WO2002030112A1 - Ciblage de pubs dans les guides de programmes, dans les programmes en direct ou dans les programmes enregistres, et coordination des pubs entre elles - Google Patents

Ciblage de pubs dans les guides de programmes, dans les programmes en direct ou dans les programmes enregistres, et coordination des pubs entre elles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002030112A1
WO2002030112A1 PCT/US2001/031682 US0131682W WO0230112A1 WO 2002030112 A1 WO2002030112 A1 WO 2002030112A1 US 0131682 W US0131682 W US 0131682W WO 0230112 A1 WO0230112 A1 WO 0230112A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
programming
advertisements
ipg
ads
queue
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/031682
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002030112B1 (fr
Inventor
Charles A. Eldering
Gregory C. Flickinger
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 claimed from US09/742,507 external-priority patent/US20020083451A1/en
Priority claimed from US09/749,255 external-priority patent/US7653923B2/en
Application filed by Expanse Networks, Inc. filed Critical Expanse Networks, Inc.
Priority to AU2002213094A priority Critical patent/AU2002213094A1/en
Publication of WO2002030112A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002030112A1/fr
Publication of WO2002030112B1 publication Critical patent/WO2002030112B1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management 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
    • H04N21/262—Content 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/231—Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion
    • H04N21/23106—Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion involving caching operations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management 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
    • H04N21/258—Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
    • H04N21/25866—Management of end-user data
    • H04N21/25891—Management of end-user data being end-user preferences
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing 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
    • H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
    • H04N21/4331—Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management 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
    • H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4532—Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management 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
    • H04N21/454—Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/4722—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting additional data associated with the content
    • H04N21/4725—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting additional data associated with the content using interactive regions of the image, e.g. hot spots
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/654—Transmission by server directed to the client
    • H04N21/6543—Transmission by server directed to the client for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/812—Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
    • H04N21/84—Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85—Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/858—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/85—Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
    • H04N21/858—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
    • H04N21/8586—Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot by using a URL
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/165—Centralised control of user terminal ; Registering at central

Definitions

  • TV advertising is a major component in assisting manufacturers, distributors, vendors, and other organizations interested in publicizing their product, brand, service, or viewpoint, in reaching segments ofthe public.
  • TN advertising during TV programs (programming ads) subsidizes the cost of a large part of TV programming delivered to consumers.
  • Advertisers commonly wish to deliver (target) certain programming ads to one or more groups of subscribers, such groups having particular demographic characteristics, such as income, age, gender, etc.
  • These advertisers typically have access to market and demographic studies that allow them limited control over delivering their ads to specific groups of subscribers.
  • One such method is "linked sponsorship", well known and used in the advertising industry.
  • Linked sponsorship involves determining what demographic group or groups watch particular programming (e.g., from Nielsen data), and then buying (or contracting for) commercial spots during those programs for which the demographic viewership matches the desires ofthe advertiser. Improvements over the linked sponsorship model have been developed which allow advertisers to target their ads to the appropriate viewers or groups of viewers more efficiently. Such systems are disclosed in applicants co- pending U.S.
  • These profiles are used to match and deliver "targeted" ads to subscribers such that subscribers receive ads more appropriate for them (i.e., of more interest and hence more effective). Delivery ofthe targeted ads to appropriate subscribers/viewers can be accomplished in a variety of ways, as described in the aforementioned applications, including both upstream ad insertion (e.g., at a cable head-end or telco central office) and local ad insertion (e.g., ad storage and insertion at a subscriber's set-top box (STB)).
  • upstream ad insertion e.g., at a cable head-end or telco central office
  • local ad insertion e.g., ad storage and insertion at a subscriber's set-top box (STB)
  • Targeted ads can be delivered with particular programming or they can be inserted at the STB and presented to the subscriber independent of the programming being viewed.
  • programming ads and “telecast ads” refer to conventional television advertisements (i.e., video ads played during conventional programming such as a 30 second spot for a FORD ExplorerTM played during a commercial "break" in prime time programming).
  • EPGs and IPGs are well known in the art as interactive tools that provide television programming information to viewers.
  • an IPG (or EPG) display includes a menu of programs and allows the viewer to select desired broadcast channels. Normally, the selection is accomplished by the viewer's highlighting of the desired option with a remote control device.
  • the IPG (or EPG) is typically implemented in software that runs on a STB connected between a TV and a cable system home entry line. When scrolling to a new column or row, the IPG inserts the appropriate programming information into each new row or column. This information is either cached at the STB, or requested from the cable system's head-end. Examples of such EPG interfaces are disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,479,268 by Young, et al. and U.S. Patent 5,880,768 by Lemmons, et al.
  • IPGs may also contain advertising, and typically do so by using space in one portion of the screen to display a static advertisement. These advertisements are generally pre- programmed and the same advertisements are displayed to all the subscribers (viewers).
  • IPG ads remain independent of conventional programming ads and are not linked to the programming ads in any way. This lack of linking or correlation between IPG ads and programming ads ignore the vast potential of increasing advertisement effectiveness by linking these two forms of ads, and thereby providing customized and enhanced ad opportunities for the advertiser to reach the subscriber without "saturating" the viewer with the same programming ad and causing the viewer to "tune out” the repeated ad.
  • an ad in the IPG when seen by the viewer, followed by a similar or related ad played during programming watched by the viewer may enhance the attentiveness of the viewer during the programming ad as well as increase the viewer's pretension (i.e., memory) of the ad without causing the viewer to tune-out the ad.
  • An ad in the IPG which is correlated with and which follows a programming ad may afford the viewer a means to interact with or request more information about the advertised product or service.
  • the present invention comprises a method and system whereby conventional television advertisements (i.e., those delivered to viewers while they watch television programming) can be delivered in conjunction with and correlated with advertisements that are presented to viewers in an Interactive Program Guide (IPG) or Electronic Program Guide (EPG).
  • IPG Interactive Program Guide
  • EPG Electronic Program Guide
  • the invention described herein provides for delivering highly targeted ads to viewers in both conventional programming avails and in the IPG, and for linking the targeted ads in these two medias to provide for enhanced and highly effective advertising campaigns.
  • both programming ads and IPG ads are temporally linked and scheduled to be presented to the appropriate target group in a variety of sequences that may enhance the effectiveness of an advertising campaign by providing the subscriber with greater exposure to an advertised product while avoiding saturation by foregoing annoying repetitions of programming ads, and by providing mechanisms for the viewer to access or request more information, via the IPG, about a product or service advertised.
  • Such linking and scheduling of correlated programming ads and IPG ads can be accomplished in conventional systems that provide for programming, ad substitution upstream from the subscriber (e.g., at the head-end) as well as in systems that insert ads locally (e.g., at the subscriber's set-top box (STB).
  • IPG advertisement management system AMS
  • programming AMS are integrated as one system.
  • one or more specific and targeted IPG ads are displayed in the IPG prior to the displaying of one or more specific targeted and related programming ad.
  • one or more specific and targeted IPG ads are displayed in the IPG subsequent to the displaying of one or more specific targeted and related programming ad. In yet another embodiment one or more specific and targeted IPG ads are displayed in the IPG prior to and subsequent to the displaying of one or more specific targeted and related programming ad.
  • an IPG ad can be clicked on and this behavior by the viewer can be used to profile the viewer or to prioritize subsequent displaying of programming or IPG ads.
  • an ad displayed in the IPG is an interactive ad, and can be accessed (e.g., clicked on) by the viewer for various purposes including, but not limited to, bookmarking the ad for later review, accessing a particular website via the Internet, requesting more information, requesting playing of a linked or correlated programming ad, for recording and measuring viewer interest in the advertised product or service, etc.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a variety of network architectures on which both targeted programming ads and targeted IPG ads can be delivered to subscribers/viewers;
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an overall process by which an enhanced form of targeted advertising, linking the display of programming ads and correlated IPG ads, may be accomplished according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 shows a programming ad queue and a linked IPG ad queue, according to one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a process flow chart of how correlated or linked programming ads and IPG ads are presented to the viewer in a temporally linked sequence, according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 depicts a hypothetical sequence of programming and IPG ads, as seen by one or more viewers, according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • IPG interactive program guide
  • content portals which can be accessed and viewed by a subscriber/viewer (e.g., via a remote control), such content portals being used by the subscriber to navigate to the appropriate or desired content (e.g., TV programming, Internet, program guides, etc.).
  • IPG advertisements can be in any format compatible with the IPG itself. These forms include, but are not limited to, conventional panel ads, static and non-static, HTML and XML based ads including dynamic applets, video and/or audio clips, streaming media, banner ads, etc.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary network architectures on which both targeted programming advertisements (ads) and targeted IPG ads can be delivered to subscribers (subs) including, but not limited to, Switched Digital Video (SDV) networks 110, hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable networks 120, and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) systems 130.
  • SDV Switched Digital Video
  • HFC hybrid fiber coax
  • DBS direct broadcast satellite
  • an Ad Management System 140 is responsible for selecting targeted ads for the subs by comparing characteristics ofthe ads to characteristics ofthe subs.
  • the AMS 140 may also be responsible for grouping the subs and then matching the ads to the group of subs.
  • the AMS 140 may also be responsible for traffic and billing associated with the delivery ofthe targeted ads.
  • the AMS 140 may reside upstream at the head-end (HE) or central office (CO) 150 as illustrated, or may be a distributed system with elements residing upstream from the HE/CO 150 as well as downstream at a set-top-box (STB).
  • HE head-end
  • CO central office
  • the targeted ads in the programming and the targeted ads in the IPG are linked in some fashion.
  • a single integrated AMS may be used to manage both the programming ads and the IPG ads.
  • a programming AMS and an IPG AMS may exist independently for managing programming ads and IPG ads respectively with an appropriate interface between the two AMSs for establishing linkages between the two types of ads and for correlating their respective schedules.
  • Targeted ads both programming ads and IPG ads, can be delivered and presented to the viewer by ad substitution and insertion upstream (i.e., at the HE/CO 150) or by local ad insertion at the STB.
  • targeted programming ads may be inserted upstream whereas targeted IPG ads are inserted at the STB (or vice versa)
  • specific programmmg ads and IPG ads may be linked such that they are displayed in an appropriate, temporally linked, sequence (e.g., the schedule and display of mutually linked programming and IPG ads are interdependent such that an IPG ad immediately precedes and/or follows a programming ad to which it is linked).
  • subscriber profiles In order to select targeted ads it is necessary to have defined characteristics about the subscribers (subscriber profiles). As it is likely that more than one individual will watch a television, when used herein the term subscriber will be meant to include a single subscriber, or a group of subscribers.
  • the subscriber profiles can be simple or complex, can be obtained from a single source or multiple sources, can be generated internally, externally or a combination thereof.
  • the subscriber profiles may be generated internal to the current system.
  • the subscriber interactions with the television can be monitored.
  • the monitored interactions include, but are not limited to, channel changes, volume changes, record commands, and EPG commands. If the TV was an interactive TV (connected to the Internet) the monitored interactions could include, but would not be limited to, surfing, clicks, and click throughs.
  • the monitored interactions can be aggregated, summarized or generalized in order to generate viewing characteristics.
  • the viewing characteristics can include, but are not limited to, most watched channels, channel change frequency, dwell time and average volume. According to one embodiment, the viewing characteristics can be based on time of day, day of week, or other appropriate time distinctions.
  • the monitored interactions can be filtered to exclude interactions that are likely not applicable. For example, when the subscriber is jumping or surfing channels there is probably no reason to record and or characterize the channels that were surfed and/or jumped. Thus, in one embodiment the system will be set up to ignore channels if they are not observed for a minimum time period (i.e., 1 minute) to eliminate channel jumping or surfing activities. Moreover, if the subscriber goes to bed and leaves the TV on there is probably no reason for recording the programming displayed to the TV while the subscriber is sleeping. Thus, in one embodiment the system will be set up to ignore material delivered if there is no interaction from the subscriber for a predetermined amount of time (i.e., 2 hours).
  • a predetermined amount of time i.e. 2 hours
  • time limits could also be programmable (set by the subscriber, advertiser, network operator) or time variable.
  • the monitoring of subscriber interactions may be done local to the subscriber, such as a the set-top box (STB), may be done at the television delivery system (i.e., HE or CO), or some combination thereof.
  • STB set-top box
  • the channel changes are actually processed by the SDV system so it may be easier to monitor the interactions at that point.
  • the STB it is preferable for the STB to capture the monitored subscriber interactions and either process the data internally or to transmit an aggregation ofthe raw interaction data to the
  • program data associated with the material viewed or recorded can be gathered in order to characterize the material.
  • the program data may include, but is not limited to, classifications such as name of programs, genre of programs, type of product advertised, style of EPG, and content on web site.
  • the program data may be obtained from closed captioned data, EPG data (i.e., category, subcategory), text associated with the material (i.e., HTML file), or from one of several commercial enterprises including TV Data of Glen Falls, NY.
  • the program data can be used to enhance the viewing characteristics. Using the program data the viewing characteristics may include, but are not limited to, favorite genre, favorite type, favorite network, and favorite actor.
  • the program data may be processed either at the STB, HE/CO or some combination thereof.
  • multiple unique viewing characteristics are generated.
  • the viewing characteristics may represent individual viewers or groups of viewers.
  • one subscriber may have multiple viewing characteristics associated therewith, depending on the time of day, or day of week.
  • the different viewing characteristics are generated from the characteristics associated with different viewing sessions.
  • the different sets of viewing characteristics are stored as viewing signatures that capture at least one and likely multiple viewing sessions. Each new viewing session is then compared to the viewing signatures and is either added to one ofthe viewing signatures or a new viewing signature is generated.
  • the system determines which subscriber (defined by viewing characteristics) is using the system by monitoring the interactions and comparing the interactions to the different viewing signatures stored.
  • each subscriber could identify themselves as the ones interacting with the TV and the viewing characteristics being associated therewith.
  • the system may apply a set of heuristic rales to the viewing characteristics in order to generate a demographic profile or an interest profile ofthe subscriber.
  • the heuristic rules can include both logical rules and rules expressed in terms of conditional probabilities.
  • the heuristic rules are obtained from sociological or psychological studies and can be changed based on learning within the system or based on external studies that provide more accurate rules.
  • Exemplary logical heuristics rules could include associating higher channel change frequency with males or the viewing of soap operas with females.
  • Exemplary heuristic rules expressed in terms of conditional probabilities could include there being a 40% chance that a subscriber watching the news is over 70.
  • the demographic profile could include the probabilities ofthe subscriber having certain demographic attributes including, but not limited to, age, gender, family size, income, race, ethnicity, and religion.
  • the interest profile could include the probabilities associated with the subscriber having interests in certain products, services, and activities.
  • the subscriber profiles can be generated from external data including purchasing characteristics, transaction characteristics, statistical information and detemiinistic information. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that there are numerous sources for this data and that the data may be gathered from a single source or be an aggregate of numerous sources. According to one embodiment, a secure profiling server (SPS) will gather and process all the data in order to generate the subscriber profiles. As should be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, the SPS could generate various different profiles taking into account different data. The SPS is designed with protecting the privacy of subscribers in mind, h one embodiment, the subscribers would have to select "opt- in" to be profiled by the system. In another embodiment, raw transaction data would not be made available. In another embodiment, the identity ofthe subscriber is kept confidential. In another embodiment, the SPS is managed by a trusted third party, such as a non-profit organization.
  • the purchasing characteristics may be an aggregation of some subset of purchases including, but not limited to, point of sale, Internet, phone, and mail order. Subscribers may have their purchases tracked through the use of loyalty cards, credit cards, unique identifications, or other means that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. The characteristics likely provide an insight into characteristics associated with the subscribers (as purchasers). Heuristic rules may be applied to the purchasing characteristics in order to define demographic profiles or interest profiles ofthe purchasers. The monitoring of subscriber purchases, the generation of subscriber purchasing characteristics, and the generation of demographic and interest profiles is further defined in Applicant's PCT
  • the transaction characteristics may be an aggregation of some subset of transactions including, but not limited to, credit card transactions, phone transactions, banking transactions and location transactions.
  • the gathering of transactions and the generation of characteristics for the credit card transactions, the phone transactions, and the banking transactions would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the gathering of data related to location can be done using locating techniques associated with wireless devices (such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) and phones).
  • Location characteristics can be generated by aggregating and summarizing the location data. Heuristic rules may be applied to the location characteristics in order to define demographic profiles or interest profiles ofthe purchasers.
  • the monitoring of subscriber locations, the generation of subscriber location characteristics, and the generation of demographic and interest profiles is further defined in Applicant's co-pending U.S. application number 09/782,962 (Docket No. LlOO-10), filed on February 14, 2001 entitled “Location Based Profiling", which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, but is not admitted to be prior art.
  • the statistical information may be in the form of logical characterizations of subscribers or probabilistic measures of likely characteristics of subscribers.
  • the statistical information for the subscribers may be related to subscriber demographics, interests, psychographics, or other attributes that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the statistical information maybe based on market segments (i.e., groups of subscribers having similar characteristics).
  • the statistical information may be collected from a variety of sources including private and public databases. For example, Micro Vision, a product of Claritas, Inc. of San Diego, CA provides demographic segment statistical information for market segments defined by ZIP+4 (approx. 10-15 households).
  • the deterministic information contains known information about the subscriber, such as information the subscriber has provided.
  • the deterministic information may be generated based on the results of a survey that the subscriber agrees to complete.
  • An exemplary survey may ask questions relating to demographics (household size, ages, income, education), interests and the like.
  • Other deterministic data may include data obtained from public or private databases, such as tax records, and real estate records.
  • the subscriber profiles may be generated using Quantum AdvertisingTM to obtain a probabilistic representation of a subscribers interests in particular products and services.
  • Quantum AdvertisingTM The basis for Quantum AdvertisingTM is derived from quantum mechanics where it is possible to have a probabilistic representation of a particle, but impossible to have a deterministic representation in which the precise position ofthe particle is known.
  • Quantum AdvertisingTM allows advertisers to effectively target info ⁇ nation to subscribers without revealing specific private information and thus not violating their privacy.
  • the subscriber profile may be contained in a vector, such as a ket vector
  • A> can be described as the sum of components such that
  • & ⁇ through e n represent probability factors and p ⁇ through ⁇ n represent characteristics selected from at least a subset of viewing characteristics, purchase characteristics, transaction characteristics, demographic characteristics, socio-economic characteristics, housing characteristics, and consumption characteristics.
  • Each characteristic may be defined by individual traits as well.
  • a demographic characteristic may include traits such as household size, income, and age.
  • the ad characteristics may define demographic attributes (age, income), viewing attributes (favorite TV programs), and other interest attributes including, but not limited to, products, services, and activities.
  • the ad characteristics would be provided by an advertiser or media buyer. There are numerous means by which the advertiser can define the ad characteristics for a particular ad including, but not limited to, (1) selecting appropriate attributes from a survey or pull down-menu (few or many attributes can be defined by the advertiser), (2) selecting a predefined set of characteristics, and (3) selecting characteristics associated with one or more subscribers or one or more groups of subscribers.
  • the subscribers may be grouped together in one of several ways.
  • the subscribers can be grouped together based on how similar their characteristics (can be either simple or complex characteristics) are with each other.
  • the grouping is performed by correlating the appropriate characteristics of different subscribers and grouping those subscribers together that: met a predefined threshold, or have the most in common.
  • clusters of subscribers may be grouped together based on how close the characteristics ofthe clusters are to each other.
  • the clusters may be defined by elements of the delivery system, such as nodes in a cable television plant.
  • the cluster characteristics are defined by averaging the characteristics of each ofthe subscribers that makes up the cluster.
  • Each cluster is then correlated with each other cluster in the same manner described above for individual subscribers.
  • the subscribers or clusters of subscribers are grouped together based on how well they correlate with ad characteristics. This embodiment requires that the characteristics for each subscriber or cluster of subscribers be compared to one or more ad characteristics and get grouped with the ad that: meets a predefined threshold, or has the most in common.
  • the system can select targeted advertisements by correlating the two.
  • the correlation may be based on few or may elements ofthe profiles/characteristics, h one embodiment, the elements may be weighted as to the importance of each to the advertiser.
  • the targeted ads are selected a determination needs to be made as to when the targeted ad should be presented to the subscriber and in what media. That determination requires knowledge ofthe format ofthe ad, and the ad opportunities available (avails) within the IPG, the programming, or both.
  • the avail characteristics for typical avails within programming i.e., 30 second commercial
  • the avail characteristics are predefined and include such attributes as time, duration and bandwidth.
  • the expected target audience and the expected number of viewers ofthe programming that the avail is located in is likely known.
  • the system can determine a match between an avail and an ad relatively simply.
  • the ad characteristics may also be correlated with avail characteristics and a determination of what avail to place the ad in is based on the ad-avail correlation.
  • an impact value may be assigned by taking into account the predicted number of subscribers (targeted subscribers) who will be watching the program containing the avail.
  • the final determination of what avail to place what ad in for what subscribers can be based on a combination ofthe ad- subscriber correlation, the ad-avail correlation, and the impact value.
  • the avail characteristics for JPGs may be created by the AMS depending on desires of the advertiser and the subscriber profiles.
  • the IPG avails may define any number of attributes that include, but are not limited to, the location ofthe avail (i.e., one or more ads located around the IPG grid), the size ofthe avail (i.e., 3 inch ads), and the type of ads (i.e., banner ads, video clips, audio ads). These attributes may be rigid or may be defined by a ranges where the advertiser can submit any ad that falls within that range.
  • the advertiser may define attributes associated with the IPG that should be in place before an ad is placed (i.e., a particular screen ofthe LPG is opened, or that the IPG has been opened for a particular amount of time).
  • the type of avails defined in the IPG may be dependent on the JPG provider and the network provider.
  • the current invention is designed to match IPG ads with the IPG avails regardless of how complex or simple they are. As one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, the matching of ads to IPG avails in much less defined that the matching of ads to programming avails. Thus, the final determination of what IPG ad to place in what avail for what subscribers can be based on a combination ofthe ad-subscriber correlation and the ad- avail correlation.
  • the targeted ads may be inserted in the programming via an ad insertion system (AIS) located at the HE/CO.
  • AIS ad insertion system
  • the AIS may create a predetermined number of presentation streams (programming with targeted ads inserted in place ofthe default ads) and distribute the presentation streams to the subscribers.
  • the number of presentation streams for each channel need not be the same for each channel, and need not be the same for each time duration. For example, Fox may have five presentation streams while ABC only has three, and Fox may have 5 during prime time but only two during day time programming.
  • the determination of the number of presentation streams can be based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, advertisers wishing to place ads in that network or at that time and number of subscribers watching that network or at that time.
  • Each ofthe presentation streams may be delivered to each subscriber (i.e., STB) or group of subscribers (i.e., node) with the STB or node making the determination as to which presentation stream (ad) was appropriate.
  • STB subscriber
  • node group of subscribers
  • the designations could be preloaded in the STBs or nodes, could be downloaded to the STBs or nodes, or could be generated within the STBs or nodes based on the subscriber profile (or node profile) generated by the system. If transmitted to the STB or the node by the system, the transmission could be done within the delivery system by means well known to those skilled in the art. Additionally, the data could be transmitted via a separate Internet connection.
  • the system will transmit the correct presentation stream to the correct subscribers (based on node or some other designation within the delivery network).
  • the transmission ofthe different presentation streams to the different nodes can be done in numerous fashions that would be well within the scope of one skilled in the art.
  • the ad insertion is performed at the STB.
  • the STB receives at a minimum an ad schedule that defines an order for ad insertion and points to a location for where the ads can be found, an ad resource locator
  • the ads may be stored on the STB or may be stored upstream and downloaded to the STB when required. If the ads are stored upstream they may be downloaded in real time, or prior to the avail. For example, the ads may be delivered to the STB when the ad is within some predefined number of avails (i.e., 2) of being displayed. The ads may be received over the delivery system or may be received over a separate Internet connection.
  • the STB may receive only targeted ads or may receive a standard set of ads and store only those that are applicable to the STB (as defined by the subscriber profiles associated with the STB).
  • the ads can be delivered via a dedicated ad channel or may be received via a separate Internet connection.
  • the ad channel can be handled in numerous manners as would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. If the STB receives only targeted ads then the system either has a separate ad channel; for each subscriber or each group of subscribers and only delivers the appropriate ad channel to the appropriate subscribers. If each STB receives standard ads and only stores the appropriate ads then a determination needs to be made at the STB as to whether the ad is appropriate.
  • One method for determining appropriateness is to have the ads and the STB identified by some unique designator. If the designators matched the ad would be stored. An alternative embodiment, would be to send the ad profile with the ad, the STB could compare the ad profile to the subscriber profiles associated with the STB and save the ad if the correlation between the two met some predefined criteria.
  • the ad schedule can be as simple or complex as desired. The complexity depending of the network operator and the advertisers. The ad schedule may simply be a listing ofthe order that ads should be played. Alternatively, the ad schedule can be variable depending on what subscribers are determined to be watching the television, what programs are being watched, the time of day or day of week, or other factors that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the system may insert targeted advertisements into the recorded programming.
  • the ads inserted into the programming may be according to the ad schedule. For ad schedules that take into account different subscribers, the ads may be selected from the schedule based on whom the system determines will watch the recorded program. The ads may be inserted into the recorded program as it is recorded or it may be inserted as the program is played back. If the program is being recorded at the same time that the program is being viewed the system may insert different targeted ads into the recorded version (either as it is being recorded or as it is played back).
  • the ads may be inserted in the IPG, by the IPG provider, at the HE/CO, or at the STB.
  • the IPG provider may simply provide multiple versions ofthe IPG. If done by the HE/CO, the HE/CO will insert targeted ads into the IPG to create the multiple versions ofthe IPG. It should be noted that the different versions ofthe IPG may include the ads or may include links to ads that are transmitted separately.
  • the multiple versions ofthe IPGs may be sent to each subscriber (STB) or group of subscribers (node), or in a preferred embodiment only the appropriate IPG will be sent to the appropriate subscribers. If all IPGs are sent to each subscriber, the subscriber may store only the appropriate IPG or may store all IPGs. The determination ofthe appropriate IP G is done in the same fashion as determining the appropriate presentation stream.
  • the IPG is downloaded to the STB either over the delivery system or via the separate Internet connection.
  • the IPG is downloaded via a download carousel that basically transmits an updated version ofthe IPG every time a change is made (i.e., every night the IPG may be updated to include an additional day of programming).
  • the IPG may also be updated to include different targeted ads.
  • any subscriber within a group of subscribers interacting with the IPG at a particular time will receive the same targeted ad regardless ofthe portion (i.e., screen) ofthe IPG they are interacting with or the number of times they have activated the IPG (i.e., whether it is the first or tenth time ofthe day).
  • the ads are inserted into the IPG at the STB.
  • the ad schedule can be simple or complex.
  • a simple schedule may include nothing more than a list of ads to be displayed.
  • the ads may all be ofthe same type (i.e., still images) or may be multiple types.
  • a complex schedule may take into account time, program, or IPG screen being displayed in determining what ad is to be inserted next or to even define the next avail. For example, if a subscriber activates the IPG while watching a sporting event, ads associated with sporting goods may be moved to the top ofthe queue. If the subscriber is receiving additional information about a certain program (i.e., in a program screen) the IPG may insert audio ads.
  • the avails may be defined by time or by other parameters. For example, static ads
  • ad (still images, sequence of still images) maybe displayed for a certain time frame (i.e., 30 seconds).
  • the amount of time the ad is displayed may be tracked. If the subscriber turns the IPG off before the allotted time the ad may be displayed again the next time the IPG is activated. There may be some parameters assigned to the tracking of time for the display of the ad. For example, if the ad is displayed for less that 2 seconds the time doesn't count, or if there is only two seconds left of display time when the subscriber logs of that the two seconds is lost.
  • Interactive ads such as video streams may be restricted to situations where it is apparent that the subscriber will be using the IPG for a minimum period of time, wherein the minimum period of time is defined as the length ofthe video ad.
  • the minimum period of time is defined as the length ofthe video ad.
  • the IP G ads may be stored at the STB or may be stored upstream and transmitted to the IPG in real-time, near real-time, or in advance ofthe avail.
  • the IPG ads can be transmitted to the STB in the same manner as the programming ads (i.e., via the delivery system or via the Internet). Only targeted ads or all ads may be delivered to the STB. If all ads are delivered the
  • the STB will determine which ads to store in the same manner as done with the programming ads.
  • the ads may have multiple forms that include, but are not limited to, still images, sets of interactive still images, video, audio, and streaming media.
  • the ad may be nothing more than a URL that is accessed via an separate Internet connection in the STB when that avail is activated.
  • the system may coordinate the targeted advertising displayed to the subscriber in some combination ofthe IPG, the live programming and the recorded programming. It should be noted that coordinating the ads is most easily accomplished if the ads are inserted at the STB.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary process by which an enhanced form of targeted advertising, linking the display of programming ads and correlated IPG ads, may be accomplished according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.
  • Subscribers are characterized (step 210) and subscriber groups are formed (step 220) based on specific market segmentation criteria (e.g., entered by the advertiser or media buyer).
  • Programming ads and IPG ads are also characterized (step 230) and linkages are established between specific programming ads and related IPG ads to form programming-IPG ad combinations (step 240).
  • Such combinations may be one to one, one to many, or many to many. For instance, for a given programming ad there may be several IPG ads that are related to the programming ad and thus may be each be linked to the programming. Alternatively, there may be a single IPG ad that can be related to multiple programming ads.
  • the IPG-programming ad combinations are correlated with the subscriber groups (step 250). It should be noted that the IPG-programming ad combinations need not be formed prior to the correlating those combinations to subscriber groups. For example, the individual programming ads and IPG ads could be correlated to subscriber groups before forming the IPG-programming ad combinations. The combinations would then be formed after both types of ads have been independently correlated to the subscriber groups. IPG-programming ad combinations, which have been matched to particular subscriber groups, are then delivered and presented to these groups (step 260). The mechanisms for ad delivery and presentation include, but are not limited to, upstream ad substitution resulting in multiple presentation streams and/or ad insertion at the STB.
  • the linkage or correlation between programming ads and IPG ads could be very "tight" in the sense that the same product or service is advertised in both the programming and in the IPG, or could be relatively “loose” in that, for example, only ads for the same brand of product or category of product are linked between programming and the IPG.
  • An example of a tight linkage would be a programming ad for a FORD ExplorerTM to be followed, by an ad in the IPG, of a FORD ExplorerTM.
  • An example of a loose linkage is that of a programming ad for a particular KraftTM cheese product followed by an IPG ad for Kraft in general, or a programming ad for Diet CokeTM followed by a panel ad for Coca ColaTM in the IPG.
  • a programming ad for BudweiserTM could be followed (or preceded) by an ad for HanoverTM pretzels in the IPG, or an ad for "travel to the Bahamas” could be followed by an IPG ad for a particular hotel, airline, travel agent, etc.
  • a wide variety of programming and IPG ad combinations and campaigns are possible ranging from extremely tight correlations to extremely loose correlations.
  • the degree of correlations between the programming and IPG ads can be chosen or set depending on a multitude of factors, including pricing and timing, and by a variety of participants including, but not limited to, the advertiser, the ad management system (AMS), and the subscriber.
  • AMS ad management system
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary group of programming ads 310 and a group of JPG ads 320 and the linkages 330 between them according to one embodiment ofthe invention.
  • the linkages are one-to-one and the respective groups of ads are represented as ad queues, but it is to be understood that the number of linkages between particular programming ads and particular IPG ads, and the criteria for establishing such linkages, may be widely variable and dynamic and may depend on numerous factors including, but not limited to, advertiser preferences, ad formats, and scheduling constraints.
  • the programming ad for FORD Explorer is linked to an IPG ad that is static image of a FORD Explorer.
  • the programming ad for PepsiTM is linked to an IPG ad consisting of an image of a Pepsi can. Both of these linkages are tight in that both the programmmg ad and the IPG ad advertise the same product.
  • An IPG image of a FORD logo instead of the particular Explorer model, or an image of "beer pretzels" in the IPG preceding a programming ad for Budweiser would be examples of loose linkages.
  • all ofthe ads are stored locally at the STB (or other PVR device). In this scenario it is possible to correlate the schedule and the display of specific IPG ads to the display of specific programming ads in real-time and near-real time.
  • Both programming and IPG ad queues can be created at the STB creating "virtual roadblocks" for both types of ads. That is, no matter what channel is being watched when an avail arrives in the programming, the next programming ad in the prioritized ad queue is inserted and displayed to the subscriber.
  • ads to be displayed next in the IPG can be ordered and prioritized according to a number of parameters.
  • One parameter for ordering each queue is to establish a priority linkage between the two types of ads (programming and IPG) such that if, for example, a particular IPG ad is displayed, one or more particular programming ads will be displayed soon or immediately thereafter in the programming avails. Conversely, if a particular programming ad is displayed, one or more particular IPG ads would be subsequently displayed when the IPG is invoked.
  • the prioritization ofthe ad queue is dynamic in that if, for example, the channel being viewed is changed or another viewer is identified, the order of programming ads to be displayed may be reordered to achieve effective targeting. In any case, at any given moment, there is always a schedule or prioritized queue of programming ads ready to be inserted and displayed.
  • the IP G ad queue is generated such that the corresponding IPG ad or ads, linked to specific programming ads, are scheduled to be displayed in the JPG just prior to or just after the specific programming ad is displayed (if and when the IPG is invoked).
  • the IPG ad queue may be dynamically reordered to be consistent with the programming ad queue.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a process flow of how, according to one embodiment ofthe invention, correlated or linked programming ads and IPG ads are presented to the viewer in a temporally linked sequence.
  • the process described below is but one example of how the presentation of programming ads and JPG ads could be linked, there being a multitude of other ways (including variations on the described process) to implement the desired ad linkages.
  • an ad queue or schedule of programming ads is retrieved or generated (step 410).
  • a corresponding JPG ad queue is formed (step 420).
  • the IPG ad queue prioritizes
  • IPG ads based on their correlations (or lack thereof) with the programming ads in the programming ad queue. For instance, if the first three ads in the programming ad queue are for FORD, Coke, and Budweiser respectively, the initial ads in the IPG ad queue would be ads correlated to FORD, Coke, and Budweiser. There may be one or more IPG ads corresponding to a single programming ad, or the same IPG ad may be displayed one or more times before and after the programming ad as desired.
  • a FORD ad is next in the programmmg ad queue, there may be two or more IPG FORD ads scheduled, such that an JPG FORD ad is displayed both prior to and subsequent to the programming FORD ad.
  • the IPG ad queue can be adjusted to insure that the IPG ads related or linked to the programming ads are displayed during IPG invocations that occur near in time to the displayed programming ad.
  • step 430 If an event, such as a channel change or change in viewership (e.g., a new viewer) occurs (step 430), then the process returns to step 410 if the event is such that it affects the programming queue and requires the programming ad queue to be regenerated and optimized to account for the new program or viewer.
  • the programming ad queue is regenerated (step 410) the IPG ad queue is also regenerated (step 420) to maintain the appropriate temporal display sequence relationship of correlated programming ads and IPG ads. If the IPG is invoked (step 440) before the next programming avail, the appropriate IPG ad (i.e., next ad in the queue) is displayed (step 450).
  • a check is made for programming avails (step 465). If no avail is encountered the process returns to step 430. If an avail is encountered, the programming ad at the top ofthe current ad queue (i.e., most recently generated) is inserted and displayed in that avail (470). Then, the IPG ad queue is regenerated to take into account that the programming ad queue has changed (step 420). The regeneration ofthe IPG ad queue can result in a change to that queue or, alternatively, no change to the queue depending on the parameters ofthe queue scheduler.
  • FIG. 5 depicts a hypothetical example sequence of programming and IPG ads, as seen by one or more viewers, according to one embodiment ofthe invention.
  • the viewer is watching NBC's Tonight Show (510), and when the commercial break arrives (i.e., the programming avails) a targeted ad for FORD Explorer (520) is shown followed by a targeted ad for CokeTM (525), after which the Tonight Show programming resumes (510). Soon thereafter the viewer invokes the IPG (530), and ads for FORD (532) and Coke (534), that are linked to the previous programming ads, are displayed in the IPG. The viewer then dismisses the IPG (536) and continues watching NBC, but soon after changes the channel (540) to watch ABC's NightlineTM (542). At this point the programming ad queue may or may not be updated depending on various factors such as whether or not the next ad in the queue will fit into the next upcoming avail ofthe current channel.
  • the IP G is dismissed (558) and the viewer resumes watching
  • Nightline (542) When the next programming avails are encountered (560), the programmmg ads for Chevrolet (562) and for Budweiser (564) are displayed. Nightline (542) returns after the commercial break, and the viewer subsequently invokes the IPG (570), in which a related Budweiser (572) and another, in this case, unrelated ad (574) are displayed. Soon after the viewer dismisses the IPG and returns to programming, a change event is encountered (580) involving both a channel change (to the H&G channel) and viewership change. This event may signal the STB processor (or upstream processor) to recompute or use a different set of ad queues for inserting into upcoming programming avails and IPG screens (e.g., consistent with a new viewer profile).
  • targeted ads for PampersTM (592) and for Diet PepsiTM (594) are presented to the viewer, and soon thereafter when the viewer invokes the IPG, ads for Diet Pepsi (596) and for Pampers (598) are displayed in the IPG.
  • the above example illustrates the general concept and a particular method for linking the display of related programming ads and IP G ads
  • this is only a simple example ofthe different combinations and sequences of correlated programming and IPG ads that can be displayed to one or more viewers.
  • the IPG screens depicted in the Fig. 5 are the familiar grid format with panel ads, other types of IPG ads can also be displayed, as well as other JPG screens that provide additional or complementary means for displaying a wide variety of ads (e.g., the IPG information screen is a different format than that of the IPG guide screen and can accommodate ads of a differing format).
  • the IPG can also be used as a virtual roadblock, insuring that, if a viewer invokes or enters the IPG during a specific programming ad, the viewer is presented with an EPG ad that is linked to the particular programming ad.
  • the same (or similar) commercial or linked IPG ad can be displayed in the JPG. For instance, if a viewer is presented a programming ad for FORD Explorer and immediately invokes the IPG, a related FORD ad (or for that matter a competitor's ad such as a Chevrolet ad) is displayed in the IPG.
  • the IPG ad can be video, audio, a static or dynamic panel ad, or any other ad format compatible with the IPG.
  • PIP Picture-in-Picture
  • the actual (or alternate) programming ad being displayed can be shown in the IPG while the viewer had the IPG invoked.
  • the programming ads and the IPG ads can be managed by separate ad management systems (AMS), according to one embodiment, the JPG AMS and programming AMS are integrated and the advertiser or media buyer purchases or contracts for one or more ad campaigns comprising one or more programming ads or one or more IPG ads.
  • the contract "flight" is a sequence of correlated or linked programming ads and IPG ads.
