Service and method for providing a single point of access for multiple providers' video and audio content
View Patent ↗A method that uses a computer network to provide a single point of access between a plurality of video & audio devices and a plurality of video & audio content provider systems. The present invention is a method for providing a searchable, aggregated directory view of available video & audio content from multiple content providers as well as additional services such as content renting. The present invention includes a method for identifying users as subscribers of content providers' memberships.
1. A method of exposing a single aggregated data structure containing a list of available video and audio content from a plurality of content providers and for tracking requested content from multiple content providers in a separate list of requested content, comprising:
receiving a first request for available video and audio content from a player device;
receiving a pre-determined data structure containing a list of available video and audio content from each of said plurality of content providers;
storing each said list of available video and audio content into a computer-based repository of available video and audio content; and
returning said single aggregated data structure containing a list of available video and audio content to said player device in response to said first request;
receiving a second request to access said content from a player device;
storing requested said content in said separate list of requested content;
ascertaining a predetermined content identifier within said second request; and
storing said predetermined content identifier with said separate list of requested content.
2. The method of claim 1 , said receiving said second request further comprising:
ascertaining a predetermined player device identifier within said request;
storing said predetermined player device identifier with said separate list of requested content.
3. The method of claim 1 , said receiving said second request further comprising:
ascertaining a predetermined user identifier within said request;
storing said predetermined user identifier with said separate list of requested content.
4. The method of claim 1 , said receiving said request further comprising:
ascertaining a predetermined content provider identifier within said request;
storing said predetermined content provider identifier with said separate list of requested content.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising exposing said separate list of requested content.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
receiving a third request for said separate list of requested content from a player device;
returning said separate list of requested content to said player device in response to said request.
7. The method of claim 6 , said receiving said third request further comprising:
ascertaining a predetermined filter criteria within said third request.
8. The method of claim 7 , said receiving said third request further comprising:
matching said predetermined filter criteria against said separate list of requested content.