Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8863170.html
Timestamp: 2020-03-31 18:58:25
Document Index: 107171591

Matched Legal Cases: ['arty\n5483278', 'arty\n5410367', 'art\n4412244', 'art 1', 'art 2', '§ 1', 'Application No. 989446111', 'Application No. 60']

System and method for metadata-linked advertisements - United Video Properties, Inc.
United States Patent 8863170
Systems and methods for providing metadata-selected advertisements are provided. These systems and methods may receive metadata and other media, select an object, read metadata attached to or associated with the selected object, select an advertisement based on the metadata, and display the selected advertisement. In addition, monitoring, collecting, and recording of predefined data concerning metadata selected advertisements may be provided. The invention also provides a receiver for receiving signals and/or data (e.g., programs, advertisements, program guides, metadata, etc.) and a processor for accepting a user's input signal, selecting an object, reading metadata attached to or associated with a selected object, selecting an advertisement, and displaying the selected advertisement.
Moore, Sean S. (Tulsa, OK, US)
Berezowski, David (Tulsa, OK, US)
Walker, Todd A. (Bixby, OK, US)
12/635459
United Video Properties, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA, US)
725/34, 725/36, 725/39, 725/42, 725/109
H04N7/10; G06F17/30; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02
725/32, 725/36, 725/39, 725/42, 725/109, 725/34
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5801747 Method and apparatus for creating a television viewer profile September, 1998 Bedard
5798785 Terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system August, 1998 Hendricks et al.
5793964 Web browser system August, 1998 Rogers et al.
5793438 Electronic program guide with enhanced presentation August, 1998 Bedard
5793409 Apparatus for grasping TV viewing condition in household August, 1998 Tetsumura
5793364 Method and system for associating playback of multiple audiovisual programs with one graphic interface element August, 1998 Bolanos et al.
5790935 Virtual on-demand digital information delivery system and method August, 1998 Payton
5790835 Practical distributed transmission line analysis August, 1998 Case et al.
5790426 Automated collaborative filtering system August, 1998 Robinson
5790202 Integration of off-air and satellite TV tuners in a direct broadcast system August, 1998 Kummer et al.
5784258 Wiring board for supporting an array of imaging chips July, 1998 Quinn
5781246 Electronic television program guide schedule system and method July, 1998 Alten et al.
5781245 Merging of video mosaic with teletext July, 1998 Van Der Weij et al.
5781226 Network virtual memory for a cable television settop terminal July, 1998 Sheehan
5778182 Usage management system July, 1998 Cathey et al.
5774887 Customer service electronic form generating system June, 1998 Wolff et al.
5774534 Context-based transactions using broadcast advertising June, 1998 Mayer
5774357 Human factored interface incorporating adaptive pattern recognition based controller apparatus June, 1998 Hoffberg et al.
5774170 System and method for delivering targeted advertisements to consumers June, 1998 Hite et al.
5768528 Client-server system for delivery of online information June, 1998 Stumm
5761601 Video distribution of advertisements to businesses June, 1998 Nemirofsky et al.
5761372 Recording reservation central control system for one or more VTR's June, 1998 Yoshinobu et al.
5760821 Electronic program guide schedule localization system and method June, 1998 Ellis et al.
5758259 Automated selective programming guide May, 1998 Lawler
5758257 System and method for scheduling broadcast of and access to video programs and other data using customer profiles May, 1998 Herz et al.
5757417 Method and apparatus for screening audio-visual materials presented to a subscriber May, 1998 Aras et al.
5754939 System for generation of user profiles for a system for customized electronic identification of desirable objects May, 1998 Herz et al.
5754771 Maximum receive capacity specifying query processing client/server system replying up to the capacity and sending the remainder upon subsequent request May, 1998 Epperson et al.
5754258 Program switching device and method May, 1998 Hanaya et al.
5752160 Interactive entertainment network system and method with analog video startup loop for video-on-demand May, 1998 Dunn
5752159 Method for automatically collecting and delivering application event data in an interactive network May, 1998 Faust et al.
5751282 System and method for calling video on demand using an electronic programming guide May, 1998 Girard et al.
5749043 System and method for estimating characteristics of broadcast radio audiences May, 1998 Worthy
5740549 Information and advertising distribution system and method 1998-04-14 Reilly et al. 705/14.42
5737030 Electronic program guide device April, 1998 Hong et al.
5737028 Previous channel listing with cursor controlled user interface for television video displays April, 1998 Bertram et al.
5734893 Progressive content-based retrieval of image and video with adaptive and iterative refinement March, 1998 Li et al.
5734853 Set top terminal for cable television delivery systems March, 1998 Hendricks et al.
5734720 System and method for providing digital communications between a head end and a set top terminal March, 1998 Salganicoff
5734444 Broadcast receiving apparatus that automatically records frequency watched programs March, 1998 Yoshinobu
5731844 Television scheduling system for displaying a grid representing scheduled layout and selecting a programming parameter for display or recording March, 1998 Rauch et al.
5727163 Secure method for communicating credit card data when placing an order on a non-secure network March, 1998 Bezos
5727060 Television schedule system March, 1998 Young
5724525 System and method for remotely selecting subscribers and controlling messages to subscribers in a cable television system March, 1998 Beyers, II et al.
5724521 Method and apparatus for providing electronic advertisements to end users in a consumer best-fit pricing manner March, 1998 Dedrick
5721829 System for automatic pause/resume of content delivered on a channel in response to switching to and from that channel and resuming so that a portion of the content is repeated February, 1998 Dunn et al.
5717452 Interactive control system for multiservice installations including a television program distribution server and a PABX February, 1998 Janin et al.
5715399 Secure method and system for communicating a list of credit card numbers over a non-secure network February, 1998 Bezos
5715314 Network sales system February, 1998 Payne et al.
5710815 Encoder apparatus and decoder apparatus for a television signal having embedded viewer access control data January, 1998 Ming et al.
5710601 Video clip program guide January, 1998 Marshall et al.
5708478 Computer system for enabling radio listeners/television watchers to obtain advertising information January, 1998 Tognazzini
5699125 Electronic television program guide for a television system having two tuners December, 1997 Rzeszewski et al.
5699107 Program reminder system December, 1997 Lawler et al.
5696905 System and method for providing merchant information and establishing links to merchants while presenting a movie December, 1997 Reimer et al.
5694381 Information data reproducing system, reproducing apparatus, reproducing method, data forming apparatus, and data record medium December, 1997 Sako
5694176 Method and apparatus for generating television program guides with category selection overlay December, 1997 Bruette et al.
5694163 Method and apparatus for viewing of on-line information service chat data incorporated in a broadcast television program December, 1997 Harrison
5692214 System for unattended recording of video programs by remote control code transmitter module which receives user selections from a personal computer November, 1997 Levine
5689666 Method for handling obscured items on computer displays November, 1997 Berquist et al.
5689648 Method and apparatus for publication of information November, 1997 Diaz et al.
5687331 Method and system for displaying an animated focus item November, 1997 Volk et al.
5686954 Program information broadcasting method program information display method, and receiving device November, 1997 Yoshinobu et al.
5682206 Consumer interface for programming device October, 1997 Wehmeyer et al.
5682195 Digital cable headend for cable television delivery system October, 1997 Hendricks et al.
5677708 System for displaying a list on a display screen October, 1997 Matthews, III et al.
5675752 Interactive applications generator for an interactive presentation environment October, 1997 Scott et al.
5675390 Home entertainment system combining complex processor capability with a high quality display October, 1997 Schindler et al.
5671411 Method of searching an audio/visual programming database using selected criterion having implicit logical operation September, 1997 Watts et al.
5671276 Method and apparatus for impulse purchasing of packaged information services September, 1997 Eyer et al.
5666645 Data management and distribution system and method for an electronic television program guide September, 1997 Thomas et al.
5666498 Method, memory and apparatus for automatically resizing a window September, 1997 Amro
5666293 Downloading operating system software through a broadcast channel September, 1997 Metz et al.
5664111 Computerized, multimedia, network, real time, interactive marketing and transactional system September, 1997 Nahan et al.
5663757 Software controlled multi-mode interactive TV systems September, 1997 Morales
5661517 Interactive intelligent video information system August, 1997 Budow et al.
5661516 System and method for selectively distributing commercial messages over a communications network August, 1997 Carles
5659366 Notification system for television receivers August, 1997 Kerman
5659350 Operations center for a television program packaging and delivery system August, 1997 Hendricks et al.
5657091 Video display controller, user interface and programming structure for such interface August, 1997 Bertram
5657072 Interactive entertainment network system and method for providing program listings during non-peak times August, 1997 Aristides et al.
5654886 Multimedia outdoor information system August, 1997 Zereski, Jr. et al.
5654748 Interactive program identification system August, 1997 Matthews, III
5652615 Precision broadcast of composite programs including secondary program content such as advertisements July, 1997 Bryant et al.
5652613 Intelligent electronic program guide memory management system and method July, 1997 Lazarus et al.
5650831 Adjustable power remote control drive July, 1997 Farwell
5650826 Method for decoding image/sound data contained inteletext data of a digital television signal July, 1997 Eitz
5648824 Video control user interface for controlling display of a video July, 1997 Dunn et al.
5648813 Graphical-interactive-screen display apparatus and peripheral units July, 1997 Tanigawa et al.
5642153 Consumer interface for a digital television system June, 1997 Chaney et al.
5640577 Data processing system with automated at least partial forms completion June, 1997 Scharmer
5640501 Development system and methods for visually creating goal oriented electronic form applications having decision trees June, 1997 Turpin
5636346 Method and system for selectively targeting advertisements and programming June, 1997 Saxe
5635989 Method and apparatus for sorting and searching a television program guide June, 1997 Rothmuller
5635979 Dynamically programmable digital entertainment terminal using downloaded software to control broadband data operations June, 1997 Kostreski et al.
5635978 Electronic television program guide channel system and method June, 1997 Alten et al.
5633683 Arrangement and method for transmitting and receiving mosaic video signals including sub-pictures for easy selection of a program to be viewed May, 1997 Rosengren et al.
5631995 Video recorder having circuitry for causing the tuner therein to tune to the same received signal as the tuner in a television receiver connected to the video recorder May, 1997 Weissensteiner et al.
5630119 System and method for displaying program listings in an interactive electronic program guide May, 1997 Aristides et al.
5629733 Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with display and search of program listings by title May, 1997 Youman et al.
5627940 Method and apparatus for interactive document preparation using a natural language May, 1997 Rohra et al.
5625406 Unified program guide interface April, 1997 Newberry et al.
5623613 System for displaying programming information April, 1997 Rowe et al.
5621456 Methods and apparatus for audio-visual interface for the display of multiple program categories April, 1997 Florin et al.
5619274 Television schedule information transmission and utilization system and process April, 1997 Roop et al.
5619249 Telecasting service for providing video programs on demand with an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs April, 1997 Billock et al.
5619247 Stored program pay-per-play April, 1997 Russo
5617565 Broadcast interactive multimedia system April, 1997 Augenbraun et al.
5610664 Teletext receiver March, 1997 Bobert
5610653 Method and system for automatically tracking a zoomed video image March, 1997 Abecassis
5608448 Hybrid architecture for video on demand server March, 1997 Smoral et al.
5606374 Video receiver display of menu overlaying video February, 1997 Bertram
5602598 Television receiver with caption display February, 1997 Shintani
5602597 Video receiver display of video overlaying menu February, 1997 Bertram
5602596 Method for navigating a complex multimedia structure at an interactive user station February, 1997 Claussen et al.
5602582 Method and system for processing a request based on indexed digital video data February, 1997 Wanderscheid et al.
5600573 Operations center with video storage for a television program packaging and delivery system February, 1997 Hendricks et al.
5600366 Methods and apparatus for digital advertisement insertion in video programming February, 1997 Schulman
5600365 Multiple audio and video signal providing apparatus February, 1997 Kondo et al.
5600364 Network controller for cable television delivery systems February, 1997 Hendricks et al.
5596373 Method and apparatus for providing program oriented information in a multiple station broadcast system January, 1997 White et al.
5594509 Method and apparatus for audio-visual interface for the display of multiple levels of information on a display January, 1997 Florin et al.
5592551 Method and apparatus for providing interactive electronic programming guide January, 1997 Lett et al.
5589892 Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access December, 1996 Knee et al.
5585866 Electronic television program guide schedule system and method including virtual channels December, 1996 Miller et al.
5585865 Television broadcast receiver which selects programs by genre and past viewing habits December, 1996 Amano et al.
5585858 Simulcast of interactive signals with a conventional video signal December, 1996 Harper et al.
5585838 Program time guide December, 1996 Lawler et al.
5584025 Apparatus and method for interactive communication for tracking and viewing data December, 1996 Keithley et al.
5583563 Method and system for delivering an application in an interactive television network December, 1996 Wanderscheid et al.
5583560 Method and apparatus for audio-visual interface for the selective display of listing information on a display December, 1996 Florin et al.
5582364 Flyable folding fin December, 1996 Trulin et al.
5581479 Information service control point, which uses different types of storage devices, which retrieves information as blocks of data, and which uses a trunk processor for transmitting information December, 1996 McLaughlin et al.
5579055 Electronic program guide and text channel data controller November, 1996 Hamilton et al.
5574962 Method and apparatus for automatically identifying a program including a sound signal November, 1996 Fardeau et al.
5572442 System for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming November, 1996 Schulhof et al.
5570295 System and method of capturing encoded data transmitted over a communications network in a video system October, 1996 Isenberg et al.
5561471 Apparatus and method for controlling the display of a caption on a screen and for maximizing the area devoted to presentation of the received video signal October, 1996 Kim
5559942 Method and apparatus for providing a note for an application program September, 1996 Gough et al.
5559550 Apparatus and methods for synchronizing a clock to a network clock September, 1996 Mankovitz
5559549 Television program delivery system September, 1996 Hendricks et al.
5559548 System and method for generating an information display schedule for an electronic program guide September, 1996 Davis et al.
5557721 Method and apparatus for display screens and coupons September, 1996 Fite et al.
5557338 Television receiver using received channel guide information and a secondary video signal processor for displaying secondary channel information September, 1996 Maze et al.
5550576 Method and apparatus for merging television program schedule information received from multiple television schedule information sources August, 1996 Klosterman
5541738 Electronic program guide July, 1996 Mankovitz
5541662 Content programmer control of video and data display using associated data July, 1996 Adams et al.
5539822 System and method for subscriber interactivity in a television system July, 1996 Lett
5539479 Video receiver display of cursor and menu overlaying video July, 1996 Bertram
5537141 Distance learning system providing individual television participation, audio responses and memory for every student July, 1996 Harper et al.
