Shared-price custom video rentals via interactive TV

Abstract

Movies and like video programs are distributed electronically from a program storage and processing center in encrypted format over a satellite channel upon custom order for private viewing of one paying subscriber or a small group of subscribers. Thus, charges may be shared to lower the processing, transmission and royalty costs involved for custom rental of unscheduled programs available from a large storage library facility. The transactions for ordering, paying and receiving a decryption key are made over a two-way interactive wireless satellite network in communication with a nationwide network of subscribers and the video program storage and distribution center. Software controlled subscriber stations permit the monitoring and control of the private viewing conditions to meet various copyright and recording criteria. The transmission is preferably in digital format, and thus may be easily stored in encrypted format for a single private viewing session at a time chosen by the subscriber. The interactive network provides optimal communication of catalog choices, pricing, delivery conditions, automated storage, viewing schedules, payment, confirmation of orders, and conformation to change in business procedures or delivery conditions. Thus, special purpose single-shot local control software may be downloaded from an interactive network processing center to the ordering subscriber station for implementing an order for a private viewing session of a desired movie or other video program.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.