CA2288922A1 - Multimedia subscriber system - Google Patents
Multimedia subscriber system Download PDFInfo
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- CA2288922A1 CA2288922A1 CA002288922A CA2288922A CA2288922A1 CA 2288922 A1 CA2288922 A1 CA 2288922A1 CA 002288922 A CA002288922 A CA 002288922A CA 2288922 A CA2288922 A CA 2288922A CA 2288922 A1 CA2288922 A1 CA 2288922A1
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- Prior art keywords
- multimedia
- data
- subscriber
- fact
- storage medium
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
- H04N21/4331—Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/254—Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server
- H04N21/2543—Billing, e.g. for subscription services
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
- H04N21/25808—Management of client data
- H04N21/25833—Management of client data involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
- H04N21/4335—Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
- H04N21/47202—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
- H04N21/47805—Electronic banking
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client
- H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
- H04N21/654—Transmission by server directed to the client
- H04N21/6543—Transmission by server directed to the client for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
- H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
- H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
- H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- Computer Graphics (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
- Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
- Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a multimedia subscriber system in which a service provider provides several subscribers with multimedia data, and in which a unit encompassing at least one storage medium is allocated to the subscribers, wherein the service provider transmits new multimedia data to the units of the subscribers continuously or at predetermined intervals, wherein the multimedia data to be newly stored replace the data previously stored in the storage medium, at least in part.
Description
MULTIMEDIA SUBSCRIBER SYSTEM
The invention relates to a multimedia subscriber systems according to the introductory clause of claim 1.
A generic subscriber system is known from US 5,619,247.
In this system, each subscriber has a larger on-site memory connected with a cable box or tuner, which in turn are hooked up with the cable terminal, and with a contz:oller that controls the recording and playing of data stored in the mass storage unit, and is in turn hooked up with a service provided by a communication channel. A video recorder or television can be connected to the cable box.
The subscriber can select certain programs in advance, after which the corresponding data are made available by the provider via the cable and stored in the storage medium. The subscriber does not incur any charges for storage or downloading. The subscriber only pays a fee when he views or otherwise processes specific stored data. In this system, the subscriber is responsible for making enough storage space available in the storage medium for the data to be downloaded by manually deleting already saved data before requesting new data, or releasing these data for deletion in another way not described. This process requires a considerable outlay of time by the subscriber.
The object of this invention is to provide a multimedia subscriber system in which the subscriber does not have to thin about how much storage space is still available.
This object is achieved according to the invention by the service provider transmitting new multimedia data to the units of all subscribers continuously or at predetermined intervals, wherein the units replace the data previously stored in the storage medium with the new multimedia data, at least in part.
The advantage to the subscriber system according to the invention is that each subscriber now has a unit that monitors the storage of newly arriving data, and automatically overwrites or deletes old data as required.
Old data are deleted or partially overwritten only in cases when the newly arriving data do not have enough storage space in the storage medium, or at the command of the service provider.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the service provider provides movies to the subscriber on a monthly or weekly basis. The service provider transmits one movie after the other to the storage medium of all subscribers.
However, all movies can also be simultaneously transmitted in a multiplexing procedure. In this case, the movies already made available to the subscriber beforehand during the week, month or any variably determinable time interval are directly overplayed, so that, after the transmission, the subscriber has stored a new selection of movies directly on his storage medium that can be called immediately.
The invention relates to a multimedia subscriber systems according to the introductory clause of claim 1.
A generic subscriber system is known from US 5,619,247.
In this system, each subscriber has a larger on-site memory connected with a cable box or tuner, which in turn are hooked up with the cable terminal, and with a contz:oller that controls the recording and playing of data stored in the mass storage unit, and is in turn hooked up with a service provided by a communication channel. A video recorder or television can be connected to the cable box.
The subscriber can select certain programs in advance, after which the corresponding data are made available by the provider via the cable and stored in the storage medium. The subscriber does not incur any charges for storage or downloading. The subscriber only pays a fee when he views or otherwise processes specific stored data. In this system, the subscriber is responsible for making enough storage space available in the storage medium for the data to be downloaded by manually deleting already saved data before requesting new data, or releasing these data for deletion in another way not described. This process requires a considerable outlay of time by the subscriber.
The object of this invention is to provide a multimedia subscriber system in which the subscriber does not have to thin about how much storage space is still available.
This object is achieved according to the invention by the service provider transmitting new multimedia data to the units of all subscribers continuously or at predetermined intervals, wherein the units replace the data previously stored in the storage medium with the new multimedia data, at least in part.
The advantage to the subscriber system according to the invention is that each subscriber now has a unit that monitors the storage of newly arriving data, and automatically overwrites or deletes old data as required.
Old data are deleted or partially overwritten only in cases when the newly arriving data do not have enough storage space in the storage medium, or at the command of the service provider.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the service provider provides movies to the subscriber on a monthly or weekly basis. The service provider transmits one movie after the other to the storage medium of all subscribers.
However, all movies can also be simultaneously transmitted in a multiplexing procedure. In this case, the movies already made available to the subscriber beforehand during the week, month or any variably determinable time interval are directly overplayed, so that, after the transmission, the subscriber has stored a new selection of movies directly on his storage medium that can be called immediately.
In another advantageous embodiment of this system, the space in the storage medium can be divided into two, in particular identical-sized storage areas, wherein both areas are alternatively filled with the multimedia data of the new cycle, while the data from the last subscriber cycle remain stored in the other storage area. This ensures that the subscriber can still access all data of the previous cycle during transmission of the new multimedia data, so that no time windows come about in which the subscriber cannot call up multimedia data, such as television films.
It is possible to use specific control commands sent to subscriber units by the service provider via the transmission medium in order to program the units in such a way that a completely transmitted movie or music title can be directly accessed. If the data are transmitted by the service provider to the subscriber in real time, the subscriber can also be enabled or permitted to call or reproduce the data during transmission.
In another, also advantageous embodiment of the system, the individual subscriber can select actively determined data services, such as films, software, information, etc., or preferences for film types, e.g., westerns, whodunits or comedies, after which the corresponding movies, music titles and/or software programs selected from among the multimedia data or data services transmitted by the service provider for the new cycle can be selectively stored on the storage medium by the unit of the subscriber. This makes it possible to greatly expand the range of available programs for various multimedia data from the service provider side, while the storage media installed at the subscriber need not be unnecessarily large, i.e., must be dimensioned for all data made available during a subscriber cycle.
' ' CA 02288922 1999-11-04 _ q _ The service provider can code and/or compress the individual multimedia data before sending them to the subscriber, so that they are then filed in the storage medium after either decoded or coded and/or compressed or decompressed. However, to prevent the subscriber from gaining unauthorized access to the multimedia data in the storage medium without paying the corresponding fee, it is best that the data be coded, and in particular compressed, when stored.
T-~ ensure that the data are completely and correctly filed in the storage medium, it is advantageous to transmit the multimedia data in a subscriber cycle two consecutive times, so that errors can be corrected given a unidirectional data transmission circuit. When a bi-directional transmission medium like the Internet is used to transmit multimedia data from the service provider to the subscriber, conventional error correction procedures can be used, wherein the individual units can again request the corresponding data, in particular those sent in packets, given a faulty transmission.
In another advantageous embodiment of the subscriber systems according to the invention, various categories of subscribers are provided, so that the service provider offers various rate plans, with the various rate plans being tied to various program ranges.
In each case, it is advantageous if the service provider can individually program the units of the individual subscribers via the used transmission medium for the aforementioned systems, wherein each subscriber or his unit has an identification number. For example, the rate plan in the unit of a subscriber must be reset by the service provider at the unit of the subscriber via the transmission medium, so that the unit can from that point on store the data of the new rate plan. In this case, the unit recognizes the multimedia data provided with the code, and will store the latter in the storage medium if they are covered under the rate plan ordered by the subscriber, unless the subscriber has precluded storage of the relevant multimedia data via preselection.
w CA 02288922 1999-11-04 In a special embodiment of the invention, the subscriber cannot preselect certain multimedia data or types of multimedia data. In this case, all data of a subscriber cycle are completely replaced by the new data of the new subscriber cycle.
In addition to the rate group codes, if even used, the multimedia data can be provided with other codes. For example, each television movie can be preceded by a data packet that holds the charge, type and/or other move-related data, such as length of the movie or size of movie to be transmitted in kilo- or megabytes.
