Media exchange system & method
AssigneeMedia Queue, LLC
InventorJohn N. Gross
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A network based distribution system and method is disclosed for permitting subscribers to exchange playable media items, such as movies in a digital format. The exchange system includes a number of components that interoperate to improve a subscriber's experience, including an intelligent queue monitor which works on his/her behalf to identify potential items of interest for the subscriber. The system can thus automatically exchange for desirable titles, including other titles from other subscribers, under a set of programmed directives from the user, and/or in response to supply/demand requirements of other subscribers.
Claims20
A method of exchanging playable media items distributed by a network based service provider, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) defining a first set of media items as available for bidding by subscribers of the network based service provider;
- (b) receiving a request over the network for a first media title from a first subscriber;
- (c) reviewing said first set of media items to locate said first media title for said first subscriber;
- (d) in response to the results of step (c) being affirmative, offering said first media title to said first subscriber in accordance with a bid identified for access rights for said first media title;
- (e) providing said access rights to said first subscriber when said first subscriber accepts said bid.
A method of exchanging playable media items distributed by a network based service provider, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a request over the network for a first media title from a first subscriber;
- (b) determining if a copy of said first media title can be provided to the first subscriber without requiring a bid from said first subscriber;
- (c) in response to the results of step (b) being affirmative, providing a copy of said first media title to said first subscriber without obtaining additional consideration from the first subscriber;
- (d) in response to the results of step (b) being negative, reviewing a second subscriber selection queue maintained by the network based service provider to locate said first media tide for said first subscriber;
- (e) determining if said first media title is available through a reserve bid in said second subscriber selection queue;
- (f) in response to the results of step (e) being affirmative, offering said first media title to said first subscriber in accordance with said reserve bid;
- (g) repeating steps (d) and (e) in response to the results of step (e) being negative;
- (h) providing said first media title from said second subscriber selection queue to said first subscriber when said first subscriber accepts said reserve bid.
A computing system for exchanging playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the computing system comprising:
- (a) an exchange routine configured for:
- i) identifying a first set of media items available for bidding;
- ii) receiving a request from a first subscriber to access a first media tide;
- iii) reviewing said first set of media items to locate said first media title for said first subscriber;
- iv) in response to the results of step (c) being affirmative, offering said first media title to said first subscriber in accordance with a bid identified for access rights for said first media tide;
- v) providing said access rights to said first subscriber when said first subscriber accepts said bid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.