Methods and apparatus for providing virtual content over a network
First Claim
1. A network server apparatus, comprising:
- a processor;
a storage device in data communication with said processor;
a network interface in data communication with said processor, said network interface being configured to at least transmit content via a network; and
at least one computer program operative to run on said network server apparatus, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to when executed by said processor, cause said network server apparatus to;
receive from a user a selection of at least one content for purchase;
store a version of said at least one content at a storage location accessible by said network server apparatus;
associate said user with said stored version of said at least one content;
receive updated data associated to said at least one content;
store said updated data at said storage location;
associate a version of said updated data with said user and said stored version of said at least one content; and
selectively deliver said version of said at least one content and said version of said updated data to said user over 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.
575 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A network server apparatus, comprising:
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a processor; a storage device in data communication with said processor; a network interface in data communication with said processor, said network interface being configured to at least transmit content via a network; and at least one computer program operative to run on said network server apparatus, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to when executed by said processor, cause said network server apparatus to; receive from a user a selection of at least one content for purchase; store a version of said at least one content at a storage location accessible by said network server apparatus; associate said user with said stored version of said at least one content; receive updated data associated to said at least one content; store said updated data at said storage location; associate a version of said updated data with said user and said stored version of said at least one content; and selectively deliver said version of said at least one content and said version of said updated data to said user over said network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A network headend content storage and distribution apparatus for use in a content delivery network, comprising:
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a processor; a storage device configured to store content, said storage device in data communication with said processor; a network interface in data communication with said processor, said network interface being configured to at least transmit said content via said content delivery network; and at least one computer program operative to run on said processor, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to when executed by said processor, cause said network headend content storage and distribution apparatus to; receive at least one selection of said content from a user; receive at least information configured to enable purchase of said content by said user; in response to a receipt of one or more modifications to said content by said user, generating a data file indicating only said one or more modifications; associate at least said user with a first copy of said content and said data file; and selectively deliver said first copy of said content and said data file to at least said user over said content delivery network; wherein said network headend content storage and distribution apparatus is disposed at a network headend, yet controlled by a customer of said content delivery network. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of delivering content via a network, comprising:
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receiving from a user a selection of at least one content for purchase; storing a version of said at least one content at a storage location accessible by a network server apparatus; associating said user with said stored version of said at least one content; receiving updated data associated to said at least one content; storing said updated data at said storage location; associating a version of said updated data with said user and said stored version of said at least one content; and selectively delivering said version of said at least one content and said version of said updated data to said user over said network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for provisioning content, comprising:
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receiving at least one selection of a content from a user; receiving at least information configured to enable purchase of said content by said user; in response to a receipt of one or more modifications to said content by said user, generating a data file indicating only said one or more modifications; associating at least said user with a first copy of said content and said data file; and selectively delivering said first copy of said content and said data file to at least said user over a content delivery network; wherein said provisioning of purchased content is controlled by a customer of said content delivery network. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification