Interactive video distribution systems – Billing in video distribution system – Payment method or scheme
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-04
2001-09-04
Elmore, Reba I. (Department: 2187)
Interactive video distribution systems
Billing in video distribution system
Payment method or scheme
C725S061000, C725S122000, C705S026640, C705S027200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286139
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a system that permits a consumer to order video content from various vendors using Internet communication.
With the increasing use of the Internet by consumers, many vendors have established a presence on the Internet by creating a website. While much of the content of these websites consists of advertising material, the Internet offers great potential for transactional commerce. Because the Internet allows for two-way communication between a vendor and a customer, vendors not only can advertise products or services, but also can receive customers' orders on the Internet.
While there are systems known in the art for automated ordering of products or services, these systems rely on telephone communication. One common telephone-based system involves a customer placing a telephone call to an operator and ordering a product or service through voice communication. Another telephone-based system, which is disclosed in Pat. No. 4,797,913 issued to Kaplan et al., involves a customer placing a telephone call to an ordering service office and placing orders based on digit codes imbedded in the dialed number or subsequently entered by the consumer using the telephone, without the need for voice communication with an operator. These systems all require the customer to place a separate telephone call to communicate an order.
Vendors of video content often use telephone-based ordering systems to enable customers to subscribe for certain video content. Once ordered, the video content, for example, a movie, sporting event or premium cable channel is delivered via cable lines to the customer's television set, and the customer is billed for the order by his or her cable provider. A number of these vendors also have websites which advertise video content services. For example, a website of a pay per view television services vendor may display extensive program descriptions, features about celebrities, program reviews and program previews. The ordering system of the present invention permits a website to act as a customer interface to allow a customer to interact directly with a website display to order video content. By not requiring the customer to place a separate telephone call, the ordering system of the present invention provides for greater spontaneity without losing the impulse purchase potential presented by the website display. The ordering system of the present invention can operate simultaneously with a telephone-based ordering system, using much of the same infrastructure. Thus, both Internet-based and telephone-based orders can arrive at the vendor using the same interface, without the need for additional hardware or software at the vendor's location.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a system for ordering video content using the Internet comprising an interactive device for transmitting order information between a customer and an Internet server, a customer interface for facilitating the transmittal of information between the customer and an Internet server; an Internet server for transmitting order information between the interactive device and a data processing center, a data processing center for processing order information, and a video content provider for delivery of video content to the customer.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data processing center transmits the order information to the vendor, and receives from the vendor order status information. Still more preferably, the information provided by the customer interface is updated by new product or service information transmitted by the vendor to the data processing center, by the data processing center to the Internet server, and by the Internet server to the customer interface.
In another preferred embodiment, the Internet server comprises customer identification information for verification of customer identity. Preferably, the customer identification information is a telephone number and multiple-digit passcode.
In another preferred embodiment, the information transmitted between the customer interface and the Internet server is transmitted in real time.
The invention also provides a method of ordering video content by a customer using the Internet which comprises displaying product or service information at a customer interface accessible to the customer by an interactive device, transmitting order information input by the customer from the customer interface to an Internet server, transmitting the order information from the Internet server to a data processing center for receiving the order information from the Internet server, processing that information and transferring to the Internet server information regarding the status of the order; and transmitting to the customer interface the information received by the Internet server from the data processing center.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the steps of transmitting the order information from the data processing means to a video content vendor, and transmitting from the vendor to the data processing center order status information. Still more preferably, the method further comprises the step of updating the customer interface to contain new product or service information which is transmitted from the vendor to the data processing center, which in turn transmits the new information to the Internet server, which then transmits the new information to the customer interface.
In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of programming the Internet server to verify the identity of the customer. Still more preferably, the Internet server is programmed to compare customer telephone number and passcode data contained in a database with telephone number and passcode data input by a customer using the customer interface, and transmitted from the customer interface to the Internet server.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the information transmitted between the customer interface and the Internet server travels in real time.
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall be employed herein:
Internet: An publicly accessible international network of computers, linked by high speed data links, which permits the transmission of data from any computer linked to the network to any other computer linked to the network.
Website: Information contained in a file or group of files stored on one or more computers linnked to the Internet, designated by a Uniform Resource Locator and reached through a hypertext transfer protocol. The information can be in any form, for example, text, sound, video, or graphics, or any combination thereof.
Internet server: A computer directly linked to the Internet.
Data processing center: A device, such as a computer, which receives data from one or more input links, processes or stores the data, and outputs data through one or more output links.
Interactive device: A device, such as a computer, permitting a user to input information which is storable and transmissible in electronic form.
Order status information: Information regarding the acceptance or non-acceptance of an order.
Order form: A graphical display visible on an interactive device which prompts for, and accepts, order information.
Video content: Information which includes visual information. Visual information can be in any form, for example, analog or digital form.
Vendor: A provider, manufacturer, reseller, or distributer of video content.
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Dechert
Elmore Reba I.
Teluve Corporation
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