5534911 Virtual personal channel in a television system July, 1996 Levitan
5532754 Background television schedule system July, 1996 Young et al.
5532735 Method of advertisement selection for interactive service July, 1996 Blahut et al.
5528304 Picture-in-picture feedback for channel related features June, 1996 Cherrick et al.
5527257 Rotor having endless straps for mounting swinging buckets June, 1996 Piramoon
5526034 Interactive home information system with signal assignment June, 1996 Hoarty et al.
5525795 Voltage protection for add in cards with sideswipe contacts June, 1996 MacGregor et al.
5524195 Graphical user interface for interactive television with an animated agent June, 1996 Clanton, III et al.
5523796 Video clip program guide June, 1996 Marshall et al.
5523794 Method and apparatus for portable storage and use of data transmitted by television signal June, 1996 Mankovitz et al.
5515098 System and method for selectively distributing commercial messages over a communications network May, 1996 Carles
5502504 Video mix program guide March, 1996 Marshall et al.
5495295 Use of transmitter assigned phantom channel numbers for data services February, 1996 Long
5488409 Apparatus and method for tracking the playing of VCR programs January, 1996 Yuen et al.
5485221 Subscription television system and terminal for enabling simultaneous display of multiple services January, 1996 Banker et al.
5485219 Electric service to record transmissions without recording commercials January, 1996 Woo
5485197 Carousel display January, 1996 Hoarty
5483278 System and method for finding a movie of interest in a large movie database January, 1996 Strubbe et al.
5481296 Apparatus and method for selectively viewing video information January, 1996 Cragun et al.
5479497 Automatic call distributor with programmable window display system and method December, 1995 Kovarik
5479268 User interface for television schedule system December, 1995 Young et al.
5479266 User interface for television schedule system December, 1995 Young et al.
5477262 Method and apparatus for providing an on-screen user interface for a subscription television terminal December, 1995 Banker et al.
5469206 System and method for automatically correlating user preferences with electronic shopping information November, 1995 Strubbe et al.
5465385 CATV system with an easy program reservation November, 1995 Ohga et al.
5465113 Programmable channel regulating cable television controller November, 1995 Gilboy
5461415 Look-ahead scheduling to support video-on-demand applications October, 1995 Wolf et al.
5459522 Method for acquisition and display of an on-screen program guide October, 1995 Pint
5453796 Signal swap apparatus for a television receiver having an HDTV main picture signal processor and an NTSC Pix-in-Pix signal processor September, 1995 Duffield et al.
5452012 Image display apparatus September, 1995 Saitoh
5446919 Communication system and method with demographically or psychographically defined audiences August, 1995 Wilkins
5444499 Audio video apparatus with intelligence for learning a history of user control August, 1995 Saitoh
5440678 Method of and apparatus for creating a multi-media footnote August, 1995 Eisen et al.
5438372 Picture-in-picture television receiver with menu displayed in second sub-screen August, 1995 Tsumori et al.
5436676 Remote control unit code translation July, 1995 Pint et al.
5434626 Display apparatus displaying operation menu July, 1995 Hayashi et al.
5434625 Formatting television pictures for side by side display July, 1995 Willis
5432561 System for automatically activating picture-in-picture when an auxiliary signal is detected July, 1995 Strubbe
5425101 System and method for simultaneously authorizing multiple virtual channels June, 1995 Woo et al.
5424770 Method and apparatus for automatic insertion of a television signal from a remote source June, 1995 Schmelzer et al.
5416508 CATV system with transmission of program schedules, linked program broadcasts, and permissive ordering periods May, 1995 Sakuma et al.
5412720 Interactive home information system May, 1995 Hoarty
5410367 Television program scheduler for providing an indication to a user that a television program is about to start April, 1995 Zahavi et al.
5410344 Apparatus and method of selecting video programs based on viewers' preferences April, 1995 Graves et al.
5410343 Video-on-demand services using public switched telephone network April, 1995 Coddington et al.
5410326 Programmable remote control device for interacting with a plurality of remotely controlled devices April, 1995 Goldstein
5404393 Method and apparatus for interactive television through use of menu windows April, 1995 Remillard
5398074 Programmable picture-outside-picture display March, 1995 Duffield et al.
5390027 Television program recording and reproducing system using program data of text broadcast signal February, 1995 Henmi et al.
5389964 Broadcast channel substitution method and apparatus February, 1995 Oberle et al.
5387945 Video multiplexing system for superimposition of scalable video streams upon a background video data stream February, 1995 Takeuchi
5384910 Method and apparatus for facilitating operator reconfiguration of a graphical user interface in a data processing system January, 1995 Torres
5382983 Apparatus and method for total parental control of television use January, 1995 Kwoh et al.
5377319 Help guidance method utilizing an animated picture December, 1994 Kitahara et al.
5377317 Method and apparatus for distinctively displaying windows on a computer display screen December, 1994 Bates et al.
5374951 Method and system for monitoring television viewing December, 1994 Welsh
5373288 Initializing terminals in a signal distribution system December, 1994 Blahut
5367330 Pay-per-view television delivery system November, 1994 Haave et al.
5367316 Remote-control apparatus for electronics apparatus November, 1994 Ikezaki
5365282 Television system module with remote control code determination November, 1994 Levine
5359601 Apparatus providing dynamic virtual service selection in a multi-service communications system October, 1994 Wasilewski et al.
5359367 Personal computer with broadcast receiver on expansion board controlled by computer microprocessor October, 1994 Stockill
5357276 Method of providing video on demand with VCR like functions October, 1994 Banker et al.
5353121 Television schedule system October, 1994 Young et al.
5351075 Home video club television broadcasting system September, 1994 Herz et al.
5347632 Reception system for an interactive computer network and method of operation September, 1994 Filepp et al.
5347167 Power controller using keyboard and computer interface September, 1994 Singh
5343239 Transaction based interactive television system August, 1994 Lappington et al.
5335277 Signal processing appparatus and methods August, 1994 Harvey et al.
5325423 Interactive multimedia communication system June, 1994 Lewis
5325183 OSD circuit for displaying advertising picture data June, 1994 Rhee
5323240 Television receiver that automatically keeps track of favorite channels to facilitate tuning June, 1994 Amano et al.
5323234 Programmable CATV system and terminal unit therefor June, 1994 Kawasaki
5319445 Hidden change distribution grating and use in 3D moire measurement sensors and CMM applications June, 1994 Fitts
5317403 Favorite channel selection using extended keypress May, 1994 Keenan
5315392 Apparatus for display and selection of available television channels May, 1994 Ishikawa et al.
5313282 Device for controlling power supplied to a satellite broadcast receiver in a television May, 1994 Hayashi
5311423 Schedule management method May, 1994 Clark
5307173 Apparatus and method using compressed codes for television program record scheduling April, 1994 Yuen et al.
5301028 Method and apparatus for displaying channel identification information April, 1994 Banker et al.
5299006 Caption VCR and method of displaying a caption signal in the caption VCR March, 1994 Kim et al.
5285265 Display apparatus informing of programmed recording February, 1994 Choi et al.
5283819 Computing and multimedia entertainment system February, 1994 Glick et al.
5283639 Multiple media delivery network method and apparatus February, 1994 Esch et al.
5283561 Color television window for a video display unit February, 1994 Lumelsky et al.
5260999 Filters in license management system November, 1993 Wyman
5260788 Text broadcast receiver November, 1993 Takano et al.
5260778 Apparatus for selective distribution of messages over a communications network November, 1993 Kauffman et al.
5253067 Channel labeling apparatus for a television receiver wherein graphics and text labels may be selected from a preprogrammed list October, 1993 Chaney et al.
5253066 TV recording and viewing control system October, 1993 Vogel
5247580 Voice-operated remote control system September, 1993 Kimura et al.
5247364 Method and apparatus for tuning data channels in a subscription television system having in-band data transmissions September, 1993 Banker et al.
5247347 PSTN architecture for video-on-demand services September, 1993 Litteral et al.
5245420 CATV pay per view interdiction system September, 1993 Harney et al.
5239540 Method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving and communicating digital data signals with corresponding program data signals which describe the digital data signals August, 1993 Rovira et al.
5237418 Audio output circuit in electronic apparatus with composite display function August, 1993 Kaneko
5237417 Apparatus for displaying television receiver operational parameters in a separate area of the screen August, 1993 Hayashi et al.
5237411 System and method for processing teletext information included with video signal utilizing buffered individual teletext information pages August, 1993 Fink et al.
5236199 Interactive media system and telecomputing method using telephone keypad signalling August, 1993 Thompson, Jr.
5235415 Device for the intelligible consultation of data relating to the fees programs of a subscription television and/or radio service August, 1993 Bonicel et al.
5233654 Signal processing apparatus and methods August, 1993 Harvey et al.
5233423 Embedded commericals within a television receiver using an integrated electronic billboard August, 1993 Jernigan et al.
RE34340 Closed circuit television system having seamless interactive television programming and expandable user participation August, 1993 Freeman
5231493 Video receiver with permanent electronic program journal July, 1993 Apitz
5227874 Method for measuring the effectiveness of stimuli on decisions of shoppers July, 1993 Von Kohorn
5223924 System and method for automatically correlating user preferences with a T.V. program information database June, 1993 Strubbe
5220420 Interactive home information system for distributing compressed television programming June, 1993 Hoarty et al.
5216515 Addressable video feed system June, 1993 Steele et al.
5214622 Information display apparatus May, 1993 Nemoto et al.
5212553 Television receiver with selective menu display May, 1993 Maruoka
5210611 Automatic tuning radio/TV using filtered seek May, 1993 Yee et al.
5206722 Remote channel switching for video on demand service April, 1993 Kwan
5204897 Management interface for license management system April, 1993 Wyman
5200823 Virtual channels for a multiplexed analog component (MAC) television system April, 1993 Yoneda et al.
5195092 Interactive multimedia presentation & communication system March, 1993 Wilson et al.
5179654 Help provision in a data processing system January, 1993 Richards et al.
5177604 Interactive television and data transmission system January, 1993 Martinez
5172111 Stored media screening device December, 1992 Olivo, Jr.
5170388 Image/audio information recording/reproduction apparatus with built-in semiconductor memory December, 1992 Endoh
5162905 Automatic commercial message recognition and monitoring device November, 1992 Itoh et al.
5161023 Previous channel feature in a television receiver having multiple RF inputs November, 1992 Keenan
5161019 "Channel guide" automatically activated by the absence of program information November, 1992 Emanuel
5157768 Method and apparatus for displaying context sensitive help information on a display October, 1992 Hoeber et al.
5155806 Method and apparatus for displaying context sensitive help information on a display October, 1992 Hoeber et al.
5155591 Method and apparatus for providing demographically targeted television commercials October, 1992 Wachob
5151789 System and method for automatic, unattended recording of cable television programs September, 1992 Young
5151782 Control system for satellite delivered pay-per-view television system September, 1992 Ferraro
5148275 Second video program September, 1992 Blatter et al.
5148154 Multi-dimensional user interface September, 1992 MacKay et al.
5146335 Simultaneous, multi-aspect ratio television display September, 1992 Kim et al.
5128766 Multiple television receiver with teletext function July, 1992 Choi
5126851 Video system using two different kinds of recording media June, 1992 Yoshimura et al.
5123046 VCR with cable tuner control June, 1992 Levine
5121476 TV data capture device June, 1992 Yee
5119188 Digital audio-video presentation display system June, 1992 McCalley et al.
5109279 Television receiver with teletext receiving function and a method for superimposing a teletext picture on a television picture April, 1992 Ando
5105184 Methods for displaying and integrating commercial advertisements with computer software April, 1992 Pirani et al.
5103314 Color-coded system for selection of RF input terminals and associated scan lists April, 1992 Keenan
5099319 Video information delivery method and apparatus March, 1992 Esch et al.
5093921 Initialization technique and apparatus for set top converters March, 1992 Bevins, Jr.
5091785 Picture-in-picture circuitry using field rate synchronization February, 1992 Canfield et al.
5083800 Game of skill or chance playable by several participants remote from each other in conjunction with a common event January, 1992 Lockton
5083205 Television receiver with memory recall of television broadcast channel and system January, 1992 Arai
5075771 Method of and apparatus for optimal scheduling of television programming to maximize customer satisfaction December, 1991 Hashimoto
5072412 User interface with multiple workspaces for sharing display system objects December, 1991 Henderson, Jr. et al.
5068734 Apparatus for controlling a television receiver November, 1991 Beery
5062060 Computer human interface comprising user-adjustable window for displaying or printing information October, 1991 Kolnick
5058160 In-band controller October, 1991 Banker et al.
5047867 Interface for a TV-VCR system September, 1991 Strubbe et al.
5045947 Television receiver having memory control for tune-by-label feature September, 1991 Beery
5040067 Method and device for processing multiple video signals August, 1991 Yamazaki
5038211 Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving television program information August, 1991 Hallenbeck
5036314 Method and system for the integrated supply of telematic services and graphic information to user terminals, particularly for advertising purposes July, 1991 Barillari et al.
5031045 CATV terminal device having a program booking timer function July, 1991 Kawasaki
5027400 Multimedia bidirectional broadcast system June, 1991 Baji et al.
5023721 TV of internal PiP type for receiving the character multibroadcasting June, 1991 Moon-Hwan
5014125 Television system for the interactive distribution of selectable video presentations May, 1991 Pocock et al.
5008853 Representation of collaborative multi-user activities relative to shared structured data objects in a networked workstation environment April, 1991 Bly et al.
5003384 Set-top interface transactions in an impulse pay per view television system March, 1991 Durden et al.
4998171 Automatic shift circuit for a sub-picture screen for picture-in-picture feature March, 1991 Kim et al.
4996642 System and method for recommending items February, 1991 Hey
4995078 Television broadcast system for selective transmission of viewer-chosen programs at viewer-requested times February, 1991 Monslow et al.
4992940 System and method for automated selection of equipment for purchase through input of user desired specifications February, 1991 Dworkin
4992782 Character and graphics data display apparatus having data compression capability February, 1991 Sakamoto et al.
4991012 Television receiver displaying multiplex video information on a vertically oblong display screen and an information displaying method thereof February, 1991 Yoshino
4991011 Interactive television terminal with programmable background audio or video February, 1991 Johnson et al.
4987486 Automatic interactive television terminal configuration January, 1991 Johnson et al.
4977455 System and process for VCR scheduling December, 1990 Young
4963994 VCR programmer October, 1990 Levine
4959720 Tuner control apparatus having tune-by-label capability September, 1990 Duffield et al.
4954882 Color television set having a teletext receiver built-in September, 1990 Kamemoto
4939507 Virtual and emulated objects for use in the user interface of a display screen of a display processor July, 1990 Beard et al.
4937863 Software licensing management system June, 1990 Robert et al.
4937821 Pipeline information delivery system June, 1990 Boulton
4935865 Computer controlled electropolishing system June, 1990 Rowe et al.
4931783 Method and apparatus for removable menu window June, 1990 Atkinson
4930160 Automatic censorship of video programs May, 1990 Vogel
4930158 Selective video playing system May, 1990 Vogel
4918531 Commercial message timer April, 1990 Johnson
4914732 Electronic key with interactive graphic user interface April, 1990 Henderson et al.
4914517 Tuner control apparatus having tune-by-label capability and using alphabetical label storage April, 1990 Duffield
4908859 Receiver access interface to service components in television channel March, 1990 Bennett et al.
4908713 VCR Programmer March, 1990 Levine
4908707 Video cassette recorder programming via teletext transmissions March, 1990 Kinghorn
4905094 System for audio/video presentation February, 1990 Pocock et al.
4899136 Data processor having a user interface display with metaphoric objects February, 1990 Beard et al.
4894789 TV data capture device January, 1990 Yee
4890321 Communications format for a subscription television system permitting transmission of individual text messages to subscribers December, 1989 Seth-Smith et al.
4890320 Television broadcast system for selective transmission of viewer-chosen programs at viewer-requested times December, 1989 Monslow et al.
4890168 Program scan apparatus for VTR utilizing picture-in-picture display December, 1989 Inoue et al.
4888796 Program material screening device December, 1989 Olivo, Jr.
4884223 Dynamic force measurement system November, 1989 Ingle et al.
4882732 Method and apparatus for recording and/or reproducing digital data November, 1989 Kaminaga
4873623 Process control interface with simultaneously displayed three level dynamic menu October, 1989 Lane et al.
4873584 Computer control for VCR including display of record playback listing and playback order selection October, 1989 Hashimoto
4864429 System for providing transmitter-controlled actuation of equipment at the receiving end of a communications system September, 1989 Eigeldinger et al.
4862268 Addressable cable television control system with video format data transmission August, 1989 Campbell et al.
4857999 Video monitoring system August, 1989 Welsh
4855813 Television image processing system having capture, merge and display capability August, 1989 Russell et al.
4847700 Interactive television system for providing full motion synched compatible audio/visual displays from transmitted television signals July, 1989 Freeman
4847604 Method and apparatus for identifying features of an image on a video display July, 1989 Doyle
4829558 System and device for data transmission, and related method May, 1989 Welsh
4821211 Method of navigating among program menus using a graphical menu tree April, 1989 Torres
4821102 Video display system with selective display of operating conditions April, 1989 Ichikawa et al.
4814883 Multiple input/output video switch for commerical insertion system March, 1989 Perine et al.
4812834 Graphics display system with arbitrary overlapping viewports March, 1989 Wells
4787063 Acquisition and transmission system for a recorder and a computer center November, 1988 Muguet
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WO/1998/039893 September, 1998 ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE WITH MOVIE PREVIEW
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WO/1999/030491 June, 1999 PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH BROWSING DISPLAY
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WO/1999/039280 August, 1999 WWW ADDRESSING
WO/1999/045700 September, 1999 PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH MONITORING OF ADVERTISEMENT USAGE AND USER ACTIVITIES
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WO/1999/045702 September, 1999 PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH TARGETED ADVERTISING
WO-9952285 October, 1999
WO/1999/056466 November, 1999 PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH ADVERTISEMENTS
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WO/1999/060783 November, 1999 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADVERTISING TELEVISION NETWORKS, CHANNELS, AND PROGRAMS
WO/1999/060789 November, 1999 INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING USER VALUES FOR DEMOGRAPHIC CATEGORIES
WO/2000/002380 January, 2000 INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH LOCAL ADVERTISEMENTS
WO-0004706 January, 2000
WO-0004708 January, 2000
WO-0005889 February, 2000
WO-0011865 March, 2000
WO-0013415 March, 2000
WO-0016548 March, 2000
WO-0027122 May, 2000
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WO-0033573 June, 2000
WO-0033160 June, 2000
WO-0033224 June, 2000
WO-0049801 August, 2000
WO/2000/079798 December, 2000 SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PERSONALIZED PROGRAM GUIDE DATA AND TARGETED ADVERTISING TO A USER OF MULTIPLE PROGRAM GUIDES
WO-0101677 January, 2001
WO-0106784 January, 2001
WO-0115438 March, 2001
WO/2001/019086 March, 2001 INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH ADVERTISING ATTRACT MODE
WO-0135662 May, 2001
WO/2001/046869 June, 2001 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COORDINATING INTERACTIVE AND PASSIVE ADVERTISEMENT AND MERCHANDISING OPPORTUNITIES
WO/2001/050743 July, 2001 INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE WITH GRAPHIC PROGRAM LISTINGS
WO/2001/058158 August, 2001 METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FORCED ADVERTISING
WO/2001/075649 October, 2001 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR METADATA-LINKED ADVERTISEMENTS
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/823,588, filed Mar. 30, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/193,948, filed Mar. 31, 2000, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
1. A method comprising: receiving, at user equipment, a video program, a selectable object embedded in the video program by a server from which the video program is received, and metadata associated with the selectable object; receiving, at the user equipment, a plurality of advertisements and metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements, wherein the metadata associated with each advertisement describes content of the respective advertisement; causing the video program to be displayed on a viewing device, at the user equipment, wherein the object is displayed within a scene of the video program; receiving a user selection of the object displayed within the scene of the video program on the viewing device; comparing, at the user equipment, the metadata associated with the object selected by the user with the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements; selecting, at the user equipment, without further user selection, one of the plurality of advertisements based on the metadata comparison; if the selected advertisement is not stored on the user equipment, downloading the selected advertisement from a remote location; and causing the selected advertisement to be displayed on the viewing device in response to the selection of one of the plurality of advertisements.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising periodically receiving the plurality of advertisements from the remote location.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising polling the remote location for the plurality of advertisements.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the plurality of advertisements at the user equipment.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising ordering one or more items presented in the selected advertisement.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloading is based on the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements includes source address information.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the downloading is based on the source address information.
