WO2002065775A1 - System for payment for broadcast content - Google Patents

System for payment for broadcast content Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002065775A1
WO2002065775A1 PCT/IL2001/001158 IL0101158W WO02065775A1 WO 2002065775 A1 WO2002065775 A1 WO 2002065775A1 IL 0101158 W IL0101158 W IL 0101158W WO 02065775 A1 WO02065775 A1 WO 02065775A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
content
unit
payment
user
units
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2001/001158
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yossi Tsuria
Ezra Darshan
Reuven Wachtfogel
Moshe Shlissel
David Schlacht
David Franklin
Hedy Rashba
Yishai Yuval
Asher Sterkin
Eli Farkas
Eli Jacobs
Aharon Rozenhauz
Asher Kaminker
David Klausner
Ronnie Dan
Jonathan Maissel
Original Assignee
Nds Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nds Limited filed Critical Nds Limited
Publication of WO2002065775A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002065775A1/en

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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
    • H04N21/44—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
    • H04N21/4408—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream, rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
    • 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
    • H04N21/25435—Billing, e.g. for subscription services involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
    • 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
    • H04N21/266—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
    • H04N21/26606—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel for generating or managing entitlement messages, e.g. Entitlement Control Message [ECM] or Entitlement Management Message [EMM]
    • 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
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4627—Rights management associated to the content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/165—Centralised control of user terminal ; Registering at central

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and a method for payment for broadcast content. BACKGROUND OF THE LNNENTION
  • Digital content can easily and efficiently be delivered through any type of suitable network, such as a cable network and/or a computer network.
  • digital content can be efficiently delivered to individual users upon request, thereby enabling users to receive personalized content "on demand".
  • Such personalization is particularly useful for digital content for display and/or playback through various types of media devices, such as video data and audio data, in which the taste of the user is highly individualized. For example, users could select individual portions of music, television programs, movies and other types of entertainment, and receive these selections as digital content.
  • a number of mechanisms need to be provided. First, if payment is required, then the digital content should be secure against theft, such that only authorized users can retrieve and display the digital content. Second, the user should also easily be able to effect payment where required, in order to encourage proper payment and usage. Third, neither of these mechanisms should interfere with the efficient delivery and display/playback of the digital content.
  • 5,282,249 and 5,481,609 feature both scrambled data representing television signals and coded control messages, also known as ECMs. These ECMs contain, in a coded form, data necessary for generating a control word (CW) which may be used to descramble the scrambled data representing television signals.
  • CW control word
  • EP 0858184 enable the authorized user to record and playback or otherwise display the digital content, while preventing the user from producing and distributing multiple playable copies of the digital content to other, non-authorized users. Therefore, the authorized user is able to fully use and enjoy the digital content, while the content itself is still protected from unauthorized use.
  • a system includes a media device 100, such as a television set, for playing the digital content, such as a television program for example.
  • Media device 100 is connected to an integrated receiver-decoder (IRD) 110, for receiving and decoding the scrambled digital content.
  • IRD integrated receiver-decoder
  • the system also features a removable security element 120, such as a smart card for example, for providing control words for unscrambling, or otherwise rendering into a clear format, the scrambled digital content by IRD 110.
  • a removable security element 120 such as a smart card for example, for providing control words for unscrambling, or otherwise rendering into a clear format, the scrambled digital content by IRD 110.
  • the system features a digital VCR 130 for communicating with media device 100 and IRD 110. Digital VCR 130 is able to record the digital content for later playback and/or display by media device 100.
  • IRD 110 receives scrambled digital content which features a plurality of ECMs, each of which is associated with, and is typically followed by, a scrambled digital data segment, containing the actual digital content.
  • Each ECM includes coded information which can be used to generate a code word for unscrambling the associated scrambled digital data segment.
  • removable security element 120 generates the code word.
  • IRD 110 is then able to descramble the scrambled digital content, for example for being played by media device 100.
  • Background art Figure 2 also taken from European Patent Application
  • No. EP 0858184 is a flow diagram illustrating the production of the scrambled digital content.
  • the scrambled digital content is produced as an SDDS (scrambled digital data stream) 140, featuring a plurality of ECMs such as an nth ECM 145, and a plurality of associated SDSEGs such as an nth SDSEG (scrambled digital data segment) 150 which is associated with nth ECM 145.
  • IRD 110 of Figure 1 in cooperation with removable security element 120, is able to use SDDS 140 in order to form a recording SDDS 165.
  • Recording SDDS 165 is produced with the addition of a TECM (transformed ECM) key, which is permanently associated with the system of Figure 1, even if removable security element 120 is changed, replaced or exchanged, for example.
  • This TECM key is used to make a plurality of TECMs, shown as nth TECM 175, from the code words of the ECMs.
  • nth TECM 175 a plurality of TECMs
  • a system which did not feature the correct TECM key could not descramble the recording SDDS 165 for playing back or otherwise displaying the digital content, while the authorized user is always able to play back or otherwise display the recorded digital content as long as the TECM key is available.
  • the above mechanisms can only secure the digital content, but do not attempt to determine how the user should be requested to purchase the content.
  • the user could actually purchase and store the digital content as individual units according to the mechanism described above, thereby rendering the previously described system as an analogous, purely electronic version of the currently available manual method for purchasing small storage devices containing the content of interest, such as CDs (compact disks) and videotape cassettes. Yet the user might wish to have a more limited, and therefore presumably less expensive, access to a wider variety of digital content.
  • broadcast television channels for example through cable or satellite carriers.
  • such television channels are obtained through a monthly subscription to the entire channel and/or to a group of such channels.
  • the drawback of these channels is that the user must either watch the television programs which are available at the times that they are available, or record such programs for later viewing.
  • these currently available channels are not customizable, such that users cannot select television programs to be viewed exactly when the user wishes to view the program. .
  • each such unit is defined as a period of time during which the digital content is displayed and in which payment is effected through a "utility model" payment mechanism.
  • the user is not forced to purchase unrestricted access to a package of television programs, which are displayed at predetermined time points as part of a predefined television channel, but rather purchases at least the right to view select separate units of content, in which each unit is defined according to the period of time of the display.
  • the present invention fulfills these needs by providing a system and a method for per unit payment for units of digital content, in which the payment is determined for each unit of time that the content is displayed. Therefore, payment is charged according to a "metered" or utility model for payment, in which the user is automatically charged for each unit of time that any particular content is displayed. As described in greater detail below, payment may optionally be at least partially determined according to the time of day of the display and/or the type of content being displayed. However, the basic unit for determining payment is a unit of time, such that the term "unit of content", as used herein, actually refers to a unit of time during which content is displayed or played back.
  • the user is only charged for content which is actually displayed, thereby providing for customization of choice for such content; yet unlike existing pay-per-view mechanisms, the user is not required to separately perform some type of "purchasing act" in order to purchase the content, nor is the user required to purchase an entire time period during which the content is to be displayed, but instead is automatically able to pay only for the time during which the content is actually displayed.
  • the user is able to purchase a plurality of units of different types of content as a package, which is defined according to the content itself rather than according to some predetermined television channel.
  • the user may wish to purchase a combination of units of content which would optionally include all sporting events of a particular type, such as all NFL (US National Football League) games.
  • a method for determining a payment for pay television usage including associating a period of watching pay television with a number of units, and determining a payment based, at least in part, on the number of units.
  • determining step includes determining, based at least in part, on the number of units and on a cost per unit.
  • the cost per unit includes one cost chosen from a plurality of predefined costs per unit. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes, during the period of watching pay television, displaying a visual indication of the one cost.
  • the visual indication includes a color chosen from a plurality of predefined colors, and each one of the plurality of predefined colors is associated with one of the plurality of predefined costs per unit.
  • the visual indication includes a visual indication associated with a program information dialog box.
  • the visual indication includes a program listing. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the visual indication includes an electronic program guide (EPG).
  • EPG electronic program guide
  • the visual indication includes a station logo.
  • the visual indication includes a symbol.
  • the symbol includes a dot.
  • the visual indication includes a special effect.
  • the special effect includes a visual transition.
  • the visual indication includes text.
  • the method includes, during the period of watching pay television, playing an audible indication of the one cost.
  • the audible indication includes a spoken indication.
  • the audible indication includes a tone chosen from a plurality of predefined tones, and each one of the plurality of predefined tones is associated with one of the plurality of predefined costs per unit.
  • the method also includes, during the period of watching pay television, emitting a sensible indication of the one cost, the sensible indication including one of the following: an olfactory indication, and a tactile indication.
  • a method for determining payment for displaying content to a user through a display device including the steps of (a) displaying a unit of content to the user by the display device, the unit being determined according to a period of time the content is displayed by the display device, (b) determining an amount of payment for the unit of content, and (c) charging the user for displaying the unit of content according to the amount of payment.
  • the amount of payment for the unit of content is determined at least partially according to a particular type of content.
  • the amount of payment for the unit of content is determined at least partially according to a time of day for displaying the unit of content.
  • the amount of payment for the unit of content is determined at least partially according to a characteristic of the user.
  • the amount of payment for the unit of content is determined according to one of a plurality of different price levels.
  • the method includes the step of (d) displaying a price indicator to the user, the price indicator indicating a price level of the unit of content.
  • the price indicator is a color. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the color is displayed during at least a portion of the display of the unit of content.
  • the color is displayed as a background to a name of the unit of content.
  • step (b) includes the step of displaying information about the unit of content.
  • the information is in a form of an EPG (electronic programming guide).
  • the unit of content is of a first type of content, the method further including the steps of indicating a transition after the unit of content is displayed, and (e) displaying a second unit of content, the second unit of content being of a second type of content.
  • the transition is indicated with a signal selected from the group consisting of an audible tone, a visual indication, an odor, a taste, and a tactile sensation.
  • the signal is a visual indication
  • the visual indication includes an indication of the amount of payment for the unit of content.
  • a system for determining payment for displaying content to a user the content being composed of a plurality of units, each unit being determined according to a period of time
  • the system including (a) a display device for displaying the content to the user, and (b) a metering device in communication with the display device, the metering device determining a number of units of content being displayed by the display device, such that the payment is calculated at least partially according to the number of units of content.
  • the metering device further includes (i) a unit associator for detecting a request for viewing a unit of content from the user and for determining the number of units of content displayed to the user, and (ii) a payment determiner for receiving the number of units of content from the unit associator and for calculating the payment according to the number of units of content.
  • the display device is a television.
  • a system for determining a payment for pay television usage including a unit associator for associating a period of watching pay television with a number of units, and a payment determiner for determining a payment based, at least in part, on the number of units.
  • a software application could be written in substantially any suitable programming language, which could easily be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the programming language chosen should be compatible with the computational device according to which the software application is executed. Examples of suitable programming languages include, but are not limited to, C, C++, Java and Assembly.
  • the present invention could be implemented as software, firmware or hardware, or as a combination thereof.
  • the functional steps performed by the method could be described as a plurality of instructions performed by a data processor.
  • the functional steps performed by the method could be described as a plurality of instructions performed by a computer software product.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a background art system
  • FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating the production of the scrambled digital content according to the background art
  • FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram according to the present invention for payment for each unit of content
  • FIGS. 4A - 4H show a plurality of schematic, exemplary displays according to the present invention for the virtual channel
  • FIG. 5 shows an exemplary display for determining how cost information is displayed according to the present invention
  • FIG. 6 shows an exemplary monthly bill display according to the present invention
  • FIGS. 7 A and IB, taken together, show an exemplary bill display for a plurality of months according to the present invention.
  • the present invention is of a system and a method for per unit payment for units of digital content, in which the payment is per unit of time that the content is displayed or played back to the user. Therefore, payment is charged according to a "metered" or utility model for payment, in which the user is automatically charged for each unit of time that any particular content is displayed.
  • the basic unit for determining payment is a unit of time, such that the term "unit of content", as used herein, actually refers to a unit of time during which content is displayed or played back.
  • the user is only charged for content which is actually displayed, while still being able to automatically pay only for the time during which the content is actually displayed, preferably through some periodic billing system.
  • the electronic display device which is required to display or play back the units of content, such as a television for example, is "metered" in order to calculate and/or detect the number and/or price of the units which have been consumed by the user.
  • the electronic display device and/or system of the present invention more preferably features a metering device.
  • the basic unit for the metering device is a periodically transmitted message which is sent at regular time intervals, and which is preferably required in order to be able to descramble the data. This message is more preferably an entitlement control message (ECM).
  • ECM entitlement control message
  • the ECM is preferably required in order to decrypt or otherwise descramble content which cannot otherwise be accessed. More preferably, a control word contained within, and/or generated by using, the ECM is actually used to decrypt or otherwise descramble the content, whether directly or indirectly. Therefore, as the metering device uses each ECM to decrypt or otherwise descramble content, a charge is preferably made for another time-based unit of content by the metering device. Most preferably, the price per unit of time for the display depends upon such factors as the time of day, the day of the week, the type of content being displayed, and or a "timeliness factor", in which older and/or more outdated content is charged at a less expensive rate, for example. Optionally, the different prices for different units are reflected according to tiers of such prices, such that there is a plurality of different levels of prices.
  • the user is notified of the price tier to which a unit of content belongs before the user chooses to pay for that unit.
  • Such notification may optionally be performed through the production of an audible signal and/or through the production of a visible signal.
  • the visible signal could optionally be a color coding scheme, for example in which the least expensive content is associated with gray or green, more expensive content is associated with gold, and the most expensive content is associated with platinum.
  • the user can control the display of the color coding during the display or play back of the unit of content. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the content is available free of charge.
  • such a plurality of portions of content and/or specific units of content together form a promotional channel, in which a preview of different units of content is available.
  • the display device automatically displays the promotional channel whenever the unit(s) of content for which the user has paid are no longer being displayed.
  • the promotional channel can also operate as a purchasing mechanism, in which the user may select units of content directly through the promotional activities, for example by pressing a "select" button or otherwise indicating a selection icon on a menu laid over the promotional display of particular units of content.
  • the purchasing menus may be displayed along the side of the promotional units of content, more preferably they are organized into a navigational system for the user interface.
  • This navigational system most preferably enables the user to select units of content to be purchased for limited viewing, optionally and most preferably with an associated description of the unit of content, and also enables the user to actually select each unit of content for display.
  • Color coding for price levels may also optionally appear as part of the description of each unit of content. For example, color coding could optionally be used for the text of the description, the background color for the display of the program description and/or as a small icon within the display area, such as a colored dot for example.
  • the user is able to purchase a plurality of units of content as a package, which is defined according to the type of content itself rather than according to some predetermined television channel.
  • the user may wish to purchase a combination of units of content which would optionally include all sporting events of a particular type, such as all NFL (US National Football League) games.
  • the purchase of selected periods of time for displaying content, with an automatic payment calculation and assessment mechanism, may thus optionally and more preferably enable the user to develop a "virtual channel", in which not only the content is selected, but the time period(s) of display for the content is also selected by the user.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic flow diagram according to the present invention for the payment for digital content on a "per unit” basis, the unit being determined according to a period of time that the content is displayed.
  • the flow diagram is described with regard to television program content, it is understood that this is for the purposes of illustration only and is without any intention of being limiting in any way.
  • the operation of the method starts during a period of watching pay television, which could for example be defined according to the previously described unit of content.
  • the system according to the present invention for operating the method is optionally implemented such that the system includes a display device for displaying the content to the user, which could be a television for example.
  • the system also features a metering device in communication with said display device, for calculating the number of units of content in order to at least partially determine the amount of payment which must be made, as described in greater detail below.
  • the metering device features a unit associator 200.
  • Unit associator 200 detects a request for viewing a unit of content from the user through the television itself, and/or through a renewable, removable security module, such as a smartcard for example, for decrypting or otherwise unscrambling content which the user has requested and which the user has the right to purchase or has already purchased (not shown), as previously described for background art Figures 1 and 2.
  • a renewable, removable security module such as a smartcard for example
  • Unit associator 200 detects the request for the purchase of the time-based unit of content, and passes the information on units which are actually purchased to a payment determiner 210.
  • Payment determiner 210 may optionally receive other input information as shown, such as a per unit cost for particular units and/or information on the time of day during which a unit of content is being displayed, if this input information affects the price per unit of content.
  • Payment determiner 210 determines the payment which is required. The amount of the required payment is then preferably passed to a displayer of indication of unit cost 220 as shown, which then displays the cost to the user according to some indication.
  • Figures 4A - 4H are schematic diagrams of exemplary screen displays for displaying information to the user about cost indications.
  • the television or other display device of the user is preferably able to display information to the user about the cost per unit of content, which is at least partially determined according to the length of time of the display, which can optionally be calculated as described for Figure 3 above.
  • Such information may optionally and preferably be displayed to the user with a color coding system, in which color is added to the display of information in order to provide a cost indication.
  • a screen display 240 displays information about the unit of content to the user.
  • An information display 250 preferably includes the name of the unit of content, in this case "Name 1", which could be the title of a movie, for example.
  • the time at which the unit of content is to be displayed is preferably also included.
  • Other optional information includes, but is not limited, a rating of the unit of content ("PG"), the name of one or more stars of the unit of content, a brief description of the subject matter, the running time and so forth.
  • information display 250 also features color coded information in order to indicate the cost of the unit of content.
  • the color coding is added as a background to the display of the name of the unit of content, although of course the color coding could optionally be added to another or different portion of screen display 240.
  • FIG. 4B shows an exemplary navigator interface 270 according to the present invention, for displaying information to the user about a plurality of different types of content. Navigator interface 270 therefore preferably combines scheduling and other information about units of content with pricing information, and as such could be considered as an example of an EPG (electronic programming guide).
  • EPG electronic programming guide
  • the basic EPG concept is more preferably extended, since pricing information is also added according to the present invention, most preferably according to a plurality of different levels of payment.
  • navigator interface 270 optionally and more preferably features information about a plurality of numbered channels for displaying units of content (shown as “301”, “302", “303” and "304" for the purposes of illustration only).
  • a first content 280 is displayed through channel “301”, and has the title “Name 1", as for Figures 4A and 4B.
  • a second content 290 is displayed through channel “302" and has the title "Name 2”.
  • a third content 300 is displayed through channel "304" and has the title "Name 3".
  • the display for each content 280, 290 and 300 preferably has a colored background, which is color coded according to the price of each time-based unit of the content.
  • the user can easily select the content for display according to the title, the time of display and the price.
  • Figure 4D shows another optional implementation of the present invention, in which a screen display 310 features a price indicator 320 in the form of an icon.
  • the icon is more preferably added to a part of the actual display of the time-based unit of content itself, in order for the user to be able to immediately determine the cost of the actual content being displayed.
  • Price indicator 320 could also optionally be used to indicate the name of the channel and/or broadcast station which is broadcasting the content, with the price information being indicated according to the background color of the icon and/or the color of the name of the channel and or broadcast station itself.
  • the display device of the user displays content from a plurality of different providers, such as a plurality of different channels and/or broadcast stations, the location of price indicator 320 is predetermined on screen display 310 for all providers.
  • Figure 4E shows yet another optional implementation of the present invention, in which screen display 310 features a different price indicator 330 in the form of a colored dot.
  • the colored dot is preferably color coded in order to indicate the price of the time-based unit of content.
  • the colored dot is also more preferably added to a part of the actual display of the unit of content itself, as for Figure 4D.
  • Price indicator 330 may optionally be displayed for only a short period of time, for example at the start of displaying the unit of content, or alternatively may be displayed throughout the time of displaying the unit of content.
  • Figure 4F shows an exemplary transition display mechanism, for indicating to the user when a transition to a different program and/or to a different price scheme is being made.
  • a first time-based unit of content is displayed to the user through a first display 340.
  • the user requests a different time-based unit of content, and/or the display of the first content ends and the display of the next content begins.
  • a transition display 350 indicates, through color, shape and/or other visual information, the transition to the display of a different unit of content.
  • a second display 360 of a second unit of content is shown.
  • the user receives a clear indication of the transition between the display of different units of content.
  • Figure 4G shows another implementation of a screen display 370, in which again color coding is preferably added directly to screen display 370 in order to indicate the cost of the unit of content.
  • a cost display 380 indicates how much the user has paid during this particular viewing session.
  • the background color of cost display 380 indicates the amount spent during the entire session.
  • An audible noise, shown as a "ding" 390, is more preferably given in order to indicate to the user that an additional charge is being added to the total charge for the session.
