Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION 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
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
  • G06Q30/0241—Advertisements
  • G06Q30/0242—Determining effectiveness of advertisements
  • G06Q30/0244—Optimization
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION 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
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
  • G06Q30/0241—Advertisements
  • G06Q30/0277—Online advertisement
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
  • H04L12/02—Details
  • H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
  • H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
  • H04L12/1881—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast with schedule organisation, e.g. priority, sequence management
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
  • H04L65/60—Network streaming of media packets
  • H04L65/61—Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
  • H04L65/611—Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
  • H04L67/01—Protocols
  • H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
  • H04L67/1097—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]

Definitions

• the invention relates to systems and methods of providing a particular number of distributions of media content to users through a plurality of distribution nodes.
• the distribution of media content may occur via numerous channels including, for instance, via various retailers, chains of retailers, websites, or other outlets.
• numerous channels including, for instance, via various retailers, chains of retailers, websites, or other outlets.
• the indication may include a block allocation, which may indicate a limit on the number of times that the given distribution node may distribute the media content.
• the computing device may, at various times (including along with the media content or after the media content is provided), determine and provide the block allocation to the distribution node. This allows the distribution node to distribute media content up to its block allocation without requiring the distribution node to contact the computing device after each individual distribution of the media content.
• the distribution node may also use the block allocation to control the rate at which the distribution node provides the media content.
• the given distribution node may limit its distribution of the media content using its allocated block, whether to users or to other distribution nodes.
• the computing device may impose a limit on the aggregate number of times that all of the distribution nodes may distribute the media content. For example, when a block is allocated to a distribution node, the computing device may decrement an available number of times that the media content may be aggregately distributed (and/or increment a number of times that the media content has been distributed).
• the indication may include a flag that indicates whether the distribution node may distribute the media content without limit during a given time interval.
• the computing device may communicate the flag to the distribution node, which may occur at various times. If the flag indicates that the media content may be distributed, the distribution node will distribute the media content without limit during the given time interval. Otherwise, the distribution node will not distribute the media content at all. In this manner, the computing device may indicate whether a given distribution node may distribute the media content during the given time interval.
• Such indications may include a custom indication for a given distribution node (allowing the system to disallow distribution by a particular distribution node while allowing distribution by another distribution node) or a global indication to all distribution nodes.
• the computer may customize the given time interval for a given distribution node. For example, higher volume distribution nodes may be provided with a smaller time interval over which distribution (unlimited or otherwise) is allowed, while lower volume distribution nodes may be provided with a larger time interval. In this manner, the risk that a high volume distribution node will over-distribute the media content may be reduced.
• the computing device may further reduce the risk of exceeding the aggregate limit during a flag model of operation by generating a confidence index that indicates a probability that the media content can be distributed without exhausting the aggregate limit. For example, a lower confidence index may indicate a greater risk of exceeding the aggregate limit. As such, when the confidence index is low, the computing device may reduce the risk of exceeding the aggregate limit by adjusting the intervals for the distribution nodes, disabling distribution for some or all of the distribution nodes, and/or taking other actions.
• a given distribution node may, at intervals, contact the computing device to provide feedback information to the computing device.
• the computer may, at intervals, contact the given distribution node as well.
• the intervals may be predefined for a given distribution node or may be dynamically determined. For example, one distribution node may be required to periodically contact the computing device after expiration of a predefined time interval, while another distribution node may be required to contact the computing device at a time that the computing device determines.
• Predefined time intervals may be suitable, for example, during a block model of operation while dynamically determined intervals may be suitable during a flag model of operation.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a system of limiting an aggregate number of times that media content is provided across a plurality of distribution nodes, according to an implementation of the invention.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram between various entities in a system of limiting an aggregate number of times that media content is distributed across a plurality of distribution nodes, according to an implementation of the invention.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a process of limiting an aggregate number of times that media content is distributed across a plurality of distribution nodes, according to an implementation of the invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a process of providing media content using a flag model, according to an implementation of the invention.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for limiting an aggregate number of times that media content may be provided across a plurality of distribution nodes, according to an implementation of the invention.
• system 100 may obtain media content and one or more distribution parameters from one or more media providers.
• the one or more distribution parameters may specify an aggregate limit on the number of distributions of the media content.
• System 100 may provide the media content and an allocation of the media content to a distribution node.
• the allocation may specify whether or not the distribution node may distribute the media content (e.g., a binary indication) or a number of times that the distribution node may distribute the media content during a time interval.
• the system may adjust allocations and distributions to ensure adherence to the aggregate limit. For instance, the system may disable distribution by some distribution nodes while allowing distribution by others.
• the system may also or instead reduce allocations or time intervals during which the various distribution nodes may distribute the media content, and/or take other actions to ensure that the aggregate limit is not exceeded.
• Media provider 104 may provide the media content and one or more distribution parameters to computer 110.
• media provider 104 may provide the media content without restriction.
• the system may provide some media content with restrictions (e.g., an aggregate limit) and provide other media content without restrictions.
• Media provider 104 may include, without limitation, a manufacturer of a product, a provider of a service, a marketing corporation, an entertainment entity, and/or other entity that wishes to provide the media content for particular number of times through the plurality of distribution nodes 150. Media provider 104 may wish to provide the media content for the particular number of times to prevent consumer fatigue with respect to the media content and/or limit incentives provided using the media content. Other reasons for a particular number of distributions of the media content will also be apparent.
• Examples of media content may include, without limitation, a printed coupon (e.g., print information used by a printer to print the coupon), an electronic coupon, an advertisement, music, a movie, a game, and/or other content that may be distributed by the distribution nodes 150.
• the media content may be distributed in one or more formats such as paper (e.g., for printed coupons), video, image, text, executable file, interpreted file, machine encoding, and/or other format that can be distributed by the distribution nodes 150.
• the media content may be distributed according to a single format (e.g., all distributed as printed coupons) or a combination of formats (e.g., some distributed as printed coupons and others distributed as electronic coupons).
• a distribution of the media content may include a discrete file transfer (e.g., a download), a printout, a stream (e.g., a video stream), and/or other methods by which the media content may be transferred.
• distribution of the media content may be counted toward the aggregate limit regardless of the particular format in which the media content was distributed.
• the particular format may be weighted relative to other formats (e.g., distribution of a paper coupon may be weighted more heavily than distribution of an electronic coupon, a music video may be weighted more heavily than an audio track, etc.).
• an aggregate limit on a particular coupon may be set at 15,000 distributions.
• a paper coupon may be distributed only a total of 10,000 times via printers whereas an electronic coupon may be distributed a total of 15,000 times via electronic channels. In this sense, the paper format may be weighted more heavily (e.g., 1.5 times) relative to the electronic coupon with respect to counting toward the aggregate limit.
• Combinations of paper and electronic coupons may also be used, taking into account the relative weights of each format.
• media provider 104 may design rich campaigns using various different formats that are intended to limit the number of times that the media content is distributed while employing a plurality of distribution nodes 150.
• computer 110 may receive the media content and distribution parameters from media provider 104 or from other sources.
• Computer 110 may store the media content and the one or more distribution parameters in a media content database, such as one or more databases 160. In this manner, computer 110 may later determine whether a given media content should be distributed with or without restrictions.
• the distribution parameters may include an aggregate limit on the number of times that the media content should be distributed, a particular time period in which the media content should be distributed, a particular duration that the media content should be distributed, a date by which the media content should be distributed, a manner in which the media content should be distributed (which may include a white list and/or a black list of distribution nodes 150), and/or other parameters that specify how the media content should be distributed.
• the aggregate limit on the number of distributions may, in an implementation, include different limits for different types of media content to be distributed. For example, the aggregate limit may include one limit for printed coupons, another limit for electronic coupons, and another limit for video ads related to an item associated with the coupons, and so on.
