US6314575B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telecasting service for providing video programs on demand with an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs
Assignee: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-04
•
Granted: 2001-11-06
•
Expires: 2017-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A telecasting service is provided that offers video programs upon viewer demand, and which includes an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs. The interactive interface allows the viewer to scan through a list of video programs available on the demand telecasting service. The interactive interface also provides the viewer with still images, full-motion previews, and textual descriptions of the available programs. The demand telecasting service distinguishes subscribers from non-subscribers, and provides an interactive facility for allowing non-subscribers to subscribe to the system.
Inventors
- 👤 John K. Billock
- 👤 Craig D. Cuttner
- 👤 Kevin C. Dowdell
- 👤 Elizabeth B. Flanagan
- 👤 James E. Granger
- 👤 Henry C. Hsu
- 👤 Robert I. M. Martin
- 👤 Robert May
- 👤 Nicolas Peck
- 👤 Michael S. Pontecorvo
- 👤 Bruce E. Probst
- 👤 Marc D. Rosenberg
- 👤 Debra R. Smul
- 👤 Dennis P. Wilkinson
- 👤 Robert M. Zitter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/47202; H04N21/482; H04N21/80; H04N21/85; H04N21/854; H04N21/8549; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; H04N7/17336; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A machine-readable data storage medium encoded with a set of machine-executable instructions for performing a method of facilitating selection by users of programming available through an interactive video-on-demand service for display on a display unit, said programming including a plurality of full-length programs and a plurality of previews corresponding respectively to said plurality of full-length programs, said users including subscribers and non-subscribers of said service, said method comprising: displaying a list of said plurality of full-length programs available for selection, said list available to subscribers and non-subscribers; displaying a preview of a full-length program, said preview available to subscribers and non-subscribers; and displaying a selected full-length program, said selected full-length program available only to subscribers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A machine-readable data storage medium encoded with a set of machine-executable instructions for performing a method of facilitating selection by users of programming available through an interactive video-on-demand service for display on a display unit, said programming including a plurality of full-length programs and a plurality of previews corresponding respectively to said plurality of full-length programs, said users including subscribers and non-subscribers of said service, said method comprising: displaying a list of said plurality of full-length programs available for selection, said list available to subscribers and non-subscribers; displaying a preview of a full-length program, said preview available to subscribers and non-subscribers; and displaying a selected full-length program, said selected full-length program available only to subscribers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The machine-readable data storage medium of claim 1 wherein said method, as encoded, further comprises displaying textual information corresponding to a full-length program, said information available to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The machine-readable data storage medium of claim 2 wherein said method, as encoded, further comprises initiating said displaying of a selected full-length program for a subscriber while said subscriber is displaying one of said list, said preview, and said information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The machine-readable data storage medium of claim 2 wherein said method, as encoded, further comprises moving to any one of said displaying a list, a preview, and textual information from any other one of said displaying a list, a preview, and textual information, said moving available to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The machine-readable data storage medium of claim 1 wherein said method, as encoded, further comprises soliciting a non-subscriber to become a subscriber substantially immediately after said non-subscriber attempts to display a full-length program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The machine-readable data storage medium of claim 1 wherein said method, as encoded, further comprises informing a non-subscriber whether said non-subscriber's subscription request has been accepted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine-readable data storage medium of claim 1 wherein said method, as encoded, further comprises scrolling through programs in said list.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
A subscription video system that facilitates selection of programming by users for display on a display unit, said programming including full-length programs and previews of said full-length programs, said users including subscribers and non-subscribers of a video-on-demand service, said system comprising: a user input device that allows users to input selections of programming available in said subscription video system, said input device comprising at least one actuator operable by a user; and a computer processor that receives said selections from said users, said processor determining whether a selection is from a subscriber or a non-subscriber, wherein said processor: allows display of previews of programs selected by subscribers and non-subscribers; allows display of full-length programs selected by subscribers; and prevents display of full-length programs selected by non-subscribers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
A subscription video system that facilitates selection of programming by users for display on a display unit, said programming including full-length programs and previews of said full-length programs, said users including subscribers and non-subscribers of a video-on-demand service, said system comprising: a user input device that allows users to input selections of programming available in said subscription video system, said input device comprising at least one actuator operable by a user; and a computer processor that receives said selections from said users, said processor determining whether a selection is from a subscriber or a non-subscriber, wherein said processor: allows display of previews of programs selected by subscribers and non-subscribers; allows display of full-length programs selected by subscribers; and prevents display of full-length programs selected by non-subscribers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein, substantially immediately after preventing display of a full-length program selected by a non-subscriber, said processor solicits said non-subscriber to become a subscriber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said processor further allows a non-subscriber to become substantially immediately a subscriber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said processor further allows a plurality of selectable lists of said full-length programs to be displayed to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said processor further allows a still image corresponding to a full-length program to be displayed to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said processor further allows a textual description corresponding to a full-length program to be displayed to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
94 words
A program selection system for interactive selection of programming by subscribers and non-subscribers of a video-on-demand service for display on a display unit, said programming including full-length programs and previews of said full-length programs, said system comprising: means for providing at least one program selection menu for subscribers and non-subscribers; means for receiving program selections from subscribers and non-subscribers; means for allowing display of previews of full-length programs selected by subscribers and non-subscribers; means for allowing display of full-length programs selected by subscribers; and means for preventing display of full-length programs selected by non-subscribers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
A program selection system for interactive selection of programming by subscribers and non-subscribers of a video-on-demand service for display on a display unit, said programming including full-length programs and previews of said full-length programs, said system comprising: means for providing at least one program selection menu for subscribers and non-subscribers; means for receiving program selections from subscribers and non-subscribers; means for allowing display of previews of full-length programs selected by subscribers and non-subscribers; means for allowing display of full-length programs selected by subscribers; and means for preventing display of full-length programs selected by non-subscribers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 14 further comprising means for assigning each subscriber a unique identifier for determining whether to display a selected full-length program.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 15 further comprising: means for receiving an identifier; and means for determining whether said identifier corresponds to a subscriber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 14 further comprising means for notifying a non-subscriber substantially immediately after selection of a full-length program by said non-subscriber that display of said full-length programs is for subscribers only.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 14 further comprising means for soliciting a non-subscriber to become a subscriber substantially immediately after selection of a full-length program by said non-subscriber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 18 further comprising: means for processing substantially immediately a request by said non-subscriber to become a subscriber; and means for notifying said non-subscriber substantially immediately after said processing whether said request was accepted.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said means for providing at least one program selection menu comprises means for displaying a list of full-length programs available for selection.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said means for providing at least one program selection menu further comprises means for scrolling through said list of full-length programs.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said means for providing at least one program selection menu further comprises means for displaying a still image corresponding to a full-length program on said list.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said means for providing at least one program selection menu further comprises means for displaying textual information corresponding to a full-length program on said list.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 14 wherein each said full-length program is categorized into at least one of a plurality of program categories and means for providing at least one program selection menu comprises means for providing a plurality of program selection menus corresponding respectively to said plurality of program categories, each one of said plurality of program selection menus displaying a list of categorized full-length programs.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said means for providing a plurality of program selection menus further comprises means for selecting other ones of said plurality of program selection menus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said means for providing at least one program selection menu comprises: means for providing a list mode; means for providing an information mode; and means for providing a preview mode.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said means for providing at least one program selection menu further comprises means for initiating display of a full-length program for a subscriber from any one of said list, said information, and said preview modes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said means for providing at least one program selection menu further comprises means for moving to any one of said list, said information, and said preview modes from any other one of said list, said information, and said preview modes, said means for moving available to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of facilitating selection by users of programming available through an interactive video-on-demand service for display on a display unit, said programming including a plurality of full-length programs and a plurality of previews corresponding respectively to said plurality of full-length programs, said users including subscribers and non-subscribers of said service, said method comprising: displaying a list of said plurality of full-length programs available for selection, said list available to subscribers and non-subscribers; displaying a preview of a full-length program, said preview available to subscribers and non-subscribers; and displaying a user-selected full-length program, said user-selected full-length program available only to subscribers.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of facilitating selection by users of programming available through an interactive video-on-demand service for display on a display unit, said programming including a plurality of full-length programs and a plurality of previews corresponding respectively to said plurality of full-length programs, said users including subscribers and non-subscribers of said service, said method comprising: displaying a list of said plurality of full-length programs available for selection, said list available to subscribers and non-subscribers; displaying a preview of a full-length program, said preview available to subscribers and non-subscribers; and displaying a user-selected full-length program, said user-selected full-length program available only to subscribers.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising displaying textual information corresponding to a full-length program, said information available to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 30 further comprising initiating said displaying of a user-selected full-length program for a subscriber while said subscriber is displaying any one of said list, said preview, and said information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 30 further comprising moving to any one of said displaying a list, a preview, and textual information from any other one of said displaying a list, a preview, and textual information by subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising soliciting a non-subscriber to become a subscriber substantially immediately after said non-subscriber attempts to display a full-length program.