US20020083445A1 - Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box - Google Patents

Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20020083445A1
US20020083445A1 US09/748,943 US74894300A US2002083445A1 US 20020083445 A1 US20020083445 A1 US 20020083445A1 US 74894300 A US74894300 A US 74894300A US 2002083445 A1 US2002083445 A1 US 2002083445A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
channel
digital
channels
bandwidth
stb
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/748,943
Inventor
Gregory Flickinger
Charles Eldering
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Prime Research Alliance E Inc
Original Assignee
Expanse Networks Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to US09/748,943 priority Critical patent/US20020083445A1/en
Application filed by Expanse Networks Inc filed Critical Expanse Networks Inc
Assigned to EXPANSE NETWORKS, INC. reassignment EXPANSE NETWORKS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ELDERING, CHARLES A., FLICKINGER, GREGORY C.
Priority to PCT/US2001/027217 priority patent/WO2002019581A1/en
Priority to AU2001286998A priority patent/AU2001286998A1/en
Publication of US20020083445A1 publication Critical patent/US20020083445A1/en
Assigned to PRIME RESEARCH ALLIANCE E., INC., A CORPORATION OF BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS reassignment PRIME RESEARCH ALLIANCE E., INC., A CORPORATION OF BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: EXPANSE NETWORKS, INC.
Priority to US11/190,248 priority patent/US7152237B2/en
Priority to US14/196,488 priority patent/US9473814B1/en
Priority to US14/488,005 priority patent/US9165604B2/en
Priority to US14/918,313 priority patent/US9479803B2/en
Assigned to PRIME RESEARCH ALLIANCE E, LLC reassignment PRIME RESEARCH ALLIANCE E, LLC RE-DOMESTICATION AND ENTITY CONVERSION Assignors: PRIME RESEARCH ALLIANCE E, INC.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04HBROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/02Arrangements for generating broadcast information; Arrangements for generating broadcast-related information with a direct linking to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for simultaneous generation of broadcast information and broadcast-related information
    • H04H60/06Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04HBROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/28Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
    • H04H20/33Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information by plural channels
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866Management of end-user data
    • H04N21/25883Management of end-user data being end-user demographical data, e.g. age, family status or address
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/258Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866Management of end-user data
    • H04N21/25891Management of end-user data being end-user preferences
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/262Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists
    • H04N21/26208Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists the scheduling operation being performed under constraints
    • H04N21/26233Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists the scheduling operation being performed under constraints involving content or additional data duration or size, e.g. length of a movie, size of an executable file
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/262Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists
    • H04N21/26208Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists the scheduling operation being performed under constraints
    • H04N21/26241Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists the scheduling operation being performed under constraints involving the time of distribution, e.g. the best time of the day for inserting an advertisement or airing a children program
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/266Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
    • H04N21/2668Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/426Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof
    • H04N21/42684Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/433Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
    • H04N21/4331Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/4508Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4532Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/454Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47End-user applications
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/812Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/84Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/858Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
    • H04N21/8586Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot by using a URL
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00Television systems
    • H04N7/16Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/165Centralised control of user terminal ; Registering at central
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00Television systems
    • H04N7/16Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17345Control of the passage of the selected programme
    • H04N7/17354Control of the passage of the selected programme in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00Television systems
    • H04N7/16Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17345Control of the passage of the selected programme
    • H04N7/17363Control of the passage of the selected programme at or near the user terminal
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04HBROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/27Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47End-user applications
    • H04N21/478Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application

Definitions

  • the emerging digital television media in various forms such as digital cable, direct broadcast satellite and wireless cable, provide opportunities for advertisers to better target their advertising messages and provide more opportunities for broadcasters to generate more advertising revenues for a number of reasons.
  • digital television media the total viewing audience may be divided into many subgroups based on common interests or common demographic descriptors. Advertising targeting is also possible with digital television media due to an expansion in the bandwidth capacity of the broadcast from 8-100 channels in typical analog television to 200 or more channels in digital.
  • targeting of the advertisement is further enabled by the capability of a digital set-top box to capture individual household data about viewing preferences and the like.
  • the present invention is directed at a system and a method for delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top boxes (STBs).
  • the targeted advertisements may be delivered to the STB in a low bandwidth channel or in a high bandwidth channel.
  • These advertisement (ad) channels could be dedicated solely to ad delivery or could be shared.
  • the channel may comprise 6 MHz bandwidth and may carry nothing but ads.
  • the ad channel may be an analog channel wherein the ads are transmitted as analog video.
  • the ad channel may be a digital channel, and the ads may be encoded and transported in the same way as conventional programming.
  • a 6 MHz digital channel may carry several digital ad channels.
  • other services e.g., data
  • the ad channel may share a 6 MHz bandwidth with one or more other programming channels.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary television service communication network
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary set-top box of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates several examples of how a high bandwidth ad channel could be transmitted, digitally or in analog form
  • FIGS. 4 A- 4 C illustrate ad channels being sent on low-moderate bandwidth channels, both at constant bit rates and variable bit rates.
  • FIGS. 1 through 4 in particular, the apparatus of the present invention is disclosed.
  • FIG. 1 generally illustrates three of the most common types of digital television service delivery networks with which the present invention can be suitably used. These include (1) very high speed digital subscriber line (VDSL), (2) digital cable and (3) digital broadcast satellite (DBS).
  • VDSL very high speed digital subscriber line
  • DBS digital broadcast satellite
  • a programming stream comprising upwards of one hundred channels of television programming is delivered directly from a geo-stationary satellite transmitter 12 orbiting the earth to a receiving antenna 14 mounted on or near each subscriber's house 16 and from the antenna 14 via a cable to a satellite receiving station 15 in the subscriber's house 16 .
  • the satellite receiving station 15 (which is a form of set-top box (STB)) selects a channel and demodulates the signal for delivery to a monitor (e.g., a television, not shown).
  • a monitor e.g., a television, not shown.
  • Most DBS systems are arranged such that data also can be sent in the upstream direction, that is, from the STB 15 to the DBS provider.
  • the STB 15 also is coupled to the telephone line and is designed and programmed to place telephone calls to the DBS service provider to periodically send information in the upstream direction. Such information commonly may comprise requests for Pay-Per-View (PPV) programs and requests for changes in the subscription (a request that one or more of premium channels be added to the service, etc.).
  • PSV Pay-Per-View
  • the return path can also be over a moderate to high bandwidth digital subscriber line (DSL).
  • DSL digital subscriber line
  • a typical digital cable network 20 multiple channels of television information are transmitted from a head end or central office 22 via a cable network 23 . Particularly, the channels are transmitted via cables 24 to nodes 26 ( a - b ).
  • the nodes 26 are essentially switching/routing stations which service multiple homes (usually a few hundred)
  • the nodes 26 route the signals, over coaxial cable, to individual subscribers 28 .
  • the individual subscriber 28 will have STBs 27 that select a particular channel from the transmit stream, demodulate it and forward it for display on one or more monitors or televisions (not shown).
  • Different data streams can be sent to the different nodes 26 of the network such that households coupled to node 26 a can receive different programming than households coupled to node 26 b.
  • Upstream information may be sent from the STB 27 to the central office 22 via a dedicated upstream channel over the cable 24 .
  • the upstream “channel” can be through the telephone as described above in connection with DBS systems.
  • TV programming is ultimately delivered to the home over existing telephone wire.
  • television signals are transmitted from a Broadband Digital Terminal (BDT) 31 in the central office 22 via wire, typically fiber optic cable 32 , to a universal service access multiplexer (USAM) 34 or a Broadband Network Unit (BNU) 33 .
  • the USAM 34 or the BNU 33 then deliver the data to multiple individual subscriber households 35 via regular telephone twisted wire pair 36 or coaxial cable 37 respectively, using VDSL protocols and equipment.
  • the USAM 34 or the BNU 33 receive a digital signal comprising one or more television channels.
  • the subscriber has a STB 38 that is similar in functionality to the STB of a digital cable system 20 or DBS system 12 , except that when the subscriber changes channels such as by operating a remote control, the remote channel change signal is received by the STB 38 and transmitted upstream to the central office 22 which switches the channel for the subscriber and begins sending the newly selected channel to the household 35 .
  • SDV systems 30 are essentially fully modern asynchronous two-way communication networks. Accordingly, the STB 38 can transmit information upstream over the same path used for the downstream signals. SDV systems 30 typically operate using an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocol which is well-known in the networking arts.
  • ATM asynchronous transfer mode
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic components of a STB 200 within which the present invention may be incorporated, whether it is for DBS, SDV, digital cable or any other system.
  • the STB 200 includes an input port 202 for coupling to the input signal, e.g., a coaxial cable in the case of analog or digital cable TV, a telephone line in the case of SDV or an input cable from an antenna in the case of DBS.
  • the television input signal may be analog or digital.
  • the signal may be a video stream or multimedia stream such as a motion picture expert group (MPEG) signal from any communications network, such as the Internet.
  • the STB 200 includes a system control unit (SCU) 204 which controls operation of the components of the STB 200 .
  • SCU system control unit
  • the system control unit 204 essentially is a central processing unit (CPU) and may be any digital processing device, such as a microprocessor, finite state machine (FSM), digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), general purpose computer, etc.
  • the system control unit 204 receives commands from the subscriber, such as through infrared (IR) reception of commands from a handheld remote control unit (not shown) through an IR receiving circuit 208 .
  • the SCU decodes the commands and forwards control signals to other circuits in the STB 200 in order to carry out the subscriber's commands, such as changing the channel.
  • the STB 200 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 210 containing software and fixed data used for operating the STB 200 , and a random access memory (RAM) 212 for storing changeable data.
  • ROM read only memory
  • RAM random access memory
  • the STB 200 also includes a separate internal or external large memory device, such as a hard disk drive 214 or optical disk drive for storing the very large amounts of data that comprise digital multimedia data, e.g., television programs and advertisements.
  • the SCU 204 , RAM 212 , ROM 210 and hard disk 214 are coupled to a master bus 216 over which the units can communicate with each other.
  • the input signal from input port 202 is passed through a tuning circuit 218 .
  • the tuning circuit 218 selectively parses out the data corresponding to the particular channel selected by the viewer. That data is passed to a demodulator 220 that demodulates the data.
  • a channel processing circuit 222 takes the demodulated channel data and processes it as needed.
  • the necessary channel processing may comprise almost nothing to significant processing of the data depending on the particular form of the input data and the features of the STB 200 which would be familiar to persons of skill in the related arts.
  • Exemplary functions that might be performed in the channel processing circuitry include decoding an encoded data stream (e.g., MPEG, Dolby SurroundSoundTM) or inserting advertisements into the data stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • the channel processing circuit can pass the data to one of the memory devices 212 or 214 through the system control unit 204 .
  • the output of the channel processing circuit 222 typically is coupled to a demultiplexer 224 which separates the audio and video portions of the channel and forwards them to audio and video output ports 226 and 228 , respectively.
  • Tuner 218 and channel processing circuit 222 may be controlled by the system control unit 204 .
  • the demodulator 220 and demultiplexer 224 may also need control.
  • STBs 200 also can transmit data upstream to the head end.
  • Such STBs 200 would include a modulator 230 coupled to the system control unit 204 for modulating data generated in the system control unit 204 for transmission to the head end as well as an output port 232 for coupling a cable or other link to the head end.
  • a modulator 230 coupled to the system control unit 204 for modulating data generated in the system control unit 204 for transmission to the head end as well as an output port 232 for coupling a cable or other link to the head end.
  • the input port 202 and output port 232 might comprise the same physical port.
  • a STB 200 for an SDV network typically would not include the tuner 218 since, as indicated above, since channel selection is not processed in the STB 200 but is merely transmitted to the USAM 34 for processing.
  • FIG. 2 is a very high level depiction of the most basic components of an STB 200 and that other forms are possible.
  • the present invention utilizes targeted advertising wherein advertisements are matched to groups of subscribers (e.g., nodes in a cable television environment or to individual subscribers in switched digital video or streaming video environments).
  • groups of subscribers e.g., nodes in a cable television environment or to individual subscribers in switched digital video or streaming video environments.
  • the actual formation of groups for targeted advertising is accomplished by creating multiple lists or tables (subgroups) of subscribers that share one or more subscriber characteristics.
  • the subgroups may be based (1) geographic segmentation, (2) demographic segmentation, (3) psychological segmentation, (4) psychographic segmentation, (5) sociocultural segmentation, (6) use-related segmentation, (7) use-situation segmentation, (8) benefit segmentation, and (9) hybrid segmentation. More information may be found in a book entitled Consumer Behavior, by Leon G. Schiffman and Leslie Lazar Kanuk published by Prentice Hall, New Jersey 1999.
  • the analysis of different segmentations permit the advertisement to be directed to specific users or groups of users who fit certain criteria. For instance, an advertisement for a baby stroller could reach parents of children under five years old—and only those individuals in that group.
  • the other publicly or privately available data regarding the subscribers may also be collected. This data may also be mined to form a subgroup of subscribers which has a common characteristic which matches the characteristics of the target group.
  • One technique for forming groups involves utilization of geographic location information. Each group may consist of subscribers located in a particular state, city, or associated with a cable television node. Another technique for forming groups is based on knowledge of the viewership of the actual programming. For example, many companies collect data related to the viewing of the television programming and such information may be used to form subgroups. Once such collection of data, known as Nielsen ratings, are based on samples of information related to the viewing of television programming. Other types of similar information are also available. The groups may be based on the actual viewership information, on an estimate of the current viewership, or on the statistical measurement of the viewership.
  • the targeted advertisements may be delivered to the set-top in a low bandwidth channel or in a high-speed channel. These channels could be dedicated to ad delivery or could be shared, providing delivery channels for other services.
  • the low bandwidth method of delivery would require that the ads be delivered (or begin being delivered) significantly in advance of ad presentation.
  • Ads delivered via a high bandwidth channel could be delivered at or just prior to the time of presentation.
  • An example of such a dedicated channel may a broadcast high bandwidth ad channel.
  • a service provider i.e., DBS, cable, SDV, Multichannel Multipoint Distribution System (MMDS), and Local MDS (LMDS)
  • DBS digital base station
  • SDV Multichannel Multipoint Distribution System
  • LMDS Local MDS
  • This channel, used for transporting ads would be a high bandwidth (e.g., 6 MHz) channel, and would, in one embodiment, carry nothing but ads.
  • the operator would determine which ads were sent, but essentially ads would be continually sent to the STB, the STB being able to store, for subsequent display.
  • the appropriate ads carried on this channel would be encoded and transported in the same way that the other programming content (on other channels) was encoded and transported. That is, if one were to “tune” to the ad channel, one would receive only conventional advertisements (normal video and audio).
  • the ads In the case of analog video, the ads would be transmitted just as analog video is transmitted over the network. In the case of digital video, the ad would be encoded and transported in the same way as conventional programming. A 6 MHz channel could carry several digital ad channels just as several digital video channels are carried within one 6 MHz channel. Moreover, other services (e.g. data) could be carried in the ad channel with the ads if desired.
  • FIG. 3 shows several ways how a high bandwidth ad channel could be transmitted, digitally or in analog form.
  • a conventional analog dedicated 6 MHz channel 305 may be used to carry advertisements.
  • the ad channel in this instance is a 6 MHz digital channel transmitted along with the programming, e.g., ABC ( 301 ), NBC ( 303 ).
  • One or more ad channels may be carried within a 6 MHz digital channel.
  • FIG. 3 shows a contiguous sequence of five advertisement channels within a dedicated digital ad channel 307 .
  • the digital ad channel 307 may be transmitted along with a digital programming channel 309 .
  • multiple digital ad channels may be carried within one 6 MHz digital channel and carried along with the programming ( 311 ).
  • an analog channel may be used to carry programming 313
  • a digital channel 315 carries the programming as well as the ad channel.
  • Ads can also be delivered to the STB via low and medium bandwidth channels as well and in a variety of formats (e.g., streaming media, MPEG-2, etc.) and protocols (ATM, IP, etc.) as will be evident to those skilled in the art.
  • FIGS. 4 A- 4 C illustrate ad channels being sent on low-moderate bandwidth channels, both at constant bit rates and variable bit rates.
  • An example as shown in FIG. 4A, of such low bandwidth channels would be a dedicated channel 401 in which the advertisements are continually sent but at a low bit rate, and ultimately stored as a complete advertisement file on the STB.
  • the time is shown at the X axis
  • the bit rate is shown on the Y axis.
  • Another approach is the “trickle down” approach that allows ad delivery to the STB without requiring a dedicated high bandwidth ad channel, such a high bandwidth channel being available for other services (e.g., network programming).
  • network bandwidth demand (or bandwidth demand by one or more individual subscribers) is monitored in real-time or statistically predicted.
  • the ad channel is delivered at a varying bit rate following the bandwidth demands of the system. For example, as bandwidth demanded by the system channel increases, the bandwidth allocated for transmitting the ad channel would proportionally reduce. Similarly, when the bandwidth demand for the system channel decreases, the available bandwidth for carrying the ad channel is increased.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a varying bandwidth ad channel 403 which is shown to fluctuate. Generally, ad channel 403 varies based on the bandwidth used by the system channel 405 .
  • advertisements could be delivered at “off-peak” times (i.e., when the overall demand for bandwidth is comparatively low).
  • Bandwidth usage can be monitored and statistically predicted, either for the entire network, a sub-portion of the network, or an individual subscriber. By anticipating or predicting a period of decreased bandwidth demand (either network-wide or individually), the advertisement delivery would coincide with such decreased demand. Such a scenario would allow operators to conserve bandwidth during “peak” times for other services.
  • the ad channel can operate at comparatively high bandwidth.
  • FIG. 4C illustrates an off-peak download ad channel 407 . It is to be noted that the off-peak download ad channel can be a medium to high bandwidth channel.
  • the forward channel is used to deliver, among other things, the ads, metadata about the ads, and instructions regarding the ads.
  • the forward channel can be high, moderate, or low bandwidth as described further above.
  • the return path/channel is used for, among other things, communicating to the service provider various aspects regarding which ads are stored, timing and quantity of which ads have been played, which ads are scheduled for play, etc. Such information is critical to the “traffic and billing” (T&B) systems of the service provider.
  • T&B traffic and billing
  • the return path responsible for transmitting data, would typically be a low bandwidth channel.
  • the ad channel could be transported to a STB according to different broadband services and delivery platforms.
  • the ad channel is a high bandwidth channel suitable for delivering acceptable quality video.
  • the ad channel could be low or moderate bandwidth.
  • the ad channel could be intermittent.
  • the ad channel could be transmitted only during certain periods of low bandwidth demand (i.e., off-peak); or the ad channel could be sent in a “bursty” manner, that is, the ad channel would be transmitted at a varying bit rate depending on the instantaneous bandwidth demands of the system on which it is carried.
  • each of the systems may generate their own ad channel (e.g., at the HE or CO or DBS uplink) or that each of these systems may receive one or more different ad channels.
  • ads would be delivered to the provider from the advertisers (or other party), stored on a local ad server, and used to create one or more ad channels to be sent to the STBs.
  • ads could be delivered to the providers in many ways, including those mentioned, but also including storage media (e.g., a DVD sent via Federal Express).
  • the HE/CO receives, stores, and processes subscriber profiling information, and receives and stores ads and associated metadata.
  • the subscriber grouping server and ad grouping server forms groups of subscribers (or assigns a node or cell to a group) and groups of ads respectively.
  • Appropriate ad channels are formed and sent to the STB.
  • Input is also received from Traffic and Billing databases regarding which ads to send where and which metadata/instructions to send with each ad or channel.
  • STB records are sent upstream to the T&B, and STB click stream data can also be sent for profiling purposes.
  • one embodiment is that of the ad channel being uplinked to the DBS provider satellite which then downlinks the ad channel to the subscriber STB.
  • the subscriber has a satellite dish and a receiver for decoding the transmission.
  • the return path in the DBS case is typically the conventional telephone line (POTs) which runs from the subscriber's home or business back to the DBS provider's central office (or other processing facility).
  • POTs conventional telephone line
  • the ad channel is transmitted via satellite to the STB. Metadata and instructions regarding the ad channel and ads can also be transmitted by the satellite, embedded in the ad channel or separate from it. However, these data can also be sent over the telephone line (i.e., forward path).
  • a trickle down forward channel to deliver the ads to the STB could also be performed via the twisted wire pair using the “POTS” (Plain Old Telephone System) line. Data from the STB is transmitted to the DBS provider on the telephone return path.
  • POTS Peer Old Telephone System
  • the system is a hybrid DBS/DSL system.
  • the STB supports both DBS signal reception as well as DSL functionality.
  • the DSL service would for example be provided over twisted wire pair to the home.
  • conventional TV programming is received via the DBS signal, whereas other services are sent downstream to the STB via the DSL channel.
  • Such other services may include a high, moderate, and low bandwidth ad channel delivered to the STB for storage and display.
  • Metadata and other instructions regarding the ads e.g. storage, scheduling, grouping, etc.
  • the DSL channel could also be used as the return path for, inter alia, sending anonymous transaction profiles and ad scheduling/transactions (e.g., display) information.
  • Such DBS/DSL systems would also allow for enhanced services where high-bandwidth uploads/requests are required such as Interactive TV.
  • a Head End receives the ad channel either via a satellite downlink (e.g., HITs) or land based connection (e.g., Internet/WAN or LAN).
  • this ad channel is then sent to the STB via the HFC plant on a high bandwidth video channel.
  • the HFC plant comprises, for each node, a fiber from the HE to the node which comprises an O/E transducer transmitting onto coax feeder cables, and then drops to the CPE STB.
  • the ad channel is sent over a DOCSIS channel.
  • Metadata, instructions, and other data associated with the ad can be sent over these channels (embedded with the ad or separate) or over other channels (e.g., low bandwidth).
  • the conventional return path e.g., ⁇ 50 MHz
  • a POTS line could also be used in the event two-way cable service is not realized or desired.
  • a HE could generate its own ad channels. In this scenario, the HE would be able to direct different ad channels to one or more of its cable nodes (O/E).
  • one or more ad channels corresponding to one or more specific target groups (nodes) could be created and sent to their appropriate node(s).
  • Each STB serviced by that node would receive and store all ads on its ad channel, and thus would not need to filter the ads since each ad received on the ad channel would be appropriate for that STB.
  • the HE would typically have its own ad server with which to generate the ad channels, but could also do the filtering of incoming ad channel(s) creating separate ad channels (e.g., for each node) “on-the-fly.”
  • the Central Office receives the ad channel either via a satellite downlink (e.g., HITs) or land based connection (e.g., Internet/WAN or LAN).
  • the ad channel would either be received by the CO as ATM, or the CO would ATM encode the ad channel prior to distribution to the STB.
  • the ad channel would be transported to the STB using the ATM protocol.
  • the ad channel is sent to the STBs via a fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) or fiber-to-the-neighborhood (FTTN) network, which terminates at an Optical Network Unit (BNU) with an O/E converter, and from the BNU over twisted wire pair (twp) drops to each home or business STB.
  • FTTC fiber-to-the-curb
  • FTTB fiber-to-the-building
  • FTTN fiber-to-the-neighborhood
  • the metadata and instructions would be sent either embedded in the ad or separate from it with the appropriate associating links.
  • the return path for communication by the STB to the CO could be over the same plant on a low bandwidth return channel.
  • SDV is that of VDSL (very high speed DSL).
  • fiber runs from the CO broadband digital terminal (BDT) to one or more universal service access multiplexers (USAM) and then from the USAM to one or more residences over
  • a CO implementing the SDV platform could generate its own ad channels.
  • the CO would be able to direct different ad channels (i.e., on different VPI/VCIs) to one or more of its subscribers STB.
  • Each STB instructed to tune to a particular ad channel (VPI/VCI) would receive and store all ads on its ad channel, and thus would not need to filter the ads since each ad received on the ad channel would be appropriate for that STB.
  • the CO would typically have its own ad server with which to generate the ad channels, but could also do the filtering of incoming ad channel(s) creating separate ad channels (VPI/VCIs) “on-the-fly.”
  • the ad channel (or individual ads themselves) could be sent over low or moderate bandwidth channels, or in an intermittent manner (e.g., on bursty channel or during off-peak times).
  • the LMDS Head End or Central Office receives the ad channel from an ad channel source, or alternatively, generates one or more of its own ad channels. In either case, and in one embodiment, this ad channel is then sent to the STB by transmitting it to the local LMDS Cell (i.e., the local LMDS broadcast tower).
  • the LMDS transmitter tower sends the channel to STBs within the local “cell” (typically 500-2000 residences). This is a wireless transmission using either QPSK or QAM modulation.
  • the channel is received at the residence or business via a small dish antenna, and is decrypted and decoded by a receiver.
  • Metadata, instructions, and other data associated with the ad can be sent, embedded with the ad or separate and/or over other channels (e.g., low bandwidth).
  • the return path for LMDS would be over the same wireless path using a Media Access Control (MAC) protocol.
  • MAC Media Access Control
  • a POTS line could also be used as a return path in the event two-way service is not realized or desired (e.g., MMDS).
  • a LMDS HE could generate its own ad channels.
  • the HE would be able to direct different (i.e., customized) ad channels to one or more of its broadcast towers.
  • This would prove advantageous; in that one or more ad channels corresponding to one or more specific target groups (broadcast cells) could be created and sent to their appropriate cell(s).
  • Each STB serviced by that cell would receive and store all ads on its ad channel, and thus would not need to filter the ads since each ad received on the ad channel would be appropriate for that STB.
  • the HE would typically have its own ad server with which to generate the ad channels, but could also do the filtering of incoming ad channel(s) creating separate ad channels (e.g., for each cell) “on-the-fly.”
  • a Hybrid LMDS/DSL system could also be used to deliver the ad channels (see above under DBS/DSL).

