Lisa S Walko

US Patent:

62404016, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Jun 5, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/092177

Inventors:

Joseph Eugene Oren - Glen Allen VA
Robert W. Schumann - Oakton VA
Lisa S. Walko - Glen Allen VA
Kevin S. McQueen - Richmond VA

Assignee:

Digital Video Express, L.P. - Herndon VA

International Classification:

G06F 1760

US Classification:

705 40

Abstract:

A 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.