• Computer 110 may provide the media content to the distribution nodes 150 for distribution to users and maintain control over whether or not the distribution nodes 150 are permitted to distribute the media content. A given distribution node 150 will not distribute the media content when it is not permitted to do so. In some instances, one distribution node 150 may be permitted to make a distribution while another may not. In this manner, computer 110 may act as a controller that controls the number of times that the distribution nodes 150 distribute the media content.
• computer 110 may include a physical processor 120, a media distribution application 130, a storage device 140, and/or other components.
• Media distribution application 130 may include one or more computer program instructions that, when executed, program the physical processor 120 to perform various operations described herein.
• Media distribution application 130 may be stored in storage device 140 and/or other storage that is accessible to the physical processor 120.
• Media distribution application 130 may include configuration instructions 132, controller instructions 134, block model instructions 136, flag model instructions 138, and/or other instructions 139.
• Configuration instructions 132 may program processor 120 to obtain the media content and the one or more distribution parameters from media provider 104.
• configuration instructions 132 may cause (e.g., program processor 120 to cause) the media content and/or the distribution parameters to be stored in a media content database that can be accessed throughout the time that the media content is to be distributed (or thereafter for metrics purposes).
• the media content database may also store a number of times that the media content has actually been distributed, an allocation of the media content to a distribution node 150, an identity of the distribution node 150 that distributed the media content or to which the media content has been provided or allocated, a manner in which the media content was distributed, and/or other information that is generated in association with the distribution of media content.
• distribution node 150 may comprise a printer device at a retail location that prints coupons or other media content, a website that provides the media content, an email server that provides emails, a social media site, a targeted offer system that provides targeted offers, and/or other type of distribution node.
• the various distribution nodes 150 that distribute the media content may be regarded as a multi-channel communication network through which the media content may be distributed.
• An entity that controls these and other types of distribution nodes may wish to register with system 100 in order to distribute media content using its infrastructure. Such entities may wish to do so in exchange for compensation by the system or other consideration.
• the system may benefit by expanding its network of distribution nodes 150 that can distribute the media content.
• Controller instructions 134 may program processor 120 to periodically identify media content to be distributed according to its distribution parameters. For example, controller instructions 134 may determine whether a given media content has already been provided to distribution nodes 150. If not, controller instructions 134 may cause the media content to be provided to appropriate distribution nodes 150, which may be identified (or filtered) using white lists, black lists, geography/location, and/or other criteria specified by the distribution parameters. If no particular distribution nodes 150 are identified, controller instructions 134 may identify a default set of all (or a portion) of the distribution nodes 150.
• an updated version of the media content may be obtained from media provider 104 that should replace existing media content. For example, revised or additional terms that are to be applied to coupons, a new version of a video, and/or other updates to the media content may be obtained.
• controller instructions 134 may provide the new or updated media content to distribution nodes 150 to replace the existing media content.
• the media content database may store a real-time shutoff field that indicates whether or not distribution activity should be discontinued irrespective of the progress of the media campaign (e.g., even though the aggregate limit has not yet been reached).
• the real-time shutoff field may relate to individual media content or to groups of media content, such as those provided by a particular media provider 104. In this manner, distribution of individual media content or groups of media content may be disabled across all appropriate distribution nodes through the real-time shutoff field.
• controller instructions 134 may check the real-time shutoff field to determine whether distribution may continue.
• controller instructions 134 may cause distribution of the media content to be discontinued across all of the appropriate distribution nodes 150.
• system 100 may provide an ability to discontinue distribution of media content during a given media campaign such as when the media content contains controversial, potentially offensive, or other content that should no longer be distributed, and/or for any other reasons.
• controller instructions 134 may provide an indication that a given distribution node 150 may distribute the media content.