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising informing a non-subscriber whether said non-subscriber's subscription request has been accepted.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising scrolling through programs in said list.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of facilitating selection of programming by users for display on a display unit, said programming including full-length programs and previews of said full-length programs, said users including subscribers and non-subscribers of a video-on-demand service, said method comprising: allowing users to input selections of said programming; receiving said selections from said users; determining whether a selection is from a subscriber or a non-subscriber; allowing display of previews of programs selected by subscribers and non-subscribers; allowing display of full-length programs selected by subscribers; and preventing display of full-length programs selected by non-subscribers.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of facilitating selection of programming by users for display on a display unit, said programming including full-length programs and previews of said full-length programs, said users including subscribers and non-subscribers of a video-on-demand service, said method comprising: allowing users to input selections of said programming; receiving said selections from said users; determining whether a selection is from a subscriber or a non-subscriber; allowing display of previews of programs selected by subscribers and non-subscribers; allowing display of full-length programs selected by subscribers; and preventing display of full-length programs selected by non-subscribers.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising soliciting a non-subscriber to become a subscriber substantially immediately after preventing display of a full-length program selected by said non-subscriber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising allowing a non-subscriber to become substantially immediately a subscriber.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising allowing a plurality of selectable lists of said full-length programs to be displayed to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising allowing a still image corresponding to a full-length program to be displayed to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising allowing a textual description corresponding to a full-length program to be displayed to subscribers and non-subscribers.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of interactively selecting programming by subscribers and non-subscribers of a video-on-demand service for display on a display unit, said programming including full-length programs and previews of said full-length programs, said method comprising: providing at least one program selection menu for subscribers and non-subscribers; receiving program selections from subscribers and non-subscribers; allowing display of previews of full-length programs selected by subscribers and non-subscribers; allowing display of full-length programs selected by subscribers; and preventing display of full-length programs selected by non-subscribers.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of interactively selecting programming by subscribers and non-subscribers of a video-on-demand service for display on a display unit, said programming including full-length programs and previews of said full-length programs, said method comprising: providing at least one program selection menu for subscribers and non-subscribers; receiving program selections from subscribers and non-subscribers; allowing display of previews of full-length programs selected by subscribers and non-subscribers; allowing display of full-length programs selected by subscribers; and preventing display of full-length programs selected by non-subscribers.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising assigning each subscriber a unique identifier for determining whether to display a selected full-length program.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 43 wherein said receiving program selections further comprises: receiving an identifier; and determining whether said identifier corresponds to a subscriber.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising notifying a non-subscriber substantially immediately after selection of a full-length program by said non-subscriber that display of said full-length programs is for subscribers only.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising soliciting a non-subscriber to become a subscriber substantially immediately after selection of a full-length program by said non-subscriber.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 46 further comprising: processing substantially immediately a request by said non-subscriber to become a subscriber; and notifying said non-subscriber substantially immediately after said processing whether said request was accepted.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said providing at least one program selection menu comprises displaying a list of full-length programs available for selection.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 48 wherein said providing at least one program selection menu further comprises providing at least one actuator for scrolling through said list of full-length programs.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 48 wherein said providing at least one program selection menu further comprises displaying a still image corresponding to a full-length program on said list.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 48 wherein said providing at least one program selection menu further comprises displaying textual information corresponding to a full-length program on said list.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said providing at least one program selection menu comprises: categorizing each said full-length program into at least one of a plurality of program categories; and providing a plurality of program selection menus corresponding respectively to said plurality of program categories, each one of said plurality of program selection menus displaying a list of categorized full-length programs.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 52 wherein said providing a plurality of program selection menus further comprises providing at least one category actuator for selecting other ones of said plurality of program selection menus.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said providing at least one program selection menu comprises: providing a list mode; providing an information mode; and providing a preview mode.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 54 further comprising initiating display of a full-length program for a subscriber from any one of said list, said information, and said preview modes.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 54 further comprising moving to any one of said list, said information, and said preview modes from any other one of said list, said information, and said preview modes by subscribers and non-subscribers.
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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) | 2004-11-05 | 2005-05-07 | 2005-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-05 | 2009-05-07 | 2009-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-05 | 2013-05-07 | 2013-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |