Playable Media Delivery Capacity Exchange Method

Abstract

A network based distribution system and method is disclosed for exchanging capacity between subscribers for distribution of playable media items, such as movies in a digital format. The system allows subscribers to exchange capacity directly between themselves, and/or to have such exchange performed automatically on their behalf.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of allocating capacity delivery of playable media items over between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a first subscriber delivery queue for the first subscriber with a computing system accessible over an electronic network, said first subscriber delivery queue having a first capacity for delivering playable media items to said first subscriber;   (b) providing a second subscriber delivery queue for the second subscriber with said computing system, said second subscriber delivery queue having a second capacity for delivering second playable media items to said second subscriber;   (c) exchanging capacity between said first subscriber delivery queue and said second delivery queue for delivery of playable media items with said computing system in response to a request received from one or both of said first subscriber and second subscriber over said electronic network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said request represents a confirmation of an agreement between said first subscriber and said second subscriber. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a combined capacity of said first subscriber delivery queue and said second subscriber delivery queue remains constant after step (c). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said playable media items include movie titles stored on a digital disk. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said playable media items are delivered electronically over a broadband channel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said capacity is exchanged temporarily for securing a single additional playable media item. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , where said capacity can be exchanged in the form of individual delivery slots. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a step: monitoring exchanges of capacity with said computing system for at least one of the following purposes: (a) determining demand for titles; (b) identifying potential subscriber account changes; predicting success/capacity requirements of future titles. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein capacity exchanges are performed automatically on behalf of said first subscriber and/or second subscriber over said electronic network. 
     
     
         10 . A method of allocating capacity delivery of playable media items over between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a first subscriber delivery queue for the first subscriber with a computing system accessible over an electronic network, said first subscriber delivery queue having a first capacity for delivering playable media items to said first subscriber;   (b) providing exchange information for a portion of said first capacity, which exchange information can be reviewed over a network connection by a second subscriber to the media distribution service;
 wherein said exchange information identifies an amount of consideration required for said first subscriber to obtain said portion of said first capacity; 
   (c) providing a second subscriber delivery queue for the second subscriber with said computing system, said second subscriber delivery queue having a second capacity for delivering second playable media items to said second subscriber;   (d) receiving a request over the network connection from said second subscriber to locate additional capacity for delivering said playable media items;   (e) offering said portion of said first capacity to said second subscriber in accordance with said exchange information associated with said first media title;   (f) providing said portion of said first capacity to said second subscriber in response to said second subscriber consenting to provide said consideration;   wherein capacity for delivering playable media items can be exchanged between said second subscriber and said first subscriber under control of said media distribution service.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a combined capacity of said first subscriber delivery queue and said second subscriber delivery queue remains constant after step (c). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said playable media items include movie titles stored on a digital disk. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said playable media items are delivered electronically over a broadband channel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said capacity is exchanged temporarily for securing a single additional playable media item. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , where said capacity can be exchanged in the form of individual delivery slots. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further including a step: monitoring exchanges of capacity with said computing system for at least one of the following purposes: (a) determining demand for titles; (b) identifying potential subscriber account changes; predicting success/capacity requirements of future titles. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein capacity exchanges are performed automatically on behalf of said first subscriber and/or second subscriber over said electronic network. 
     
     
         18 . A method of automatically allocating capacity delivery of playable media items over between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a first subscriber delivery queue for the first subscriber with a computing system accessible over an electronic network, said first subscriber delivery queue having a first capacity for delivering playable media items to said first subscriber;   (b) receiving a request for a first playable media item from said first subscriber over said electronic network;   (c) automatically locating a second subscriber with access rights to said first playable media item using said computing system;   (d) automatically changing capacity of said first subscriber delivery queue and/or a second subscriber delivery queue for a second subscriber using said computing system in exchange for securing access to said first playable media item for said first subscriber.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including a step: receiving an indication of a consideration required by said second subscriber for obtaining access rights to said first playable media item. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further including a step: causing the computing system to automatically negotiate on behalf of the first subscriber for said access rights.