Abstract

A system and a method for delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top box (STB). The targeted advertisements may be delivered to the STB in a low bandwidth channel or in a high bandwidth channel as an ad channel. The ad channel may be an analog channel wherein the advertisements are transmitted as analog video. Alternatively, the advertisement channel may be a digital channel, and the advertisements may be encoded and transported in the same way as conventional programming. In digital cases, a 6 MHz digital channel may carry several digital advertisement channels. Moreover, other services (e.g., data may be carried within the 6 MHz digital channel). Alternatively, the ad channel may share a 6 MHz bandwidth with one or more other programming channels.

Description

  • This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) for provisional application No. 60/229,156 filed on Aug. 31, 2000 entitled “Method and System for Addressable and Program Independent Advertising”, which is incorporated herein by reference.[0001]
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Traditional broadcast television systems broadcast the same television signal to each person viewing a particular station. Thus, each person viewing a particular channel will necessarily view the same programming content as well as the same advertisements embedded in the programming content. For most broadcast medium industries, such as television, advertising revenues may be the sole source of revenues for the television broadcaster. In a conventional television broadcast system, many advertisers compete for the opportunity to place their advertisement in the advertisement breaks between the programming content. In addition, once a particular advertising break has been filled with an advertisement, the television broadcaster can no longer sell that space in the broadcast stream. Because the advertisements on a particular channel are seen by every viewer tuned to the particular channel in a conventional television system, the advertisements in a conventional television broadcast system cannot be targeted to a particular portion of the audience or even to a particular individual. Therefore, the television broadcast operator may only derive a limited predetermined amount of advertising revenue from any particular advertisement spot and it is desirable to provide the broadcaster with a system for increasing the advertisement revenues that may be generated. [0002]
  • The problem with advertisements on a conventional television broadcasting system for the advertiser is that each advertiser is interested in reaching only one or more subsets of the total viewing audience, because not all members of the viewing audience may be desirable candidates for receiving a particular advertisement. For example, an advertisement about a product for male hair growth would typically be directed to males because males are more likely to purchase the product. The proportion of the audience which is thought to be genuinely interested in the advertisement (or believed by the advertiser to be a prime candidate to purchase their product) varies by product category, but normally ranges from 20-40%. Therefore, the advertisement viewed by the other 60-80% of the audience, which are not prime candidates, represents a large amount of wasted spending by the advertiser. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system which permits an advertiser to more carefully direct advertisements to a particular set of people or even to an individual person so that the advertiser does not waste large sums of money on parts of the audience which do not have any interest in their product. Thus, both television broadcasters and advertisers desire a better way in which to provide advertisements to the audience in a more targeted manner. [0003]
  • The emerging digital television media, in various forms such as digital cable, direct broadcast satellite and wireless cable, provide opportunities for advertisers to better target their advertising messages and provide more opportunities for broadcasters to generate more advertising revenues for a number of reasons. With digital television media, the total viewing audience may be divided into many subgroups based on common interests or common demographic descriptors. Advertising targeting is also possible with digital television media due to an expansion in the bandwidth capacity of the broadcast from 8-100 channels in typical analog television to 200 or more channels in digital. In addition, targeting of the advertisement is further enabled by the capability of a digital set-top box to capture individual household data about viewing preferences and the like. [0004]
  • There is a need for a method, apparatus and system to utilize the additional bandwidth and the storage capability of the STB to better target ads to groups, families and/or individual subscribers. Moreover, there is a need for individual household data about viewing preferences and the like to be captured, stored, uploaded to the broadcaster and used to further improve the targeting of the advertising messages. To more directly target advertisements to a particular portion of the total audience, the audience may be broken down into subgroups, in real-time, based on one or more factors or a combination of the factors. These factors may include shared demographics, such as gender, age or household income levels, shared preferences and tendencies to purchase certain product categories, such as foreign versus domestic automobiles, vacation travel, and many other factors. [0005]
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is directed at a system and a method for delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top boxes (STBs). The targeted advertisements may be delivered to the STB in a low bandwidth channel or in a high bandwidth channel. These advertisement (ad) channels could be dedicated solely to ad delivery or could be shared. The channel may comprise 6 MHz bandwidth and may carry nothing but ads. [0006]
  • The ad channel may be an analog channel wherein the ads are transmitted as analog video. Alternatively, the ad channel may be a digital channel, and the ads may be encoded and transported in the same way as conventional programming. In digital cases, a 6 MHz digital channel may carry several digital ad channels. Moreover, other services (e.g., data) may be carried within the 6 MHz digital channel. Alternatively, the ad channel may share a 6 MHz bandwidth with one or more other programming channels.[0007]
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0008]
  • In the drawings: [0009]
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary television service communication network; [0010]
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary set-top box of FIG. 1; [0011]
  • FIG. 3 illustrates several examples of how a high bandwidth ad channel could be transmitted, digitally or in analog form; and [0012]
  • FIGS. [0013] 4A-4C illustrate ad channels being sent on low-moderate bandwidth channels, both at constant bit rates and variable bit rates.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. [0014]
  • With reference to the drawings, in general, and FIGS. 1 through 4 in particular, the apparatus of the present invention is disclosed. [0015]
  • FIG. 1 generally illustrates three of the most common types of digital television service delivery networks with which the present invention can be suitably used. These include (1) very high speed digital subscriber line (VDSL), (2) digital cable and (3) digital broadcast satellite (DBS). In a DBS system, a programming stream comprising upwards of one hundred channels of television programming is delivered directly from a geo-[0016] stationary satellite transmitter 12 orbiting the earth to a receiving antenna 14 mounted on or near each subscriber's house 16 and from the antenna 14 via a cable to a satellite receiving station 15 in the subscriber's house 16. The satellite receiving station 15 (which is a form of set-top box (STB)) selects a channel and demodulates the signal for delivery to a monitor (e.g., a television, not shown). Most DBS systems are arranged such that data also can be sent in the upstream direction, that is, from the STB 15 to the DBS provider. In most DBS systems, the STB 15 also is coupled to the telephone line and is designed and programmed to place telephone calls to the DBS service provider to periodically send information in the upstream direction. Such information commonly may comprise requests for Pay-Per-View (PPV) programs and requests for changes in the subscription (a request that one or more of premium channels be added to the service, etc.). The return path can also be over a moderate to high bandwidth digital subscriber line (DSL).
  • In a typical [0017] digital cable network 20, multiple channels of television information are transmitted from a head end or central office 22 via a cable network 23. Particularly, the channels are transmitted via cables 24 to nodes 26(a-b). The nodes 26 are essentially switching/routing stations which service multiple homes (usually a few hundred) The nodes 26 route the signals, over coaxial cable, to individual subscribers 28. The individual subscriber 28 will have STBs 27 that select a particular channel from the transmit stream, demodulate it and forward it for display on one or more monitors or televisions (not shown). Different data streams can be sent to the different nodes 26 of the network such that households coupled to node 26 a can receive different programming than households coupled to node 26 b. Thus, such systems are “addressable” by node, but not by individual subscriber. Upstream information may be sent from the STB 27 to the central office 22 via a dedicated upstream channel over the cable 24. In cable systems that do not support two-way communication, the upstream “channel” can be through the telephone as described above in connection with DBS systems.
  • In accordance with a third common type of system, namely, switched digital video (SDV) [0018] 30, television programming is ultimately delivered to the home over existing telephone wire. Particularly, television signals are transmitted from a Broadband Digital Terminal (BDT) 31 in the central office 22 via wire, typically fiber optic cable 32, to a universal service access multiplexer (USAM) 34 or a Broadband Network Unit (BNU) 33. The USAM 34 or the BNU 33 then deliver the data to multiple individual subscriber households 35 via regular telephone twisted wire pair 36 or coaxial cable 37 respectively, using VDSL protocols and equipment. The USAM 34 or the BNU 33 receive a digital signal comprising one or more television channels. However, because of the bandwidth limitations of twisted wire pair 36, typically only 3-5 television programs at a time can be delivered from the USAM 34 to the subscriber household 35. Accordingly, the subscriber has a STB 38 that is similar in functionality to the STB of a digital cable system 20 or DBS system 12, except that when the subscriber changes channels such as by operating a remote control, the remote channel change signal is received by the STB 38 and transmitted upstream to the central office 22 which switches the channel for the subscriber and begins sending the newly selected channel to the household 35. SDV systems 30 are essentially fully modern asynchronous two-way communication networks. Accordingly, the STB 38 can transmit information upstream over the same path used for the downstream signals. SDV systems 30 typically operate using an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocol which is well-known in the networking arts.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic components of a [0019] STB 200 within which the present invention may be incorporated, whether it is for DBS, SDV, digital cable or any other system. The STB 200 includes an input port 202 for coupling to the input signal, e.g., a coaxial cable in the case of analog or digital cable TV, a telephone line in the case of SDV or an input cable from an antenna in the case of DBS. The television input signal may be analog or digital. Alternatively, the signal may be a video stream or multimedia stream such as a motion picture expert group (MPEG) signal from any communications network, such as the Internet. The STB 200 includes a system control unit (SCU) 204 which controls operation of the components of the STB 200. The system control unit 204 essentially is a central processing unit (CPU) and may be any digital processing device, such as a microprocessor, finite state machine (FSM), digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), general purpose computer, etc. The system control unit 204 receives commands from the subscriber, such as through infrared (IR) reception of commands from a handheld remote control unit (not shown) through an IR receiving circuit 208. The SCU decodes the commands and forwards control signals to other circuits in the STB 200 in order to carry out the subscriber's commands, such as changing the channel. The STB 200 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 210 containing software and fixed data used for operating the STB 200, and a random access memory (RAM) 212 for storing changeable data. Preferably, the STB 200 also includes a separate internal or external large memory device, such as a hard disk drive 214 or optical disk drive for storing the very large amounts of data that comprise digital multimedia data, e.g., television programs and advertisements. The SCU 204, RAM 212, ROM 210 and hard disk 214 are coupled to a master bus 216 over which the units can communicate with each other.
  • The input signal from [0020] input port 202 is passed through a tuning circuit 218. Under control of the system control unit 204, the tuning circuit 218 selectively parses out the data corresponding to the particular channel selected by the viewer. That data is passed to a demodulator 220 that demodulates the data. A channel processing circuit 222 takes the demodulated channel data and processes it as needed. The necessary channel processing may comprise almost nothing to significant processing of the data depending on the particular form of the input data and the features of the STB 200 which would be familiar to persons of skill in the related arts. Exemplary functions that might be performed in the channel processing circuitry include decoding an encoded data stream (e.g., MPEG, Dolby SurroundSound™) or inserting advertisements into the data stream in accordance with the present invention.
  • If received data is to be stored locally at the [0021] STB 200, the channel processing circuit can pass the data to one of the memory devices 212 or 214 through the system control unit 204.
  • The output of the [0022] channel processing circuit 222 typically is coupled to a demultiplexer 224 which separates the audio and video portions of the channel and forwards them to audio and video output ports 226 and 228, respectively.
  • [0023] Tuner 218 and channel processing circuit 222 may be controlled by the system control unit 204. However, the demodulator 220 and demultiplexer 224 may also need control.
  • [0024] Many STBs 200 also can transmit data upstream to the head end. Such STBs 200 would include a modulator 230 coupled to the system control unit 204 for modulating data generated in the system control unit 204 for transmission to the head end as well as an output port 232 for coupling a cable or other link to the head end. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the input port 202 and output port 232 might comprise the same physical port.
  • A [0025] STB 200 for an SDV network typically would not include the tuner 218 since, as indicated above, since channel selection is not processed in the STB 200 but is merely transmitted to the USAM 34 for processing.
  • It also will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the related arts that FIG. 2 is a very high level depiction of the most basic components of an [0026] STB 200 and that other forms are possible.
  • The present invention utilizes targeted advertising wherein advertisements are matched to groups of subscribers (e.g., nodes in a cable television environment or to individual subscribers in switched digital video or streaming video environments). The actual formation of groups for targeted advertising is accomplished by creating multiple lists or tables (subgroups) of subscribers that share one or more subscriber characteristics. The subgroups may be based (1) geographic segmentation, (2) demographic segmentation, (3) psychological segmentation, (4) psychographic segmentation, (5) sociocultural segmentation, (6) use-related segmentation, (7) use-situation segmentation, (8) benefit segmentation, and (9) hybrid segmentation. More information may be found in a book entitled [0027] Consumer Behavior, by Leon G. Schiffman and Leslie Lazar Kanuk published by Prentice Hall, New Jersey 1999.
  • The analysis of different segmentations permit the advertisement to be directed to specific users or groups of users who fit certain criteria. For instance, an advertisement for a baby stroller could reach parents of children under five years old—and only those individuals in that group. The other publicly or privately available data regarding the subscribers may also be collected. This data may also be mined to form a subgroup of subscribers which has a common characteristic which matches the characteristics of the target group. [0028]
  • One technique for forming groups involves utilization of geographic location information. Each group may consist of subscribers located in a particular state, city, or associated with a cable television node. Another technique for forming groups is based on knowledge of the viewership of the actual programming. For example, many companies collect data related to the viewing of the television programming and such information may be used to form subgroups. Once such collection of data, known as Nielsen ratings, are based on samples of information related to the viewing of television programming. Other types of similar information are also available. The groups may be based on the actual viewership information, on an estimate of the current viewership, or on the statistical measurement of the viewership. [0029]
  • Once the targeted advertisements have been identified, the targeted advertisements may be delivered to the set-top in a low bandwidth channel or in a high-speed channel. These channels could be dedicated to ad delivery or could be shared, providing delivery channels for other services. The low bandwidth method of delivery would require that the ads be delivered (or begin being delivered) significantly in advance of ad presentation. Ads delivered via a high bandwidth channel could be delivered at or just prior to the time of presentation. [0030]
  • An example of such a dedicated channel may a broadcast high bandwidth ad channel. A service provider (i.e., DBS, cable, SDV, Multichannel Multipoint Distribution System (MMDS), and Local MDS (LMDS)) allocates and dedicates one or more “channels” of the system to be used for delivering advertisements. This channel, used for transporting ads, would be a high bandwidth (e.g., 6 MHz) channel, and would, in one embodiment, carry nothing but ads. In one embodiment, the operator would determine which ads were sent, but essentially ads would be continually sent to the STB, the STB being able to store, for subsequent display. The appropriate ads carried on this channel would be encoded and transported in the same way that the other programming content (on other channels) was encoded and transported. That is, if one were to “tune” to the ad channel, one would receive only conventional advertisements (normal video and audio). [0031]
  • In the case of analog video, the ads would be transmitted just as analog video is transmitted over the network. In the case of digital video, the ad would be encoded and transported in the same way as conventional programming. A 6 MHz channel could carry several digital ad channels just as several digital video channels are carried within one 6 MHz channel. Moreover, other services (e.g. data) could be carried in the ad channel with the ads if desired. [0032]
  • FIG. 3 shows several ways how a high bandwidth ad channel could be transmitted, digitally or in analog form. As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional analog dedicated 6 [0033] MHz channel 305 may be used to carry advertisements. Generally, the ad channel in this instance is a 6 MHz digital channel transmitted along with the programming, e.g., ABC (301), NBC (303).
  • One or more ad channels may be carried within a 6 MHz digital channel. FIG. 3 shows a contiguous sequence of five advertisement channels within a dedicated [0034] digital ad channel 307. The digital ad channel 307 may be transmitted along with a digital programming channel 309. Furthermore, multiple digital ad channels may be carried within one 6 MHz digital channel and carried along with the programming (311).
  • Alternatively, a mixture of analog and digital may be chosen, e.g., an analog channel may be used to carry [0035] programming 313, and a digital channel 315 carries the programming as well as the ad channel.
  • Ads can also be delivered to the STB via low and medium bandwidth channels as well and in a variety of formats (e.g., streaming media, MPEG-2, etc.) and protocols (ATM, IP, etc.) as will be evident to those skilled in the art. FIGS. [0036] 4A-4C illustrate ad channels being sent on low-moderate bandwidth channels, both at constant bit rates and variable bit rates. An example as shown in FIG. 4A, of such low bandwidth channels would be a dedicated channel 401 in which the advertisements are continually sent but at a low bit rate, and ultimately stored as a complete advertisement file on the STB. In FIG. 4A, the time is shown at the X axis, and the bit rate is shown on the Y axis.
  • Another approach is the “trickle down” approach that allows ad delivery to the STB without requiring a dedicated high bandwidth ad channel, such a high bandwidth channel being available for other services (e.g., network programming). [0037]
  • In this scenario, network bandwidth demand (or bandwidth demand by one or more individual subscribers) is monitored in real-time or statistically predicted. As shown in FIG. 4B, the ad channel is delivered at a varying bit rate following the bandwidth demands of the system. For example, as bandwidth demanded by the system channel increases, the bandwidth allocated for transmitting the ad channel would proportionally reduce. Similarly, when the bandwidth demand for the system channel decreases, the available bandwidth for carrying the ad channel is increased. FIG. 4B illustrates a varying [0038] bandwidth ad channel 403 which is shown to fluctuate. Generally, ad channel 403 varies based on the bandwidth used by the system channel 405. If the system channel (carrying programming and default advertisements) consumes more bandwidth, the bandwidth available to the ad channel is reduced. The sum of the ad channel bandwidth and the system channel bandwidth cannot exceed the maximum available. Such variable bit rate transmission schemes are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • Alternatively, advertisements could be delivered at “off-peak” times (i.e., when the overall demand for bandwidth is comparatively low). Bandwidth usage can be monitored and statistically predicted, either for the entire network, a sub-portion of the network, or an individual subscriber. By anticipating or predicting a period of decreased bandwidth demand (either network-wide or individually), the advertisement delivery would coincide with such decreased demand. Such a scenario would allow operators to conserve bandwidth during “peak” times for other services. In off-peak download, the ad channel can operate at comparatively high bandwidth. FIG. 4C illustrates an off-peak [0039] download ad channel 407. It is to be noted that the off-peak download ad channel can be a medium to high bandwidth channel.
  • The methods described above are applicable to a variety of platforms including, but not limited to, MMDS, LMDS, DBS, digital and analog hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable TV, and SDV. [0040]
  • Common to all these architectures are at least one forward channel and one return channel. The forward channel is used to deliver, among other things, the ads, metadata about the ads, and instructions regarding the ads. The forward channel can be high, moderate, or low bandwidth as described further above. The return path/channel is used for, among other things, communicating to the service provider various aspects regarding which ads are stored, timing and quantity of which ads have been played, which ads are scheduled for play, etc. Such information is critical to the “traffic and billing” (T&B) systems of the service provider. The return path, responsible for transmitting data, would typically be a low bandwidth channel. [0041]
  • Thus, the ad channel could be transported to a STB according to different broadband services and delivery platforms. In a preferred embodiment, the ad channel is a high bandwidth channel suitable for delivering acceptable quality video. However, the ad channel could be low or moderate bandwidth. Moreover, the ad channel could be intermittent. For example, the ad channel could be transmitted only during certain periods of low bandwidth demand (i.e., off-peak); or the ad channel could be sent in a “bursty” manner, that is, the ad channel would be transmitted at a varying bit rate depending on the instantaneous bandwidth demands of the system on which it is carried. [0042]
  • It is to be understood that each of the systems may generate their own ad channel (e.g., at the HE or CO or DBS uplink) or that each of these systems may receive one or more different ad channels. In the cases that any of these systems generate their own ad channel, ads would be delivered to the provider from the advertisers (or other party), stored on a local ad server, and used to create one or more ad channels to be sent to the STBs. In this scenario, ads could be delivered to the providers in many ways, including those mentioned, but also including storage media (e.g., a DVD sent via Federal Express). Generally, the HE/CO receives, stores, and processes subscriber profiling information, and receives and stores ads and associated metadata. The subscriber grouping server and ad grouping server forms groups of subscribers (or assigns a node or cell to a group) and groups of ads respectively. Appropriate ad channels (matching ad groups to subscriber groups) are formed and sent to the STB. Input is also received from Traffic and Billing databases regarding which ads to send where and which metadata/instructions to send with each ad or channel. STB records are sent upstream to the T&B, and STB click stream data can also be sent for profiling purposes. [0043]
  • In the case of the DBS platform, one embodiment is that of the ad channel being uplinked to the DBS provider satellite which then downlinks the ad channel to the subscriber STB. The subscriber has a satellite dish and a receiver for decoding the transmission. The return path in the DBS case is typically the conventional telephone line (POTs) which runs from the subscriber's home or business back to the DBS provider's central office (or other processing facility). The ad channel is transmitted via satellite to the STB. Metadata and instructions regarding the ad channel and ads can also be transmitted by the satellite, embedded in the ad channel or separate from it. However, these data can also be sent over the telephone line (i.e., forward path). A trickle down forward channel to deliver the ads to the STB could also be performed via the twisted wire pair using the “POTS” (Plain Old Telephone System) line. Data from the STB is transmitted to the DBS provider on the telephone return path. [0044]
  • In an alternate and preferred embodiment, the system is a hybrid DBS/DSL system. The STB supports both DBS signal reception as well as DSL functionality. The DSL service would for example be provided over twisted wire pair to the home. In this embodiment conventional TV programming is received via the DBS signal, whereas other services are sent downstream to the STB via the DSL channel. Such other services may include a high, moderate, and low bandwidth ad channel delivered to the STB for storage and display. Metadata and other instructions regarding the ads (e.g. storage, scheduling, grouping, etc.) could also be provided via the DSL channel. The DSL channel could also be used as the return path for, inter alia, sending anonymous transaction profiles and ad scheduling/transactions (e.g., display) information. Such DBS/DSL systems would also allow for enhanced services where high-bandwidth uploads/requests are required such as Interactive TV. [0045]
  • In the case of the hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) cable system, a Head End (HE) receives the ad channel either via a satellite downlink (e.g., HITs) or land based connection (e.g., Internet/WAN or LAN). In one embodiment, this ad channel is then sent to the STB via the HFC plant on a high bandwidth video channel. The HFC plant comprises, for each node, a fiber from the HE to the node which comprises an O/E transducer transmitting onto coax feeder cables, and then drops to the CPE STB. In another embodiment, the ad channel is sent over a DOCSIS channel. Metadata, instructions, and other data associated with the ad can be sent over these channels (embedded with the ad or separate) or over other channels (e.g., low bandwidth). The conventional return path (e.g., <50 MHz) can be used by the STB to send data re the ads (as described above). A POTS line could also be used in the event two-way cable service is not realized or desired. As described further herein, a HE could generate its own ad channels. In this scenario, the HE would be able to direct different ad channels to one or more of its cable nodes (O/E). This would prove advantageous, in that one or more ad channels corresponding to one or more specific target groups (nodes) could be created and sent to their appropriate node(s). Each STB serviced by that node would receive and store all ads on its ad channel, and thus would not need to filter the ads since each ad received on the ad channel would be appropriate for that STB. The HE would typically have its own ad server with which to generate the ad channels, but could also do the filtering of incoming ad channel(s) creating separate ad channels (e.g., for each node) “on-the-fly.”[0046]
  • In the case of the SDV platform, the Central Office (CO) receives the ad channel either via a satellite downlink (e.g., HITs) or land based connection (e.g., Internet/WAN or LAN). The ad channel would either be received by the CO as ATM, or the CO would ATM encode the ad channel prior to distribution to the STB. The ad channel would be transported to the STB using the ATM protocol. In one embodiment, the ad channel is sent to the STBs via a fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) or fiber-to-the-neighborhood (FTTN) network, which terminates at an Optical Network Unit (BNU) with an O/E converter, and from the BNU over twisted wire pair (twp) drops to each home or business STB. The metadata and instructions would be sent either embedded in the ad or separate from it with the appropriate associating links. The return path for communication by the STB to the CO could be over the same plant on a low bandwidth return channel. Another embodiment of SDV is that of VDSL (very high speed DSL). In this system, fiber runs from the CO broadband digital terminal (BDT) to one or more universal service access multiplexers (USAM) and then from the USAM to one or more residences over conventional twisted wire pair telephone wire. [0047]
  • As described further herein, a CO implementing the SDV platform could generate its own ad channels. In one scenario, because the ATM switching occurs at the CO, the CO would be able to direct different ad channels (i.e., on different VPI/VCIs) to one or more of its subscribers STB. This would prove advantageous, in that one or more ad channels corresponding to one or more specific target groups (subscribers or groups of subscribers) could be created and sent to the appropriate subscriber or group of subscribers. Each STB instructed to tune to a particular ad channel (VPI/VCI) would receive and store all ads on its ad channel, and thus would not need to filter the ads since each ad received on the ad channel would be appropriate for that STB. The CO would typically have its own ad server with which to generate the ad channels, but could also do the filtering of incoming ad channel(s) creating separate ad channels (VPI/VCIs) “on-the-fly.” In both described SDV embodiments, the ad channel (or individual ads themselves) could be sent over low or moderate bandwidth channels, or in an intermittent manner (e.g., on bursty channel or during off-peak times). [0048]
  • In the case of Local Multipoint Distribution Service LMDS (or MMDS), the LMDS Head End or Central Office receives the ad channel from an ad channel source, or alternatively, generates one or more of its own ad channels. In either case, and in one embodiment, this ad channel is then sent to the STB by transmitting it to the local LMDS Cell (i.e., the local LMDS broadcast tower). The LMDS transmitter tower sends the channel to STBs within the local “cell” (typically 500-2000 residences). This is a wireless transmission using either QPSK or QAM modulation. The channel is received at the residence or business via a small dish antenna, and is decrypted and decoded by a receiver. Metadata, instructions, and other data associated with the ad can be sent, embedded with the ad or separate and/or over other channels (e.g., low bandwidth). The return path for LMDS would be over the same wireless path using a Media Access Control (MAC) protocol. A POTS line could also be used as a return path in the event two-way service is not realized or desired (e.g., MMDS). [0049]
  • As described further herein, a LMDS HE could generate its own ad channels. In this scenario, the HE would be able to direct different (i.e., customized) ad channels to one or more of its broadcast towers. This would prove advantageous; in that one or more ad channels corresponding to one or more specific target groups (broadcast cells) could be created and sent to their appropriate cell(s). Each STB serviced by that cell would receive and store all ads on its ad channel, and thus would not need to filter the ads since each ad received on the ad channel would be appropriate for that STB. The HE would typically have its own ad server with which to generate the ad channels, but could also do the filtering of incoming ad channel(s) creating separate ad channels (e.g., for each cell) “on-the-fly.” A Hybrid LMDS/DSL system could also be used to deliver the ad channels (see above under DBS/DSL). [0050]
  • Although this invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made which clearly fall within the scope of the invention. The invention is intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. [0051]

Claims (16)

What is claimed is:
1. In a television network environment, a method for delivering targeted advertisements to one or more subscribers, the method comprising:
selecting one or more targeted advertisements to be transmitted to a group of subscribers;
organizing the selected advertisements in an advertisement (ad) channel; and
transmitting the ad channel to subscriber equipment.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ad channel is a high-speed channel.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ad channel is a 6 MHz analog channel.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the targeted advertisements are transmitted as analog video.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ad channel is a 6 MHz digital channel.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted advertisements are encoded and transmitted as conventional programming.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of ad channels are transmitted within a single 6 MHz digital channel.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ad channel shares bandwidth with other channels within a single 6 MHz digital channel.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of digital ad channels are transmitted along with a plurality of digital video signals within one 6 MHz channel.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the ad channel is a constant bit rate dedicated channel.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the ad channel is a variable bit dedicated channel.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the ad channel fluctuates responsive to a system channel.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the system channel is a programming channel.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein bandwidth supplied to the ad channel is inversely proportional to bandwidth used by the programming channel.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the ad channel is an off-peak download channel.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the off-peak download channel is a high bandwidth channel.
US09/748,943 1998-12-03 2000-12-27 Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box Abandoned US20020083445A1 (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/748,943 US20020083445A1 (en) 2000-08-31 2000-12-27 Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box
PCT/US2001/027217 WO2002019581A1 (en) 2000-08-31 2001-08-31 Targeted advertising at the set top box
AU2001286998A AU2001286998A1 (en) 2000-08-31 2001-08-31 Targeted advertising at the set top box
US11/190,248 US7152237B2 (en) 2000-08-31 2005-07-27 Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box
US14/196,488 US9473814B1 (en) 1998-12-03 2014-03-04 Profiling and identification of television viewers
US14/488,005 US9165604B2 (en) 1998-12-03 2014-09-16 Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US14/918,313 US9479803B2 (en) 1998-12-03 2015-10-20 Alternative advertising in prerecorded media

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US22915600P 2000-08-31 2000-08-31
US09/748,943 US20020083445A1 (en) 2000-08-31 2000-12-27 Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/190,248 Continuation US7152237B2 (en) 2000-08-31 2005-07-27 Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020083445A1 true US20020083445A1 (en) 2002-06-27

Family

ID=26922998

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/748,943 Abandoned US20020083445A1 (en) 1998-12-03 2000-12-27 Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box
US11/190,248 Expired - Lifetime US7152237B2 (en) 2000-08-31 2005-07-27 Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/190,248 Expired - Lifetime US7152237B2 (en) 2000-08-31 2005-07-27 Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (2) US20020083445A1 (en)

Cited By (72)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020049968A1 (en) * 2000-06-09 2002-04-25 Wilson Daniel C. Advertising delivery method
US20020144262A1 (en) * 2001-04-03 2002-10-03 Plotnick Michael A. Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US20020178447A1 (en) * 2001-04-03 2002-11-28 Plotnick Michael A. Behavioral targeted advertising
US20030074661A1 (en) * 2001-10-17 2003-04-17 Krapf Russell M. Personal video recorder and method for inserting a stored advertisement into a displayed broadcast stream
WO2004030360A1 (en) * 2002-09-26 2004-04-08 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Commercial recommender
US20040093615A1 (en) * 2002-11-07 2004-05-13 International Business Machines Corporation PVR credits by user
US20040158852A1 (en) * 2002-12-30 2004-08-12 Advanced Digital Broadcast Polska Sp. Z O System of transmission of television programs with variable number of advertisements and method of transmission of television programs
US20040189873A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-30 Richard Konig Video detection and insertion
US20040194130A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-30 Richard Konig Method and system for advertisement detection and subsitution
US20050114214A1 (en) * 2003-11-26 2005-05-26 Pioneer Corporation Information recording-reproducing terminal unit, advertising information distribution server, advertising information distribution system, advertising information distribution method, contents data reproducing program, advertising information distribution program and information recording medium
US20050149968A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2005-07-07 Richard Konig Ending advertisement insertion
US20050172312A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2005-08-04 Lienhart Rainer W. Detecting known video entities utilizing fingerprints
US20050177847A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2005-08-11 Richard Konig Determining channel associated with video stream
US20050234768A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2005-10-20 Stephanie Wald System for multimedia viewing based on entitlements
US20050283791A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-12-22 Digital Networks North America, Inc. Method and apparatus for distributing media in a pay per play architecture with remote playback within an enterprise
US20050283395A1 (en) * 2000-10-11 2005-12-22 Lesandrini Jay W Enhancements to business research over internet
US20060187358A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2006-08-24 Lienhart Rainer W Video entity recognition in compressed digital video streams
US20060195860A1 (en) * 2005-02-25 2006-08-31 Eldering Charles A Acting on known video entities detected utilizing fingerprinting
US20060242667A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-26 Petersen Erin L Ad monitoring and indication
US20060287915A1 (en) * 2005-01-12 2006-12-21 Boulet Daniel A Scheduling content insertion opportunities in a broadcast network
US20070091901A1 (en) * 2001-01-12 2007-04-26 Broadcom Corporation Packet tag for support of remote network function/ packet classification
WO2007064446A1 (en) * 2005-11-30 2007-06-07 Microsoft Corporation Selective advertisement display for multimedia content
WO2007073078A1 (en) * 2005-12-19 2007-06-28 Alticast Corp. Interactive advertisement system and method for the provision of interactive advertisement using the same
US20070277202A1 (en) * 2006-05-26 2007-11-29 Frank Li-De Lin System and method for content delivery
US20070288953A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2007-12-13 Sheeman Patrick M System and method for auctioning avails
US20080059390A1 (en) * 2006-05-02 2008-03-06 Earl Cox Fuzzy logic based viewer identification for targeted asset delivery system
US20090025026A1 (en) * 2007-07-19 2009-01-22 Cisco Technology, Inc. Conditional response signaling and behavior for ad decision systems
US20090030802A1 (en) * 2001-04-03 2009-01-29 Prime Research Alliance E, Inc. Universal Ad Queue
US20090193455A1 (en) * 2008-01-29 2009-07-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Information storage medium and method for providing additional contents based on trigger, and digital broadcast reception apparatus
US20090193456A1 (en) * 2008-01-29 2009-07-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Information storage medium storing metadata and method of providing additional contents, and digital broadcast reception apparatus
US20090204901A1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2009-08-13 Srinivasa Dharmaji End to End Response Enabling Collection and Use of Customer Viewing Preferences Statistics
US20090278941A1 (en) * 2008-05-10 2009-11-12 Mark Hilton Smith Multi-channel streaming device and related method
US20090288109A1 (en) * 2007-02-01 2009-11-19 Invidi Technologies Corporation Request for information related to broadcast network content
US20100037253A1 (en) * 2008-08-05 2010-02-11 Invidi Technologies Corporation National insertion of targeted advertisement
US20100037255A1 (en) * 2008-08-06 2010-02-11 Patrick Sheehan Third party data matching for targeted advertising
US7690011B2 (en) 2005-05-02 2010-03-30 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video stream modification to defeat detection
US7730509B2 (en) 2001-06-08 2010-06-01 Invidi Technologies Corporation Asset delivery reporting in a broadcast network
US20100138290A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2010-06-03 Invidi Technologies Corporation System and Method for Auctioning Avails
US7849477B2 (en) 2007-01-30 2010-12-07 Invidi Technologies Corporation Asset targeting system for limited resource environments
US20110004665A1 (en) * 2008-01-29 2011-01-06 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method for providing a content-sharing service, and a device therefor
US7895076B2 (en) 1995-06-30 2011-02-22 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Advertisement insertion, profiling, impression, and feedback
US20110179356A1 (en) * 2010-01-20 2011-07-21 Verizon Patent And Licensing, Inc. Methods and Systems for Dynamically Inserting an Advertisement into a Playback of a Recorded Media Content Instance
US20110178875A1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2011-07-21 Srinivasa Dharmaji Hot Spot Use in Advertising
US20110184810A1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2011-07-28 Goldspot Media, Inc. Method and Apparatus for Maximizing Brand Exposure in A Minimal Mobile Display
US8046803B1 (en) * 2006-12-28 2011-10-25 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Contextual multimedia metatagging
US8060407B1 (en) 2007-09-04 2011-11-15 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Method for providing personalized, targeted advertisements during playback of media
US8267783B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2012-09-18 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Establishing an impression area
US8272009B2 (en) 2006-06-12 2012-09-18 Invidi Technologies Corporation System and method for inserting media based on keyword search
US8416247B2 (en) 2007-10-09 2013-04-09 Sony Computer Entertaiment America Inc. Increasing the number of advertising impressions in an interactive environment
US8626584B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2014-01-07 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Population of an advertisement reference list
US8645992B2 (en) 2006-05-05 2014-02-04 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Advertisement rotation
US8763090B2 (en) 2009-08-11 2014-06-24 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Management of ancillary content delivery and presentation
US8763157B2 (en) 2004-08-23 2014-06-24 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Statutory license restricted digital media playback on portable devices
US8769558B2 (en) 2008-02-12 2014-07-01 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Discovery and analytics for episodic downloaded media
US8806530B1 (en) 2008-04-22 2014-08-12 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Dual channel presence detection and content delivery system and method
US8892495B2 (en) 1991-12-23 2014-11-18 Blanding Hovenweep, Llc Adaptive pattern recognition based controller apparatus and method and human-interface therefore
WO2014145117A3 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-12-11 Brightroll, Inc. Geo, segment, uniques distributed computing system
US8990104B1 (en) 2009-10-27 2015-03-24 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Multimedia product placement marketplace
WO2015102557A1 (en) * 2013-12-30 2015-07-09 Thomson Licensing Method, apparatus and system for real-time advertising and t-commerce
US9204084B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2015-12-01 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Content recording control method for peers, and a device therefor
US9367862B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2016-06-14 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Asynchronous advertising placement based on metadata
US9473814B1 (en) 1998-12-03 2016-10-18 Prime Research Alliance E, Inc. Profiling and identification of television viewers
US9497498B2 (en) * 2015-01-23 2016-11-15 Robert Hain System and method for live streaming of content
US9535563B2 (en) 1999-02-01 2017-01-03 Blanding Hovenweep, Llc Internet appliance system and method
US9693086B2 (en) 2006-05-02 2017-06-27 Invidi Technologies Corporation Method and apparatus to perform real-time audience estimation and commercial selection suitable for targeted advertising
US9864998B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2018-01-09 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Asynchronous advertising
US9873052B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2018-01-23 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Monitoring advertisement impressions
US10657538B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2020-05-19 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Resolution of advertising rules
US10846779B2 (en) 2016-11-23 2020-11-24 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Custom product categorization of digital media content
US10860987B2 (en) 2016-12-19 2020-12-08 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Personalized calendar for digital media content-related events
US10931991B2 (en) 2018-01-04 2021-02-23 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Methods and systems for selectively skipping through media content
US11004089B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2021-05-11 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Associating media content files with advertisements

Families Citing this family (93)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7054949B2 (en) 2001-01-19 2006-05-30 World Streaming Network, Inc. System and method for streaming media
US8554940B2 (en) 2001-01-19 2013-10-08 Single Touch Interactive, Inc. System and method for routing media
US9247288B2 (en) 2003-08-12 2016-01-26 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Technique for effectively delivering targeted advertisements through a communications network having limited bandwidth
US7768938B2 (en) * 2003-10-10 2010-08-03 Verizon Services Corp. Systems and methods for providing multiple communication services over existing twisted pair access lines
US8732782B1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2014-05-20 Verizon Services Corp. Systems and methods for providing communication services over telephone lines
US8843978B2 (en) 2004-06-29 2014-09-23 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Method and apparatus for network bandwidth allocation
US8346593B2 (en) 2004-06-30 2013-01-01 Experian Marketing Solutions, Inc. System, method, and software for prediction of attitudinal and message responsiveness
US8732004B1 (en) 2004-09-22 2014-05-20 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Automated analysis of data to generate prospect notifications based on trigger events
TW200704183A (en) 2005-01-27 2007-01-16 Matrix Tv Dynamic mosaic extended electronic programming guide for television program selection and display
US7567565B2 (en) 2005-02-01 2009-07-28 Time Warner Cable Inc. Method and apparatus for network bandwidth conservation
US20060288362A1 (en) * 2005-06-16 2006-12-21 Pulton Theodore R Jr Technique for providing advertisements over a communications network delivering interactive narratives
US8875196B2 (en) 2005-08-13 2014-10-28 Webtuner Corp. System for network and local content access
US7721306B2 (en) * 2006-02-15 2010-05-18 Sony Corporation Bandwidth sharing
US9251520B2 (en) * 2006-02-22 2016-02-02 Google Inc. Distributing mobile advertisements
US8170065B2 (en) 2006-02-27 2012-05-01 Time Warner Cable Inc. Methods and apparatus for selecting digital access technology for programming and data delivery
US8458753B2 (en) 2006-02-27 2013-06-04 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Methods and apparatus for device capabilities discovery and utilization within a content-based network
US8280982B2 (en) 2006-05-24 2012-10-02 Time Warner Cable Inc. Personal content server apparatus and methods
US9386327B2 (en) 2006-05-24 2016-07-05 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Secondary content insertion apparatus and methods
US20070283384A1 (en) * 2006-05-31 2007-12-06 Sbc Knowledge Ventures, Lp System and method of providing targeted advertisements
US8024762B2 (en) 2006-06-13 2011-09-20 Time Warner Cable Inc. Methods and apparatus for providing virtual content over a network
US8677395B2 (en) 2006-07-29 2014-03-18 Goldspot Media, Inc. Method and apparatus for operating a micro-splicer to insert alternate content while viewing multimedia content on a handheld device
US8522269B2 (en) * 2006-08-22 2013-08-27 Goldspot Media, Inc. Method and apparatus for alternate content scheduling on mobile devices
US20080040743A1 (en) * 2006-07-29 2008-02-14 Srinivasa Dharmaji Micro-splicer for inserting alternate content to a content stream on a handheld device
US8898073B2 (en) * 2006-07-29 2014-11-25 Goldspot Media, Inc. Advertisement insertion during application launch in handheld, mobile display devices
US20080051070A1 (en) * 2006-08-22 2008-02-28 Srinivasa Dharmaji Method and Apparatus for Alternate Content Recording and Reporting for Mobile Devices
US8799148B2 (en) 2006-08-31 2014-08-05 Rohan K. K. Chandran Systems and methods of ranking a plurality of credit card offers
US11887175B2 (en) 2006-08-31 2024-01-30 Cpl Assets, Llc Automatically determining a personalized set of programs or products including an interactive graphical user interface
US20080155591A1 (en) * 2006-12-26 2008-06-26 Mahajan Manish W Method, system and device for providing advertisement content in place-shifted multimedia content
US8606626B1 (en) 2007-01-31 2013-12-10 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for providing a direct marketing campaign planning environment
US20080235746A1 (en) 2007-03-20 2008-09-25 Michael James Peters Methods and apparatus for content delivery and replacement in a network
WO2008127288A1 (en) 2007-04-12 2008-10-23 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for determining thin-file records and determining thin-file risk levels
US7861260B2 (en) 2007-04-17 2010-12-28 Almondnet, Inc. Targeted television advertisements based on online behavior
US8566164B2 (en) 2007-12-31 2013-10-22 Intent IQ, LLC Targeted online advertisements based on viewing or interacting with television advertisements
US20080275772A1 (en) * 2007-05-01 2008-11-06 At&T Knowledge Ventures, Lp System and method of facilitating targeted content delivery
US20080320520A1 (en) * 2007-06-21 2008-12-25 Beadle Edward R System and method for biometric identification using portable interface device for content presentation system
US8806534B2 (en) * 2007-06-21 2014-08-12 Imagine Communications Corp. System and method for creating and using a smart channel tuner list
US9319726B2 (en) * 2007-06-21 2016-04-19 Imagine Communications Corp. System and method for a passively-adaptive preferred channel list
US8782703B2 (en) * 2007-06-21 2014-07-15 Imagine Communications Corp. System and method for picture-in-picture assisted time-adaptive surfing for a content presentation system
US9094717B2 (en) * 2007-06-21 2015-07-28 Imagine Communications Corp. System and method for creating and using a smart electronic programming guide
US20080320519A1 (en) * 2007-06-21 2008-12-25 Beadle Edward R System and method for networking data collection devices for content presentation systems
US20090025052A1 (en) * 2007-07-18 2009-01-22 General Instrument Corporation Method and Apparatus for Controlling the Bandwidth of SDV Programming Supplied to an Edge Device in a n SDV System
US9235850B1 (en) 2007-08-13 2016-01-12 Google Inc. Adaptation of web-based text ads to mobile devices
US8301574B2 (en) 2007-09-17 2012-10-30 Experian Marketing Solutions, Inc. Multimedia engagement study
US9071859B2 (en) * 2007-09-26 2015-06-30 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Methods and apparatus for user-based targeted content delivery
US8561116B2 (en) 2007-09-26 2013-10-15 Charles A. Hasek Methods and apparatus for content caching in a video network
US8099757B2 (en) 2007-10-15 2012-01-17 Time Warner Cable Inc. Methods and apparatus for revenue-optimized delivery of content in a network
US7962404B1 (en) 2007-11-07 2011-06-14 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for determining loan opportunities
US7996521B2 (en) 2007-11-19 2011-08-09 Experian Marketing Solutions, Inc. Service for mapping IP addresses to user segments
US20090150926A1 (en) * 2007-12-06 2009-06-11 General Instrument Corporation Method And Apparatus For Delivering SDV Programming With Targeted Advertising To Selected Groups Of Subscribers
US20090307722A1 (en) * 2007-12-10 2009-12-10 Jesse Ernest Gross System to deliver targeted advertisements in a live video stream
US20090172723A1 (en) * 2007-12-31 2009-07-02 Almondnet, Inc. Television advertisement placement more resistant to user skipping
US9503691B2 (en) 2008-02-19 2016-11-22 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Methods and apparatus for enhanced advertising and promotional delivery in a network
US8813143B2 (en) 2008-02-26 2014-08-19 Time Warner Enterprises LLC Methods and apparatus for business-based network resource allocation
US20090235312A1 (en) * 2008-03-11 2009-09-17 Amir Morad Targeted content with broadcast material
US8051444B2 (en) 2008-06-02 2011-11-01 Intent IQ, LLC Targeted television advertisements selected on the basis of an online user profile and presented with television programs or channels related to that profile
US9083853B2 (en) 2008-06-02 2015-07-14 Intent IQ, LLC Targeted television advertisements associated with online users' preferred television programs or channels
US8412593B1 (en) 2008-10-07 2013-04-02 LowerMyBills.com, Inc. Credit card matching
US8997142B2 (en) * 2009-03-24 2015-03-31 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Advertisement insertion decisions for set top box management of advertisements
KR101010997B1 (en) * 2009-03-24 2011-01-26 한국과학기술원 System for extracting similar interests user across multiple web server and method therefor
US9009753B2 (en) * 2009-03-24 2015-04-14 Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc Measurement and reporting of set top box inserted AD impressions
US8639920B2 (en) 2009-05-11 2014-01-28 Experian Marketing Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for providing anonymized user profile data
US9866609B2 (en) 2009-06-08 2018-01-09 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Methods and apparatus for premises content distribution
US9178634B2 (en) 2009-07-15 2015-11-03 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Methods and apparatus for evaluating an audience in a content-based network
US8813124B2 (en) 2009-07-15 2014-08-19 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Methods and apparatus for targeted secondary content insertion
US20110053623A1 (en) * 2009-09-03 2011-03-03 Cisco Technology, Inc. Hfc banding for a virtual service group
US9794562B2 (en) * 2009-12-04 2017-10-17 Arris Enterprises, Inc. Generation and detection of private metadata in an encoded video transport stream
US8701138B2 (en) 2010-04-23 2014-04-15 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Zone control methods and apparatus
US9152727B1 (en) 2010-08-23 2015-10-06 Experian Marketing Solutions, Inc. Systems and methods for processing consumer information for targeted marketing applications
US9131282B2 (en) 2010-10-15 2015-09-08 Intent IQ, LLC Systems and methods for selecting television advertisements for a set-top box requesting an advertisement without knowing what program or channel is being watched
US8997138B2 (en) 2010-10-15 2015-03-31 Intent IQ, LLC Correlating online behavior with presumed viewing of television advertisements
CN103636147A (en) 2011-05-17 2014-03-12 韦伯图纳公司 System and method for scalable high-accuracy sensor and ID-based audience measurement system
AU2012258732A1 (en) 2011-05-24 2013-12-12 WebTuner, Corporation System and method to increase efficiency and speed of analytics report generation in Audience Measurement Systems
WO2012162693A1 (en) 2011-05-26 2012-11-29 WebTuner, Corporation Highly scalable audience measurement system with client event pre-processing
WO2013020100A2 (en) 2011-08-03 2013-02-07 Intent IQ, LLC Targeted television advertising based on profiles linked to multiple online devices
US9078040B2 (en) 2012-04-12 2015-07-07 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Apparatus and methods for enabling media options in a content delivery network
WO2013184488A1 (en) 2012-06-05 2013-12-12 Almondnet, Inc. Targeted television advertising based on a profile linked to an online device associated with a content-selecting device
US9854280B2 (en) 2012-07-10 2017-12-26 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Apparatus and methods for selective enforcement of secondary content viewing
US8862155B2 (en) 2012-08-30 2014-10-14 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Apparatus and methods for enabling location-based services within a premises
US9654541B1 (en) 2012-11-12 2017-05-16 Consumerinfo.Com, Inc. Aggregating user web browsing data
US9131283B2 (en) 2012-12-14 2015-09-08 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Apparatus and methods for multimedia coordination
US8713600B2 (en) 2013-01-30 2014-04-29 Almondnet, Inc. User control of replacement television advertisements inserted by a smart television
US20140282786A1 (en) 2013-03-12 2014-09-18 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Methods and apparatus for providing and uploading content to personalized network storage
US11257117B1 (en) 2014-06-25 2022-02-22 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Mobile device sighting location analytics and profiling system
US10028025B2 (en) 2014-09-29 2018-07-17 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Apparatus and methods for enabling presence-based and use-based services
US9767309B1 (en) 2015-11-23 2017-09-19 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Access control system for implementing access restrictions of regulated database records while identifying and providing indicators of regulated database records matching validation criteria
US10586023B2 (en) 2016-04-21 2020-03-10 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Methods and apparatus for secondary content management and fraud prevention
US10687115B2 (en) 2016-06-01 2020-06-16 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Cloud-based digital content recorder apparatus and methods
US10678894B2 (en) 2016-08-24 2020-06-09 Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Disambiguation and authentication of device users
US11212593B2 (en) 2016-09-27 2021-12-28 Time Warner Cable Enterprises Llc Apparatus and methods for automated secondary content management in a digital network
US10911794B2 (en) 2016-11-09 2021-02-02 Charter Communications Operating, Llc Apparatus and methods for selective secondary content insertion in a digital network
US11109290B2 (en) 2017-08-04 2021-08-31 Charter Communications Operating, Llc Switching connections over frequency bands of a wireless network
US10939142B2 (en) 2018-02-27 2021-03-02 Charter Communications Operating, Llc Apparatus and methods for content storage, distribution and security within a content distribution network
US11682041B1 (en) 2020-01-13 2023-06-20 Experian Marketing Solutions, Llc Systems and methods of a tracking analytics platform

Citations (74)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4602279A (en) * 1984-03-21 1986-07-22 Actv, Inc. Method for providing targeted profile interactive CATV displays
US5029014A (en) * 1989-10-26 1991-07-02 James E. Lindstrom Ad insertion system and method for broadcasting spot messages out of recorded sequence
US5099319A (en) * 1989-10-23 1992-03-24 Esch Arthur G Video information delivery method and apparatus
US5155591A (en) * 1989-10-23 1992-10-13 General Instrument Corporation Method and apparatus for providing demographically targeted television commercials
US5231494A (en) * 1991-10-08 1993-07-27 General Instrument Corporation Selection of compressed television signals from single channel allocation based on viewer characteristics
US5271626A (en) * 1992-04-21 1993-12-21 The Arenas Group Television game
US5424770A (en) * 1993-04-16 1995-06-13 Cable Service Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatic insertion of a television signal from a remote source
US5446919A (en) * 1990-02-20 1995-08-29 Wilkins; Jeff K. Communication system and method with demographically or psychographically defined audiences
US5515098A (en) * 1994-09-08 1996-05-07 Carles; John B. System and method for selectively distributing commercial messages over a communications network
US5534911A (en) * 1994-11-02 1996-07-09 Levitan; Gutman Virtual personal channel in a television system
US5585858A (en) * 1994-04-15 1996-12-17 Actv, Inc. Simulcast of interactive signals with a conventional video signal
US5600364A (en) * 1992-12-09 1997-02-04 Discovery Communications, Inc. Network controller for cable television delivery systems
US5600366A (en) * 1995-03-22 1997-02-04 Npb Partners, Ltd. Methods and apparatus for digital advertisement insertion in video programming
US5604542A (en) * 1995-02-08 1997-02-18 Intel Corporation Using the vertical blanking interval for transporting electronic coupons
US5621728A (en) * 1994-09-12 1997-04-15 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Level 1 gateway controlling broadband communications for video dial tone networks
US5636346A (en) * 1994-05-09 1997-06-03 The Electronic Address, Inc. Method and system for selectively targeting advertisements and programming
US5650994A (en) * 1995-05-16 1997-07-22 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Operation support system for service creation and network provisioning for video dial tone networks
US5687095A (en) * 1994-11-01 1997-11-11 Lucent Technologies Inc. Video transmission rate matching for multimedia communication systems
US5708664A (en) * 1995-08-22 1998-01-13 Digi-Media Vision Ltd. Statistical multiplexing
US5724091A (en) * 1991-11-25 1998-03-03 Actv, Inc. Compressed digital data interactive program system
US5740549A (en) * 1995-06-12 1998-04-14 Pointcast, Inc. Information and advertising distribution system and method
US5761601A (en) * 1993-08-09 1998-06-02 Nemirofsky; Frank R. Video distribution of advertisements to businesses
US5774170A (en) * 1994-12-13 1998-06-30 Hite; Kenneth C. System and method for delivering targeted advertisements to consumers
US5801753A (en) * 1995-08-11 1998-09-01 General Instrument Corporation Of Delaware Method and apparatus for providing an interactive guide to events available on an information network
US5801747A (en) * 1996-11-15 1998-09-01 Hyundai Electronics America Method and apparatus for creating a television viewer profile
US5812790A (en) * 1996-09-09 1998-09-22 Sonic Solutions Variable encoding rate plan generation
US5848352A (en) * 1995-04-26 1998-12-08 Wink Communications, Inc. Compact graphical interactive information system
US5861919A (en) * 1995-12-18 1999-01-19 Divicom Dynamic rate optimization for an ensemble of video encoders
US5862140A (en) * 1995-11-21 1999-01-19 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for multiplexing video programs for improved channel utilization
US5877812A (en) * 1995-11-21 1999-03-02 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing channel utilization for digital video transmission
US5886731A (en) * 1995-10-30 1999-03-23 Sony Corporation Video data receiving apparatus, video data transmitting apparatus, and broadcasting system
US5912696A (en) * 1996-12-23 1999-06-15 Time Warner Cable Multidimensional rating system for media content
US5926205A (en) * 1994-10-19 1999-07-20 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for encoding and formatting data representing a video program to provide multiple overlapping presentations of the video program
US5931901A (en) * 1996-12-09 1999-08-03 Robert L. Wolfe Programmed music on demand from the internet
US5956088A (en) * 1995-11-21 1999-09-21 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for modifying encoded digital video for improved channel utilization
US5966120A (en) * 1995-11-21 1999-10-12 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for combining and distributing data with pre-formatted real-time video
US5978381A (en) * 1997-06-06 1999-11-02 Webtv Networks, Inc. Transmitting high bandwidth network content on a low bandwidth communications channel during off peak hours
US5990927A (en) * 1992-12-09 1999-11-23 Discovery Communications, Inc. Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems
US6002394A (en) * 1995-10-02 1999-12-14 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US6009409A (en) * 1997-04-02 1999-12-28 Lucent Technologies, Inc. System and method for scheduling and controlling delivery of advertising in a communications network
US6009410A (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-12-28 At&T Corporation Method and system for presenting customized advertising to a user on the world wide web
US6020883A (en) * 1994-11-29 2000-02-01 Fred Herz System and method for scheduling broadcast of and access to video programs and other data using customer profiles
US6020880A (en) * 1997-02-05 2000-02-01 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for providing electronic program guide information from a single electronic program guide server
US6026369A (en) * 1997-05-09 2000-02-15 International Business Machines Corporation Method for distributing advertising in a distributed web modification system
US6029045A (en) * 1997-12-09 2000-02-22 Cogent Technology, Inc. System and method for inserting local content into programming content
US6038256A (en) * 1996-12-31 2000-03-14 C-Cube Microsystems Inc. Statistical multiplexed video encoding using pre-encoding a priori statistics and a priori and a posteriori statistics
US6141358A (en) * 1997-07-25 2000-10-31 Sarnoff Corporation Method and apparatus for aligning sub-stream splice points in an information stream
US6144653A (en) * 1993-11-01 2000-11-07 Telefonakteibolaget Lm Ericsson Method for communicating in a wireless communication system
US6208688B1 (en) * 1998-05-29 2001-03-27 Korea Telecom Method of selecting a requantization step size and controlling a bit-rate
US6240103B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-05-29 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for detecting and preventing bandwidth overflow in a statistical multiplexer
US6253238B1 (en) * 1998-12-02 2001-06-26 Ictv, Inc. Interactive cable television system with frame grabber
US20020038455A1 (en) * 1999-05-28 2002-03-28 Thiru Srinivasan Method and apparatus for broadcasting information over a network
US6370199B1 (en) * 1998-04-03 2002-04-09 Tandberg Television Asa Method and apparatus for processing compressed video data streams
US6418122B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2002-07-09 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for assuring sufficient bandwidth of a statistical multiplexer
US6425131B2 (en) * 1998-12-30 2002-07-23 At&T Corp. Method and apparatus for internet co-browsing over cable television and controlled through computer telephony
US6434747B1 (en) * 2000-01-19 2002-08-13 Individual Network, Inc. Method and system for providing a customized media list
US6446082B1 (en) * 1998-09-21 2002-09-03 Impress Corporation Method of receiving time-specified program contents
US6446261B1 (en) * 1996-12-20 2002-09-03 Princeton Video Image, Inc. Set top device for targeted electronic insertion of indicia into video
US6459427B1 (en) * 1998-04-01 2002-10-01 Liberate Technologies Apparatus and method for web-casting over digital broadcast TV network
US6463585B1 (en) * 1992-12-09 2002-10-08 Discovery Communications, Inc. Targeted advertisement using television delivery systems
US20020152471A1 (en) * 1999-03-18 2002-10-17 De Haas Scott Method and apparatus for cross-connection of video signals
US6487721B1 (en) * 1998-01-30 2002-11-26 General Instrument Corporation Apparatus and method for digital advertisement insertion in a bitstream
US20030088872A1 (en) * 1997-07-03 2003-05-08 Nds Limited Advanced television system
US6611624B1 (en) * 1998-03-13 2003-08-26 Cisco Systems, Inc. System and method for frame accurate splicing of compressed bitstreams
US6615039B1 (en) * 1999-05-10 2003-09-02 Expanse Networks, Inc Advertisement subgroups for digital streams
US6631523B1 (en) * 1996-03-29 2003-10-07 Microsoft Corporation Electronic program guide with hyperlinks to target resources
US20030200128A1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2003-10-23 Doherty Sean Matthew Displaying items of information
US6665872B1 (en) * 1999-01-06 2003-12-16 Sarnoff Corporation Latency-based statistical multiplexing
US6675385B1 (en) * 1998-10-21 2004-01-06 Liberate Technologies HTML electronic program guide for an MPEG digital TV system
US6698020B1 (en) * 1998-06-15 2004-02-24 Webtv Networks, Inc. Techniques for intelligent video ad insertion
US6704930B1 (en) * 1999-04-20 2004-03-09 Expanse Networks, Inc. Advertisement insertion techniques for digital video streams
US6718551B1 (en) * 1997-01-06 2004-04-06 Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation Method and system for providing targeted advertisements
US6724974B2 (en) * 1998-07-01 2004-04-20 Minolta Co., Ltd. Image data management system
US6796555B1 (en) * 1999-07-19 2004-09-28 Lucent Technologies Inc. Centralized video controller for controlling distribution of video signals

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US620688A (en) * 1899-03-07 Convertible breast and back rest for bicycles
US4602297A (en) * 1985-01-22 1986-07-22 Morris Reese System for editing commercial messages from recorded television broadcasts
US20020129374A1 (en) * 1991-11-25 2002-09-12 Michael J. Freeman Compressed digital-data seamless video switching system
US5592551A (en) 1992-12-01 1997-01-07 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing interactive electronic programming guide
US20020104083A1 (en) * 1992-12-09 2002-08-01 Hendricks John S. Internally targeted advertisements using television delivery systems
US5752160A (en) * 1995-05-05 1998-05-12 Dunn; Matthew W. Interactive entertainment network system and method with analog video startup loop for video-on-demand
US6006257A (en) 1995-09-29 1999-12-21 Comverse Networks Systems, Inc. Multimedia architecture for interactive advertising in which secondary programming is varied based upon viewer demographics and content of primary programming
AU7606696A (en) 1995-11-07 1997-05-29 Seiko Communications Systems, Inc. Selective advertisement presentation
CA2275720C (en) 1996-12-19 2012-08-28 Index Systems, Inc. Epg with advertising inserts
US6052384A (en) * 1997-03-21 2000-04-18 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Using a receiver model to multiplex variable-rate bit streams having timing constraints
CN1231102A (en) 1997-07-01 1999-10-06 索尼公司 Device and method for controlling image encoding, encoding system, transmission system and broadcast system
CA2302031A1 (en) 1997-08-27 1999-03-04 Starsight Telecast, Incorporated Systems and methods for replacing television signals
WO2000014951A1 (en) 1998-09-08 2000-03-16 Next Century Media, Inc. System and method for providing individualized targeted electronic advertising over a digital broadcast medium
JP2002531895A (en) 1998-11-30 2002-09-24 インデックス システムズ インコーポレイテッド Smart agents based on habits, statistical inference, and psychodemographic profiling
US7051351B2 (en) 1999-03-08 2006-05-23 Microsoft Corporation System and method of inserting advertisements into an information retrieval system display
WO2001047279A2 (en) 1999-12-21 2001-06-28 Tivo, Inc. Method for enhancing digital video recorder television advertising viewership
US7159235B2 (en) * 2000-01-28 2007-01-02 Sedna Patent Services, Llc Method and apparatus for content distribution via non-homogeneous access networks
DE60143848D1 (en) 2000-10-15 2011-02-24 Directv Group Inc METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADVERTISING DURING A PAUSE

Patent Citations (80)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4602279A (en) * 1984-03-21 1986-07-22 Actv, Inc. Method for providing targeted profile interactive CATV displays
US5099319A (en) * 1989-10-23 1992-03-24 Esch Arthur G Video information delivery method and apparatus
US5155591A (en) * 1989-10-23 1992-10-13 General Instrument Corporation Method and apparatus for providing demographically targeted television commercials
US5029014A (en) * 1989-10-26 1991-07-02 James E. Lindstrom Ad insertion system and method for broadcasting spot messages out of recorded sequence
US5446919A (en) * 1990-02-20 1995-08-29 Wilkins; Jeff K. Communication system and method with demographically or psychographically defined audiences
US5231494A (en) * 1991-10-08 1993-07-27 General Instrument Corporation Selection of compressed television signals from single channel allocation based on viewer characteristics
US5724091A (en) * 1991-11-25 1998-03-03 Actv, Inc. Compressed digital data interactive program system
US5271626A (en) * 1992-04-21 1993-12-21 The Arenas Group Television game
US5990927A (en) * 1992-12-09 1999-11-23 Discovery Communications, Inc. Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems
US5600364A (en) * 1992-12-09 1997-02-04 Discovery Communications, Inc. Network controller for cable television delivery systems
US6160989A (en) * 1992-12-09 2000-12-12 Discovery Communications, Inc. Network controller for cable television delivery systems
US6463585B1 (en) * 1992-12-09 2002-10-08 Discovery Communications, Inc. Targeted advertisement using television delivery systems
US6738978B1 (en) * 1992-12-09 2004-05-18 Discovery Communications, Inc. Method and apparatus for targeted advertising
US5424770A (en) * 1993-04-16 1995-06-13 Cable Service Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for automatic insertion of a television signal from a remote source
US5761601A (en) * 1993-08-09 1998-06-02 Nemirofsky; Frank R. Video distribution of advertisements to businesses
US6144653A (en) * 1993-11-01 2000-11-07 Telefonakteibolaget Lm Ericsson Method for communicating in a wireless communication system
US5585858A (en) * 1994-04-15 1996-12-17 Actv, Inc. Simulcast of interactive signals with a conventional video signal
US5636346A (en) * 1994-05-09 1997-06-03 The Electronic Address, Inc. Method and system for selectively targeting advertisements and programming
US5661516A (en) * 1994-09-08 1997-08-26 Carles; John B. System and method for selectively distributing commercial messages over a communications network
US5515098A (en) * 1994-09-08 1996-05-07 Carles; John B. System and method for selectively distributing commercial messages over a communications network
US5621728A (en) * 1994-09-12 1997-04-15 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Level 1 gateway controlling broadband communications for video dial tone networks
US5926205A (en) * 1994-10-19 1999-07-20 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for encoding and formatting data representing a video program to provide multiple overlapping presentations of the video program
US5687095A (en) * 1994-11-01 1997-11-11 Lucent Technologies Inc. Video transmission rate matching for multimedia communication systems
US5534911A (en) * 1994-11-02 1996-07-09 Levitan; Gutman Virtual personal channel in a television system
US6020883A (en) * 1994-11-29 2000-02-01 Fred Herz System and method for scheduling broadcast of and access to video programs and other data using customer profiles
US6088722A (en) * 1994-11-29 2000-07-11 Herz; Frederick System and method for scheduling broadcast of and access to video programs and other data using customer profiles
US5774170A (en) * 1994-12-13 1998-06-30 Hite; Kenneth C. System and method for delivering targeted advertisements to consumers
US5604542A (en) * 1995-02-08 1997-02-18 Intel Corporation Using the vertical blanking interval for transporting electronic coupons
US5600366A (en) * 1995-03-22 1997-02-04 Npb Partners, Ltd. Methods and apparatus for digital advertisement insertion in video programming
US5969715A (en) * 1995-04-26 1999-10-19 Wink Communications, Inc. Compact graphical interactive information system
US5848352A (en) * 1995-04-26 1998-12-08 Wink Communications, Inc. Compact graphical interactive information system
US5650994A (en) * 1995-05-16 1997-07-22 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Operation support system for service creation and network provisioning for video dial tone networks
US5740549A (en) * 1995-06-12 1998-04-14 Pointcast, Inc. Information and advertising distribution system and method
US5801753A (en) * 1995-08-11 1998-09-01 General Instrument Corporation Of Delaware Method and apparatus for providing an interactive guide to events available on an information network
US5708664A (en) * 1995-08-22 1998-01-13 Digi-Media Vision Ltd. Statistical multiplexing
US6002394A (en) * 1995-10-02 1999-12-14 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US6263501B1 (en) * 1995-10-02 2001-07-17 Star Sight Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US5886731A (en) * 1995-10-30 1999-03-23 Sony Corporation Video data receiving apparatus, video data transmitting apparatus, and broadcasting system
US5877812A (en) * 1995-11-21 1999-03-02 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing channel utilization for digital video transmission
US5956088A (en) * 1995-11-21 1999-09-21 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for modifying encoded digital video for improved channel utilization
US5862140A (en) * 1995-11-21 1999-01-19 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for multiplexing video programs for improved channel utilization
US5966120A (en) * 1995-11-21 1999-10-12 Imedia Corporation Method and apparatus for combining and distributing data with pre-formatted real-time video
US5861919A (en) * 1995-12-18 1999-01-19 Divicom Dynamic rate optimization for an ensemble of video encoders
US6631523B1 (en) * 1996-03-29 2003-10-07 Microsoft Corporation Electronic program guide with hyperlinks to target resources
US5812790A (en) * 1996-09-09 1998-09-22 Sonic Solutions Variable encoding rate plan generation
US5801747A (en) * 1996-11-15 1998-09-01 Hyundai Electronics America Method and apparatus for creating a television viewer profile
US5931901A (en) * 1996-12-09 1999-08-03 Robert L. Wolfe Programmed music on demand from the internet
US6446261B1 (en) * 1996-12-20 2002-09-03 Princeton Video Image, Inc. Set top device for targeted electronic insertion of indicia into video
US5912696A (en) * 1996-12-23 1999-06-15 Time Warner Cable Multidimensional rating system for media content
US6038256A (en) * 1996-12-31 2000-03-14 C-Cube Microsystems Inc. Statistical multiplexed video encoding using pre-encoding a priori statistics and a priori and a posteriori statistics
US6718551B1 (en) * 1997-01-06 2004-04-06 Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation Method and system for providing targeted advertisements
US6020880A (en) * 1997-02-05 2000-02-01 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for providing electronic program guide information from a single electronic program guide server
US6418122B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2002-07-09 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for assuring sufficient bandwidth of a statistical multiplexer
US6240103B1 (en) * 1997-03-21 2001-05-29 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for detecting and preventing bandwidth overflow in a statistical multiplexer
US6009409A (en) * 1997-04-02 1999-12-28 Lucent Technologies, Inc. System and method for scheduling and controlling delivery of advertising in a communications network
US6026369A (en) * 1997-05-09 2000-02-15 International Business Machines Corporation Method for distributing advertising in a distributed web modification system
US5978381A (en) * 1997-06-06 1999-11-02 Webtv Networks, Inc. Transmitting high bandwidth network content on a low bandwidth communications channel during off peak hours
US20030088872A1 (en) * 1997-07-03 2003-05-08 Nds Limited Advanced television system
US6141358A (en) * 1997-07-25 2000-10-31 Sarnoff Corporation Method and apparatus for aligning sub-stream splice points in an information stream
US6009410A (en) * 1997-10-16 1999-12-28 At&T Corporation Method and system for presenting customized advertising to a user on the world wide web
US6029045A (en) * 1997-12-09 2000-02-22 Cogent Technology, Inc. System and method for inserting local content into programming content
US6487721B1 (en) * 1998-01-30 2002-11-26 General Instrument Corporation Apparatus and method for digital advertisement insertion in a bitstream
US6611624B1 (en) * 1998-03-13 2003-08-26 Cisco Systems, Inc. System and method for frame accurate splicing of compressed bitstreams
US6459427B1 (en) * 1998-04-01 2002-10-01 Liberate Technologies Apparatus and method for web-casting over digital broadcast TV network
US6370199B1 (en) * 1998-04-03 2002-04-09 Tandberg Television Asa Method and apparatus for processing compressed video data streams
US6208688B1 (en) * 1998-05-29 2001-03-27 Korea Telecom Method of selecting a requantization step size and controlling a bit-rate
US6698020B1 (en) * 1998-06-15 2004-02-24 Webtv Networks, Inc. Techniques for intelligent video ad insertion
US6724974B2 (en) * 1998-07-01 2004-04-20 Minolta Co., Ltd. Image data management system
US6446082B1 (en) * 1998-09-21 2002-09-03 Impress Corporation Method of receiving time-specified program contents
US6675385B1 (en) * 1998-10-21 2004-01-06 Liberate Technologies HTML electronic program guide for an MPEG digital TV system
US6253238B1 (en) * 1998-12-02 2001-06-26 Ictv, Inc. Interactive cable television system with frame grabber
US6425131B2 (en) * 1998-12-30 2002-07-23 At&T Corp. Method and apparatus for internet co-browsing over cable television and controlled through computer telephony
US6665872B1 (en) * 1999-01-06 2003-12-16 Sarnoff Corporation Latency-based statistical multiplexing
US20030200128A1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2003-10-23 Doherty Sean Matthew Displaying items of information
US20020152471A1 (en) * 1999-03-18 2002-10-17 De Haas Scott Method and apparatus for cross-connection of video signals
US6704930B1 (en) * 1999-04-20 2004-03-09 Expanse Networks, Inc. Advertisement insertion techniques for digital video streams
US6615039B1 (en) * 1999-05-10 2003-09-02 Expanse Networks, Inc Advertisement subgroups for digital streams
US20020038455A1 (en) * 1999-05-28 2002-03-28 Thiru Srinivasan Method and apparatus for broadcasting information over a network
US6796555B1 (en) * 1999-07-19 2004-09-28 Lucent Technologies Inc. Centralized video controller for controlling distribution of video signals
US6434747B1 (en) * 2000-01-19 2002-08-13 Individual Network, Inc. Method and system for providing a customized media list

