comprises years, months, weeks or days.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first or second portion of a day comprises at least one of morning, afternoon, evening, night, and prime time viewing periods.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of counting a number of viewings comprises counting a viewing after a predetermined amount of time of the program is viewed.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the predetermined amount of time of the program comprises a preview of the program.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more viewing devices is a device selected from a group consisting of an IP telephone, a computer, a PDA, a cellular phone, or any combination of these devices.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a user interface that shows the number of viewings available to the user for one or more of the portions of the day.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of providing a user interface comprises providing a message on a programming menu stating the number of viewings available to the user for the one or more of the portions of the day.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of providing a user interface comprises providing an icon on a programming menu indicating the number of viewings available to the user for the one or more of the portions of the day.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of counting a number of viewings comprises counting a number of viewings viewed using all of the one or more viewing devices, and wherein the step of preventing further viewings comprises preventing further viewings for all of the one or more viewing devices if the number of viewings exceeds the applicable viewing limit.

30. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the program types are related to at least one of popularity of a program and a type of distribution service that makes the program available.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of viewings comprise minute increments, other time increments, increments beyond a threshold, or complete program viewings.

12. A system for controlling the viewing of video programs at a user location having one or more viewing devices, comprising:

a program distribution system adapted to provide video programs to one or more viewing devices at a user location; and

a viewing control system in communication with the program distribution system and the viewing devices, said viewing control system adapted to;

identify a first viewing limit allocation for a type of video on demand (VOD) programming for a first recurring portion of a day over a plurality of days;

identify a second viewing limit allocation for the type of VOD programming for a second recurring portion of a day over the plurality of days, the second viewing limit allocation different from the first viewing limit allocation;

count a number of viewings of the type of VOD programming during the first portion of the day and the second portion of the day over at least a subset of the plurality of days;

determine whether the number of viewings exceeds the applicable viewing limit, wherein a viewing of the type of VOD programming during the first portion of the day depletes the first viewing limit allocation at a faster rate than the viewing of the type of VOD programming during the second portion of the day depletes the second viewing limit allocation; and

prevent further viewings of the type of VOD programming during the second portion of the day if the number of viewings for the second portion of the day exceeds the second viewing limit allocation.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the program distribution system comprises a cable programming transmission network.

14. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the program distribution system comprises a satellite programming transmission network.

15. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the program distribution system comprises a video server connected to the Internet.

16. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the viewing control system comprises a server located at a program service provider.

17. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the viewing control system is configured with the program distribution system.

18. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the viewing control system comprises a personal computer at the user location in communication with a server located at a program service provider.

19. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the type of VOD programming is selected from a group consisting of near VOD programs and subscription VOD programs.

20. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the plurality of days comprises years, months, weeks, or days.

21. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the first or second portion of a day comprises at least one of morning, afternoon, evening, night, and prime time viewing periods.

22. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the viewing limit can be different for different types of programs.

23. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the viewing control system is adapted to count a viewing after a predetermined amount of time of the program is viewed.

24. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein the predetermined amount of time of the program comprises a preview of the program.

25. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the one or more viewing devices is a device selected from a group consisting of an IP telephone, a computer, a PDA, a cellular phone, or any combination of these devices.

26. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the user interface comprises a message on a programming menu stating the count of viewings available to the user for the one or more of the portions of the day.

27. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the user interface comprises an icon on a programming menu indicating the count of viewings available to the user for the one or more of the portions of the day.

28. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the viewing control system is adapted to:

count a number of viewings viewed using all of the one or more viewing devices; and

prevent further viewings for all of the one or more viewing devices if the number of viewings exceeds the applicable viewing limit.

31. The system as recited in claim 28, wherein:

the one or more viewing devices comprises a first viewing device and a second viewing device, and

the first viewing device is at a location away from the second viewing device.

32. The system as recited in claim 28, wherein one of the first and second viewing devices requires entry of information to associate it with a particular account.

