Accessing broadcast media

摘要

This invention relates to a system (2000) for providing individual users access to audio/visual content which has been broadcast to a plurality of users on a scheduled basis. The system comprises means for storing the content, means for enabling a user to download the content in the form of a downloadable file, and means for enabling a user to view the content by opening and playing the downloaded file. The means for opening and playing the downloaded file preferably being adapted to open and/or play the downloaded file only within a fixed time period after the scheduled broadcast time of the content.

主权项

1. A system for providing user access to audio/visual content, the system comprising:
a first subsystem that broadcasts the content to a plurality of users at a scheduled broadcast time via a broadcast channel; and a second subsystem that provides at a server, via a separate communications channel, user access to a downloadable file, in which the broadcasted content is stored; wherein the second subsystem comprises:
a memory device that stores the broadcasted content; a processor that processes the broadcasted content at the server to produce the downloadable file in which the broadcasted content is stored, and restricts access to the broadcasted content by applying restricted access rights to the downloadable file; a client device that enables a user to download the downloadable file directly from the server, and a client device processor that enables the user to access the broadcasted content by opening and playing the downloaded file on the client device, wherein the restricted access rights applied to the downloaded file allows access to the broadcasted content in the downloaded file only within a fixed time period after the scheduled broadcast time of the content, wherein the client device processor enables the user to order the download of content, in advance of the scheduled broadcast time of the content, and within a fixed time period before the scheduled broadcast time of the content, and wherein the client device enables the user to download the downloadable file before the scheduled broadcast of the content, in response to an order placed in advance of the scheduled broadcast time, and the client device processor enables the user to open and play the file only once the content has been broadcast, and only after a delay after the content has been broadcast.