Media auto exchange system and method
First Claim
1. A method of exchanging playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) monitoring a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first list of one or more first playable media items delivered and/or to be delivered to said first subscriber;
(b) monitoring a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to said second subscriber;
(c) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common playable media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system;
wherein the first subscriber has a first right of access to said common playable media item title determined by the computing system which is earlier than a second right of access to said common playable media item title held by said second subscriber;
(d) automatically switching said first right of access to said second subscriber for said common playable media item title with the computing system based on a value of a subscriber satisfaction criterion for said second subscriber generated by an exchange program operating under control of the media distribution service;
(e) automatically causing said common playable media item to be considered for and sent to said second subscriber ahead of the first subscriber based on switching said first right of access.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network based distribution system and method is disclosed for automatically exchanging playable media items, such as movies in a digital format. The automatic exchange system includes a number of components that interoperate to improve a subscriber'"'"'s experience, including an intelligent queue monitor which works on his/her behalf to identify potential items of interest for the subscriber. The system can thus automatically exchange for desirable tides, including other titles from other subscribers, under a set of programmed directives from the user, and/or in response to supply/demand requirements of other subscribers.
128 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of exchanging playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) monitoring a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first list of one or more first playable media items delivered and/or to be delivered to said first subscriber; (b) monitoring a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to said second subscriber; (c) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common playable media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system; wherein the first subscriber has a first right of access to said common playable media item title determined by the computing system which is earlier than a second right of access to said common playable media item title held by said second subscriber; (d) automatically switching said first right of access to said second subscriber for said common playable media item title with the computing system based on a value of a subscriber satisfaction criterion for said second subscriber generated by an exchange program operating under control of the media distribution service; (e) automatically causing said common playable media item to be considered for and sent to said second subscriber ahead of the first subscriber based on switching said first right of access. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of exchanging playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) monitoring a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first ordered list of one or more first playable media items to be delivered to the subscriber in a first priority defined by the first subscriber; (b) monitoring a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second ordered list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to the second subscriber in a second priority defined by the second subscriber; (c) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common playable media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system; wherein the first subscriber has a first right of access to said common playable media item title which is earlier than a second right of access to said common playable media item title held by said second subscriber; (d) determining with the computing system whether an inducement should be provided to said first subscriber to surrender said first right of access; (e) offering said inducement to said first subscriber with the computing system; (f) providing said first right of access to said second subscriber with the computing system when said first subscriber accepts said inducement; (g) automatically causing said common playable media item to be considered for and sent to said second subscriber ahead of the first subscriber based on switching said first right of access wherein steps (a) through (g) are performed automatically by an exchange program operating on the computing system under control of the media distribution service. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A computing system for exchanging playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the computing system comprising:
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(a) a monitoring routine, said monitoring routine being configured for; i) monitoring a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first ordered list of one or more first playable media items to be delivered to the subscriber in a first priority defined by the first subscriber; and ii) monitoring a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second ordered list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to the second subscriber in a second priority defined by the second subscriber; and iii) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common playable media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues; wherein the first subscriber has a first right of access to said common playable media item title which is earlier than a second right of access to said common playable media item title held by said second subscriber; (b) an exchange routine configured for; i) automatically switching said first right of access to said second subscriber for said common playable media item title based on a value of a subscriber satisfaction criterion for said second subscriber generated by an exchange program operating on said computing system; wherein said automatic switching of said first right of access causes said second subscriber to be sent such common playable media item title ahead of the first subscriber.
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Specification