Methods and apparatus for providing virtual content over a network
First Claim
1. Network headend content storage and distribution apparatus for use in a content delivery network, comprising:
- a processor;
a storage device for storing content in data communication with said processor;
a network interface in data communication with said processor, said network interface being adapted to at least transmit said content via said network; and
at least one computer program operative to run on said apparatus, said at least one computer program being adapted to;
receive at least one selection of said content from a user;
receive at least information enabling purchase of said content by said user;
associate at least said user with said content;
receive an update to said content;
store said update at a storage location;
receive a preference from said user relating to said update; and
based at least in part on said preference, selectively deliver either said content or said update to said user;
wherein said apparatus is disposed at the network headend, yet controlled by a customer of said network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for selecting, purchasing and delivering content to users of a network so that the user has “virtual” ownership of and access to the content, thereby obviating the need for physical media (e.g., DVDs or CDs). In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions or broadcast modes are used to deliver the virtual content stored at the head-end (or hub site) to the requesting owner. The purchased content is associated with one or more users when stored, thereby providing the owner(s) unlimited access thereto, without the costs and effort associated with renting/purchasing and maintaining DVDs. The content may also comprise new release content, which would otherwise not be available over the network at that time but for the purchase and delivery mechanisms of the invention. Various other complementary features for enhancing the user'"'"'s virtual ownership experience are also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Network headend content storage and distribution apparatus for use in a content delivery network, comprising:
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a processor; a storage device for storing content in data communication with said processor; a network interface in data communication with said processor, said network interface being adapted to at least transmit said content via said network; and at least one computer program operative to run on said apparatus, said at least one computer program being adapted to; receive at least one selection of said content from a user; receive at least information enabling purchase of said content by said user; associate at least said user with said content; receive an update to said content; store said update at a storage location; receive a preference from said user relating to said update; and based at least in part on said preference, selectively deliver either said content or said update to said user; wherein said apparatus is disposed at the network headend, yet controlled by a customer of said network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for content storage and distribution in a content delivery network, said method comprising:
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receiving at least one selection of said content from a user; obtaining at least information enabling purchase of said content by said user; associating at least said user with said content; receiving an update to said content; obtaining a preference specified by said user relating to said update; and based at least in part on said preference, selectively delivering at least one of said content or said update to said user. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Network headend content storage and distribution apparatus for use in a content delivery network, comprising:
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a storage device for storing a plurality of content; a network interface configured to at least transmit said content via said network; and at least one computer program operative to run on said apparatus, said at least one computer program comprising instructions which when executed; receive information from a consumer premises equipment (CPE) of said content delivery network, said information comprising a selection of at least one of said plurality of content; obtain information enabling purchase of said at least one of said plurality of content, and preference information regarding updates; and based at least in part on said preference information, selectively deliver at least one of said at least one of said plurality of content and said update to said CPE; wherein said apparatus is disposed at the network headend, yet controlled at least in part by a customer of said network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of storing and distributing content over a network, comprising:
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upon request from an individual one of a plurality of users in said network, providing stored content to said user; generating at least one record associating said individual one of said plurality of users to said content; receiving an update to said content; and utilizing said at least one record to selectively cause delivery of said update to said user; wherein said record comprises information relating to one or more user preferences with respect to receiving updates. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification