Patent ID: 7606883
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: G06Q,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of enhancing network utilization for a user coupled to the network via a receiver; wherein said network is operated by a network operator, wherein the network offers both standard video content programming and enhanced video based content programming where such enhanced video programming is user interactive, a plurality of content providers provide the enhanced video based content programming over the network controlled by said network operator; and said network operator controls communications between said plurality of users and content providers as to prevent the transmission of content from a content provider if such a content provider is non-authorized; the method comprising the steps of: monitoring each of a plurality of user transactions between the receiver and the plurality of content providers, wherein said monitoring step is performed by said network operator; extracting transaction information from at least a portion of said plurality of user transactions, wherein said extracting step is performed by said network operator; storing said extracted transaction information in a data base controlled by said network operator; forming a user profile based on a combination of at least a portion of said extracted transaction information; identifying particular enhanced video based content programming based on said user profile; and intercepting the enhanced video based content programming, said intercepting step performed by the network operator and determining whether the enhanced video based content programming includes markers inserted by the content provider; determining if the enhanced video based content programming complies with a set of network operator rules by examining the markers; permitting the enhanced video based content programming to be received by the user receiver if the enhanced video based content programming complies with said set of network operator rules; and preventing the enhanced video based content programming from being received by the user receiver if the enhanced video based content programming does not comply with said set of network operator rules.