Methods, systems, and computer readable medium for providing video content over a network

Abstract

A system and method for distribution of content items, such as video or other files, can provide for adjustable pricing for access to a content item based on the popularity of the content item. The price for access can be calculated by adjusting a base access price that is determined based on how many times the content item has been accessed. The adjustment can utilize rating and review data received from users who have previously accessed the content item. In some embodiments, rating and review data is withheld from disclosure during a hold-back period whereby the quality of a user's rating can be evaluated by comparing it to other ratings received during the hold-back period. Other incentives can be provided to drive viewing and reviewing content items by providing discounts for users that provide positively-rated reviews.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for providing access to a video content item over a network, comprising:
 receiving, by a computing device, a plurality of videos content items from a plurality of content producers, the plurality of videos content items including a first video content item, wherein the first video content item is provided by a first content producer of the plurality of content producers; 
 providing, by the computing device, access to the plurality of videos content items to a plurality of consumers; 
 receiving, by the computing device, user rating data quantifying a user preference of the first video content item from the plurality of consumers who have viewed the first video content item; 
 calculating, by the computing device, a price for viewing the first video content item based on a number of times the first video content item has been viewed by the plurality of consumers and the user rating data; 
 receiving, by the computing device, a request to view the first video content item from a first consumer; 
 charging, by the computing device, an account associated with the first consumer the price; 
 requesting the first consumer to provide user rating data quantifying a review of the first video content item by the first consumer; 
 receiving the user rating data from the first consumer; 
 receiving a plurality of rating review values quantifying a review of the user rating data provided by the first consumer; 
 determining an average rating review value based on the plurality of rating review values; 
 crediting the account associated with the first consumer in response to determining that the average rating review value is greater than a predetermined value; and 
 determining, by the computing device, a portion of the price to share with the first content producer based on the number of times the first video content item has been viewed. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the price is greater if the number of times the first video content item has been viewed exceeds a predetermined number. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein calculating the price for viewing the first video content item is based on the number of times the first video content item has been viewed and the user rating data further comprises setting the price to zero if the number of times the first video content item has been viewed is less than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       4. A computing device comprising:
 a network interface; 
 a processor coupled to the network interface and adapted to:
 receive a plurality of videos content items from a plurality of content producers, the plurality of videos content items including a first video content item, wherein the first video content item is provided by a first content producer of the plurality of content producers; 
 provide access to the plurality of videos content items to a plurality of consumers; 
 receive user rating data quantifying a user preference of the first video content item from the plurality of consumers that have viewed the first video content item; 
 calculate a price for viewing the first video content item based on a number of times the first video content item has been viewed by the plurality of consumers and the user rating data; 
 receive a request to view the first video content item from a first consumer; 
 charge an account associated with the first consumer the price; 
 request the first consumer to provide user rating data quantifying a review of the first video content item by the first consumer; 
 receive the user rating data from the first consumer; 
 receive a plurality of rating review values quantifying a review of the user rating data provided by the first consumer; 
 determine an average rating review value based on the plurality of rating review values; 
 credit the account associated with the first consumer if the average rating review value is greater than a predetermined value; and 
 determine a portion of the price to share with the first content producer based on the number of times the first video content item has been viewed. 
 
 
     
     
       5. The computing device of  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the price is greater if the number of times the first video content item has been viewed exceeds a predetermined number. 
     
     
       6. The computing device of  claim 4 , wherein to calculate the price for viewing the first video content item based on the number of times the first video content item has been viewed and user rating data provided by the first consumer of the first video content item, the processor is further adapted to set the price to zero if the number of times the first video content item has been viewed is less than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       7. A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions for instructing a computer to:
 receive a plurality of videos content items from a plurality of content producers, the plurality of videos content items including a first video content item, wherein the first video content item is provided by a first content producer of the plurality of content producers; 
 provide access to the plurality of videos content items to a plurality of consumers; 
 receive user rating data quantifying a user preference of the first video content item from the plurality of consumers that have viewed the first video content item; 
 calculate a price for viewing the first video content item based on a number of times the first video content item has been viewed by the plurality of consumers and the user rating data; 
 receive a request to view the first video content item from a first consumer of the plurality of consumers; 
 charge an account associated with the first consumer the price; 
 request the first consumer to provide user rating data quantifying a review of the first video content item by the first consumer; 
 receive the user rating data from the first consumer; 
 determine if the user rating data include a textual description; 
 credit the account associated with the first consumer an amount of money based on whether or not the user rating data includes the textual description; and 
 determine a portion of the price to share with the first content producer based on the number of times the first video content item has been viewed. 
 
     
     
       8. The computing device computer readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein the portion of the price is greater if the number of times the first video content item has been viewed exceeds a predetermined number. 
     
     
       9. A method for providing access to a video content item over a network, comprising:
 receiving, by a computing device, a plurality of videos content items from a plurality of content producers, the plurality of videos content items including a first video content item, wherein the first video content item is provided by a first content producer of the plurality of content producers; 
 providing, by the computing device, access to the plurality of videos content items to a plurality of consumers; 
 receiving, by the computing device, user rating data quantifying a user preference of the first video content item from the plurality of consumers who have viewed the first video content item; 
 calculating, by the computing device, a price for viewing the first video content item based on a number of times the first video content item has been viewed by the plurality of consumers and the user rating data; 
 receiving, by the computing device, a request to view the first video content item from a first consumer; 
 charging, by the computing device, an account associated with the first consumer the price; 
 requesting the first consumer to provide user rating data quantifying a review of the first video content item by the first consumer; 
 receiving the user rating data from the first consumer; 
 determining if the user rating data includes a textual description; 
 crediting the account associated with the first consumer an amount of money based on whether or not the user rating data includes the textual description; and 
 determining, by the computing device, a portion of the price to share with the first content producer based on the number of times the first video content item has been viewed. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for providing access to a video content item over a network, comprising:
 receiving, by a computing device, a plurality of videos content items from a plurality of content producers, the plurality of videos content items including a first video content item, wherein the first video content item is provided by a first content producer of the plurality of content producers; 
 providing, by the computing device, access to the plurality of videos content items to a plurality of consumers; 
 receiving, by the computing device, user rating data quantifying a user preference of the first video content item from the plurality of consumers who have viewed the first video content item; 
 calculating, by the computing device, a price for viewing the first video content item based on a number of times the first video content item has been viewed by the plurality of consumers and the user rating data; 
 receiving, by the computing device, a request to view the first video content item from a first consumer; 
 charging, by the computing device, an account associated with the first consumer the price; 
 determining an average user rating data based on the user rating data provided by the plurality of consumers; 
 inhibiting display of the average user rating data to the first consumer; 
 receiving a user rating data quantifying a review of the first video content item from the first consumer; 
 crediting the account associated with the first consumer in response to determining that the user rating data from the first consumer is within a predetermined range of the average user rating data; and 
 determining, by the computing device, a portion of the price to share with the first content producer based on the number of times the first video content item has been viewed. 
 
     
     
       11. A computing device comprising:
 a network interface; 
 a processor coupled to the network interface and adapted to:
 receive a plurality of videos content items from a plurality of content producers, the plurality of videos content items including a first video content item, wherein the first video content item is provided by a first content producer of the plurality of content producers; 
 provide access to the plurality of videos content items to a plurality of consumers; 
 receive user rating data quantifying a user preference of the first video content item from the plurality of consumers that have viewed the first video content item; 
 calculate a price for viewing the first video content item based on a number of times the first video content item has been viewed by the plurality of consumers and the user rating data; 
 receive a request to view the first video content item from a first consumer; 
 charge an account associated with the first consumer the price; 
 request the first consumer to provide user rating data quantifying a review of the first video content item by the first consumer; 
 receive the user rating data from the first consumer; 
 determine if the user rating data includes a textual description; 
 credit the account associated with the first consumer an amount of money based on whether or not the user rating data includes the textual description; and 
 determine a portion of the price to share with the first content producer based on the number of times the first video content item has been viewed. 
 
 
     
     
       12. A computing device comprising:
 a network interface; 
 a processor coupled to the network interface and adapted to:
 receive a plurality of videos content items from a plurality of content producers, the plurality of videos content items including a first video content item, wherein the first video content item is provided by a first content producer of the plurality of content producers; 
 provide access to the plurality of videos content items to a plurality of consumers; 
 receive user rating data quantifying a user preference of the first video content item from the plurality of consumers that have viewed the first video content item; 
 calculate a price for viewing the first video content item based on a number of times the first video content item has been viewed by the plurality of consumers and the user rating data; 
 receive a request to view the first video content item from a first consumer; 
 charge an account associated with the first consumer the price; 
 determine an average user rating data based on the user rating data provided by the plurality of consumers; 
 inhibit display of the average user rating data to the first consumer; 
 receive a user rating data quantifying a review of the first video content item from the first consumer; 
 credit the account associated with the first consumer if the user rating data from the first consumer is within a predetermined range of the average user rating data; and 
 determine a portion of the price to share with the first content producer based on the number of times the first video content item has been viewed.