The subscriber can also view the multimedia data stored in the storage medium, which are also called "events", by means of an overview, e.g., a table of contents displayable on the connected TV set, a connected computer or additional monitor. This overview enables the subscriber to select directly determined multimedia data via suitable input media, e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen or conventional remote control, and, for example, view a brief snippet free of charge. Only after the subscriber has actually called the corresponding TV film or music title to play it must he pay the corresponding fee to the service provider. The display of storage medium contents can also be enhanced to describe the stored multimedia data to whatever level of detail desired. For example, a short text might be additionally attached to the multimedia data, e.g., audio-video data, which is displayed to the subscriber at no charge. In addition, the subscriber should be able to tell when the next transmission cycle begins and what multimedia data the service provider will make available in the next cycle. This gives the subscriber the ability, provided the systems automatically overplays the old multimedia data from the last cycle, to still transmit multimedia data selected in a timely manner to an externally connected storage, e.g., a video recorder, for a fee.
However, it is also conceivable that a storage area in the storage medium be set aside especially for such multimedia data, which could be called beyond the current cycle. But the subscriber can also selectively mark the stored multimedia data, so that they are not overwritten or deleted, e.g., during transmission of multimedia data from the next subscriber cycle. In this case too, the subscriber only has to pay the fee for multimedia data stored beyond the cycle if he actually views the TV film for a minimal period of time.
Of course, the subscriber can access specific multimedia data several times during a subscriber cycle. In this case, various fees may apply for one and the same multimedia data. For example, it is conceivable that 100 0 of the fee must be paid for the first viewing of the movie, while only 50 0 of the fee must be paid for each subsequent viewing.
The multimedia subscriber system according to the invention makes it possible to control audio-video material playback based on the usual video recorder functions. If video playback is interrupted over a longer period (several hours to days), the film can be restarted at the point where it was stopped. To this end, the unit automatically sets and stores the corresponding index marks.
The unit can log subscriber use of the unit and stored data, and the log can be used to check the invoice. It can a:Lso be used directly for the invoices to be drawn up in intervals. This unit can transmit the log to the data processing system of the service provider, either always or only when told to do so by the service provider. The service provider can study subscriber behavior based on the individual logs, and fine-tune his range of services _ g _ accordingly. Such a log is not absolutely necessary for implementing the system according to the invention, however.
_ g _ To enable copying of films to a video recorder or other storage medium for a fee, the content to be displayed on a TV is protected during film playback in such a way that perfect display on the television is possible, but not taping with a video recorder. The scrambling system can be activated or deactivated as desired.
In the multimedia subscriber system according to the invention, each unit has a system for determining usage, charging fees and preparing invoices, which enables the detection and termination of playbacks of individual storage contents, such as TV films. To this end, the system acquires and, if needed, stores which data are called and how often, and transmits this information at specific times via an available telecommunication infrastructure (e. g., telephone network) to a central computer. This ensures a correct settlement with the party holding the original rights on a pay-per-view basis.
In this case, fee allocation can take place via the unit subscriber known to the service provider, or the owner of a specific chip card. This chip card is inserted into the unit to identify the account partner or subscriber, or authorize him for access to specific data. These cards can be programmed in such a way as to enable display and playback of only specific contents of the stored multimedia data.
Payment for services used can take the shape of a pre-paid option, in which the subscriber pays a specific sum to the service provider in advance. In return, the subscriber obtains a card from the supplier, which stores the corresponding amount. The amount stored on the card gradually decreases as the services are used. The card can also be rechargeable, like the cards used everywhere today in normal financial transactions. This type of payment advantageously requires no return channel, i.e., no data transport from the subscriber to the service provider.
It is also possible to render payment via the credit card of the subscriber or by money transfer. In this case, the service provider can trigger the release in the unit of the subscriber via the appropriate control signals.
If payment.is made with a card, cards can be issued to minors that do not authorize them to access content that endangers the young.
In addition, all payment methods for the system can be provided, allowing the subscriber to select the most convenient option. A combination of various payment methods is also conceivable.
In another advantageous embodiment, each unit has a communications device used to transmit the useful information to a central computer of the service provider via an already available telecommunications infrastructure (e. g., telephone network). To this end, the unit has one or more corresponding interfaces to which a wide range of transmitters of varying kinds can be connected (POT, ISDN, DECT, ADSL, irDA, RJ11, etc.).
The system also makes it possible to consume multimedia contents over a limited time without tracking usage/charging fees (preview function).
In addition, the system allows the system operator/service provider to enable free, but tracked access to specially stored data under certain conditions, so that advertisements can be displayed at no charge and for each subscriber, and the service provider gets feedback as to whether the corresponding contents were consumed by the subscriber. However, it is also possible to program the unit in such a way that such advertiscements are automatically shown to the subscriber before playback of TV films.
As with the subscriber system according to US 5,619,247, multimedia data can be transmitted in digital form via satellite or ground-based wire or wireless telecommunication infrastructure to the receivers of the subscribers. Suitable storage media include any optical or magnetic or magnetic/optical recording procedure, or storage in storage modules. When using storage modules, care must be taken to ensure that the stored data are not lost if the power supply goes down. So-called non-volatile storage units are here recommended.
In the following, an embodiment of a multimedia subscriber system according to the invention will be explained in greater detail based on the drawing.
A service provider 1 is connected by a network input device 2 to a digital supply system 3, e.g., a conventional broadband cable system. Each subscriber has a unit, which in turn has a demodulator/demultiplexer 9, to receive the data from the digital supply system 3.
The unit has a central controller and memory 6, which accommodates the programs that control the unit and are executed by the central controller. However, control can be effected directly through the provider or via personal computer, a set top box or similar units. In addition, the unit has other data preparation modules 7 that prepare the data accordingly for the respective output interfaces 11. Since the multimedia data can be coded and transmitted over the digital supply system 3, the unit also has a content decryption unit 8 with which the coded data can be decoded. The mass storage unit 10 is hooked up to a memory manager 9, for example a hard disk w CA 02288922 1999-11-04 controller. The memory manager 9 is in turn connected with the central controller 6 via a corresponding data bus 69. Depending on the program to be run at the time in question, the central controller 6 either files the data received from the digital supply system 3 in the mass storage unit 10 via the memory manager 9, or reads out and prepares the coded data from the mass storage unit 10 via the memory manager 9 and, if needed, the content decryption unit 8, and relays via the data preparation device 7 and output interfaces 11 to a television or other output medium 12, a video recorder or another storage medium 13 or another distribution network, e.g., a computer network (LAN, WAN). The unit also has a return channel interface 16, which is connected with the central controller 6 and a return channel network 17. An accounting unit is connected to the return channel network 17 on the service provider side, and computes the fees to be invoiced for the viewing, subsequent processing and use of multimedia data. The accounting unit 18 of the service provider also has a subscriber manager. Payment is optionally made via a smart card reader 15 for authenticating and authorizing the subscriber or user. In addition, the unit has input interfaces that are not shown in the drawing. Input interfaces can be used to hook up a keyboard or other input media, or infrared receivers, so that the subscriber can communicate with the unit, and the unit can be controlled in accordance with his wishes.
Other embodiments of the unit not shown have the corresponding accessories that enable other accounting methods, such as pre-paid or remote release.
It is possible to use specific control commands sent to subscriber units by the service provider via the transmission medium in order to program the units in such a way that a completely transmitted movie or music title can be directly accessed. If the data are transmitted by the service provider to the subscriber in real time, the subscriber can also be enabled or permitted to call or reproduce the data during transmission.
In another, also advantageous embodiment of the system, the individual subscriber can select actively determined data services, such as films, software, information, etc., or preferences for film types, e.g., westerns, whodunits or comedies, after which the corresponding movies, music titles and/or software programs selected from among the multimedia data or data services transmitted by the service provider for the new cycle can be selectively stored on the storage medium by the unit of the subscriber. This makes it possible to greatly expand the range of available programs for various multimedia data from the service provider side, while the storage media installed at the subscriber need not be unnecessarily large, i.e., must be dimensioned for all data made available during a subscriber cycle.
' ' CA 02288922 1999-11-04 _ q _ The service provider can code and/or compress the individual multimedia data before sending them to the subscriber, so that they are then filed in the storage medium after either decoded or coded and/or compressed or decompressed. However, to prevent the subscriber from gaining unauthorized access to the multimedia data in the storage medium without paying the corresponding fee, it is best that the data be coded, and in particular compressed, when stored.
T-~ ensure that the data are completely and correctly filed in the storage medium, it is advantageous to transmit the multimedia data in a subscriber cycle two consecutive times, so that errors can be corrected given a unidirectional data transmission circuit. When a bi-directional transmission medium like the Internet is used to transmit multimedia data from the service provider to the subscriber, conventional error correction procedures can be used, wherein the individual units can again request the corresponding data, in particular those sent in packets, given a faulty transmission.
In another advantageous embodiment of the subscriber systems according to the invention, various categories of subscribers are provided, so that the service provider offers various rate plans, with the various rate plans being tied to various program ranges.
In each case, it is advantageous if the service provider can individually program the units of the individual subscribers via the used transmission medium for the aforementioned systems, wherein each subscriber or his unit has an identification number. For example, the rate plan in the unit of a subscriber must be reset by the service provider at the unit of the subscriber via the transmission medium, so that the unit can from that point on store the data of the new rate plan. In this case, the unit recognizes the multimedia data provided with the code, and will store the latter in the storage medium if they are covered under the rate plan ordered by the subscriber, unless the subscriber has precluded storage of the relevant multimedia data via preselection.
w CA 02288922 1999-11-04 In a special embodiment of the invention, the subscriber cannot preselect certain multimedia data or types of multimedia data. In this case, all data of a subscriber cycle are completely replaced by the new data of the new subscriber cycle.
In addition to the rate group codes, if even used, the multimedia data can be provided with other codes. For example, each television movie can be preceded by a data packet that holds the charge, type and/or other move-related data, such as length of the movie or size of movie to be transmitted in kilo- or megabytes.
The subscriber can also view the multimedia data stored in the storage medium, which are also called "events", by means of an overview, e.g., a table of contents displayable on the connected TV set, a connected computer or additional monitor. This overview enables the subscriber to select directly determined multimedia data via suitable input media, e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen or conventional remote control, and, for example, view a brief snippet free of charge. Only after the subscriber has actually called the corresponding TV film or music title to play it must he pay the corresponding fee to the service provider. The display of storage medium contents can also be enhanced to describe the stored multimedia data to whatever level of detail desired. For example, a short text might be additionally attached to the multimedia data, e.g., audio-video data, which is displayed to the subscriber at no charge. In addition, the subscriber should be able to tell when the next transmission cycle begins and what multimedia data the service provider will make available in the next cycle. This gives the subscriber the ability, provided the systems automatically overplays the old multimedia data from the last cycle, to still transmit multimedia data selected in a timely manner to an externally connected storage, e.g., a video recorder, for a fee.
However, it is also conceivable that a storage area in the storage medium be set aside especially for such multimedia data, which could be called beyond the current cycle. But the subscriber can also selectively mark the stored multimedia data, so that they are not overwritten or deleted, e.g., during transmission of multimedia data from the next subscriber cycle. In this case too, the subscriber only has to pay the fee for multimedia data stored beyond the cycle if he actually views the TV film for a minimal period of time.
Of course, the subscriber can access specific multimedia data several times during a subscriber cycle. In this case, various fees may apply for one and the same multimedia data. For example, it is conceivable that 100 0 of the fee must be paid for the first viewing of the movie, while only 50 0 of the fee must be paid for each subsequent viewing.
The multimedia subscriber system according to the invention makes it possible to control audio-video material playback based on the usual video recorder functions. If video playback is interrupted over a longer period (several hours to days), the film can be restarted at the point where it was stopped. To this end, the unit automatically sets and stores the corresponding index marks.
The unit can log subscriber use of the unit and stored data, and the log can be used to check the invoice. It can a:Lso be used directly for the invoices to be drawn up in intervals. This unit can transmit the log to the data processing system of the service provider, either always or only when told to do so by the service provider. The service provider can study subscriber behavior based on the individual logs, and fine-tune his range of services _ g _ accordingly. Such a log is not absolutely necessary for implementing the system according to the invention, however.
_ g _ To enable copying of films to a video recorder or other storage medium for a fee, the content to be displayed on a TV is protected during film playback in such a way that perfect display on the television is possible, but not taping with a video recorder. The scrambling system can be activated or deactivated as desired.
In the multimedia subscriber system according to the invention, each unit has a system for determining usage, charging fees and preparing invoices, which enables the detection and termination of playbacks of individual storage contents, such as TV films. To this end, the system acquires and, if needed, stores which data are called and how often, and transmits this information at specific times via an available telecommunication infrastructure (e. g., telephone network) to a central computer. This ensures a correct settlement with the party holding the original rights on a pay-per-view basis.
In this case, fee allocation can take place via the unit subscriber known to the service provider, or the owner of a specific chip card. This chip card is inserted into the unit to identify the account partner or subscriber, or authorize him for access to specific data. These cards can be programmed in such a way as to enable display and playback of only specific contents of the stored multimedia data.
