Video distribution system

Abstract

The invention relates to video distribution systems and, more particularly, to a system that blanket transmits video/audio content such as movies (for example, via satellite downlink transmission) to each customer's recording, storage and playback system. Customers may preselect from a list of available movies or other content in advance using an interactive screen selector, and pay for the video/audio content that is actually viewed.

1 . A method of distributing digital data content to a consumer comprising: 
 transmitting a plurality of the digital data content to the consumer; permitting the consumer to preselect desired digital data content from the plurality of digital data content received at a consumer location;    permitting the consumer to create a copy of any of the preselected digital data content to a removable storage medium; and    transmitting digital data content information from the consumer to a remote location to verify that a preselected digital data content has been copied to the removable storage medium and displayed therefrom, wherein the removable storage medium is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength shorter than about 530 nM.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the removable storage medium is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength about 410 nM.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the laser is formed using a wide band gap material.  
     
     
         4 . A method of distributing digital data content to a consumer comprising: 
 transmitting a plurality of the digital data content to the consumer;    automatically selecting desired digital data content from the plurality of digital data content according to a predetermined criteria for storage on a removable storage medium;    permitting the consumer to create a copy of any of the selected digital data content to a removable storage medium; and    transmitting digital data content information from the consumer to a remote location to verify that a selected digital data-content has been copied to the removable storage medium and displayed therefrom, wherein the removable storage medium is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength shorter than about 530 nM.    
     
     
         5 . A method of distributing digital data content to a consumer comprising: 
 transmitting a plurality of the digital data content to the consumer; automatically selecting desired digital data content from the plurality of digital data content according to a predetermined criteria for storage on a removable storage medium;    permitting the consumer to create a copy of any of the selected digital data content to a removable storage medium; and    transmitting digital data content information from the consumer to a remote location to verify that a selected digital data content has been copied to the removable storage medium and displayed therefrom, wherein the removable storage medium is a CD or DVD and wherein the removable storage medium is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength about 410 nM.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the laser is formed using a wide band gap material.  
     
     
         7 . A system for distributing digital data content to a consumer comprising: 
 first transmitter, configured to transmit a plurality of the digital data content to the consumer;    a receiver configured to receive the plurality of digital data content and permitting the consumer to preselect desired digital data content from the plurality of digital data content received at a consumer location;    a removable storage memory for storage of the preselected digital data content;    a playback device for permitting the consumer to display any of the preselected digital data content from the removable storage memory; and    second transmitter, configured to transmit digital data content displaying information from the consumer to a remote location to verify that a preselected digital data content has been copied to the removable storage medium and displayed therefrom, wherein the removable storage memory is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength shorter than about 530 nM.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the removable storage memory is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength about 410 nM.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the laser is formed using a wide band gap material.  
     
     
         10 . A system for distributing digital data content to a consumer comprising: 
 a first transmitter, configured to transmit a plurality of the digital data content to the consumer;    a a receiver configured to receive the plurality of digital data content and automatically selecting desired digital data content from the plurality of digital data content according to a predetermined criteria;    a removable storage memory for storage of the selected digital data content;    a playback device for permitting the consumer to display any of the selected digital data content from the removable storage memory; and    a second transmitter, configured to transmit digital data content displaying information from the consumer to a remote location to verify that a selected digital data content has been copied to the removable storage medium and displayed therefrom, wherein the removable storage memory is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength shorter than about 530 nM.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the removable storage memory is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength about 410 nM.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the laser is formed using a wide band gap material.  
     
     
         13 . A user station for displaying digital data content, the user station comprising: 
 a a receiver configured to receive a transmission of a plurality of digital data content;    a removable storage memory; and    a selection mechanism configured to inform the user of the plurality of digital data content received, for selecting from the plurality of digital data content for storage in the removable storage memory, and for selecting from the digital data content stored in the removable storage memory for display, wherein the removable storage memory is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength shorter than about 530 nM.    
     
     
         14 . The user station of  claim 13 , wherein the removable storage memory is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength about 410 nM.  
     
     
         15 . The user station of  claim 13 , wherein the laser is formed using a wide band gap material.  
     
     
         16 . A user station for displaying digital data content, the user station comprising: a receiver for receiving a transmission of a plurality of digital data content; 
 a removable storage memory;    an automatic selection mechanism configured to automatically select from the plurality of digital data content for storage in the removable storage memory; and    a selection mechanism configured to inform-the user of the digital data content automatically selected and for selecting from the digital data content stored in the removable storage memory for display, wherein the removable storage memory is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength shorter than about 530 nM.    
     
     
         17 . The user station of  claim 16 , wherein the removable storage memory is a CD which is read with a laser having a wavelength about 410 nM.  
     
     
         18 . The user station of  claim 16 , wherein the laser is formed using a wide band gap material.  
     
     
         19 . A storage medium having at least one track having data stored thereon in the form of pit and land lengths and a track pitch, the data having been stored by a process comprising writing the pits and land lengths with a laser having a wavelength shorter than about 530 nM.  
     
     
         20 . The storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein laser has a wavelength about 410 nM.  
     
     
         21 . The storage medium of  claim 20 , wherein the track pitch is about 0.84 uM.  
     
     
         22 . A device for writing to a storage medium, the storage medium having at least one track having data stored thereon in the form of pit and land lengths and a track pitch, the device comprising a laser for writing the pits and land lengths having a wavelength shorter than about 530 nM.  
     
     
         23 . A device for reading data from a storage medium, the storage medium having at least one track having data stored thereon in the form of pit and land lengths and a track pitch, the device comprising a laser for reading the pits and land lengths having a wavelength shorter than about 530 nM.