Cited By (162)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8892495B2 (en) 1991-12-23 2014-11-18 Blanding Hovenweep, Llc Adaptive pattern recognition based controller apparatus and method and human-interface therefore
US7895076B2 (en) 1995-06-30 2011-02-22 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Advertisement insertion, profiling, impression, and feedback
US9165604B2 (en) 1998-12-03 2015-10-20 Prime Research Alliance E, Inc. Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US9473814B1 (en) 1998-12-03 2016-10-18 Prime Research Alliance E, Inc. Profiling and identification of television viewers
US9479803B2 (en) 1998-12-03 2016-10-25 Prime Research Alliance E, Inc. Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US9535563B2 (en) 1999-02-01 2017-01-03 Blanding Hovenweep, Llc Internet appliance system and method
US9015747B2 (en) 1999-12-02 2015-04-21 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Advertisement rotation
US10390101B2 (en) 1999-12-02 2019-08-20 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Advertisement rotation
US20110088059A1 (en) * 2000-06-09 2011-04-14 Invidi Technologies Corporation Respecting privacy in a targeted advertising system
US20020049968A1 (en) * 2000-06-09 2002-04-25 Wilson Daniel C. Advertising delivery method
US8272964B2 (en) 2000-07-04 2012-09-25 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Identifying obstructions in an impression area
US20050283395A1 (en) * 2000-10-11 2005-12-22 Lesandrini Jay W Enhancements to business research over internet
US10667009B1 (en) 2001-01-11 2020-05-26 Prime Research Alliance E, Llc Profiling and identification of television viewers
US10182258B1 (en) 2001-01-11 2019-01-15 Prime Research Alliance E, Inc. Profiling and identification of television viewers
US20070091901A1 (en) * 2001-01-12 2007-04-26 Broadcom Corporation Packet tag for support of remote network function/ packet classification
US8223661B2 (en) * 2001-01-12 2012-07-17 Broadcom Corporation Packet tag for support of remote network function/ packet classification
US9466074B2 (en) 2001-02-09 2016-10-11 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Advertising impression determination
US9984388B2 (en) 2001-02-09 2018-05-29 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Advertising impression determination
US9195991B2 (en) 2001-02-09 2015-11-24 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Display of user selected advertising content in a digital environment
US20050097599A1 (en) * 2001-04-03 2005-05-05 Plotnick Michael A. Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US7440674B2 (en) 2001-04-03 2008-10-21 Prime Research Alliance E, Inc. Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US20020144262A1 (en) * 2001-04-03 2002-10-03 Plotnick Michael A. Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US20020178447A1 (en) * 2001-04-03 2002-11-28 Plotnick Michael A. Behavioral targeted advertising
US8116616B2 (en) 2001-04-03 2012-02-14 Prime Research Alliance E., Inc. Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US8290351B2 (en) 2001-04-03 2012-10-16 Prime Research Alliance E., Inc. Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US8837920B2 (en) 2001-04-03 2014-09-16 Prime Research Alliance E., Inc. Alternative advertising in prerecorded media
US20090030802A1 (en) * 2001-04-03 2009-01-29 Prime Research Alliance E, Inc. Universal Ad Queue
US7730509B2 (en) 2001-06-08 2010-06-01 Invidi Technologies Corporation Asset delivery reporting in a broadcast network
US20030074661A1 (en) * 2001-10-17 2003-04-17 Krapf Russell M. Personal video recorder and method for inserting a stored advertisement into a displayed broadcast stream
US9049471B2 (en) 2001-10-17 2015-06-02 Keen Personal Media, Inc. Personal video recorder for inserting a stored advertisement into a displayed broadcast stream
US8079045B2 (en) * 2001-10-17 2011-12-13 Keen Personal Media, Inc. Personal video recorder and method for inserting a stored advertisement into a displayed broadcast stream
EP2320359A1 (en) 2002-09-18 2011-05-11 NDS Limited System for multimedia viewing based on entitlements
US8229790B2 (en) 2002-09-18 2012-07-24 Nds Limited System for multimedia viewing based on entitlements
US20090228961A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2009-09-10 Nds Limited System for multimedia viewing based on entitlements
US20090234743A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2009-09-17 Nds Limited System for multimedia viewing based on entitlements
US20050234768A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2005-10-20 Stephanie Wald System for multimedia viewing based on entitlements
US8224699B2 (en) 2002-09-18 2012-07-17 Nds Limited System for multimedia viewing based on entitlements
WO2004030360A1 (en) * 2002-09-26 2004-04-08 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Commercial recommender
US20040093615A1 (en) * 2002-11-07 2004-05-13 International Business Machines Corporation PVR credits by user
US20040158852A1 (en) * 2002-12-30 2004-08-12 Advanced Digital Broadcast Polska Sp. Z O System of transmission of television programs with variable number of advertisements and method of transmission of television programs
US9147112B2 (en) 2003-03-07 2015-09-29 Rpx Corporation Advertisement detection
US20040237102A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-11-25 Richard Konig Advertisement substitution
US20040189873A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-30 Richard Konig Video detection and insertion
US8073194B2 (en) 2003-03-07 2011-12-06 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video entity recognition in compressed digital video streams
US20090077580A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2009-03-19 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Method and System for Advertisement Detection and Substitution
US8634652B2 (en) 2003-03-07 2014-01-21 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video entity recognition in compressed digital video streams
US7738704B2 (en) 2003-03-07 2010-06-15 Technology, Patents And Licensing, Inc. Detecting known video entities utilizing fingerprints
US20100153993A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2010-06-17 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video Detection and Insertion
US20040194130A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-30 Richard Konig Method and system for advertisement detection and subsitution
US20050177847A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2005-08-11 Richard Konig Determining channel associated with video stream
US8374387B2 (en) 2003-03-07 2013-02-12 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video entity recognition in compressed digital video streams
US7809154B2 (en) 2003-03-07 2010-10-05 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video entity recognition in compressed digital video streams
US20100290667A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2010-11-18 Technology Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video entity recognition in compressed digital video streams
US20050149968A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2005-07-07 Richard Konig Ending advertisement insertion
US7930714B2 (en) 2003-03-07 2011-04-19 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video detection and insertion
US20060187358A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2006-08-24 Lienhart Rainer W Video entity recognition in compressed digital video streams
US20050172312A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2005-08-04 Lienhart Rainer W. Detecting known video entities utilizing fingerprints
US20050114214A1 (en) * 2003-11-26 2005-05-26 Pioneer Corporation Information recording-reproducing terminal unit, advertising information distribution server, advertising information distribution system, advertising information distribution method, contents data reproducing program, advertising information distribution program and information recording medium
EP1536362A1 (en) * 2003-11-26 2005-06-01 Pioneer Corporation Information recording-reproducing terminal unit, advertising information distribution server, advertising information distribution system, advertising information distribution method, contents data reproducing program, advertising information distribution program and information recording medium
US20050283791A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-12-22 Digital Networks North America, Inc. Method and apparatus for distributing media in a pay per play architecture with remote playback within an enterprise
US9160976B2 (en) * 2003-12-23 2015-10-13 The Directv Group, Inc. Method and apparatus for distributing media in a pay per play architecture with remote playback within an enterprise
US10042987B2 (en) 2004-08-23 2018-08-07 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Statutory license restricted digital media playback on portable devices
US9531686B2 (en) 2004-08-23 2016-12-27 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Statutory license restricted digital media playback on portable devices
US8763157B2 (en) 2004-08-23 2014-06-24 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Statutory license restricted digital media playback on portable devices
US20060287915A1 (en) * 2005-01-12 2006-12-21 Boulet Daniel A Scheduling content insertion opportunities in a broadcast network
US8065703B2 (en) 2005-01-12 2011-11-22 Invidi Technologies Corporation Reporting of user equipment selected content delivery
US10666904B2 (en) 2005-01-12 2020-05-26 Invidi Technologies Corporation Targeted impression model for broadcast network asset delivery
US8108895B2 (en) 2005-01-12 2012-01-31 Invidi Technologies Corporation Content selection based on signaling from customer premises equipment in a broadcast network
US20060195860A1 (en) * 2005-02-25 2006-08-31 Eldering Charles A Acting on known video entities detected utilizing fingerprinting
US20060242667A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-26 Petersen Erin L Ad monitoring and indication
US20100158358A1 (en) * 2005-05-02 2010-06-24 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video stream modification to defeat detection
US8365216B2 (en) 2005-05-02 2013-01-29 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video stream modification to defeat detection
US7690011B2 (en) 2005-05-02 2010-03-30 Technology, Patents & Licensing, Inc. Video stream modification to defeat detection
US10467651B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2019-11-05 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Advertising impression determination
US8267783B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2012-09-18 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Establishing an impression area
US8626584B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2014-01-07 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Population of an advertisement reference list
US9129301B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2015-09-08 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Display of user selected advertising content in a digital environment
US10046239B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2018-08-14 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Monitoring advertisement impressions
US8795076B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2014-08-05 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Advertising impression determination
US11436630B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2022-09-06 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Advertising impression determination
US10789611B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2020-09-29 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Advertising impression determination
US9873052B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2018-01-23 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Monitoring advertisement impressions
US8574074B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2013-11-05 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Advertising impression determination
US11004089B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2021-05-11 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Associating media content files with advertisements
US11195185B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2021-12-07 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Asynchronous advertising
US10410248B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2019-09-10 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Asynchronous advertising placement based on metadata
US9864998B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2018-01-09 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Asynchronous advertising
US9367862B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2016-06-14 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Asynchronous advertising placement based on metadata
US10657538B2 (en) 2005-10-25 2020-05-19 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Resolution of advertising rules
WO2007064446A1 (en) * 2005-11-30 2007-06-07 Microsoft Corporation Selective advertisement display for multimedia content
WO2007073078A1 (en) * 2005-12-19 2007-06-28 Alticast Corp. Interactive advertisement system and method for the provision of interactive advertisement using the same
US20080059390A1 (en) * 2006-05-02 2008-03-06 Earl Cox Fuzzy logic based viewer identification for targeted asset delivery system
US20110067046A1 (en) * 2006-05-02 2011-03-17 Invidi Technologies Corporation Fuzzy logic based viewer identification for targeted asset delivery system
US7698236B2 (en) 2006-05-02 2010-04-13 Invidi Technologies Corporation Fuzzy logic based viewer identification for targeted asset delivery system
US9693086B2 (en) 2006-05-02 2017-06-27 Invidi Technologies Corporation Method and apparatus to perform real-time audience estimation and commercial selection suitable for targeted advertising
US8645992B2 (en) 2006-05-05 2014-02-04 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Advertisement rotation
US8316406B2 (en) * 2006-05-26 2012-11-20 Sony Corporation System and method for content delivery
US20100205644A1 (en) * 2006-05-26 2010-08-12 Frank Li-De Lin System and method for content delivery
US20130031163A1 (en) * 2006-05-26 2013-01-31 Sony Electronics Inc. System and Method For Content Delivery
US20070277202A1 (en) * 2006-05-26 2007-11-29 Frank Li-De Lin System and method for content delivery
US8607290B2 (en) * 2006-05-26 2013-12-10 Sony Corporation System and method for content delivery
US7797722B2 (en) * 2006-05-26 2010-09-14 Sony Corporation System and method for content delivery
US20070288953A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2007-12-13 Sheeman Patrick M System and method for auctioning avails
US8272009B2 (en) 2006-06-12 2012-09-18 Invidi Technologies Corporation System and method for inserting media based on keyword search
US20100138290A1 (en) * 2006-06-12 2010-06-03 Invidi Technologies Corporation System and Method for Auctioning Avails
US8046803B1 (en) * 2006-12-28 2011-10-25 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Contextual multimedia metatagging
US10129589B2 (en) 2007-01-30 2018-11-13 Invidi Technologies Corporation Third party data matching for targeted advertising
US9729916B2 (en) 2007-01-30 2017-08-08 Invidi Technologies Corporation Third party data matching for targeted advertising
US7849477B2 (en) 2007-01-30 2010-12-07 Invidi Technologies Corporation Asset targeting system for limited resource environments
US9904925B2 (en) 2007-01-30 2018-02-27 Invidi Technologies Corporation Asset targeting system for limited resource environments
US20110041151A1 (en) * 2007-01-30 2011-02-17 Invidi Technologies Corporation Asset targeting system for limited resource environments
US8146126B2 (en) 2007-02-01 2012-03-27 Invidi Technologies Corporation Request for information related to broadcast network content
US20090288109A1 (en) * 2007-02-01 2009-11-19 Invidi Technologies Corporation Request for information related to broadcast network content
US11570406B2 (en) 2007-02-01 2023-01-31 Invidi Technologies Corporation Request for information related to broadcast network content
US9712788B2 (en) 2007-02-01 2017-07-18 Invidi Technologies Corporation Request for information related to broadcast network content
US20090025026A1 (en) * 2007-07-19 2009-01-22 Cisco Technology, Inc. Conditional response signaling and behavior for ad decision systems
US10181132B1 (en) 2007-09-04 2019-01-15 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Method for providing personalized, targeted advertisements during playback of media
US8606637B1 (en) 2007-09-04 2013-12-10 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Method for providing personalized, targeted advertisements during playback of media
US8060407B1 (en) 2007-09-04 2011-11-15 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Method for providing personalized, targeted advertisements during playback of media
US9272203B2 (en) 2007-10-09 2016-03-01 Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC Increasing the number of advertising impressions in an interactive environment
US8416247B2 (en) 2007-10-09 2013-04-09 Sony Computer Entertaiment America Inc. Increasing the number of advertising impressions in an interactive environment
US9204084B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2015-12-01 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Content recording control method for peers, and a device therefor
US9301000B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2016-03-29 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method for providing a content-sharing service, and a device therefor
US20090193455A1 (en) * 2008-01-29 2009-07-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Information storage medium and method for providing additional contents based on trigger, and digital broadcast reception apparatus
US20090193456A1 (en) * 2008-01-29 2009-07-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Information storage medium storing metadata and method of providing additional contents, and digital broadcast reception apparatus
US8762465B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2014-06-24 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method for providing a content-sharing service, and device therefor
US8973028B2 (en) * 2008-01-29 2015-03-03 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Information storage medium storing metadata and method of providing additional contents, and digital broadcast reception apparatus
US20110004665A1 (en) * 2008-01-29 2011-01-06 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method for providing a content-sharing service, and a device therefor
US8701051B2 (en) 2008-02-11 2014-04-15 Goldspot Media, Inc. Hot spot use in advertising
US20090204901A1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2009-08-13 Srinivasa Dharmaji End to End Response Enabling Collection and Use of Customer Viewing Preferences Statistics
US20110184810A1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2011-07-28 Goldspot Media, Inc. Method and Apparatus for Maximizing Brand Exposure in A Minimal Mobile Display
US20110178875A1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2011-07-21 Srinivasa Dharmaji Hot Spot Use in Advertising
US9189794B2 (en) 2008-02-11 2015-11-17 Goldspot Media, Inc. Method and apparatus for maximizing brand exposure in a minimal mobile display
US9311660B2 (en) 2008-02-11 2016-04-12 Goldspot Media, Inc. Hot spot use in advertising
US8510661B2 (en) * 2008-02-11 2013-08-13 Goldspot Media End to end response enabling collection and use of customer viewing preferences statistics
US9525902B2 (en) 2008-02-12 2016-12-20 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Discovery and analytics for episodic downloaded media
US8769558B2 (en) 2008-02-12 2014-07-01 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Discovery and analytics for episodic downloaded media
US8806530B1 (en) 2008-04-22 2014-08-12 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Dual channel presence detection and content delivery system and method
US20090278941A1 (en) * 2008-05-10 2009-11-12 Mark Hilton Smith Multi-channel streaming device and related method
US10897656B2 (en) 2008-08-05 2021-01-19 Invidi Technologies Corporation National insertion of targeted advertisement
US11284166B1 (en) 2008-08-05 2022-03-22 Invidi Techologies Corporation National insertion of targeted advertisement
US8776115B2 (en) 2008-08-05 2014-07-08 Invidi Technologies Corporation National insertion of targeted advertisement
US20100037253A1 (en) * 2008-08-05 2010-02-11 Invidi Technologies Corporation National insertion of targeted advertisement
US20100037255A1 (en) * 2008-08-06 2010-02-11 Patrick Sheehan Third party data matching for targeted advertising
US10298703B2 (en) 2009-08-11 2019-05-21 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Management of ancillary content delivery and presentation
US9474976B2 (en) 2009-08-11 2016-10-25 Sony Interactive Entertainment America Llc Management of ancillary content delivery and presentation
US8763090B2 (en) 2009-08-11 2014-06-24 Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc Management of ancillary content delivery and presentation
US8990104B1 (en) 2009-10-27 2015-03-24 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Multimedia product placement marketplace
US9940644B1 (en) 2009-10-27 2018-04-10 Sprint Communications Company L.P. Multimedia product placement marketplace
US8707182B2 (en) * 2010-01-20 2014-04-22 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Methods and systems for dynamically inserting an advertisement into a playback of a recorded media content instance
US20110179356A1 (en) * 2010-01-20 2011-07-21 Verizon Patent And Licensing, Inc. Methods and Systems for Dynamically Inserting an Advertisement into a Playback of a Recorded Media Content Instance
US20190020930A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2019-01-17 Oath Inc. Geo, segment, uniques distributed computing system
US10917677B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2021-02-09 Verizon Media Inc. Geo, segment, uniques distributed computing system
WO2014145117A3 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-12-11 Brightroll, Inc. Geo, segment, uniques distributed computing system
US11172241B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2021-11-09 Verizon Media Inc. Geo, segment, uniques distributed computing system
US20190020931A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2019-01-17 Oath Inc. Geo, segment, uniques distributed computing system
US10080064B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-09-18 Oath Inc. Geo, segment, uniques distributed computing system
WO2015102557A1 (en) * 2013-12-30 2015-07-09 Thomson Licensing Method, apparatus and system for real-time advertising and t-commerce
US9497498B2 (en) * 2015-01-23 2016-11-15 Robert Hain System and method for live streaming of content
US10846779B2 (en) 2016-11-23 2020-11-24 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Custom product categorization of digital media content
US10860987B2 (en) 2016-12-19 2020-12-08 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Personalized calendar for digital media content-related events
US10931991B2 (en) 2018-01-04 2021-02-23 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC Methods and systems for selectively skipping through media content

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US7152237B2 (en) 2006-12-19
US20050278743A1 (en) 2005-12-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7152237B2 (en) Delivering targeted advertisements to the set-top-box
US11032518B2 (en) Method and apparatus for boundary-based network operation
US10231031B1 (en) Queue based advertisement scheduling and sales
US10206012B2 (en) Queue-based head-end advertisement scheduling method and apparatus
US20020178445A1 (en) Subscriber selected advertisement display and scheduling
US9906825B2 (en) Method and system for planning and running video-on-demand advertising
US20020144263A1 (en) Grouping of advertisements on an advertising channel in a targeted advertisement system
US7849477B2 (en) Asset targeting system for limited resource environments
US7584490B1 (en) System and method for delivering statistically scheduled advertisements
US7328448B2 (en) Advertisement distribution system for distributing targeted advertisements in television systems
US7810114B2 (en) Advertisement filtering and storage for targeted advertisement systems
US20140165100A1 (en) Methods and Systems for Network Based Capture of Television Viewer Generated Clickstreams
US20060253884A1 (en) Methods and systems for network based capture of television viewer generated clickstreams
US7617508B2 (en) Methods and systems for collaborative capture of television viewer generated clickstreams
US20090144797A1 (en) Method and Apparatus for Delivering SDV Programming With Multiple Advertisements
US10762509B2 (en) Asset targeting system for limited resource environments

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: EXPANSE NETWORKS, INC., PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FLICKINGER, GREGORY C.;ELDERING, CHARLES A.;REEL/FRAME:011413/0597

Effective date: 20001221

AS Assignment

Owner name: PRIME RESEARCH ALLIANCE E., INC., A CORPORATION OF

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:EXPANSE NETWORKS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:015139/0836

Effective date: 20040818

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: EXPRESSLY ABANDONED -- DURING EXAMINATION

AS Assignment

Owner name: PRIME RESEARCH ALLIANCE E, LLC, DELAWARE

Free format text: RE-DOMESTICATION AND ENTITY CONVERSION;ASSIGNOR:PRIME RESEARCH ALLIANCE E, INC.;REEL/FRAME:050090/0721

Effective date: 20190621