US Patent No: 4,528,589

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Method and system for subscription television billing and access

2 Status Updates

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)
 

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

A subscription television system and method in which billing information regarding programs actually viewed by a subscriber of the system is accumulated over non-dedicated telephone lines. A scrambled television program signal containing a block of television program material, a program identification code unique to the block of program material, and a program category code, is broadcast. The codes are preferably included in the vertical retrace interval of the video portion of the program signal and the transmitted program signal is selectively received at a subscriber station and selectively unscrambled to permit viewing of the block of program material being transmitted in response to subscriber action indicating acceptance for viewing of the block of program material. The received program category code is compared with a locally generated category code to determine whether the program is acceptable for viewing. The program identification code is detected and stored for subsequent transmission in response to the subscriber action indicating acceptance for viewing of the received block of program material. The program identification code stored at the subscriber station is selectively accessed from a remote location over telephone lines on other than a real time basis (e.g., a periodic basis) to thereby provide billing information at the remote location as to programs actually viewed by the subscriber. The subscriber can thus be billed monthly or on some desired periodic basis for programs actually viewed during the preceding period. The billing period can be varied from the remote location to provide a means to control the number of programs which a subscriber can receive.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

Related Publications

Loading Related Publications... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
IPPV ENTERPRISES, LLCMARINA DEL REY, CA3
MARTIN, JOHN R.MARINA DEL REY, CA5

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Block, Robert S Reno, NV 36 1380
Martin, John R Foxborough, MA 169 2739

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
JDA SOFTWARE GROUP (1)
2002/0169,657 Supply chain demand forecasting and planning 5 2001

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
PERSONALIZED MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. (59)
5,335,277 Signal processing appparatus and methods 363 1993
7,856,650 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1993
7,831,204 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,860,249 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,769,344 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,865,920 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,861,278 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,849,493 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,769,170 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,953,223 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,849,479 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,840,976 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,805,748 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,797,717 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,783,252 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,784,082 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,856,649 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,830,925 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,801,304 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,752,649 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,849,480 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
8,395,707 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
8,112,782 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
8,046,791 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,926,084 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,827,587 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,810,115 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,764,685 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,752,650 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,861,263 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,827,586 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,823,175 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,814,526 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,805,738 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,734,251 Signal processing apparatus and methods 2 1995
8,191,091 Signal processing apparatus and methods 5 1995
7,992,169 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,966,640 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,958,527 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,940,931 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,908,638 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,889,865 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,870,581 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,864,248 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,864,956 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,860,131 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,844,995 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,836,480 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,817,208 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,818,761 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,818,776 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,818,777 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,818,778 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,805,749 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,793,332 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
7,774,809 Signal processing apparatus and method 0 1995
7,761,890 Signal processing apparatus and methods 1 1995
7,747,217 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
5,887,243 Signal processing apparatus and methods 144 1995
 
SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC. (18)
6,230,203 System and method for providing statistics for flexible billing in a cable environment 119 1997
6,324,267 Two-tiered authorization and authentication for a cable data delivery system 19 1997
6,618,353 Router for use with a link that has a set of concurrent channels 22 1997
6,301,223 Method of using routing protocols to reroute packets during a link failure 68 1997
6,249,523 Router for which a logical network address which is not unique to the gateway address in default routing table entries 54 1997
6,208,656 Methods for dynamically assigning link addresses and logical network addresses 92 1997
6,178,455 Router which dynamically requests a set of logical network addresses and assigns addresses in the set to hosts connected to the router 133 1997
6,286,058 Apparatus and methods for automatically rerouting packets in the event of a link failure 30 1997
6,272,150 Cable modem map display for network management of a cable data delivery system 132 1997
6,282,208 Data traffic control in a data modem system 34 1997
6,467,091 Constant bit rate transport in a contention based medium access control 10 1999
7,028,088 System and method for providing statistics for flexible billing in a cable environment 8 2000
6,405,253 Dynamic allocation of a set of addresses to router RF modem for individual assignment to hosts 26 2000
6,922,412 Methods for dynamically assigning link addresses and logical network addresses 8 2001
6,529,517 Router for which a logical network address which is not unique to the router is the gateway address in default routing table entries 18 2001
6,519,224 Method of using routing protocols to reroute packets during a link failure 15 2001
7,099,308 Router for use with a link that has a set of concurrent channels 4 2003
6,983,327 System and method for providing statistics for flexible billing in a cable environment 9 2003
 
COMCAST IP HOLDINGS I, LLC (7)
6,539,548 Operations center for a television program packaging and delivery system 96 1997
6,515,680 Set top terminal for television delivery system 113 1997
7,269,841 Digital cable headend for cable television delivery system 3 1997
6,181,335 Card for a set top terminal 101 1998
7,836,481 Set top terminal for generating an interactive electronic program guide for use with television delivery system 3 2001
8,060,905 Television delivery system having interactive electronic program guide 3 2001
7,770,196 Set top terminal for organizing program options available in television delivery system 0 2001
 
DISCOVERY PATENT HOLDINGS, LLC (5)
7,835,989 Electronic book alternative delivery systems 13 1999
7,861,166 Resizing document pages to fit available hardware screens 9 1999
7,865,567 Virtual on-demand electronic book 15 1999
7,509,270 Electronic Book having electronic commerce features 29 1999
7,849,393 Electronic book connection to world watch live 7 2000
 
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (4)
7,716,349 Electronic book library/bookstore system 3 2000
7,336,788 Electronic book secure communication with home subsystem 17 2000
7,299,501 Electronic book selection and delivery system having encryption and security features 5 2001
7,865,405 Electronic book having electronic commerce features 7 2009
 
DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. (4)
5,543,856 System and method for downstream application and control electronic billboard system 85 1995
5,892,554 System and method for inserting static and dynamic images into a live video broadcast 79 1995
7,702,752 Method and apparatus for redirection of server external hyper-link references 4 2005
8,117,286 Method and apparatus for redirection of server external hyper-link references 0 2010
 
OPENTV, INC. (4)
5,819,034 Apparatus for transmitting and receiving executable applications as for a multimedia system 94 1994
5,548,532 Apparatus and method for formulating an interactive TV signal 100 1994
5,539,920 Method and apparatus for processing an audio video interactive signal 55 1994
5,448,568 System of transmitting an interactive TV signal 130 1994
 
ADREA, LLC (3)
7,401,286 Electronic book electronic links 37 1999
8,095,949 Electronic book with restricted access features 2 1999
8,073,695 Electronic book with voice emulation features 0 1999
 
STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC. (3)
5,969,748 Television schedule system with access control 109 1996
6,144,401 Television schedule system with access control 66 1999
8,245,250 Television schedule system with access control 0 2004
 
TRA, INC. (3)
7,729,940 Analyzing return on investment of advertising campaigns by matching multiple data sources 17 2008
8,000,993 Using consumer purchase behavior for television targeting 1 2009
8,060,398 Using consumer purchase behavior for television targeting 0 2009
 
ADVENTURE GALLERY SOFTWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (2)
5,594,935 Interactive image display system of wide angle images comprising an accounting system 19 1995
5,894,589 Interactive image display system 17 1996
 
BLCK PA CO., L.L.C. (2)
6,675,384 Method and apparatus for information labeling and control 94 1995
7,200,852 Method and apparatus for information labeling and control 12 1996
 
CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC. (2)
6,312,336 Electronic game guide system 76 1999
7,149,309 Time-dependent authorization 3 1999
 
DIGITALSMITHS, INC. (2)
8,230,343 Audio and video program recording, editing and playback systems using metadata 2007
8,091,111 Methods and apparatus for recording and replaying sports broadcasts 5 2007
 
IPG ELECTRONICS 503 LIMITED (2)
4,980,912 Public communication system comprising distributed stations, and station and sub-station for use in such a communication system 13 1990
5,144,662 Public communication system comprising distributed stations, and station and sub-station for use in such a communication system 61 1990
 
OPEN TV, INC. (2)
5,563,648 Method for controlling execution of an audio video interactive program 91 1994
5,915,090 Apparatus for transmitting a distributed computing application on a broadcast television system 122 1997
 
PANASONIC CORPORATION (2)
5,790,172 Server apparatus, subscriber apparatus and information on demand system 103 1995
RE42053 Server apparatus, subscriber apparatus and information on demand system 0 2000
 
PINPOINT INCORPORATED (2)
8,056,100 System and method for providing access to data using customer profiles 1 2005
7,853,600 System and method for providing access to video programs and other data using customer profiles 8 2005
 
ROVI GUIDES, INC. (2)
8,079,044 Systems and methods for providing parental control asset searching 0 2006
8,402,488 Systems and methods for creating custom video mosaic pages with local content 0 2009
 
SMART VCR LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (2)
6,025,868 Stored program pay-per-play 181 1997
7,496,941 Stored program pay-per-play 3 2003
 
TITAN CORPORATION, THE (2)
4,712,238 Selective-subscription descrambling 203 1984
4,792,973 Selective enablement of descramblers 75 1987
 
ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC. (1)
7,921,440 Method and system for managing television viewing habits 0 2002
 
ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC (1)
6,976,265 Method and apparatus for controlling display of content signals 9 1998
 
BLOCK PATENTS, INC. (1)
5,960,416 Real time subscriber billing at a subscriber location in an unstructured communication network 161 1997
 
BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION (1)
5,555,305 Method and apparatus for secure transmission of video signals 63 1994
 
CLICK TV, INC. (1)
7,735,101 System allowing users to embed comments at specific points in time into media presentation 2 2007
 
COMSAT CORPORATION (1)
RE33189 Security system for SSTV encryption 149 1989
 
CONVERGYS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC. (1)
7,366,495 Prepaid reservation-based rating system 7 2002
 
DIGITALSMITHS CORPORATION (1)
7,640,560 Apparatus and methods for broadcast monitoring 5 2006
 
GEMSTAR DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (1)
8,006,260 Apparatus and method for parental control using V-chip plus+ and master password 0 2001
 
GOOGLE INC. (1)
6,738,905 Conditional access via secure logging with simplified key management 25 1999
 
HUGHES ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (1)
5,978,649 Method and apparatus for dynamic conditional channel authorization in a broadcast system 38 1996
 
INDEX SYSTEMS, INC. (1)
5,619,247 Stored program pay-per-play 359 1995
 
INTELLECTUAL VENTURES VIDEO PREFERENCES 3 LLC (1)
5,410,344 Apparatus and method of selecting video programs based on viewers' preferences 434 1993
 
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION (1)
7,249,366 Control of a system for processing a stream of information based on information content 52 1999
 
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (1)
6,732,366 Stored program pay-per-play 50 2000
 
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA (1)
4,736,421 System for displaying the subscription state of a pay broadcasting program 14 1985
 
LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. (1)
5,701,152 Arrangement for billing interactive communication services 18 1995
 
MITA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (1)
5,802,271 Terminal device management system and a method for detecting a failed terminal device using the system 12 1993
 
NATIONAL RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE (1)
4,893,248 Monitoring and reporting system for remote terminals 237 1987
 
NCR CORPORATION (1)
5,014,234 System with software usage timer and counter for allowing limited use but preventing continued unauthorized use of protected software 296 1986
 
PERSONALIZED MEDIA PMC COMMUNICATIONS, L.L.C. (1)
8,060,903 Signal processing apparatus and methods 0 1995
 
PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORPORATION (1)
4,961,109 Chargeable program receiving limit setting system in two-way cable television system 63 1989
 
REAL-TIME BILLING, INC. (1)
6,377,938 Real time subscriber billing system and method 63 1997
 
SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, LLC (1)
RE44211 Constant bit rate transport in a contention based medium access control 0 2004
 
SONY CORPORATION (1)
5,699,104 Broadcast channel lock system 39 1994
 
TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL) (1)
6,335,967 Buffer for connection data 8 1997
 
THE WEATHER CHANNEL, LLC (1)
5,140,419 Communications system 188 1989
 
THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS (1)
5,267,032 Device for detecting termination of connection to a programme to be paid for, received by a subscriber unit via an interactive remote distribution network 3 1990
 
THOMSON LICENSING (1)
7,089,576 Ratings control system with temporary override capability and conflict resolution feature 4 1999
 
UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORATION (1)
5,329,590 Automatic pay-per-view reception in a satellite receiver 65 1993
 
UNIFREE, L.L.C. (1)
7,301,944 Media file distribution with adaptive transmission protocols 29 1999
 
VIDEO JUKEBOX NETWORK, A CORP. OF FL (1)
5,089,885 Telephone access display system with remote monitoring 114 1988
 
WI-LAN INC. (1)
5,828,402 Method and apparatus for selectively blocking audio and video signals 128 1996
 
YELLOWSTONE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE INC. (1)
5,485,518 Electronic media program recognition and choice 112 1993
 
ZENITH ELECTRONICS CORPORATION (1)
4,947,429 Pay per view television signaling method 60 1989
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (3)
8,437,771 Parental control of access to information from a computer system 0 2008
8,290,506 Wireless communication system and method for sending a notification of proximity of a first wireless communications device to a second wireless communication device 0 2009
8,332,886 System allowing users to embed comments at specific points in time into media presentation 0 2010