• the indication may include a number of times that distribution node 150 may distribute the media content, an indication of whether the distribution node may distribute the media content, and/or other indication. Absent an indication that the distribution node 150 may distribute the media content, the distribution node 150 will not distribute the media content. Controller instructions 134 may provide such an indication to each of distribution nodes 150 that is to distribute the media content.
• a given distribution node 150 may periodically contact computing device 110 to provide feedback information related to distribution of the media content.
• computing device 110 may periodically contact the given distribution node 150. In other words, such contact may be initiated by the given distribution node 150 and/or computing device 110.
• the feedback information may include a request for an indication of whether distribution of the media content may be distributed, an indication of the number of times that the distribution node 150 actually distributed the media content (e.g., since the last time that the distribution node 150 provided such feedback information and/or an aggregate number of times since the media campaign started), and/or other information related to distribution of the media content.
• the periodic contact may be defined by a time interval for which the distribution node 150 should contact computing device 110.
• the time interval may be predefined for the given distribution node 150 or may be dynamically determined. For example, one distribution node may be required to periodically contact computing device 110 after expiration of a predefined time interval while another distribution node may be required to contact the computing device at a time determined by computing device 110.
• controller instructions 134 may use feedback information to adjust distribution of the media content. For example, controller instructions 134 may alter the rate at which the media content is distributed, the number of distribution nodes 150 used to distribute the media content, and/or otherwise adjust the media campaign based on the feedback information.
• controller instructions 134 may provide different types of indications based on the model of operation (e.g., block model or flag model) being used.
• controller instructions 134 may include or otherwise use block model instructions 134 and flag model instructions 136 to provide indications of whether or how many times a given distribution node 150 may distribute the media content.
• Block model instructions 134 may determine an allocation of a block of the media content for distribution node 150 based on a block model of operation.
• the block may, for example, indicate a limit on the number of times that the given distribution node may distribute the media content.
• the allocated block may relate to the foregoing time interval during which the given distribution node 150 may distribute the media content.
• controller instructions 134 may impose a limit on the aggregate number of times that all of the distribution nodes 150 may distribute the media content. For example, when a block is allocated to a distribution node 150, controller instructions 134 may decrement an available number of times that the media content may be aggregately distributed or allocated (and/or increment a number of times that the media content has been distributed or allocated).
• the allocated block may include a default block allocation that is determined based on one or more variables.
• the default block may be determined based on the following equation:
• D n the default block allocation for a given distribution node 150
• n the total number of distribution nodes 150 that computing device 110 uses to distribute the media content
• t n the time interval that the given distribution node 150 contacts computer 110
• T the total duration of time over which the media content should be distributed (which may be determined based on the distribution parameters or otherwise determined by computer 110).
• the ratio On represents the number of times that a given distribution node 150 would be allowed to distribute the media content if such allocations were uniformly distributed to all distribution nodes 150 to which computer 110 provides the media content.
• the ratio t n IT may indicate the number of times that the given distribution node 150 should be allowed to distribute the media content during a given time interval.
• On and t n IT indicates a default block allocation that should be provided to a given distribution node 150 each time that the distribution node 150 contacts computing device 110 to request a new block allocation.
• the default block allocation gives an indication of the number of times that the distribution node 150 may distribute the media content during the time interval, t n .
• the given distribution node 150 may be allowed to distribute the media content even when it is unable to communicate with computing device 110 after a given time interval has expired (e.g., in cases where the distribution node 150 will be offline such as not connected to a network or otherwise not in contact with computing device 110).
• the given distribution node 150 may anticipate being unable to contact computing device 110 to request a new block allocation for a number of time intervals.
• computing device 110 may determine a block allocation by adjusting the default block allocation to account for the number of time intervals so that the given distribution node 150 may continue to distribute the media content while offline.
• the default block allocation may be adjusted based on the equation:
• D N individual number of distributions by a given distribution node 150
• An individual allocation (A n ) for a given distribution node 150 may be determined using the equation:
• R the remaining number of available distributions.
