Video distribution system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of distributing a video to a customer device, comprising:
- converting the video to a protected form, wherein the video comprises a plurality of video frames at a pixel size defined by a first number of horizontal pixels and a second number of vertical pixels, wherein converting the video to a protected form comprises;
converting the plurality of video frames to a plurality of low resolution video frames, wherein each of the plurality of low resolution video frames has a size that is the same as the pixel size of the plurality of video frames, and wherein each of the plurality of low resolution video frames comprises one of the plurality of video frames at a fraction of the pixel size and a single color in the area outside of the one of the plurality of video frames at the fraction of the pixel size, andencoding the plurality of low resolution video frames;
transmitting the video in the protected form to the customer device, wherein the customer device is configured to;
record the video in the protected form in which it is transmitted,decode the encoded plurality of low resolution video frames,increase the size of the decoded plurality of video frames from the fraction of the pixel size to the pixel size, andoutput the video for playback at the pixel size;
receiving video playback information from the customer device at a central controller system; and
billing for output of the video for playback at the pixel size by the customer device.
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Abstract
The invention relates to video distribution systems and, more particularly, to a system that blanket transmits video/audio content such as movies (for example, via satellite downlink transmission) to each customer'"'"'s computer-based recording, storage and playback system. Customers preselect from a list of available movies or other content in advance using an interactive screen selector, and pay for only the video/audio content that is actually viewed.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of distributing a video to a customer device, comprising:
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converting the video to a protected form, wherein the video comprises a plurality of video frames at a pixel size defined by a first number of horizontal pixels and a second number of vertical pixels, wherein converting the video to a protected form comprises; converting the plurality of video frames to a plurality of low resolution video frames, wherein each of the plurality of low resolution video frames has a size that is the same as the pixel size of the plurality of video frames, and wherein each of the plurality of low resolution video frames comprises one of the plurality of video frames at a fraction of the pixel size and a single color in the area outside of the one of the plurality of video frames at the fraction of the pixel size, and encoding the plurality of low resolution video frames; transmitting the video in the protected form to the customer device, wherein the customer device is configured to; record the video in the protected form in which it is transmitted, decode the encoded plurality of low resolution video frames, increase the size of the decoded plurality of video frames from the fraction of the pixel size to the pixel size, and output the video for playback at the pixel size; receiving video playback information from the customer device at a central controller system; and billing for output of the video for playback at the pixel size by the customer device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for receiving a video at a customer location, the system comprising:
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a receiver at the customer location configured to receive the video in a protected form, wherein the video comprises a plurality of video frames at a pixel size defined by a first number of horizontal pixels and a second number of vertical pixels, wherein converting the video to a protected form comprises; converting the plurality of video frames to a plurality of low resolution video frames, wherein each of the plurality of low resolution video frames has a size that is the same as the pixel size of the plurality of video frames, and wherein each of the plurality of low resolution video frames comprises one of the plurality of video frames at a fraction of the pixel size and a single color in the area outside of the one of the plurality of video frames at the fraction of the pixel size, and encoding the plurality of low resolution video frames; a digital recording device configured to store the video in the protected form; a decoder configured to decode the plurality of low resolution video frames; an image enhancer configured to increase the size of the decoded plurality of video frames from the fraction of the pixel size to the pixel size; an output configured to output the video for play back at the pixel size; and a communications mechanism configured to communicate with a central controller system to verify to the controller system that the video has been outputted for play back. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of converting a video to a protected form, wherein the video comprises a plurality of video frames at a pixel size defined by a first number of horizontal pixels and a second number of vertical pixels, the method comprising:
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converting, by one or more computing devices, the plurality of video frames to a plurality of low resolution video frames, wherein each of the plurality of low resolution video frames has a size that is the same as the pixel size of the plurality of video frames, and wherein each of the plurality of low resolution video frames comprises one of the plurality of video frames at a fraction of the pixel size and a single color in the area outside of the one of the plurality of video frames at the fraction of the pixel size; and encoding, by the one or more computing devices, the plurality of low resolution video frames. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification