System and method for facilitating the home viewing of first-run movies

• US 8,768,758 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeff Chow
• Original Assignee: Jeff Chow
• Inventors: Chow, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): Hamilton, Matthew L
• Application Number:
  US12/581,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20110093319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14
• US Class Current: 705/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0213 Consumer transaction fees
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2223 being a public access point, e.g. for downloading to or uploading from clients arrangements specially adapted to plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63
• 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 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content 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 21/835 Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed

Abstract

The home viewing of movies currently being shown in one or more theaters is facilitated. Facilitating home viewing of first-run, feature length movies may increase the amount of money earned during the theatre run of the movies. For example, this may enable users that would not be able to view movies in the theatre, and/or that would not be willing to view at least some of the movies in the theatre, to purchase the ability to view the movies.

Claims

1. A system configured to facilitate home viewing of first-run movies that are currently being shown in one or more movie theatres, the system comprising:

a kiosk comprising a processor and a user interface, wherein the kiosk is configured to removably connect to a player device, the player device being associated with a user, wherein the kiosk is further configured to receive from the user, through the user interface, a selection of a first-run movie, the first-run movie being currently shown in one or more movie theatres;

wherein the kiosk is further configured to obtain payment for provision of one or more movie video files, wherein the one or more movie video files are associated with the selected first-run movie;

wherein the kiosk is further configured to electronically transfer the one or more movie video files to the player device responsive to obtaining the payment; and

wherein the kiosk is further configured such that responsive to obtaining the payment, the kiosk issues an incentive to the user that enables the user to obtain a ticket to view the selected first-run movie in a movie theatre at a reduced price.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the reduced price is free.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the kiosk further comprises a reader configured to read user information associated with the user from an electronically readable medium presented by the user;

and

wherein the kiosk is further configured to restrict first-run movies from availability for user selection through the user interface as the selected first-run movie based on the user information.

4. A method of facilitating home viewing of first-run movies that are currently being shown in one or more movie theatres, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of first-run movies currently being shown in one or more theatres to electronic storage associated with a kiosk;

receiving, by the kiosk, a removable connection at the kiosk with a player device;

receiving, by the kiosk, a selection by a user of a first-run movie, wherein the selected first-run movie is currently being shown in one or more movie theatres;

obtaining, by the kiosk, payment for provision of one or more movie video files, wherein the one or more movie video files are associated with the selected first-run movie;

responsive to obtaining the payment;

determining, by the kiosk, that the one or more movie video files should be transferred to the player device;

transferring the one or more movie video files from the kiosk to the player device, thereby enabling the user to view the selected first-run movie via the player device; and

issuing an incentive to the user that enables the user to obtain a ticket to view the selected first-run movie in a movie theatre at a reduced price.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the reduced price is free.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

reading, by the kiosk, from an electronically readable medium presented by the user, user information associated with the user; and

restricting first-run movies from availability for user selection through user interface based on the user information.