  • Ford may wish to advertise their Explorer model and may wish to have an IPG ad precede and or follow a programming ad for the model, in which case FORD would contract for such a flight and the integrated programming and IPG ad AMS would generate a schedule and deliver both programming and IPG ads for display in a linked fashion.
  • IPG and programming ads could be done in the absence of targeting. That is, correlated IPG and programming ads can be linked in an ad campaign, as described above, even if neither the IPG ad nor programming ad or both are targeted. For instance, a non-targeted programming ad for a FORD Explorer TM shown on NBC could be followed by a similar FORD ad presented in the JPG. Neither of these ads is targeted (i.e., linked to a subscriber profile or demographic), the method of advertising in this instance being the conventional "linked sponsorship" presentation model.
  • An important innovative feature ofthe present invention is that related programming ads and IPG ads are linked and displayed in a sequence, relative to one another, to enhance the effectiveness of what is being advertised, and as will be evident to those skilled in the art, this can be accomplished in the absence of ad targeting.
  • knowledge of which programming ad was viewed could be extracted (or inferred or statistically predicted) from the channel or program being watched and/or the AMS, and a subsequent IPG ad displayed (e.g., from a local IPG ad queue) which was correlated with the programming ad.
  • IPG ad could be linked to one or categories of programming ads (e.g., cars, appliances, travel, finance, etc.). Knowledge of such categories could be derived from sources, including but not limited to, an AMS or the category of programming (i.e., content) in which the ad is shown.
  • categories of programming ads e.g., cars, appliances, travel, finance, etc.
  • sources including but not limited to, an AMS or the category of programming (i.e., content) in which the ad is shown.
  • ads inserted in recorded programming may also be linked to either the previous display ofthe IPG, the display ofthe last ad in live programming, or both. Additionally, the display of ads in the IPG and live programming may be linked to ads that were just displayed in the viewed recorded p[programming. As one skilled in the art would recognize, for the most efficient linking the ads should be inserted into the recorded programming as it is watched.
  • the subscriber profiles can be used to organize the IPG for the subscriber.
  • the IPG may organize the programming according to the programming interests ofthe subscriber as defined in the subscriber profile.
  • the look ofthe IPG colors, font, or other formatting
  • this system is platform independent. For example, if the system is implemented on analog cable network targeting of ads in the IPG and programming can be done to the node level. If the system was implemented on an SDV network, the targeting of ads could be done to the individual house through the use of multiple presentation streams. That is, in an SDV environment each house only receives the channels that it selects, so the bandwidth restraints of creating to many presentation streams per program stream is not applicable. In a particle manner, the network operator may not want to create that many different presentation streams. However, in an SDV environment it can be considered as each household has its own ad queue at the central office and that ads are inserted into any program stream based on the queue. In an SDV environment it is also possible for the central office to monitor subscriber interaction with the TV and generate the subscriber profiles there.

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Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système de ciblage de publicités sur des abonnés en comparant leur profil avec ceux des publicités pouvant s'effectuer à partir de toute plate-forme de livraison (par exemple, SDV, HFC, DBS). Les pubs peuvent être présentées aux abonnés dans un guide électronique de programmes, ou dans les contenus de la programmation ou dans les deux. Le ciblage des pubs dans les deux supports peut comporter des liens (330); les pubs (320) peuvent apparaître dans le guide avant ou après celles (310) pour donner la maximum d'efficacité aux campagnes. On peut utiliser une file d'attente de pubs pour déterminer l'ordre dans lequel les pubs sont dans le guide, dans les programmes ou dans les deux. Les pubs et la file d'attente peuvent être stockées en amont (par exemple tête de ligne ou central), ou du côté de l'abonné (par exemple décodeur) ou les deux. Les pubs peuvent être substituées au niveau de la tête de ligne ou du central ou du décodeur. Le décodeur peut recevoir les pubs ciblées avec les programmes et/ou avec le guide, sur un canal publicitaire ou sur Internet. Les pubs peuvent être fournies à des abonnés isolés (par exemple décodeur) ou à des groupes d'abonnés (par exemple des noeuds).
PCT/US2001/031682 2000-10-05 2001-10-05 Ciblage de pubs dans les guides de programmes, dans les programmes en direct ou dans les programmes enregistres, et coordination des pubs entre elles WO2002030112A1 (fr)

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AU2002213094A AU2002213094A1 (en) 2000-10-05 2001-10-05 Targeting ads in ipgs, live programming and recorded programming, and coordinating the ads therebetween

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US23805600P 2000-10-05 2000-10-05
US23805900P 2000-10-05 2000-10-05
US60/238,056 2000-10-05
US60/238,059 2000-10-05
US68062200A 2000-10-06 2000-10-06
US09/680,622 2000-10-06
US09/742,507 US20020083451A1 (en) 2000-12-21 2000-12-21 User-friendly electronic program guide based on subscriber characterizations
US09/742,507 2000-12-21
US09/749,255 2000-12-27
US09/749,255 US7653923B2 (en) 2000-02-18 2000-12-27 Scheduling and presenting IPG ads in conjunction with programming ads in a television environment

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US10182258B1 (en) 2001-01-11 2019-01-15 Prime Research Alliance E, Inc. Profiling and identification of television viewers
US10667009B1 (en) 2001-01-11 2020-05-26 Prime Research Alliance E, Llc Profiling and identification of television viewers
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EP1958201A1 (fr) * 2005-11-10 2008-08-20 QDC Technologies Pty Ltd Generation de video personnalisee
EP1958201A4 (fr) * 2005-11-10 2009-12-02 Qdc Technologies Pty Ltd Generation de video personnalisee
US8799071B2 (en) 2005-11-10 2014-08-05 Qdc Ip Technologies Pty Ltd Personalized video generation
GB2472264B (en) * 2009-07-31 2014-12-17 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd Media substitution system

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