29. In a system for delivering video programs to end users, a method for monitoring the viewing of the video programs at a user location having one or more viewing devices, the method comprising steps of:

identifying a first viewing limit allocation for a first type of video on demand (VOD) programming for a first recurring portion of a day over a plurality of days;

identifying a second viewing limit allocation for the type of VOD programming for a second recurring portion of a day over the plurality of days, the second viewing limit allocation different from the first viewing limit allocation;

counting a number of viewings of a plurality of programs of the type of VOD programming during the first portion of the day over at least a subset of the plurality of days;

determining whether the number of viewings exceeds the first viewing limit allocation;

preventing further viewings of the type of VOD programming during the first portion of the day if the number of viewings for the first portion of the day exceeds the first viewing limit allocation;

counting a second number of viewings of a second plurality of programs of the type of VOD programming during the second portion of the day over the at least the subset of the plurality of days;

determining whether the second number of viewings exceeds the second viewing limit allocation, wherein a viewing of the type of VOD programming during the second portion of the day depletes the second viewing limit allocation at a faster rate than the viewing of the type of VOD programming during the first portion of the day depletes the first viewing limit allocation; and

preventing further viewings of the type of VOD programming during the second portion of the day if the second number of viewings exceeds the second viewing limit allocation.

33. In a system for delivering video programs to end users, a method for controlling the viewing of video programs at a user location having one or more viewing devices, the method comprising:

identifying a first viewing limit allocation for a type of subscription programming for a first recurring portion of a day over a plurality of days;

identifying a second viewing limit allocation for the type of subscription programming for a second recurring portion of a day over the plurality of days, the second viewing limit allocation different from the first viewing limit allocation;

counting a number of viewings of the type of subscription programming during the first portion of the day over at least a subset of the plurality of days;

determining whether the number of viewings exceeds the first viewing limit allocation;

preventing further viewings of the type of subscription programming during the first portion of the day if the number of viewings for the first portion of the day exceeds the first viewing limit allocation;

counting a second number of viewings of the type of subscription programming during the second portion of the day over the at least the subset of the plurality of days;

determining whether the second number of viewings exceeds the second viewing limit allocation, wherein a viewing of the type of subscription programming during the second portion of the day depletes the second viewing limit allocation at a faster rate than the viewing of the type of subscription programming during the first portion of the day depletes the first viewing limit allocation; and

preventing further viewings of the type of subscription programming during the second portion of the day if the second number of viewings exceeds the second viewing limit allocation.

34. In a system for delivering video programs to end users, a method for controlling the viewing of video programs at a user location having one or more viewing devices, the method comprising:

identifying a first viewing limit allocation for a subscription tier of programming for a first recurring portion of a day over a plurality of days;

identifying a second viewing limit allocation for the subscription tier of programming for a second recurring portion of a day over the plurality of days, the second viewing limit allocation different from the first viewing limit allocation;

counting a number of viewings of the subscription tier of programming during the first portion of the day and the second portion of the day over at least a subset of the plurality of days;

determining whether the number of viewings exceeds the applicable viewing limit, wherein a viewing of the subscription tier of programming during the first portion of the day depletes the first viewing limit allocation at a faster rate than the viewing of the subscription tier of programming during the second portion of the day depletes the second viewing limit allocation; and

preventing further viewings of the subscription tier of programming during the first portion of the day if the number of viewings for the first portion of the day exceeds the first viewing limit allocation, wherein;

the subscription tier is of a first type of programming,

a second program is of a second type that is different from the first type,

the first and second viewing limit allocations are associated with the first type,

a second viewing limit is associated with the second type,

the first and second viewing limit allocations are different from the second viewing limit,

the system includes a plurality of programming tiers,

the view limit corresponds to a first tier of the plurality of programming tiers, and

the second view limit corresponds to a second tier of the plurality of programming tiers.

35. In a system for delivering video programs to end users, a method for controlling the viewing of video programs at a user location having one or more viewing devices, the method comprising:

identifying a first viewing limit allocation for a subscription tier of programming for a first recurring portion of a day over a plurality of days;

identifying a second viewing limit allocation for the subscription tier programming for a second recurring portion of a day over the plurality of days, the second viewing limit allocation different from the first viewing limit allocation;

counting a number of viewings of the subscription tier of programming during the first portion of the day over at least a subset of the plurality of days;

determining whether the number of viewings exceeds the first viewing limit allocation; and

preventing further viewings of the subscription tier of programming during the first portion of the day if the number of viewings for the first portion of the day exceeds the first viewing limit allocation;

counting a second number of viewings of the subscription tier of programming during the second portion of the day over the at least the subset of the plurality of days;

determining whether the second number of viewings exceeds a the second viewing limit allocation, wherein a viewing of the subscription tier of programming during the second portion of the day depletes the second viewing limit allocation at a faster rate than the viewing of the subscription tier of programming during the first portion of the day depletes the first viewing limit allocation; and

preventing further viewings of the subscription tier of programming during the first portion of the day if the second number of viewings for the first portion of the day exceeds the second viewing limit allocation.