Content Rental System

Abstract

A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.

1 . A method, comprising:
 transmitting, to a computing system from a client device, a request to initiate a rental time period for a content item;   receiving, in response to the request a response including an indication of a rental time period, wherein initiating playback of the content item is allowed during the rental time period;   receiving, at the client device and during the rental time period, an indication to initiate playback of the content item; and   in response to receiving the indication to initiate playback of the content item, initiating a playback time period, wherein playback of the content item is allowed during the playback time period, and the playback time period ends after the rental time period ends.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting, to the computing system, a request for the content item. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the request for the content item comprises a request to stream the content item. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving an indication to purchase the content item; and   transmitting, to the computing system, a request to purchase the content item.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the computing system, an indication that the request to purchase the content item succeeded; and   commencing, responsive to receiving the indication that the request to purchase the content item succeeded, a period during which playback at the client device is unrestricted.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying an indication of when the playback time period ends. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying a notification that that the playback time period ends after the rental time period ends. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising ceasing playback of the content item when the playback time period ends. 
     
     
         9 . A device comprising:
 a non-transitory storage device storing instructions; and   a processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions causing the device to:
 transmit, to a computing system, a request to initiate a rental time period for a content item; 
 receive, in response to the request, a response including an indication of a rental time period, wherein initiating playback of the content item is allowed during the rental time period; 
 receive, at the client device and during the rental time period, an indication to initiate playback of the content item; and 
 in response to receiving the indication to initiate playback of the content item, initiate a playback time period, wherein playback of the content item is allowed during the playback time period, and the playback time period ends after the rental time period ends. 
   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to: transmit, to the computing system, a request for the content item. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the request for the content item comprises a request to stream the content item. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to:
 receive an indication to purchase the content item; and   transmit, to the computing system, a request to purchase the content item.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to:
 receive, from the computing system, an indication that the request to purchase the content item succeeded; and   commence, responsive to receiving the indication that the request to purchase the content item succeeded, a period during which playback at the client device is unrestricted.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to display an indication of when the playback time period ends. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to display a notification that that the playback time period ends after the rental time period ends. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to cease playback of the content item when the playback time period ends. 
     
     
         17 . A computer readable storage device storing instructions executable by one or more processors to:
 transmit, to a computing system, a request to initiate a rental time period for a content item;   receive, in response to the request, a response including an indication of a rental time period, wherein initiating playback of the content item is allowed during the rental time period;   receive, at the client device and during the rental time period, an indication to initiate playback of the content item during the rental time period; and   in response to receiving the indication to initiate playback of the content item, initiate a playback time period, wherein playback of the content item is allowed during the playback time period, and the playback time period ends after the rental time period ends.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to: transmit, to the computing system, a request for the content item. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the request for the content item comprises a request to stream the content item. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to cease playback of the content item when the playback time period ends.