Media delivery prioritization system and method

Abstract

A network based distribution system and method is disclosed for automatically prioritizing distribution of playable media items, such as movies in a digital format. The system automatically allocates priority based on title supply/demand or subscriber satisfaction criterion to enhance retention of subscribers.

1 . A method of automatically allocating priority for playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first list of one or more first playable media items delivered and/or to be delivered to said first subscriber;    (b) monitoring a number of media items delivered to the first subscriber during a first period;    (c) providing a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to said second subscriber;    (d) monitoring a number of media items delivered to the second subscriber during said first period;    (e) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system;    (f) determining a priority as between said first subscriber and said second subscriber using the computing system for said common media item title based on steps (a)-(d);    (g) allocating said common media item title to either said first subscriber or said second subscriber with the computing system for said common title based in part on said priority;    wherein the computing system adjusts priority for deliveries to subscribers based on measuring deliveries of playable media items made over time to said subscribers.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a step: identifying subscribers who are likely to be unsatisfied and/or likely to cancel an account with said media distribution service, and allocating higher priority for deliveries to said subscribers.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a step: prioritizing subscribers based on a number of media items in their respective queues which are designated with a predetermined status.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined status indicates that such media item title is subject to long delivery delays.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said priority is based on identifying a ranking identified by said first subscriber and said second subscriber to the computing system for said common media item title.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a subscriber satisfaction criterion value for said second subscriber is compared to a value for a subscriber satisfaction criterion for said first subscriber by the computing system.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said priority is further based on a comparison using the computing system of at least one delivery status value associated with first playable media item title in first subscriber selection queue, and at least one delivery status value associated with second playable media item title in said second subscriber selection queue to determine a relative expected future delivery of playable media item titles to each subscriber.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said switching step is further based on a comparison using the computing system of a first access time period used by said first subscriber when accessing playable media items, with a second access time period used by said second subscriber when accessing playable media items, such that said first access right is switched when said second subscriber uses less time for viewing media.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a step: obtaining permission from said first subscriber before automatically providing priority to said second subscriber with the computing system.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further including a step: providing an inducement to said first subscriber with the computing system to secure said permission.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said common media title is taken from a limited subset of playable media items which the computing system has determined have a high subscriber interest.  
     
     
         12 . A method of allocating priority for playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a list of one or more first playable media items delivered and/or to be delivered to said first subscriber;    (b) monitoring an availability status of media items present in said first subscriber selection queue during a predetermined period, including identifying items selected by the first subscriber which have reduced availability;    (c) providing a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to said second subscriber;    (d) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a common media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system;    (e) determining a priority as between said first subscriber and said second subscriber using the computing system for said common playable media item title based on steps (a)-(c);    (e) allocating said common playable media item title to either said first subscriber or said second subscriber with the computing system for said common playable title based in part on said priority;    wherein said priority decisions are made by the computing system to increase priority for selected subscribers experiencing delays and/or reduced shipments of playable media items.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein subscribers who are likely to be unsatisfied and/or likely to cancel an account with said media distribution service are given higher priority for deliveries.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said common playable media item is taken from a limited subset of playable media items determined to be popular by the computing system among subscribers.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said priority is based on identifying a ranking identified by said first subscriber and said second subscriber to the computing system for said common playable media item title.  
     
     
         16 . A method of allocating priority for playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first list of one or more first playable media items delivered and/or to be delivered to said first subscriber;    wherein said list of one or more first playable media items are ranked by the first subscriber in a desired priority of delivery;    (b) providing a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to said second subscriber;    wherein said first list of one or more first playable media items are ranked by the first subscriber in a desired priority of delivery;    (c) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a requested a common playable media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system;    wherein said common playable media item title is associated with a first ranking in said first list and a second ranking in said second list;    (d) determining a priority as between said first subscriber and said second subscriber using the computing system by comparing said first ranking and said second ranking;    (e) allocating said common media item title to either said first subscriber or said second subscriber with the computing system for said common title based in part on said priority;    wherein said priority decisions are made by the computing system to increase priority for subscribers indicating a higher preference for said common playable media item title.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein subscribers who are likely to be unsatisfied and/or likely to cancel an account with said media distribution service are also given higher priority for deliveries.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said common playable media item is taken from a limited subset of playable media items determined to be popular by the computing system among subscribers.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a subscriber satisfaction criterion value for said second subscriber is compared to a value for a subscriber satisfaction criterion for said first subscriber by the computing system during step (e).  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said priority is further based on a comparison using the computing system of at least one delivery status value associated with first playable media item title in first subscriber selection queue, and at least one delivery status value associated with second playable media item title in said second subscriber selection queue to determine a relative expected future delivery of playable media item titles to each subscriber.  
     
     
         21 . A method of allocating priority for playable media items over an electronic network between a first subscriber of a media distribution service and a second subscriber of the media distribution service, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a first subscriber selection queue for the first subscriber with a computing system, said first subscriber selection queue consisting of a first list of one or more first playable media items delivered and/or to be delivered to said first subscriber;    wherein said list of one or more first playable media items are ranked by the first subscriber in a desired priority of delivery;    (b) providing a second subscriber selection queue for the second subscriber with the computing system, said second subscriber selection queue consisting of a second list of one or more second playable media items to be delivered to said second subscriber;    wherein said first list of one or more first playable media items are ranked by the first subscriber in a desired priority of delivery;    (c) detecting when the first subscriber and the second subscriber have a requested a common playable media item title in their respective first and second subscriber selection queues with the computing system;    (d) measuring a first customer satisfaction value for said first subscriber and a second customer satisfaction value for said second subscriber based on identifying titles of playable media items previously delivered to each;    (e) determining a priority as between said first subscriber and said second subscriber using the computing system by comparing said first customer satisfaction value and said second customer satisfaction value;    (e) allocating said common media item title to either said first subscriber or said second subscriber with the computing system for said common title based in part on said priority.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said customer satisfaction value is further based on respective rankings provided by said subscribers for said common playable media item.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said customer satisfaction value is further based on an availability status of other playable media items in a subscriber selection queue.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said customer satisfaction value is further based on an availability status of other playable media items in a subscriber selection queue.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said customer satisfaction value is further based on a time associated with a subscriber for viewing said playable media items.