Richard J Frederick

US Patent:

50033840, Mar 26, 1991

Filed:

Apr 1, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/176776

Inventors:

Gregory S. Durden - Jonesboro GA
Ray T. Haman - Duluth GA
Scott L. Hamilton - Duluth GA
Richard B. Frederick - Doraville GA
David J. Naddor - Doraville GA
Randolph J. Schaubs - Stone Mountain GA

Assignee:

Scientific Atlanta, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04N 7167
H04N 710

US Classification:

358 84

Abstract:

An impulse pay-per-view system wherein a number of downloadable transactions may be utilized to effect increased control and diversity is disclosed. A preview time/free transaction permits a system subscriber to view portions of a pay-per-view event without purchasing the event. A security transaction sent while a pay-per-view event is active may be used to prevent a subscriber from receiving events which have not been purchased. A telephone number transaction may include a special character representing an instruction to pause between the dialing of selected digits. A viewer statistic transaction may be use dot instruct a subscriber to record the channel he is viewing. Finally, a subscriber may pre-buy pay-preview events in order to facilitate VCR recording of the events while he is asleep or away from home.