Claims
- 1. A method for providing a stored program to a user for playback, the method comprising steps of:
receiving a program selection from the user; requesting the stored program corresponding to the program selection; providing the stored program to the user whereby viewing may occur; and determining if the user is authorized to view the stored program after the providing step whereby the user may view the stored program before authorization is determined.
- 2. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of interrupting the providing step where the user is not authorized to view the stored program.
- 3. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of temporally manipulating the playback of the stored program.
- 4. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 3, wherein the temporal manipulation is chosen from the group consisting of: pause, fast-forward, rewind, variable speed fast-forward, variable speed rewind, slow motion, single frame advance, single frame reverse, stop, skip to the beginning, skip to the closing credits, skip to the previous chapter, skip to the next chapter, go to a program menu, skip forward a first predetermined number of seconds, and skip back a second predetermined number of seconds.
- 5. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising steps of:
receiving an indication from the user, wherein the indication signifies that the user wishes to view the stored program from a predetermined point chosen from a group consisting of: a beginning of the stored program, closing credits of the stored program, a previous chapter, a next chapter, a program menu, a first point a first predetermined number of seconds forward, a second point a second predetermined number of seconds in reverse; and providing the stored program from the predetermined point.
- 6. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising steps of:
determining that the user is not currently authorized; and soliciting the user for consideration before authorizing the user to view any additional amount of the stored program.
- 7. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 6, wherein the consideration is one of: monetary consideration, authorization to present advertisement to the user, and authorization to use personal information of the user.
- 8. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of suggesting alternative programs to the user when viewing of the stored program is not authorized or is otherwise unavailable.
- 9. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of returning the user to a view of a linearly scheduled version of the stored program if viewing of the stored program is not authorized.
- 10. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of presenting an advertisement to the user if viewing of the stored program is not authorized, wherein the advertisement may or may not be associated with a content provider associated with the stored program.
- 11. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising steps of:
determining that authorization has not occurred within a predetermined time period; and interrupting delivery of the stored program based, at least in part, on the immediately-preceding determining step.
- 12. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of delaying the determining step for a predetermined period of time, whereby unauthorized users can preview the stored program.
- 13. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, wherein the stored program is a video or audio program.
- 14. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, wherein the providing step includes sending the stored program through a multicast, single cast, broadcast, packet-switched or circuit-switched-network.
- 15. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying a notification symbol, whereby the user can determine that temporal manipulation is possible.
- 16. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises a step of determining if the user is a club member, wherein:
the club membership authorizes temporal manipulation of a plurality of programs, and the plurality of programs comprises the stored program.
- 17. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of sending a linear program, corresponding to the stored program, to the user in a linear schedule that includes a plurality of programs, wherein program selection indicates a temporal manipulation of the stored program.
- 18. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the computer-implementable method for providing the stored program to the user for playback of claim 1.
- 19. A method for providing a stored program to a user for playback, the method comprising steps of:
receiving a program selection from the user; initiating retrieval of the stored program corresponding to the program selection; initiating an authorization check for the stored program; providing the stored program to the user whereby viewing may occur; and determining if the user is authorized to view the stored program after the providing step whereby the user may view the stored program before authorization is determined.
- 20. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 19, wherein the second-listed initiating step is performed before the first-listed initiating step.
- 21. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 19, wherein the receiving step comprises a step of detecting a temporal manipulation of the stored program that is being watched from the linear schedule.
- 22. The method for providing the stored program to the user for playback as recited in claim 19, further comprising a step of limiting the number of previews or a cumulative preview time where at least one authorization attempt failed.
- 23. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the computer-implementable method for providing the stored program to the user for playback of claim 19.
- 24. A method for providing a stored program to a user for playback, the method comprising steps of:
receiving a temporal manipulation request from the user for a linearly-scheduled program; initiating retrieval of the stored program corresponding to the linearly-scheduled program; initiating an authorization check for the stored program; providing the stored program to the user whereby viewing may occur; and determining if the user is authorized to view the stored program after the providing step whereby the user may view the stored program before authorization is determined.
- 25. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the computer-implementable method for providing the stored program to the user for playback of claim 24.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Application Serial No. 60/368,646 filed on Mar. 29, 2002, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60368646 |
Mar 2002 |
US |