Payment for services used can take the shape of a pre-paid option, in which the subscriber pays a specific sum to the service provider in advance. In return, the subscriber obtains a card from the supplier, which stores the corresponding amount. The amount stored on the card gradually decreases as the services are used. The card can also be rechargeable, like the cards used everywhere today in normal financial transactions. This type of payment advantageously requires no return channel, i.e., no data transport from the subscriber to the service provider.
It is also possible to render payment via the credit card of the subscriber or by money transfer. In this case, the service provider can trigger the release in the unit of the subscriber via the appropriate control signals.
If payment.is made with a card, cards can be issued to minors that do not authorize them to access content that endangers the young.
In addition, all payment methods for the system can be provided, allowing the subscriber to select the most convenient option. A combination of various payment methods is also conceivable.
In another advantageous embodiment, each unit has a communications device used to transmit the useful information to a central computer of the service provider via an already available telecommunications infrastructure (e. g., telephone network). To this end, the unit has one or more corresponding interfaces to which a wide range of transmitters of varying kinds can be connected (POT, ISDN, DECT, ADSL, irDA, RJ11, etc.).
The system also makes it possible to consume multimedia contents over a limited time without tracking usage/charging fees (preview function).
In addition, the system allows the system operator/service provider to enable free, but tracked access to specially stored data under certain conditions, so that advertisements can be displayed at no charge and for each subscriber, and the service provider gets feedback as to whether the corresponding contents were consumed by the subscriber. However, it is also possible to program the unit in such a way that such advertiscements are automatically shown to the subscriber before playback of TV films.
As with the subscriber system according to US 5,619,247, multimedia data can be transmitted in digital form via satellite or ground-based wire or wireless telecommunication infrastructure to the receivers of the subscribers. Suitable storage media include any optical or magnetic or magnetic/optical recording procedure, or storage in storage modules. When using storage modules, care must be taken to ensure that the stored data are not lost if the power supply goes down. So-called non-volatile storage units are here recommended.
In the following, an embodiment of a multimedia subscriber system according to the invention will be explained in greater detail based on the drawing.
A service provider 1 is connected by a network input device 2 to a digital supply system 3, e.g., a conventional broadband cable system. Each subscriber has a unit, which in turn has a demodulator/demultiplexer 9, to receive the data from the digital supply system 3.
The unit has a central controller and memory 6, which accommodates the programs that control the unit and are executed by the central controller. However, control can be effected directly through the provider or via personal computer, a set top box or similar units. In addition, the unit has other data preparation modules 7 that prepare the data accordingly for the respective output interfaces 11. Since the multimedia data can be coded and transmitted over the digital supply system 3, the unit also has a content decryption unit 8 with which the coded data can be decoded. The mass storage unit 10 is hooked up to a memory manager 9, for example a hard disk w CA 02288922 1999-11-04 controller. The memory manager 9 is in turn connected with the central controller 6 via a corresponding data bus 69. Depending on the program to be run at the time in question, the central controller 6 either files the data received from the digital supply system 3 in the mass storage unit 10 via the memory manager 9, or reads out and prepares the coded data from the mass storage unit 10 via the memory manager 9 and, if needed, the content decryption unit 8, and relays via the data preparation device 7 and output interfaces 11 to a television or other output medium 12, a video recorder or another storage medium 13 or another distribution network, e.g., a computer network (LAN, WAN). The unit also has a return channel interface 16, which is connected with the central controller 6 and a return channel network 17. An accounting unit is connected to the return channel network 17 on the service provider side, and computes the fees to be invoiced for the viewing, subsequent processing and use of multimedia data. The accounting unit 18 of the service provider also has a subscriber manager. Payment is optionally made via a smart card reader 15 for authenticating and authorizing the subscriber or user. In addition, the unit has input interfaces that are not shown in the drawing. Input interfaces can be used to hook up a keyboard or other input media, or infrared receivers, so that the subscriber can communicate with the unit, and the unit can be controlled in accordance with his wishes.
Other embodiments of the unit not shown have the corresponding accessories that enable other accounting methods, such as pre-paid or remote release.
Claims (35)
1. A multimedia subscriber system in which one or more service providers provide several subscribers with multimedia data, and in which a unit encompassing at least one storage medium is allocated to each subscriber, characterized by the fact that the service provider(s) transmit(s) new multimedia data to the units of all subscribers continuously or at predetermined intervals, wherein the unit replaces the data previously stored in the storage medium with the new multimedia data, at least in part, and/or shifts them to other storage media and/or other storage areas.
