Patent ID: 9465311
Filing Date: 2016-10-11
CPC Classification: G03G,G06F

Claim Text:
1. A method, comprising: retrieving, from a database by a first network device, information associated with a plurality of custom widgets customized and created by a plurality of different users, wherein each of the plurality of custom widgets comprises a software application executable by a set-top box (STB) to render graphics or images on a screen, or to perform other functions associated with the STB, and wherein the STB is associated with a customer; presenting, from the first network device, a widget interface to the STB, wherein the widget interface lists the plurality of custom widgets; receiving, from the customer via the STB, selection of a first custom widget from the plurality of custom widgets presented in the widget interface, for launching and execution at the STB; tracking widget usage, of the first custom widget and other custom widgets of the plurality of custom widgets, by the customer to produce first tracked data, wherein tracking the widget usage comprises tracking identifiers of the first custom widget and the other custom widgets of the plurality of custom widgets selected by the customer, tracking dates and times associated with selections of the first custom widget and the other custom widgets of the plurality of custom widgets by the customer, and tracking dates and times associated with execution of the first custom widget and the other custom widgets of the plurality of custom widgets at the STB, and tracking STB activity of the customer to produce second tracked data, wherein tracking the STB activity comprises tracking Video On Demand (VOD) viewing of the customer; tracking at least one of channels, programs or movies watched by the customer; and tracking at least one of programs or movies set for digital video recording by the customer at the STB; obtaining, at the first network device, an advertisement that is targeted to the customer based on an identity of the customer, information associated with the customer, information associated with the selected first custom widget, the first tracked data, and the second tracked data, wherein the advertisement relates to a product or service available for purchase; and delivering, from the first network device, the selected first custom widget and the targeted advertisement to the STB associated with the customer.