Mechanism for Distributing Content Data

Abstract

The current invention provides a system for distributing content data to user locations. The content data preferably includes digital video data that is available on demand from a requesting location. A system server stores user accounts and generated customized program schedules for the user account based on user criteria which includes user preferences. Authorized users access their accounts to modify user criteria and to select program transmissions. Preferably, a computer and a television set receive program transmissions from a system network, wherein the computer provides a logical interface between the television set and content data transmitted over the system network.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method for distributing one or more digital content items to at least one receiver, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a content distribution computer, user preference data comprising one or more user preferred content types, user billing information and a device indicator;   generating, by the content distribution computer, a customized content listing comprising a plurality of the digital content items selected based on the user preferred content types and the device indicator;   receiving, by the content distribution computer, a selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of digital content items included in the customized content listing;   attempting to bill, by the content distribution computer, a user account for the selected digital content item using a cost associated with the selected digital content item and user billing information; and   transmitting, by the content distribution computer, the selected digital content item to a receiver corresponding to the device indicator if the user account was successfully billed for the selected digital content item.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the device indicator is indicative of a geographic location associated with the receiver. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the device indicator is indicative of a logical address associated with the receiver. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the content distribution computer, a secondary device indicator; and   transmitting, by the content distribution computer, the selected digital content item to a secondary receiver corresponding to the secondary device indicator.   
     
     
         34 . The method for  claim 33 , further comprising:
 attempting to bill, by the content distribution computer, the user account for transmission of the selected digital content item to the secondary receiver using the cost associated with the selected digital content item and user billing information.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein generating the customized content listing comprises:
 applying, by the content distribution computer, one or more weighting factors to the user preferred content types; and   selecting, by the content distribution computer, the plurality of digital content items according to the weighted user preferred content types.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 retrieving, by the content distribution computer, a list of available digital content items from one or more content providers prior to generating the customized content listing.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the content distribution computer, a list of available digital content items via user input prior to generating the customized content listing.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 authenticating, by the content distribution computer, a user identity corresponding to the user preference data prior to receiving the user preference data.   
     
     
         39 . A method using one or more computers to select and receive one or more digital content items, the method comprising:
 transmitting, by the one or more computers, user preference data comprising one or more user preferred content types, user billing information and a device indicator;   receiving, by the one or more computers, a customized content listing comprising a plurality of the digital content items selected based on the user preferred content types and the device indicator;   transmitting, by the one or more computers, a selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of digital content items included in the customized content listing;   receiving, by the one or more computers, confirmation that a user account was billed for the selected digital content item using a cost associated with the selected digital content item and user billing information; and   receiving, by the one or more computers, the selected digital content item following the confirmation that the user account was successfully billed for the selected digital content item.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 storing, by the one or more computers, the selected digital content item at the one or more computers.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 presenting, by the one or more computers, a listing of content items stored at the one or more computers.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the one or more computers, a request to delete one or more first content items included in the listing of content items; and   deleting, by the one or more computers, the first content items from storage at the one or more computers.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the one or more computers, a request to present the selected digital content item on a display device;   determining, by the one or more computers, that an authorization time limit associated with the selected digital content item has expired; and   presenting, by the one or more computers, an indication that the request was denied.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of digital content items in the customized content listing is organized into categories based on content type. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the one or more computers, updated user preference information; and   receiving, by the one or more computers, an updated customized content listing comprising a plurality of additional digital content items selected based on the updated user preference information.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the one or more computers, a user identity corresponding to the user preference data prior to transmitting the user preference data.   
     
     
         47 . A system for distributing one or more digital content items to at least one receiver, the system comprising:
 a catalog interface component configured to   receive user preference data comprising one or more user preferred content types, user billing information and a device indicator,   generate a customized content listing comprising a plurality of the digital content items selected based on the user preferred content types and the device indicator, and   receive a selection signal for selecting one of the plurality of digital content items included in the customized content listing;   a billing component configured to bill, by the content distribution computer, a user account for the selected digital content item using a cost associated with the selected digital content item and user billing information; and   a media transport component configured to transmit the selected digital content item to a receiver corresponding to the device indicator if the user account was successfully billed for the selected digital content item.   
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47 , further comprising:
 an authentication component configured to verify a user identity corresponding to the user preference data.   
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 a user database configured to store the user preference data and information corresponding to the user identity.