2. A multimedia subscriber system according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the multimedia data to be newly stored only replace the old multimedia data at least in part if the capacity of the storage medium is inadequate for the new and old multimedia data together.
3. A multimedia subscriber system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the unit additionally encompasses a device that recognizes a lack of memory in the storage medium caused by the multimedia data to be newly stored, and makes enough storage space available in the storage medium for the multimedia data to be newly transmitted, in that it at least partially deletes data already stored in the storage medium before storing the new data, or overwrites the old data when storing the new data.
4. A multimedia subscriber system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the old multimedia data already stored in the storage medium are completely replaced by the newly transmitted multimedia data.
5. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a controller manages the storage medium, and that in particular the controller is the unit.
6. A multimedia subscriber system according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the service provider can control and/or program the controller via the transmission medium using control commands.
7. A multimedia subscriber system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by the fact that the controller along with the receiver electronics of cable receiver boxes or satellite receiver systems is accommodated in a case.
8. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the multimedia data are coded and transmitted and/or coded and stored in the storage medium.
9. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the service provider selects the multimedia data to be transmitted, and transmits them simultaneously to all or groups of subscribers.
10. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the multimedia data are transmitted repeatedly and/or using error correction procedures to improve reliability of reception.
11. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the storage medium has a directory system.
12. A multimedia subscriber system according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the directory system can be used to partition the storage medium, wherein each partition can be allocated to one or several people.
13. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the multimedia data are films, music titles, software programs, texts or other data stored in binary form.
14. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that certain types of multimedia data and/or specific contents of specific types are stored in specific areas or partitions of the storage medium, and replaced and/or enhanced by more recent data as required.
15. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the service provider grants each subscriber specific usage rights, and the subscriber has access only to specific multimedia files, depending on his access right.
16. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the subscriber has access to specific data already stored in the storage medium only for a time interval determined by the service provider, which can be defined by a start and end time, or at specific times.
17. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the subscriber preselects the multimedia data to be stored, or indicates preferences relating to contents to be stored relative to the controller, and hence only a portion of all the multimedia data transmitted by the service provider is stored in the storage medium.
18. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the subscriber only has access to multimedia data that have already been completely stored in the storage medium.
19. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the controller is situated in a set top box.
20. A multimedia subscriber system according to the preceding claim 18, characterized by the fact that the storage medium is situated in the set top box.
21. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized by the fact that additional storage media can be connected to the set top box to expand memory capacity.
22. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the set top box has at least one interface for hooking up an external television, a music system, a video recorder, a cable connection box, a satellite receiver system, a data processing system or an additional similar-type set top box.
23. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the data stored in the storage medium can be transmitted via data lines from the set top box to electronic devices connected therein.
24. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a table of contents relating to the multimedia data and previews stored in the storage medium or to be stored there in the future or the multimedia data itself can be played back or displayed by means of a television, data processing system in the form of a personal computer or a display hooked up directly to the set top box.
25. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the subscriber only pays a fee to the service provider for the multimedia data that he calls from the storage medium for display or further processing and/or stores on an external storage medium to be freely accessed later.
26. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a payment system is provided that ensures that the subscriber will have access to his selected multimedia data after paying for it.
27. A multimedia subscriber system according to claim 25, characterized by the fact that the subscriber has a credit or credit account that is stored and/or managed in the set top box, on a chip card or at the service provider, and can be charged by the subscriber or service provider as required, and that the amounts to be paid by the subscriber for the desired multimedia data are deducted from this credit or billed to the credit account.
28. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the subscriber must only pay fees for multimedia data if he views and/or listens to it beyond a minimum percentage.
29. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the controller or set top box has communications devices used by the transmission medium for transmitting the multimedia data and/or other additional, in particular bi-directional data transmission circuits like a telephone line, wherein the communications device can be used to exchange data between the controller or set top box and the electronic data processing unit of the service provider.
30. A multimedia subscriber system according to claim 28, characterized by the fact that the communications device can be used to transmit data to the service provider about payment for individual multimedia data, subscriber requests and/or preferences.
31. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the subscriber can mark already stored multimedia data, so that it cannot be replaced or overwritten by new data, wherein the subscriber is automatically prompted by the unit to unmark marked data so that new data can be stored in the storage medium.
32. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the individual multimedia data from the service provider are provided with a code, and the code sets the amount of the fee to be paid and/or provides information about the type and/or content of designated multimedia data and/or how long stored in the storage medium.
33. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a storage are in the storage medium is set aside for long-term storage of data for the subscriber, to which the subscriber can transmit multimedia data as desired, whether for a fee or at no charge, wherein this storage area is not available for the storage of multimedia data newly transmitted by the service provider.
34. A multimedia subscriber system according to claim 33, characterized by the fact that the subscriber can call the multimedia data he transferred to the reserved storage area at no charge, or for a fee less than the original charge.
35. A multimedia subscriber system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the subscriber can directly access specific data regardless of the type and sequence of multimedia data stored in the storage medium.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE1998155650 DE19855650A1 (en) | 1998-12-03 | 1998-12-03 | Multimedia subscriber system |
| DE19855650.0 | 1998-12-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2288922A1 true CA2288922A1 (en) | 2000-06-03 |
Family
ID=7889766
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002288922A Abandoned CA2288922A1 (en) | 1998-12-03 | 1999-11-04 | Multimedia subscriber system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1006725A3 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2288922A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19855650A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10040090B4 (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2006-06-08 | Poet Ag | Method and system for automatically executing electronic information subscriptions |
| DE10113867A1 (en) * | 2001-03-21 | 2002-09-26 | Technotrend Ag | Device for representation of Internet information via television receiver uses MPEG2 decoder for transmitted Internet information |
| DE10203098B4 (en) * | 2002-01-25 | 2004-09-02 | datacargo Gesellschaft für elektronischen Datenverkehr mbH | Method of providing video / audio on demand |
| DE102004047670A1 (en) * | 2004-09-30 | 2006-04-20 | Siemens Ag | Arrangement for providing television programs and additional information associated therewith |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3320680A1 (en) * | 1983-06-06 | 1984-12-13 | AV - Hähnel Gesellschaft für elektronische Bild- und Tonanlagen mbH, 5000 Köln | Hospital information, communication and accounting arrangement |
| JP3002471B2 (en) * | 1988-08-19 | 2000-01-24 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Program distribution device |
| US5014125A (en) * | 1989-05-05 | 1991-05-07 | Cableshare, Inc. | Television system for the interactive distribution of selectable video presentations |
| DE4111192C2 (en) * | 1991-04-06 | 1995-04-06 | Telefonbau & Normalzeit Gmbh | Device for the use of equipment against payment |
| US5440336A (en) * | 1993-07-23 | 1995-08-08 | Electronic Data Systems Corporation | System and method for storing and forwarding audio and/or visual information on demand |
| US5640453A (en) * | 1994-08-11 | 1997-06-17 | Stanford Telecommunications, Inc. | Universal interactive set-top controller for downloading and playback of information and entertainment services |
| US5654747A (en) * | 1994-12-29 | 1997-08-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Intelligent multimedia set-top control method and apparatus in which billing signals are communicated to an information network upon presentation of downloaded media programs |
| US5619247A (en) * | 1995-02-24 | 1997-04-08 | Smart Vcr Limited Partnership | Stored program pay-per-play |
| DE19522209A1 (en) * | 1995-06-22 | 1997-01-02 | Sel Alcatel Ag | Communication system for on demand service |
| FR2736783B1 (en) * | 1995-07-13 | 1997-08-14 | Thomson Multimedia Sa | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING AND PLAYBACK WITH LARGE CAPACITY RECORDING MEDIUM |
| AU3162497A (en) * | 1996-06-25 | 1998-01-14 | Vistar Telecommunications Inc. | Direct broadcasting satellite architecture for video-on-demand and interactive services |
| DE19639384A1 (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 1998-05-20 | Siemens Ag | Individual user access method especially for video signal transmission in VOD |
| WO1998043427A1 (en) * | 1997-03-21 | 1998-10-01 | Canal+ Societe Anonyme | Broadcast and reception system, and receiver/decoder and remote controller therefor |
-
1998
- 1998-12-03 DE DE1998155650 patent/DE19855650A1/en not_active Ceased
-
1999
- 1999-07-10 EP EP99113368A patent/EP1006725A3/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-11-04 CA CA002288922A patent/CA2288922A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1006725A3 (en) | 2001-11-07 |
| DE19855650A1 (en) | 2000-06-08 |
| EP1006725A2 (en) | 2000-06-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20041104 |