• a custom time interval (t n ) may be determined using the equation:
• a custom time interval (t n ) may be determined for a given distribution node 150 regardless of whether the confidence index meets or exceeds the threshold confidence value. For example, a higher confidence index may be used to increase the custom time interval (t n ) for a given distribution node 150 relative to the default time interval.
• controller instructions 134 may require that a given distribution node 150 check with computer 110 to determine whether the media content may be distributed each time that the given distribution node 150 plans to distribute the media content. In this manner, controller instructions 134 may impose tight control over distribution of the media content, though imposing a greater computational load on the system. Controller instructions 134 may use this type of flag or real-time model of operation when the remaining available number of distributions falls below a threshold limit to ensure that the aggregate limit is not exceeded.
• controller instructions 134 may use one model for one distribution node 150 and another model for another distribution node 150.
• the providing distribution node 150 may use one or more of the various models. In this manner, a distribution node 150 may act as a controller and may therefore be programmed with one or more instructions of media distribution application 130.
• the determination of whether to use a block model, flag model, or other model of allocating the media content may be based on a configuration of distribution nodes 150, the circumstances of the media campaign, and/or other information.
• controller instructions 134 may determine which model to use based on predetermined designations. For instance, a given distribution node 150 may be associated with a particular model (e.g., block model or flag model) by which to provide the media content. In other instances, a given distribution node 150 may be dynamically determined to be associated with a particular model. In some instances, controller instructions 134 may switch from one model of distribution for a given distribution node to another model, depending on particular circumstances (e.g., switch from block to flag when the remaining number of distributions is below a threshold limit).
• a given distribution node 150 may be associated with a particular model (e.g., block model or flag model) by which to provide the media content. In other instances, a given distribution node 150 may be dynamically determined to be associated with a particular model. In some instances, controller instructions 134 may switch from one model of distribution for a given distribution node to another model, depending on particular circumstances (e.g., switch from block to flag when the remaining number of distributions is below a threshold limit).
• circumstances of the media campaign may be used to determine the model of operation. For example, if the aggregate limit is at least an order of magnitude greater than the number of distribution nodes 150 used to distribute the media content, then a block model of allocation may be used. Otherwise, a flag model of allocation may be used. [080] In another example, if a maximum time interval during which the distribution nodes 150 contacts computing device 110 (or another distribution node that provides the media content) is at least an order of magnitude smaller than a total duration of time in which the media content is to be distributed, then a block model of distribution may be used. Otherwise, a flag model of allocation may be used.
• processor(s) 120, 122 may be programmed by one or more additional instructions that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed herein to one of the instructions.
• computer 110 may include a plurality of computer devices, each including one or more processors 120 and each providing at least some of the functionality described herein.
• the various instructions described herein may be stored in a storage device 140, 142, which may comprise random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and/or other memory.
• the storage device may store the computer program instructions (e.g., the aforementioned instructions) to be executed by processor 120, 122 as well as data that may be manipulated by processor 120, 122.
• the storage device 140, 142 may comprise floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, tapes, or other storage media for storing computer-executable instructions and/or data.
• the various system components illustrated in FIG. 1 may be coupled to one or more other system components via a network 102, which may include any one or more of, for instance, the Internet, an intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a SAN (Storage Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a wireless network, a cellular communications network, a Public Switched Telephone Network, and/or other network.
• a network 102 may include any one or more of, for instance, the Internet, an intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a SAN (Storage Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a wireless network, a cellular communications network, a Public Switched Telephone Network, and/or other network.
• a network 102 may include any one or more of, for instance, the Internet
• the various databases 160 described herein may be, include, or interface to, for example, an OracleTM relational database sold commercially by Oracle Corporation.
• Other databases such as InformixTM, DB2 (Database 2) or other data storage, including file-based, or query formats, platforms, or resources such as OLAP (On Line Analytical Processing), SQL (Structured Query Language), a SAN (storage area network), Microsoft AccessTM or others may also be used, incorporated, or accessed.
• the database may comprise one or more such databases that reside in one or more physical devices and in one or more physical locations.
• the database may store a plurality of types of data and/or files and associated data or file descriptions, administrative information, or any other data.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a hierarchical organization 200 of a plurality of distribution nodes that distribute media content, according to an implementation of the invention.
• Computer 110 may provide media content for distribution by distribution nodes 150.
• Computer 110 may provide the media content using a block model, flag model, and/or other method of providing the media content to the distribution nodes.
• a given distribution node 150 may distribute the media content to a user 202 (illustrated in FIG. 2 as users 202A, 202B, 202C, ..., 202N), and/or to another distribution node.
• distribution node 150A may provide the media content to another distribution node 250 (illustrated in Figure 2 as distribution node 250A, 250B, ..., 250N).
• a given distribution node 250 may then distribute the media content to one or more users 202 and/or to yet another distribution node (not illustrated), and so on.
• another distribution node 150N may distribute the media content directly to a user 202N.
• Distribution node 150B may similarly distribute the media content to users 202 and/or other distribution nodes. Accordingly, a given distribution node 150, 250 may act as a controller to distribute the media content to other distribution nodes.
• a given distribution node 150, 250 may provide the media content according to its own block allocation.
• computer 110 may allocate a block to distribution node 150A, which may then allocate sub-blocks (e.g., portions of its allocated block) to other distribution nodes, which may in turn allocate their own sub-blocks to users or other distribution nodes.
• sub-blocks e.g., portions of its allocated block
• distribution node 150, 250 may each track the actual or allocated distributions made by downstream distribution nodes in order to report the information back up to computer 110 so that computer 110 is able to track overall distributions and allocations of the media content.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram 300 between various entities in a system of limiting an aggregate number of times that media content is provided across a plurality of distribution nodes, according to an implementation of the invention.
• the various processing operations and/or data flows depicted in FIG. 3 are described in greater detail herein.
• the described operations may be accomplished using some or all of the system components described in detail above and, in some implementations, various operations may be performed in different sequences and various operations may be omitted. Additional operations may be performed along with some or all of the operations shown in the depicted flow diagrams. One or more operations may be performed simultaneously. Accordingly, the operations as illustrated (and described in greater detail below) are exemplary by nature and, as such, should not be viewed as limiting.
• a determination of whether more distribution nodes are to be used to distribute the media content may be made. The determination may be based on whether there exist additional participating distribution nodes, whether other distribution nodes satisfy the distribution parameters, a location of the distribution nodes (e.g., for when the media content is to be targeted to a particular geographic or online location), and/or other information that can be used to identify appropriate distribution nodes that should distribute the media content.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a process 600 of providing media content using a flag model, according to an implementation of the invention.
• an available resources variable may be set to be equal to an aggregate limit on the number of times that media content may be distributed.
• a time interval for a distribution node to contact a computer may be determined and provided to the distribution node. The time interval may represent a duration of time in which media content may be distributed without limit by the distribution node.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Strategic Management (AREA)
• Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
• Development Economics (AREA)
• Finance (AREA)
• Economics (AREA)
• Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
• Marketing (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
• Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=54017796

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (3)

Family Cites Families (50)

• 2014
  • 2014-03-06 US US14/199,576 patent/US9336537B2/en active Active
• 2015
  • 2015-03-06 CA CA3200637A patent/CA3200637A1/en active Pending
  • 2015-03-06 EP EP15758082.0A patent/EP3114847A4/en not_active Ceased
  • 2015-03-06 WO PCT/US2015/019246 patent/WO2015134903A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2015-03-06 CA CA2941488A patent/CA2941488C/en active Active
  • 2015-03-06 JP JP2016555726A patent/JP6300946B2/ja active Active
• 2016
  • 2016-05-09 US US15/149,916 patent/US10102541B2/en active Active

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events