Systems and methods for managing the distribution of on-demand media

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing the distribution of on-demand media in an interactive television application are provided. An interactive television application may receive a request for on-demand media from a user. The interactive television application may provide an option to the user for the transmission of the on-demand media. Such options may include, for example, an option to request a reduced-bandwidth version of the on-demand media, an option to schedule a future time for presentation of the on-demand media, an option to download the on-demand media to a recording device, and an option to check the availability of the on-demand media. A reduced price for transmission of the on-demand media may be provided to the user.

1 - 108 . (canceled) 
     
     
         109 . A method for managing the distribution of on-demand media, the method comprising:
 receiving a request for on-demand media from a user, wherein a media distribution facility is configured to transmit the on-demand media to the user at one of a plurality of bandwidths;   determining an available bandwidth for the transmission of the on-demand media is available;   comparing the one of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth; and   generating a display that includes an option for the transmission of the on-demand media to the user that is based at least partially on the comparison of the one of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth.   
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 109  wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request for real-time transmission of the on-demand media. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 109  wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request for transmission of the on-demand media at a future time. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 109  wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request for on-demand media that is selected from the group consisting of an audio selection, a video selection, an electronic publication, an electronic game, a software application, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 109  wherein the one of the plurality of bandwidths is a suggested bandwidth. 
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 113  wherein the suggested bandwidth is presented to the user. 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 114  wherein presenting the suggested bandwidth to the user comprises displaying the suggested bandwidth on a display. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 114  wherein presenting the suggested bandwidth to the user comprises displaying a graphical representation of the suggested bandwidth on a display. 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 114  wherein presenting the suggested bandwidth to the user comprises audibly presenting the suggested bandwidth. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 109  further comprising presenting the available bandwidth to the user. 
     
     
         119 . A system for managing the distribution of on-demand media, the system comprising:
 processing circuitry configured to:
 receive a request for on-demand media from a user, wherein the on-demand media is received from a media distribution facility at one of a plurality of bandwidths; 
 determine an available bandwidth for the receiving of the on-demand media is available; 
 compare the one of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth; and 
 generate a display that includes an option for the receiving of the on-demand media to the user that is based at least partially on the comparison of the one of the plurality of bandwidths to the available bandwidth. 
   
     
     
         120 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the request is a request for real-time receiving of the on-demand media. 
     
     
         121 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the request is a request for receiving the on-demand media at a future time. 
     
     
         122 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the on-demand media that is selected from the group consisting of an audio selection, a video selection, an electronic publication, an electronic game, a software application, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the one of the plurality of bandwidths is a suggested bandwidth. 
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 123  wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to present the suggested bandwidth to the user. 
     
     
         125 . The system of  claim 124  further comprising a display on which the suggested bandwidth is displayed. 
     
     
         126 . The system of  claim 124  further comprising a display on which the suggested bandwidth is graphically presented. 
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 124  further comprising a speaker from which the suggested bandwidth is audibly presented. 
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 119  wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to present the available bandwidth to the user.