System and method for delivering video on demand

Abstract

A system and method of delivering video on demand includes a web site for receiving customer requests for video content, locating the requested content on one of a plurality of distributed video servers, and arranging the located content to be distributed to the customer's set top box via a broadband connection.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, from a computer of a user, a network address corresponding to a set-top box;   receiving information for selecting video content stored in one of a plurality of video servers;   determining a particular one of the plurality of video servers storing the selected video content; and   forwarding the network address to the particular video server storing the selected video content,   wherein the particular video server is configured to directly communicate with the set-top box for delivery of the selected video content.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the particular video server is configured to attach a piece of active code to the selected video content, such that, upon execution of the active code, the set-top box deletes the selected video content from the set-top box. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the set-top box deletes the selected video content from the set-top box after a set amount of time. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the set-top box deletes the video content from the set-top box after viewing the selected video content. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the network address corresponds to an internet protocol (IP) address. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 aggregating a list of available video content associated with the plurality of video servers; and   generating the list to the user for selecting the selected video content.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor configured to receive, from a computer of a user, a network address corresponding to a set-top box, and to receive information for selecting video content stored in one of a plurality of video servers,   wherein the processor is further configured to determine a particular one of the plurality of video servers storing the selected video content, and to forward the network address to the particular video server storing the selected video content, the particular video server being configured to directly communicate with the step-top box for delivery of the selected video content.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the particular video server is configured to attach a piece of active code to the selected video content, such that, upon execution of the active code, the set-top box deletes the selected video content from the set-top box. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the set-top box deletes the selected video content from the set-top box after a set amount of time. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the set-top box deletes the selected video content from the set-top box after viewing the selected video content. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the network address corresponds to an internet protocol (IP) address. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to aggregate a list of available video content associated with the plurality of video servers, and to generate the list to the user for selecting the selected video content. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of video content servers being respectively configured to store video content; and   a web server configured to communicate with the plurality of video content servers and to receive, from a computer of a user, a network address corresponding to a set-top box,   wherein the web server is further configured to forward the network address to a particular one of the plurality of video servers based on user selection, via the web server, of video content, and   wherein the particular video server is further configured to directly establish a connection to the set-top box for delivery of the selected video content.   
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein the particular video server is configured to attach a piece of active code to the selected video content, such that, upon execution of the active code, the set-top box deletes the selected video content from the set-top box. 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein the set-top box deletes the selected video content from the set-top box after a set amount of time. 
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein the set-top box deletes the selected video content from the set-top box after viewing the selected video content. 
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein the network address corresponds to an internet protocol (IP) address. 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein the web server is further configured to aggregate a list of available video content associated with the plurality of video servers, and to provide the list to the user for selecting the selected video content.