发明名称 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FREE PREVIEWS OF COMMUNICATION NETWORK SERVICES |
摘要 |
Limited duration previews of program offerings available for purchase via a communication network are provided in a cryptographically secure manner at virtually any time during the service. The invention has particular applicability to the provision of video services on a pay-per-view basis. Such a video service is provided during a program epoch. A fixed period is defined during the program epoch when portions of the video service are available for viewing on a preview basis. A consumer is allowed to preview, without purchase, portions of the video service at any time during the fixed period for up to a maximum preview duration that is shorter than the fixed period. The consumer can then purchase the video service for viewing during the program epoch after previewing portions thereof. A plurality of records is maintained to service different previewable programs concurrently. |
申请公布号 |
CA2160068(A1) |
申请公布日期 |
1996.04.19 |
申请号 |
CA19952160068 |
申请日期 |
1995.10.06 |
申请人 |
GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION OF DELAWARE |
发明人 |
EYER, MARK;SHUMATE, ALLEN;MORONEY, PAUL |
分类号 |
G06F21/10;H04H20/00;H04H60/15;H04H60/21;H04H60/23;H04K1/00;H04N7/16;H04N7/167;H04N21/442;H04N21/4627;H04N21/472 |
主分类号 |
G06F21/10 |
代理机构 |
|
代理人 |
|
主权项 |
|
地址 |
|