Method and system for distributing video content over a network
View Patent ↗Content with a plurality of treatments, in the form of a movie, video, text, animation, music, etc., is stored on a network, each treatment having a storyline connection with all the other treatments. Subscribers to the content are classified in a subscriber tier based on subscription fee amounts. A top-level tier is capable of choosing a first and second sub-set of elements of a main presentation, e.g. a movie. The elements, in the example of a movie, may include characters and movie genre. Each subscriber's choice, within a tier, is registered and the majority of the top level determines a first element in the movie. Each subscriber in the second highest level is able to adjust the storyline, which includes a first element determined by the first tier, by choosing a second element. A further tier of subscribers views the content as determined by the higher level tiers.
1. A method for distributing content on a network, comprising the steps of:
storing a plurality of versions of a single content presentation wherein each said version of said single presentation is classified according to one of a plurality of descriptions including: theme, star, genre, story line and supporting characters with each description linking to one of the plurality of versions at unique network address;
authorizing access to a first database containing a listing of presentations, by a first level subscriber according to predetermined requirements, wherein the first level subscriber selects one presentation from the listing of presentations;
linking the first level subscriber to a first one of the plurality of descriptions associated with the selected one presentation;
linking the first level subscriber to a second one of the plurality of descriptions associated with the selected one presentation and subsequently linking the first level subscriber to any additional associated descriptions if required by the first level subscriber;
linking the first level subscriber to the unique address associated with the combination of selections by the first level subscriber; and
monitoring, for a predetermined period, the number of accesses by a group of said first level subscribers and second level subscribers for determining which version of the presentation will be linked to third level subscribers.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein access to each said unique network address is determined by selections compiled from at least one of the first level or the second level subscribers.
3. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of versions of a single presentation are each stored on at least one server that is accessible via respective said unique network addresses.
4. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprises:
storing selection data associated with a first set of selections;
storing selection data associated with a second set of selections; and
utilizing selection data from said first set and said second set of selections to determine selection trends of said first level subscribers and said second level subscribers.
5. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:
analyzing the selections made by said first level subscribers in order to set a first selection for said second level and third level subscribers; and
utilizing said analysis of said selections made by said first level subscribers and the selections made by said second level subscribers to determine a network address wherein a said third level subscribers can access the selection determined by the trend analysis.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said network is the Internet.
7. A system for distributing content on a network, comprising:
storage interconnected to said network for storing a plurality of versions of a single presentation of the content wherein each said version of said single presentation is classified according to one of a plurality of descriptions including theme, star, genre, story line and supporting characters, with each description linking to one of the plurality of versions at unique network address;
an interface utilized for authorized access to a first database containing a listing of presentations, by a first level subscriber according to predetermined requirements, wherein the first level subscriber selects one presentation from the listing of presentations;
linking the first level subscriber to a first one of the plurality of descriptions associated with the selected one presentation
subsequently linking the first level subscriber to a second one of the plurality of descriptions associated with the selected one presentation and subsequently linking the first level subscriber to an additional associated descriptions if required by the first level subscriber;
linking the first level subscriber to the unique address associated with the combination of selection is by the first level subscriber; and
circuitry for monitoring, for a predetermined period, the number of accesses by a group of said first level subscribers and second level subscribers for determining which version of the presentation will be linked to third level subscribers.
8. The system as set forth in claim 7 further comprising a multi-level subscriber database, wherein access to each said unique network address is determined by selections compiled from at least one of the first level or second level subscribers.
9. The system as set forth in claim 7 , wherein each of said plurality of versions of a single presentation are each stored on at least one server that is accessible via respective said unique network addresses.
10. The system as set forth in claim 7 , further comprises:
a first database for storing selection data associated with a first set of selections;
a second database for storing selection data associated with a second set of selections; and
at least a third database for utilizing selection data from said first set and said set of selections to determine selection trends of said first level subscribers and said second level subscribers.
11. The system as set forth in claim 7 , further comprises:
an analyzing means for analyzing the selections made by said first level subscribers in order to set a first selection for said second level subscribers; and
a means for utilizing said analysis of said selections made by said first level subscribers and the selections made by said second level subscribers of choices to determine a network address wherein a third level of subscribers can access the selection determined by the trend analysis.
12. The system of claim 7 wherein said network is the Internet.
13. A computer program product, within a computer readable medium, having instructions for distributing content on a network, comprising:
instructions within said computer program product for storing a plurality of versions of a single presentation wherein each said version of said single presentation is classified according to one of a plurality of descriptions including theme, star, genre, story line, and supporting characters with each description linking to one of the plurality of versions at a unique network address;
instructions within said computer program product for authorizing access to a first database containing a listing of presentations, by a first level subscriber according to predetermined requirements, wherein the first level subscriber selects one presentation from the listing of presentations;
instructions within said computer program product for linking the first level subscriber to a first one of the plurality of descriptions associated with the selected one presentation;
instructions within said computer program product for linking the first level subscriber to a second one of the plurality of descriptions associated with the selected one presentation and subsequently linking the first level subscriber to any additional associated descriptions if required by the first level subscriber;
instructions within said computer program product for linking the first level subscriber to the unique address associated with the combination of selections by the first level subscriber;
instructions within said computer program product for monitoring, for a predetermined period, the number of accesses by a group of said first level subscribers and second level subscribers for determining which versions of the presentation will be linked to third level subscribers.
14. The computer program product as set forth in claim 13 wherein access to each said unique network address is determined by selections compiled from at least one of the first level or the second level subscribers.
15. The computer program product as set forth in claim 13 , wherein each of said plurality of versions of a single presentation are each stored on at least one server that is accessible via respective said unique network addresses.
16. The computer program product as set forth in claim 13 , further comprises:
instructions within said computer program product for storing selection data associated with a first set of selections; and
instructions within said computer program product for storing selection data associated with a second set of selections; and
instructions within said computer program product for utilizing selection data from said first set and said second set of selections to determine selection trends of said first level subscribers and said level subscribers.
17. The computer program product as set forth in claim 13 , further comprises:
instructions within said computer program product for analyzing the selections made by said first level of subscribers in order to set a first selection for said second level and said third level subscribers; and
instructions within said computer program product for utilizing said analysis of said selections made by said first level subscribers and the selections made by said second level subscribers to determine a network address wherein said third level subscribers can access the selection determined by the trend analysis.
18. The computer program product of claim 13 wherein said network is the Internet.