  • each pricing level for each time-based unit of content features a different type of audible noise or "ding" 390.
  • the audible noise may comprise a spoken or verbal indication of the additional charge, which may be provided using any means well-known in the art (not shown) including, for example: a recording stored locally in the apparatus of Fig. 4G; a speech-synthesis unit in the apparatus of Fig. 4G; and a sound transmitted to the apparatus of Fig. 4G.
  • transition mechanisms include the manufacture of characteristic odors or tastes to indicate the price of a unit of content (see for example http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/7Jl/digiscent.htmr), and or the use of vibration or temperature of the remote control to indicate a transition to a different unit of content.
  • Figure 4H is an exemplary, optional display of the rate of charging for different levels of content, shown as a table 400.
  • the prices are given as the cost per minute (in this case, the units of currency are given as "cents").
  • the price depends upon the particular level for each unit of content, shown as “platinum”, “gold” and “silver” for the purposes of illustration only and without any intention of being limiting.
  • the price also depends upon the time at which the content is displayed, according to one of three different time periods as shown.
  • the user is able to select various options for displaying the price information, as shown with regard to Figure 5.
  • the user could optionally decide to show the price information as part of the program description, in the form of a colored dot during the first five seconds of viewing the program.
  • Other options could of course also be available.
  • the user is preferably also provided with details of the charges in the form of tables and graphs.
  • a television bill for a particular month could optionally show a pie chart graph, indicating the percentage amount spent for each type of content and the total cost of the content for that particular month.
  • Users may also optionally and preferably be able to view the costs for viewing content over a plurality of months, as shown with regard to Figures 7A and 7B, for example.
  • advertisements may optionally be featured as part of the display of the unit of content.
  • the user could receive a discount on the price of a particular unit of content, thereby providing an additional revenue stream.
  • Other discounts may optionally be offered to particular users, for example those users who fit a particularly desirable demographic group.
  • Such discounts could optionally be offered by sending different "look-up" tables to the display devices of the users, which would then preferably be used to generate the information and pricing structure as shown with regard to Figure 4H.
  • the previously described model for payment is based upon the utility payment model, such as for telephone services, in which the user pays as the service is actually used (the unit of content is displayed).
  • the display device of the user could receive a plurality of units of content, for which a charge is only made as units of content are consumed. Therefore, each displayed unit of content would preferably be marked as "consumed", and a charge would then be made for that unit of content. Next, a new unit of content would be received to replace the previous unit.
  • the user could pay for a particular set of units of content at a fixed rate per time period, such as per month for example. The user would then preferably receive a "return credit" for those units of content which are not consumed during any given time period.

Abstract

A system and a method for per unit payment for units of digital content, in which the payment is only for a limited use of the unit of content. For example, payment might only enable the user to display or play back the unit of content a limited number of times, such as once or twice. Alternatively, payment might only enable the user to display or play back the unit of content for a limited period of time. A combination of these two models is also possible. Thus, unlike existing television channels, the user is able to partially or even completely customize the units of digital content which are to be displayed and/or played back.

Description

SYSTEM FOR PAYMENT FOR BROADCAST CONTENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system and a method for payment for broadcast content. BACKGROUND OF THE LNNENTION
Digital content can easily and efficiently be delivered through any type of suitable network, such as a cable network and/or a computer network. In particular, digital content can be efficiently delivered to individual users upon request, thereby enabling users to receive personalized content "on demand". Such personalization is particularly useful for digital content for display and/or playback through various types of media devices, such as video data and audio data, in which the taste of the user is highly individualized. For example, users could select individual portions of music, television programs, movies and other types of entertainment, and receive these selections as digital content. However, in order for digital content to be fully effectively delivered to users, a number of mechanisms need to be provided. First, if payment is required, then the digital content should be secure against theft, such that only authorized users can retrieve and display the digital content. Second, the user should also easily be able to effect payment where required, in order to encourage proper payment and usage. Third, neither of these mechanisms should interfere with the efficient delivery and display/playback of the digital content.
One attempt to provide such effective mechanisms is described in US Patent Nos. 5,282,249 and_ 5,481,609, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if folly set forth herein. The disclosed system enables a signal containing media content to be broadcast widely, yet only to be played back or otherwise displayed by authorized users. This signal could contain a television program for example. The signal is scrambled, such that the authorized users are able to descramble the signal and play back or otherwise display the media content only with the proper security device, such as a smart card for example. Thus, widely received media content is still protected from access by unauthorized users. The scrambled television data streams described in US Patent Nos. 5,282,249 and 5,481,609 feature both scrambled data representing television signals and coded control messages, also known as ECMs. These ECMs contain, in a coded form, data necessary for generating a control word (CW) which may be used to descramble the scrambled data representing television signals.
While US Patent Nos. 5,282,249 and 5,481,609 describe an analog system, that is, a system in which analog television data streams are broadcast to television sets, it is appreciated that similar ECM methods may also be used for digital television data streams. Generally, the scrambling techniques used for scrambling analog television signals such as, for example, the well-known "cut-and-rotate" technique, are chosen for their particular applicability to analog signals. However, scrambling of digital television signals preferably employs other techniques, which are well-known in the art and which are more appropriate to digital signals. One example of such a technique is the application of the well-known DES algorithm to the digital television signals.
Methods of transmitting a scrambled digital signal, including ECMs, are described in the MPEG-2 standard, ISO/IEC 13818-6, 12 My 1996 and subsequent editions. Another attempted solution to the problem of content protection is described in published European Patent Application No. EP 0858184, which discloses a digital recording protection system and which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. The disclosed system enables the digital content to be sent in a scrambled format, such that the digital content cannot be read and/or displayed without a key. The key is obtained from a control message, which is only sent to authorized users. Preferably, the key is obtained from coded information contained within the Entitlement Control Message, or ECM, for generating a code word associated with the ECM. Thus, only authorized users are able to correctly read and/or display the digital content. In addition, the system and method described in European Patent
Application No. EP 0858184 enable the authorized user to record and playback or otherwise display the digital content, while preventing the user from producing and distributing multiple playable copies of the digital content to other, non-authorized users. Therefore, the authorized user is able to fully use and enjoy the digital content, while the content itself is still protected from unauthorized use. As described in European Patent Application No. EP 0858184, and as shown in background art Figure 1 taken from this Application, such a system includes a media device 100, such as a television set, for playing the digital content, such as a television program for example. Media device 100 is connected to an integrated receiver-decoder (IRD) 110, for receiving and decoding the scrambled digital content. The system also features a removable security element 120, such as a smart card for example, for providing control words for unscrambling, or otherwise rendering into a clear format, the scrambled digital content by IRD 110. In addition, the system features a digital VCR 130 for communicating with media device 100 and IRD 110. Digital VCR 130 is able to record the digital content for later playback and/or display by media device 100.
IRD 110 receives scrambled digital content which features a plurality of ECMs, each of which is associated with, and is typically followed by, a scrambled digital data segment, containing the actual digital content. Each ECM includes coded information which can be used to generate a code word for unscrambling the associated scrambled digital data segment. Typically, removable security element 120 generates the code word. IRD 110 is then able to descramble the scrambled digital content, for example for being played by media device 100. Background art Figure 2, also taken from European Patent Application
No. EP 0858184, is a flow diagram illustrating the production of the scrambled digital content. As shown, the scrambled digital content is produced as an SDDS (scrambled digital data stream) 140, featuring a plurality of ECMs such as an nth ECM 145, and a plurality of associated SDSEGs such as an nth SDSEG (scrambled digital data segment) 150 which is associated with nth ECM 145. IRD 110 of Figure 1, in cooperation with removable security element 120, is able to use SDDS 140 in order to form a recording SDDS 165. Recording SDDS 165 is produced with the addition of a TECM (transformed ECM) key, which is permanently associated with the system of Figure 1, even if removable security element 120 is changed, replaced or exchanged, for example. This TECM key is used to make a plurality of TECMs, shown as nth TECM 175, from the code words of the ECMs. Thus, a system which did not feature the correct TECM key could not descramble the recording SDDS 165 for playing back or otherwise displaying the digital content, while the authorized user is always able to play back or otherwise display the recorded digital content as long as the TECM key is available. However, the above mechanisms can only secure the digital content, but do not attempt to determine how the user should be requested to purchase the content. Certainly, the user could actually purchase and store the digital content as individual units according to the mechanism described above, thereby rendering the previously described system as an analogous, purely electronic version of the currently available manual method for purchasing small storage devices containing the content of interest, such as CDs (compact disks) and videotape cassettes. Yet the user might wish to have a more limited, and therefore presumably less expensive, access to a wider variety of digital content.
Currently, such less expensive access is provided through broadcast television channels, for example through cable or satellite carriers. In some situations, such television channels are obtained through a monthly subscription to the entire channel and/or to a group of such channels. However, the drawback of these channels is that the user must either watch the television programs which are available at the times that they are available, or record such programs for later viewing. Certainly, these currently available channels are not customizable, such that users cannot select television programs to be viewed exactly when the user wishes to view the program. .
One attempt at customization is the known mechanism of "pay-per-view" for broadcast television programs, in which the user must specifically purchase the right to view a particular television program once. Each display or right to view each television program is purchased separately. However, such a mechanism is both awkward for the user, who must then perform a purchasing process repeatedly for each display of each program of interest, and is also excessively rigid, since the user must purchase the right to view the entire program. Thus, if the user watches a few minutes of the television program but then decides not to watch the rest of the program, the user must still pay for the entire television program.
The disclosures of all references mentioned above and throughout the present specification are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION None of the disclosed background art solutions permits a payment mechanism which provides an automatic payment model per unit of time. Also, none of the references teaches or discloses a model for payment which is analogous to a utility, such as currently available payment mechanisms which are available for utilities such as gas, water, electricity and telephone. These mechanisms permit the user to use each such utility as desired by the user, rather than restricting the user to certain time periods during the day for use of the utility. Thus, although the background art systems fulfill a portion of the requirements for a per unit payment system for time-based units of media content, they do not actually fulfill the need for such a system.
Therefore, there is an unmet need for, and it would be highly useful to have, a system and a method for payment for individual units of digital content, in which each such unit is defined as a period of time during which the digital content is displayed and in which payment is effected through a "utility model" payment mechanism. By contrast to the background art, the user is not forced to purchase unrestricted access to a package of television programs, which are displayed at predetermined time points as part of a predefined television channel, but rather purchases at least the right to view select separate units of content, in which each unit is defined according to the period of time of the display.
The present invention fulfills these needs by providing a system and a method for per unit payment for units of digital content, in which the payment is determined for each unit of time that the content is displayed. Therefore, payment is charged according to a "metered" or utility model for payment, in which the user is automatically charged for each unit of time that any particular content is displayed. As described in greater detail below, payment may optionally be at least partially determined according to the time of day of the display and/or the type of content being displayed. However, the basic unit for determining payment is a unit of time, such that the term "unit of content", as used herein, actually refers to a unit of time during which content is displayed or played back. Thus, unlike existing television channels, the user is only charged for content which is actually displayed, thereby providing for customization of choice for such content; yet unlike existing pay-per-view mechanisms, the user is not required to separately perform some type of "purchasing act" in order to purchase the content, nor is the user required to purchase an entire time period during which the content is to be displayed, but instead is automatically able to pay only for the time during which the content is actually displayed.
According to optional but preferred embodiments of the present invention, the user is able to purchase a plurality of units of different types of content as a package, which is defined according to the content itself rather than according to some predetermined television channel. For example, the user may wish to purchase a combination of units of content which would optionally include all sporting events of a particular type, such as all NFL (US National Football League) games. There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for determining a payment for pay television usage including associating a period of watching pay television with a number of units, and determining a payment based, at least in part, on the number of units.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention determining step includes determining, based at least in part, on the number of units and on a cost per unit.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the cost per unit includes one cost chosen from a plurality of predefined costs per unit. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes, during the period of watching pay television, displaying a visual indication of the one cost.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the visual indication includes a color chosen from a plurality of predefined colors, and each one of the plurality of predefined colors is associated with one of the plurality of predefined costs per unit.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the visual indication includes a visual indication associated with a program information dialog box.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the visual indication includes a program listing. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the visual indication includes an electronic program guide (EPG).
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the visual indication includes a station logo.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the visual indication includes a symbol.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the symbol includes a dot.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the visual indication includes a special effect. Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the special effect includes a visual transition.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the visual indication includes text.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method includes, during the period of watching pay television, playing an audible indication of the one cost.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the audible indication includes a spoken indication.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the audible indication includes a tone chosen from a plurality of predefined tones, and each one of the plurality of predefined tones is associated with one of the plurality of predefined costs per unit.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes, during the period of watching pay television, emitting a sensible indication of the one cost, the sensible indication including one of the following: an olfactory indication, and a tactile indication.
There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for determining payment for displaying content to a user through a display device, the method including the steps of (a) displaying a unit of content to the user by the display device, the unit being determined according to a period of time the content is displayed by the display device, (b) determining an amount of payment for the unit of content, and (c) charging the user for displaying the unit of content according to the amount of payment.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the amount of payment for the unit of content is determined at least partially according to a particular type of content.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the amount of payment for the unit of content is determined at least partially according to a time of day for displaying the unit of content.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the amount of payment for the unit of content is determined at least partially according to a characteristic of the user.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the amount of payment for the unit of content is determined according to one of a plurality of different price levels. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method includes the step of (d) displaying a price indicator to the user, the price indicator indicating a price level of the unit of content.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the price indicator is a color. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the color is displayed during at least a portion of the display of the unit of content.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the color is displayed as a background to a name of the unit of content.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention step (b) includes the step of displaying information about the unit of content.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the information is in a form of an EPG (electronic programming guide). Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the unit of content is of a first type of content, the method further including the steps of indicating a transition after the unit of content is displayed, and (e) displaying a second unit of content, the second unit of content being of a second type of content. Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the transition is indicated with a signal selected from the group consisting of an audible tone, a visual indication, an odor, a taste, and a tactile sensation.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present mvention the signal is a visual indication, and the visual indication includes an indication of the amount of payment for the unit of content.
