US5654747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intelligent multimedia set-top control method and apparatus in which billing signals are communicated to an information network upon presentation of downloaded media programs
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1994-12-29
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Granted: 1997-08-05
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Expires: 2014-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for effectuating the reception and local storage of source information signals representative of a media program transmitted from a source information network preferably over a cable television channel on a pay-per-view basis is disclosed. A local intelligent set-top control unit communicates with a remote information network and a local storage device to coordinate the transmission of customer ordered media programs from the information network for storage on the local storage device. The local storage device is preferably a standard video cassette recorder (VCR) providing full VCR control functionality when presenting a stored media program on a television. A digital or optical data storage disk drive system may alternatively be employed to store source information signals downloaded from the remote information network. The intelligent set-top control unit communicates a pay-per-view billing signal to the information network upon playing of a downloaded media program, and provides protection against unauthorized copying. In an alternative configuration, a set-top control card is installed into a host computer system to coordinate the reception and local storage of downloaded media programs, and preferably provides a platform for interfacing with other home communication and electronic systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Hal Hjalmar Ottesen
- 👤 Gordon J. Smith
- 👤 George Willard VanLeeuwen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/10; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17363
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for communicating on a pay-per-view basis multimedia programs from a source information network to a local set-top control means having local storage means, the communication method comprising the steps of: providing a source information network selection menu of at least one media program; communicating to the source information network a readiness control signal indicating local storage means readiness to receive a media program; transmitting the media program to the local set-top control means; storing the transmitted media program on the local storage means; and communicating to the source information network a billing signal in response to presentation of the stored media program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for communicating on a pay-per-view basis multimedia programs from a source information network to a local set-top control means having local storage means, the communication method comprising the steps of: providing a source information network selection menu of at least one media program; communicating to the source information network a readiness control signal indicating local storage means readiness to receive a media program; transmitting the media program to the local set-top control means; storing the transmitted media program on the local storage means; and communicating to the source information network a billing signal in response to presentation of the stored media program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of controlling the presentation of the stored media program.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of storing the media program includes the step of modulating an information signal of the transmitted media program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
A multimedia communication system comprising: a source information system for distributing source information signals; a local control system for communicating with the source information system over a communication channel; a local storage device for storing source information signals received from the source information system; and local monitoring means for communicating a billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals; wherein the local control system communicates with the source information system to coordinate transmission of the source information signals between the source information system and the local storage device, and to communicate the billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
A multimedia communication system comprising: a source information system for distributing source information signals; a local control system for communicating with the source information system over a communication channel; a local storage device for storing source information signals received from the source information system; and local monitoring means for communicating a billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals; wherein the local control system communicates with the source information system to coordinate transmission of the source information signals between the source information system and the local storage device, and to communicate the billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the source information system comprises menu selection means for providing selection of a media program from a plurality of media programs stored in the source information system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the local storage device comprises a data storage system having at least one data storage disk.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein: the local storage device comprises a video cassette recorder/player; and the local control system comprises means for controlling the video cassette recorder/player.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for controlling the video cassette recorder/player comprises an infrared transmitter for transmitting control signals between the local control system and an infrared detector disposed on the video cassette recorder/player.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the local control system comprises a local control card adapted for installation in a host computer system; and the local storage device comprises a data storage system having at least one data storage disk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
A local information control system adapted for communicating with a separate local storage device and a remotely located source information system over a television communication channel, the local information control system comprising: a controller for communicating with the source information system; a storage device interface for communicating between the controller and the local storage device source information signals received from the source information system; and monitoring circuitry for communicating a billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals; wherein the controller communicates with the source information system to coordinate transmission of the source information signals between the source information system and the local storage device, and communicates the billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
A local information control system adapted for communicating with a separate local storage device and a remotely located source information system over a television communication channel, the local information control system comprising: a controller for communicating with the source information system; a storage device interface for communicating between the controller and the local storage device source information signals received from the source information system; and monitoring circuitry for communicating a billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals; wherein the controller communicates with the source information system to coordinate transmission of the source information signals between the source information system and the local storage device, and communicates the billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controller produces a local readiness control signal indicative of controller readiness to receive the source information signals from the source information system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controller produces a local status control signal to the source information system indicative of the status of the local storage device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the local storage device comprises a video cassette recorder/player.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the local storage device comprises a data storage system having at least one data storage disk.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the local storage device comprises a video cassette recorder/player; and the controller comprises means for controlling the video cassette recorder/player.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the controller comprises a local control card adapted for installation in a host computer system; and the local storage device comprises a data storage system having at least one data storage disk.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
112 words
A local information control system adapted for communicating with a remotely located source information system over a television communication channel comprising: local control means for communicating with the source information system; local storage means for storing source information signals received from the source information system; and local monitoring means for communicating a billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals; wherein the local control means communicates with the source information system to coordinate transmission of the source information signals between the source information system and the local storage means, and communicates the billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
112 words
A local information control system adapted for communicating with a remotely located source information system over a television communication channel comprising: local control means for communicating with the source information system; local storage means for storing source information signals received from the source information system; and local monitoring means for communicating a billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals; wherein the local control means communicates with the source information system to coordinate transmission of the source information signals between the source information system and the local storage means, and communicates the billing signal to the source information system upon presentation of the stored information signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the source information signals are representative of a source media program comprising at least one of a video signal portion, an audio signal portion, and a multiplexed video and audio signal portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local control means comprises means for communicating a local readiness control signal to the source information system indicative of local control means readiness to receive the source information signals from the source information system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local control means comprises means for communicating a local status control signal to the source information system indicative of the status of the local storage means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local control means comprises means for modulating the received source information signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the source information signals comprise a source control signal, and the local control means comprises means for configuring the local storage means for storing the source information signals in response to the source control signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local storage means comprises a video cassette recorder/player for storing the source information signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local storage means comprises a data storage system having at least one data storage disk for storing the source information signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein: the local storage means comprises a video cassette recorder/player; and the local control means comprises means for controlling the video cassette recorder/player.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the means for controlling the video cassette recorder/player comprises an infrared transmitter for transmitting control signals between the local control means and an infrared detector disposed on the video cassette recorder/player.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein: the local control means comprises a local control card adapted for installation in a host computer system; and the local storage means comprises a data storage system having at least one data storage disk for storing the source information signals.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local information control system further comprises interface means for communicating audio and video signals over a telephone communication line.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the local information control system further comprises interface means for communicating with a local information system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-04 | 2001-02-03 | 2001-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-04 | 2005-02-03 | 2005-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-04 | 2009-02-03 | 2009-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |