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System and method for movie transaction processing    

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United States Patent6240401   
Link to this pagehttp://www.wikipatents.com/6240401.html
Inventor(s)Oren; Joseph Eugene (Glen Allen, VA); Schumann; Robert W. (Oakton, VA); Walko; Lisa S. (Glen Allen, VA); McQueen; Kevin S. (Richmond, VA)
AbstractA system and method for tracking and processing transactions for such purposes as creating billing record and detecting possible fraudulent activities. The system and method relates to processing transactions associated with viewing movies, e.g. a video content distributed digitally on a digital video disc (DVD) in an scrambled format, where the video content is only viewable in conjunction with the use of a specially designed and enabled player. This method of distributing and billing movie content provides an alternative to current methods such as viewing via video tapes, open format DVDs, pay-per-view, or cable service. The system and method permits a user to establish, via a single authorization, multiple access to a service during a period of time, where each event of access is not individually billed. The system and method does not create a billable charge for a user authorization if the user does not actually access the service. Furthermore, the system and method requires a user to initiate a new authorization after the original authorization has expired, in order to re-access the service. Additionally, the system and method provides one or a plurality of devices local to the user, electronically linked to a remote host, in order to create, store and transmit records of authorization and access to a remote central processor in a secure manner.
   














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Drawing from US Patent 6240401
System and method for movie transaction processing - US Patent 6240401 Drawing
System and method for movie transaction processing
Inventor     Oren; Joseph Eugene (Glen Allen, VA); Schumann; Robert W. (Oakton, VA); Walko; Lisa S. (Glen Allen, VA); McQueen; Kevin S. (Richmond, VA)
Owner/Assignee     Digital Video Express, L.P. (Herndon, VA)
Patent assignment
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Company News
Publication Date     May 29, 2001
Application Number     09/092,177
PAIR File History     Application Data   Transaction History
Image File Wrapper   Patent Term   Fees
Litigation
Filing Date     June 5, 1998
US Classification     705/40 705/32 705/34 725/1 725/2 725/4 725/5
Int'l Classification     G06F 017/60
Examiner     Trammell; James P.
Assistant Examiner     Hayes; John W.
Attorney/Law Firm     Derinsky; Paul McDermott, Will & Emery,
Address
Parent Case    
Priority Data    
USPTO Field of Search     705/44 705/5 705/26 705/30 705/32 705/34 705/1 705/42 705/400 705/51 705/52 705/53 705/54 705/57 705/59 348/1 348/10 348/3 348/7 345/327 725/1 725/2 725/4 725/5
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 Technical Review Submit all comments and votes
 Claims Submit all comments and votes
 


What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method for processing transactions, including authorization transactions and access transactions for service, comprising the steps of:

creating and storing authorization transactions and access transactions on a user device, each of said authorization transactions and said access transactions having corresponding timestamp information and duration information;

transmitting records of said authorization transactions and said access transactions from said user device to a remote host processing device;

analyzing said authorization transactions and said access transactions at said host processing device to match a specific authorization transaction with a specific access transaction based on said timestamp information and duration information; and

creating a billing record based at said host processing device on said matched authorization transactions and access transactions.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting indicia of fraud based on the results of the step of analyzing said authorization transactions and said access transactions.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said indicia includes numerous access transactions during a predetermined short time duration on said user device or simultaneous access for the same service on multiple said user devices.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said host processing device maintains a database of said authorization transactions and said access transactions, and further comprising the step of updating said database based on the results of the step of analyzing authorization transactions and access transactions.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting said records to said host processing device occurs periodically.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of securing said records of authorization transactions and access transactions.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said step of securing is performed prior to and during the step of transmitting said records of authorization transactions and access transactions.

8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of providing multiple access transactions to a service over a prescribed time interval under a single authorization transaction.

9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of creating a single billing event for said multiple access transactions.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said access transactions may occur anytime during the time span of said authorization transaction.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of analyzing and creating are performed for a plurality of said user devices.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting records comprises transmitting said records in any chronological order.

13. A system for processing transactions, including authorization transactions and access transactions comprising:

a user device having an interface and an associated service access device which services only the associated user device, said associated service access device being contained within said user device;

a remote transaction processing system for receiving and processing transactions from the user device and for generating transactions and billing records; wherein

the user device and remote transaction processing system are electronically linked, and

the remote transaction processing system comprises a journal receiver, a journal distributor, a disc database update processor, a security processor, and interfaces to a fraud detection subsystem and to a billing records subsystem.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the service access device comprises a digital video disc player subsystem.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the user device further comprises memory for storing authorization transactions and access transactions.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein

the user device further comprises a data input for inputting authorization requests and access requests.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the user device comprises a user device security processor for securing records of authorization transactions and access transactions.

18. A system for processing transactions, including authorization transactions and access transactions comprising:

a user device having an interface and an associated service access device which services only the associated user device, said associated service access device being contained within said user device;

a remote transaction processing system for receiving and processing transactions from the user device and for generating transactions and billing records; wherein

the user device and remote transaction processing system are electronically linked, and

the remote transaction processing system comprises a disc database update processor for matching authorization transactions and access transactions based on timestamp information and duration information and for creating billing records based on the matched transactions.

19. A plurality of memory devices for storing computer-readable instructions and for processing transactions, comprising:

instructions for creating and storing authorization transactions and access transactions on a user device, each of said authorization transactions and said access transactions having corresponding timestamp information and duration information;

instructions for transmitting the authorization transactions and the access transactions from a user device to a remote host processing device;

instructions for analyzing the authorization transactions and the access transactions on the host processing device to match a specific authorization transaction with a specific access transaction based on said timestamp information and duration information; and

instructions for creating a billing record on the host processing device based on the matched authorization transactions and access transactions.

20. The memory devices according to claim 19 further comprising instructions for detecting indicia of fraud based on the results of the step of analyzing authorization transactions and access transactions.

21. The memory devices according to claim 20, wherein said indicia includes numerous access transactions during a predetermined short time duration on said user device or simultaneous access for the same service on multiple said user devices.

22. The memory devices according to claim 19 further comprising instructions for updating a database based on the results of the step of analyzing authorization transactions and access transactions.

23. The memory devices according to claim 19 further comprising instructions for periodically transmitting transactions.

24. The memory devices according to claim 19 further comprising instructions for securing said records of authorization transactions and access transactions.

25. The memory devices according to claim 24, wherein said instructions for securing is performed prior to and during the step of transmitting said records of authorization transactions and access transactions.

26. The memory devices according to claim 19 further comprising instructions for providing multiple access transactions to a service over a prescribed time interval under a single authorization transaction.

27. The memory devices according to claim 26 further comprising instructions for creating a single billing event for said multiple access transactions.

28. The memory devices according to claim 19, wherein said instructions for access transactions may occur anytime during the time span of said authorization transaction.

29. The memory devices according to claim 19, wherein said instructions for wherein said instruction of analyzing and creating are performed for a plurality of said user devices.

30. The memory devices according to claim 19, wherein said instructions for transmitting records comprises transmitting said records in any chronological order.
 Description Submit all comments and votes
 


FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a system and method for processing transactions. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for tracking a transaction history for such purposes as creating a billing record and detecting possible fraudulent activities. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for processing transactions associated with viewing movies, e.g. video content distributed digitally on a digital video disc (DVD) in an scrambled format, where the video content is only viewable in conjunction with the use of a specially designed and enabled player. This method of distributing and billing movie content provides an alternative to current methods such as viewing via video tapes, open format DVDs, pay-per-view, or cable service.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of tracking transactions and determining billing, there are two conventional types of on-line services, each relying on an associated protocol or algorithm. In one type of service, a service provider such as an Internet service provider (ISP), charges a user a fee for the right to use the service for a limited period of time. The user may log onto the service as many times as she would like within a specified time period (e.g. one month), without being charged for each individual access. However, the ISP user is charged whether or not the service is used. In a variation of that system, a user may be charged for each access as a separate billing event.

There are also conventional tracking systems for tracking reserved access, such as, for example, a hotel room or a rental car. A customer may make a reservation with the service provider. If the customer makes but does not show up for a reservation, and has not guaranteed the reservation with pre-payment, the hotel or car rental company simply drops the reservation and the customer is not charged. Such systems typically allow the customer to reserve and to later access the room or car for specific dates, and also permits the customer to extend the time period of that access, without making another reservation. In a variation of that system, where the customer guarantees the reservation, the customer is charged for the reserved access, regardless of whether the room or car is actually used.

While such systems are adequate for tracking and billing certain types of services, there exists a need for an alternative system and method for tracking transactions and determining charges which permits a user to establish, via a single authorization, multiple access to a service during a period of time, where each event of access is not individually billed. There exists a need for a system and method which does not create a billable charge for a user authorization if the user does not actually access the service. Furthermore, there is a need for a system and method, which requires a user to initiate a new authorization after the original authorization has expired, in order to create a chain of authorization and access events. Additionally, there exists a need for a system and method that provides a plurality of devices local to the user, in order to create, store and transmit records of authorization and access to a remote central processor in a secure manner.

The following terms as used herein have the associated meanings as described below.

An authorization transaction is a record generated when a user authorizes a charge for an access right.

An access transaction is a record generated when the user exercises the right of access granted by the authorization transaction.

A matching transaction is an event that occurs when an access transaction matches an authorization transaction, which is only when they are from the same customer, for the same service, and the starting time for the access falls within the duration of the authorization. A user is charged when a matching transaction occurs.

A validated authorization is an authorization transaction with at least one matching access transaction.

A Billable Content Unit (BCU) provides access to the service, e.g., a BCU may be in the form of a digital video disc.

A Set Top Box (STB) is a device that has the capability to play a video content and to also keep a journal of billable and nonbillable activities and to transmit the journal to a central database host and transaction processor.

A journal is a log of the activities of a particular STB. It contains digital tickets (as defined below) and play records (as defined below).

A digital ticket ("ticket") is a journal entry recording a user authorization, i.e. a user agreeing to be billed for the access rights to a BCU for a stated time interval. Every digital ticket contains a unique serial number, a start time, a duration, the account number of the STB that created it, and the serial number of the accessed BCU. A digital ticket represents an authorization transaction.

A play is a journal entry recording that the user accessed a BCU during the duration of a digital ticket. A play contains a start time, a duration, the serial number of the digital ticket that allowed the play, the account number of the STB that created it, and the serial number of the accessed BCU. A play represents an access transaction.

SUMMARY

It is an object of this invention to provide a system and method for tracking transactions and determining charges.

It is another object of this invention to provide a system and method wherein a user of a service can obtain multiple access to a service over a prescribed time interval, by establishing a single authorization.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a system and method wherein multiple access transactions can be charged as a single billable event.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a system and method wherein a service user is charged only if the service authorized is actually accessed or used.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a system and method where a customer may access a service at any time, subject only to a prior authorization to be charged for that access.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a system and method where a plurality of devices local to the customer can create, store, and transmit records of authorization and access to a remote central processor in a secure manner.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a system and method where the remote central processor does not require the plurality of devices local to the customer to transmit the records of authorization and access in the order of their creation, or in any other order.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a computer-implemented method for processing transactions, including authorization transactions and access transactions for service, comprising the steps of creating and storing on a user device authorization transactions and access transactions having timestamp information and duration information; transmitting records of said authorization transactions and said access transactions from said user device to a remote host processing device; analyzing said authorization transactions and said access transactions to match a specific authorization transaction with a specific access transaction based on said timestamp information and duration information; and creating a billing record based on said matched authorization transactions and access transactions.

Certain implementations of the present invention may include one or more of the following features. The method of the invention further comprises the step of detecting indicia of fraud based on the results of the step of