There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for determining payment for displaying content to a user, the content being composed of a plurality of units, each unit being determined according to a period of time, the system including (a) a display device for displaying the content to the user, and (b) a metering device in communication with the display device, the metering device determining a number of units of content being displayed by the display device, such that the payment is calculated at least partially according to the number of units of content.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the metering device further includes (i) a unit associator for detecting a request for viewing a unit of content from the user and for determining the number of units of content displayed to the user, and (ii) a payment determiner for receiving the number of units of content from the unit associator and for calculating the payment according to the number of units of content.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the display device is a television.
There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for determining a payment for pay television usage including a unit associator for associating a period of watching pay television with a number of units, and a payment determiner for determining a payment based, at least in part, on the number of units.
For the present invention, a software application could be written in substantially any suitable programming language, which could easily be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. The programming language chosen should be compatible with the computational device according to which the software application is executed. Examples of suitable programming languages include, but are not limited to, C, C++, Java and Assembly.
In addition, the present invention could be implemented as software, firmware or hardware, or as a combination thereof. For any of these implementations, the functional steps performed by the method could be described as a plurality of instructions performed by a data processor. In addition, for the software implementation, the functional steps performed by the method could be described as a plurality of instructions performed by a computer software product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a background art system; FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating the production of the scrambled digital content according to the background art;
FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram according to the present invention for payment for each unit of content;
FIGS. 4A - 4H show a plurality of schematic, exemplary displays according to the present invention for the virtual channel;
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary display for determining how cost information is displayed according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 shows an exemplary monthly bill display according to the present invention; and FIGS. 7 A and IB, taken together, show an exemplary bill display for a plurality of months according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is of a system and a method for per unit payment for units of digital content, in which the payment is per unit of time that the content is displayed or played back to the user. Therefore, payment is charged according to a "metered" or utility model for payment, in which the user is automatically charged for each unit of time that any particular content is displayed.
For example, users typically use such utilities as required or desired, such that the user may place a telephone call at any desired time. Users are typically not as concerned with per unit payment, as with the overall payment required for the utility each month. Therefore, the basic unit for determining payment is a unit of time, such that the term "unit of content", as used herein, actually refers to a unit of time during which content is displayed or played back. Thus, unlike existing television channels, the user is only charged for content which is actually displayed, while still being able to automatically pay only for the time during which the content is actually displayed, preferably through some periodic billing system.
For the present invention, effectively the electronic display device which is required to display or play back the units of content, such as a television for example, is "metered" in order to calculate and/or detect the number and/or price of the units which have been consumed by the user. Thus, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the electronic display device and/or system of the present invention more preferably features a metering device. According to optional but more preferred features of the present invention, the basic unit for the metering device is a periodically transmitted message which is sent at regular time intervals, and which is preferably required in order to be able to descramble the data. This message is more preferably an entitlement control message (ECM). As previously described, the ECM is preferably required in order to decrypt or otherwise descramble content which cannot otherwise be accessed. More preferably, a control word contained within, and/or generated by using, the ECM is actually used to decrypt or otherwise descramble the content, whether directly or indirectly. Therefore, as the metering device uses each ECM to decrypt or otherwise descramble content, a charge is preferably made for another time-based unit of content by the metering device. Most preferably, the price per unit of time for the display depends upon such factors as the time of day, the day of the week, the type of content being displayed, and or a "timeliness factor", in which older and/or more outdated content is charged at a less expensive rate, for example. Optionally, the different prices for different units are reflected according to tiers of such prices, such that there is a plurality of different levels of prices.
Optionally and most preferably, the user is notified of the price tier to which a unit of content belongs before the user chooses to pay for that unit. Such notification may optionally be performed through the production of an audible signal and/or through the production of a visible signal. The visible signal could optionally be a color coding scheme, for example in which the least expensive content is associated with gray or green, more expensive content is associated with gold, and the most expensive content is associated with platinum. Optionally and most preferably, the user can control the display of the color coding during the display or play back of the unit of content. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the content is available free of charge. More preferably, such a plurality of portions of content and/or specific units of content together form a promotional channel, in which a preview of different units of content is available. Optionally and more preferably, the display device automatically displays the promotional channel whenever the unit(s) of content for which the user has paid are no longer being displayed. Also optionally and more preferably, the promotional channel can also operate as a purchasing mechanism, in which the user may select units of content directly through the promotional activities, for example by pressing a "select" button or otherwise indicating a selection icon on a menu laid over the promotional display of particular units of content.
Although the purchasing menus may be displayed along the side of the promotional units of content, more preferably they are organized into a navigational system for the user interface. This navigational system most preferably enables the user to select units of content to be purchased for limited viewing, optionally and most preferably with an associated description of the unit of content, and also enables the user to actually select each unit of content for display. ' Color coding for price levels may also optionally appear as part of the description of each unit of content. For example, color coding could optionally be used for the text of the description, the background color for the display of the program description and/or as a small icon within the display area, such as a colored dot for example.
According to optional but preferred embodiments of the present invention, the user is able to purchase a plurality of units of content as a package, which is defined according to the type of content itself rather than according to some predetermined television channel. For example, the user may wish to purchase a combination of units of content which would optionally include all sporting events of a particular type, such as all NFL (US National Football League) games. The purchase of selected periods of time for displaying content, with an automatic payment calculation and assessment mechanism, may thus optionally and more preferably enable the user to develop a "virtual channel", in which not only the content is selected, but the time period(s) of display for the content is also selected by the user.
The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
Referring now to the drawings, Figure 3 is a schematic flow diagram according to the present invention for the payment for digital content on a "per unit" basis, the unit being determined according to a period of time that the content is displayed. Although the flow diagram is described with regard to television program content, it is understood that this is for the purposes of illustration only and is without any intention of being limiting in any way. As shown, the operation of the method starts during a period of watching pay television, which could for example be defined according to the previously described unit of content. Generally, the system according to the present invention for operating the method is optionally implemented such that the system includes a display device for displaying the content to the user, which could be a television for example. The system also features a metering device in communication with said display device, for calculating the number of units of content in order to at least partially determine the amount of payment which must be made, as described in greater detail below.
Preferably, the metering device features a unit associator 200. Unit associator 200 detects a request for viewing a unit of content from the user through the television itself, and/or through a renewable, removable security module, such as a smartcard for example, for decrypting or otherwise unscrambling content which the user has requested and which the user has the right to purchase or has already purchased (not shown), as previously described for background art Figures 1 and 2. The following description of the payment process assumes that this mechanism is available for controlling access to the content, thereby preventing unauthorized access to the content, but does not otherwise address the issue of access control, which is well-known in the art and which is described, for example, in the above-referenced background art, particularly in US Patent Nos. 5,282,249 and 5,481,609.
Unit associator 200 detects the request for the purchase of the time-based unit of content, and passes the information on units which are actually purchased to a payment determiner 210. Payment determiner 210 may optionally receive other input information as shown, such as a per unit cost for particular units and/or information on the time of day during which a unit of content is being displayed, if this input information affects the price per unit of content. Payment determiner 210 then determines the payment which is required. The amount of the required payment is then preferably passed to a displayer of indication of unit cost 220 as shown, which then displays the cost to the user according to some indication.
Figures 4A - 4H are schematic diagrams of exemplary screen displays for displaying information to the user about cost indications. As previously described, the television or other display device of the user is preferably able to display information to the user about the cost per unit of content, which is at least partially determined according to the length of time of the display, which can optionally be calculated as described for Figure 3 above. Such information may optionally and preferably be displayed to the user with a color coding system, in which color is added to the display of information in order to provide a cost indication.
As shown with regard to Figure 4A, a screen display 240 displays information about the unit of content to the user. An information display 250 preferably includes the name of the unit of content, in this case "Name 1", which could be the title of a movie, for example. The time at which the unit of content is to be displayed is preferably also included. Other optional information includes, but is not limited, a rating of the unit of content ("PG"), the name of one or more stars of the unit of content, a brief description of the subject matter, the running time and so forth.
More preferably, information display 250 also features color coded information in order to indicate the cost of the unit of content. In this example, the color coding is added as a background to the display of the name of the unit of content, although of course the color coding could optionally be added to another or different portion of screen display 240.
For example, as shown with regard to Figure 4B, the color coded information at information display 250 is supplemented with the addition of the phrase "Gold Program" 260, indicating that the unit of content is priced according to a tiered system of prices. This particular unit of content is thus priced according to the "gold" level of prices. Of course, other systems for pricing different types of content could also optionally be used. Figure 4C shows an exemplary navigator interface 270 according to the present invention, for displaying information to the user about a plurality of different types of content. Navigator interface 270 therefore preferably combines scheduling and other information about units of content with pricing information, and as such could be considered as an example of an EPG (electronic programming guide). However, the basic EPG concept is more preferably extended, since pricing information is also added according to the present invention, most preferably according to a plurality of different levels of payment.
As shown, navigator interface 270 optionally and more preferably features information about a plurality of numbered channels for displaying units of content (shown as "301", "302", "303" and "304" for the purposes of illustration only). For example, a first content 280 is displayed through channel "301", and has the title "Name 1", as for Figures 4A and 4B. A second content 290 is displayed through channel "302" and has the title "Name 2". A third content 300 is displayed through channel "304" and has the title "Name 3". As shown, the display for each content 280, 290 and 300 preferably has a colored background, which is color coded according to the price of each time-based unit of the content. Thus, the user can easily select the content for display according to the title, the time of display and the price.
Figure 4D shows another optional implementation of the present invention, in which a screen display 310 features a price indicator 320 in the form of an icon. The icon is more preferably added to a part of the actual display of the time-based unit of content itself, in order for the user to be able to immediately determine the cost of the actual content being displayed. Price indicator 320 could also optionally be used to indicate the name of the channel and/or broadcast station which is broadcasting the content, with the price information being indicated according to the background color of the icon and/or the color of the name of the channel and or broadcast station itself. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, if the display device of the user displays content from a plurality of different providers, such as a plurality of different channels and/or broadcast stations, the location of price indicator 320 is predetermined on screen display 310 for all providers.
Figure 4E shows yet another optional implementation of the present invention, in which screen display 310 features a different price indicator 330 in the form of a colored dot. Again, the colored dot is preferably color coded in order to indicate the price of the time-based unit of content. The colored dot is also more preferably added to a part of the actual display of the unit of content itself, as for Figure 4D. Price indicator 330 may optionally be displayed for only a short period of time, for example at the start of displaying the unit of content, or alternatively may be displayed throughout the time of displaying the unit of content.
Figure 4F shows an exemplary transition display mechanism, for indicating to the user when a transition to a different program and/or to a different price scheme is being made. For example, a first time-based unit of content is displayed to the user through a first display 340. Next, the user requests a different time-based unit of content, and/or the display of the first content ends and the display of the next content begins. A transition display 350 indicates, through color, shape and/or other visual information, the transition to the display of a different unit of content. Next, a second display 360 of a second unit of content is shown. Thus, the user receives a clear indication of the transition between the display of different units of content.
Figure 4G shows another implementation of a screen display 370, in which again color coding is preferably added directly to screen display 370 in order to indicate the cost of the unit of content. However, in this implementation, optionally and preferably a cost display 380 indicates how much the user has paid during this particular viewing session. The background color of cost display 380 indicates the amount spent during the entire session. An audible noise, shown as a "ding" 390, is more preferably given in order to indicate to the user that an additional charge is being added to the total charge for the session. Optionally and most preferably, each pricing level for each time-based unit of content features a different type of audible noise or "ding" 390. Alternatively, this mechanism could optionally be used as a different transition mechanism, to indicate the transition to a different unit of content. It is also appreciated that the audible noise may comprise a spoken or verbal indication of the additional charge, which may be provided using any means well-known in the art (not shown) including, for example: a recording stored locally in the apparatus of Fig. 4G; a speech-synthesis unit in the apparatus of Fig. 4G; and a sound transmitted to the apparatus of Fig. 4G. Other optional transition mechanisms include the manufacture of characteristic odors or tastes to indicate the price of a unit of content (see for example http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/7Jl/digiscent.htmr), and or the use of vibration or temperature of the remote control to indicate a transition to a different unit of content.
Figure 4H is an exemplary, optional display of the rate of charging for different levels of content, shown as a table 400. As shown, the prices are given as the cost per minute (in this case, the units of currency are given as "cents"). The price depends upon the particular level for each unit of content, shown as "platinum", "gold" and "silver" for the purposes of illustration only and without any intention of being limiting. Optionally and more preferably, the price also depends upon the time at which the content is displayed, according to one of three different time periods as shown.
According to other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the user is able to select various options for displaying the price information, as shown with regard to Figure 5. For example, as shown, the user could optionally decide to show the price information as part of the program description, in the form of a colored dot during the first five seconds of viewing the program. Other options could of course also be available.
In addition, the user is preferably also provided with details of the charges in the form of tables and graphs. As shown for example with regard to Figure 6, a television bill for a particular month could optionally show a pie chart graph, indicating the percentage amount spent for each type of content and the total cost of the content for that particular month. Users may also optionally and preferably be able to view the costs for viewing content over a plurality of months, as shown with regard to Figures 7A and 7B, for example.
According to other optional but preferred embodiments of the present invention, advertisements may optionally be featured as part of the display of the unit of content. For example, optionally and preferably, the user could receive a discount on the price of a particular unit of content, thereby providing an additional revenue stream. Other discounts may optionally be offered to particular users, for example those users who fit a particularly desirable demographic group. Such discounts could optionally be offered by sending different "look-up" tables to the display devices of the users, which would then preferably be used to generate the information and pricing structure as shown with regard to Figure 4H.
The previously described model for payment is based upon the utility payment model, such as for telephone services, in which the user pays as the service is actually used (the unit of content is displayed). Additionally or alternatively, the display device of the user could receive a plurality of units of content, for which a charge is only made as units of content are consumed. Therefore, each displayed unit of content would preferably be marked as "consumed", and a charge would then be made for that unit of content. Next, a new unit of content would be received to replace the previous unit. Also additionally or alternatively, the user could pay for a particular set of units of content at a fixed rate per time period, such as per month for example. The user would then preferably receive a "return credit" for those units of content which are not consumed during any given time period.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method for determining a payment for pay television usage comprising: associating a period of watching pay television with a number of units; and determining a payment based, at least in part, on the number of units.
2. A method according to claim 1 and wherein the determining step comprises determining, based at least in part, on the number of units and on a cost per unit.
3. A method according to claim 2 and wherein the cost per unit comprises one cost chosen from a plurality of predefined costs per unit.
4. ■ A method according to claim 3 and also including: during the period of watching pay television, displaying a visual indication of the one cost.
5. A method according to claim 4 and wherein the visual indication comprises a color chosen from a plurality of predefined colors, and each one of the plurality of predefined colors is associated with one of the plurality of predefined costs per unit.
6. A method according to either claim 4 or claim 5 and wherein the visual indication comprises a visual indication associated with a program information dialog box.
7. A method according to any of claims 4 - 6 and wherein the visual indication comprises a program listing.
8. A method according to any of claims 4 - 7 and wherein the visual indication comprises an electronic program guide (EPG).
9: A method according to any of claims 4 - 8 and wherein the visual indication comprises a station logo.
10. A method according to any of claims 4 - 9 and wherein the visual indication comprises a symbol.
11. A method according to claim 10 and wherein the symbol comprises a dot.
12. A method according to any of claims 4 - 11 and wherein the visual indication comprises a special effect.
13. A method according to claim 12 and wherein the special effect comprises a visual transition.
14. A method according to any of claim 4 - 13 and wherein the visual indication comprises text.
15. A method according to claim 3 and comprising: during the period of watching pay television, playing an audible indication of the one cost.
16. A method according to claim 15 and wherein the audible indication comprises a spoken indication.
17. A method according to claim 15 and wherein the audible indication comprises a tone chosen from a plurality of predefined tones, and each one of the plurality of predefined tones is associated with one of the plurality of predefined costs per unit.
18. A method according to claim 3 and also including: during the period of watching pay television, emitting a sensible indication of the one cost, the sensible indication comprising one of the following: an olfactory indication; and a tactile indication.
19. A method for determining payment for displaying content to a user through a display device, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying a unit of content to the user by the display device, said unit being determined according to a period of time said content is displayed by the display device;
(b) determining an amount of payment for said unit of content; and
(c) charging the user for displaying said unit of content according to said amount of payment.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein said amount of payment for said unit of content is determined at least partially according to a particular type of content.
21. The method of claims 19 or 20, wherein said amount of payment for said unit of content is determined at least partially according to a time of day for displaying said unit of content.
22. The method of any of claims 19-21, wherein said amount of payment for said unit of content is determined at least partially according to a characteristic of the user.
23. The method of any of claims 19-22, wherein said amount of payment for said unit of content is determined according to one of a plurality of different price levels.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of:
(d) displaying a price indicator to the user, said price indicator indicating a price level of said unit of content.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein said price indicator is a color.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said color is displayed during at least a portion of the display of said unit of content.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein said color is displayed as a background to a name of said unit of content.
28. The method of any of claims 19-27, wherein step (b) includes the step of displaying information about said unit of content.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein said information is in a form of an EPG (electronic programming guide).
30. The method of claim 19, wherein said unit of content is of a first type of content, the method further comprising the steps of:
(d) indicating a transition after said unit of content is displayed; and
(e) displaying a second unit of content, said second unit of content being of a second type of content.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein said transition is indicated with a signal selected from the group consisting of an audible tone, a visual indication, an odor, a taste, and a tactile sensation.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein said signal is a visual indication, and said visual indication includes an indication of said amount of payment for said unit of content.
33. A system for determining payment for displaying content to a user, the content being composed of a plurality of units, each unit being determined according to a period of time, the system comprising:
(a) a display device for displaying the content to the user; and
(b) a metering device in communication with said display device, said metering device determining a number of units of content being displayed by said display device, such that the payment is calculated at least partially according to said number of units of content.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein said metering device further comprises:
(i) a unit associator for detecting a request for viewing a unit of content from the user and for determining said number of units of content displayed to the user; and
(ϋ) a payment determiner for receiving said number of units of content from said unit associator and for calculating the payment according to said number of units of content.
35. The system of claims 33 or 34, wherein said display device is a television.
36. A system for determining a payment for pay television usage comprising: a unit associator for associating a period of watching pay television with a number of units; and a payment determiner for determining a payment based, at least in part, on the number of units.
37. The method according to any of claims 1 - 18 and also comprising providing a return credit based, at least in part, on units which are not consumed during a given period of time.
38. The method according to any of claims 19 - 32 and also comprising providing a retum credit based, at least in part, on a unit of content which is not consumed during the period of time.
39. The method according to any of claims 1 - 18 and also comprising marking a displayed unit of content as consumed.
40. The method according to any of claims 19 - 32 and also comprising marking a displayed unit of content as consumed.
PCT/IL2001/001158 2001-02-14 2001-12-13 System for payment for broadcast content WO2002065775A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US26880601P 2001-02-14 2001-02-14
US60/268,806 2001-02-14

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1613085A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2006-01-04 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Digital content reproduction device and digital content use control method
CN105577371A (en) * 2009-03-25 2016-05-11 索尼公司 Method to upgrade content encryption

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0297988A2 (en) * 1987-06-30 1989-01-04 Communications Satellite Corporation Pay-TV time purchase scheme
WO1996041478A1 (en) * 1995-06-07 1996-12-19 Tv Guide On Screen Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0297988A2 (en) * 1987-06-30 1989-01-04 Communications Satellite Corporation Pay-TV time purchase scheme
WO1996041478A1 (en) * 1995-06-07 1996-12-19 Tv Guide On Screen Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1613085A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2006-01-04 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Digital content reproduction device and digital content use control method
EP1613085A4 (en) * 2003-04-04 2006-04-19 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Digital content reproduction device and digital content use control method
CN105577371A (en) * 2009-03-25 2016-05-11 索尼公司 Method to upgrade content encryption

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