9. A method comprising: receiving, at user equipment, a video program and metadata associated with the video program; receiving, at the user equipment, a plurality of advertisements and metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements, wherein the metadata associated with each advertisement describes content of the respective advertisement; comparing, at the user equipment, the metadata associated with the video program with the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements; selecting, at the user equipment, without user input, one of the plurality of advertisements based on the metadata comparison; if the selected advertisement is not stored on the user equipment, downloading the selected advertisement from a remote location; and causing the selected advertisement to be displayed on a viewing device, at the user equipment in response to the selection of one of the plurality of advertisements.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements includes source address information.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the downloading is based on the source address information.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the downloading is based on the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements.
13. The method of claim 9 further comprising periodically receiving the plurality of advertisements from the remote location.
14. The method of claim 9 further comprising polling the remote location for the plurality of advertisements.
15. The method of claim 9 further comprising storing the plurality of advertisements at the user equipment.
16. The method of claim 9 further comprising ordering one or more items presented in the selected advertisement.
17. A system comprising user equipment comprising: a receiver that: receives, at the user equipment, a video program, a selectable object embedded in the video program by a server from which the video program is received, and metadata associated with the selectable object; and receives, at the user equipment, a plurality of advertisements and metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements, wherein the metadata associated with each advertisement describes content of the respective advertisement; and a processor operative to: cause the video program to be displayed on a viewing device, at the user equipment, wherein the object is displayed within a scene of the video program; receive a user selection of the object displayed within the scene of the video program on the viewing device; compare, at the user equipment, the metadata associated with the object selected by the user with the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements; select, without further user selection, at the user equipment, one of the plurality of advertisements based on the metadata comparison; if the selected advertisement is not stored on the user equipment, download the selected advertisement from a remote location; and cause the selected advertisement to be displayed on the viewing device in response to the selection of one of the plurality of advertisements.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein the receiver periodically receives the plurality of advertisements from the remote location.
19. The system of claim 17 wherein the processor is configured to poll the remote location for the plurality of advertisements.
20. The system of claim 17 further comprising a storage unit for storing the plurality of advertisements at the user equipment.
21. The system of claim 17 wherein the processor is operative to allow the user to order one or more items presented in the selected advertisement.
22. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further operative to download the selected advertisement based on the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements.
23. The system of claim 17, wherein the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements includes source address information.
24. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is further operative to download based on the source address information.
25. A system comprising user equipment comprising: a receiver that: receives, at user equipment, a video program and metadata associated with the video program; and receives, at the user equipment, a plurality of advertisements and metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements, wherein the metadata associated with each advertisement describes content of the respective advertisement; and a processor operative to: compare, at the user equipment, the metadata associated with the video program with the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements; select, at the user equipment, without user input, one of the plurality of advertisements based on the metadata comparison; if the selected advertisement is not stored on the user equipment, download the selected advertisement from a remote location; and cause the selected advertisement to be displayed on a viewing device, at the user equipment, in response to the selection of one of the plurality of advertisements.
26. The system of claim 25 wherein the receiver periodically receives the plurality of advertisements from the remote location.
27. The system of claim 25 wherein the processor is configured to poll the remote location for the plurality of advertisements.
28. The system of claim 25 further comprising a storage unit for storing the plurality of advertisements at the user equipment.
29. The system of claim 25 wherein the processor is operative to allow the user to order one or more items presented in the selected advertisement.
30. The system of claim 25, wherein the processor is further operative to download the selected advertisement based on the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements.
31. The system of claim 25, wherein the metadata associated with each of the plurality of advertisements includes source address information.
32. The system of claim 31, wherein the processor is further operative to download based on the source address information.
33. A method for providing product information, comprising: receiving a video program and metadata associated with the video program, wherein the metadata associated with the video program indicates that a product is included in the video program; receiving product information and metadata associated with the product information, wherein the metadata associated with the product information describes content of the product information; comparing the metadata associated with the video program with metadata associated with the product information; determining that the product information is associated with the product included in the video program based on the comparison; selecting, without user input, the product information for display based on the comparison; if the selected product information is not stored on user equipment, downloading the selected product information from a remote location; and causing the product information to be displayed, without user input, on a viewing device in response to the selection of the product information.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the downloading is based on the metadata associated with the product information.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the metadata associated with the product information includes source address information.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein downloading is based on the source address information.
37. A method for providing product information, comprising: receiving a video program and metadata associated with the video program, wherein the metadata describes the content of the video program at a time in the video program; receiving product information; receiving, at the time in the video program, a user input to display product information; comparing, in response to the user input, the metadata associated with the video program with the product information; determining that the product information is associated with the product included in the video program based on the comparison; selecting, without further user input, the product information for display based on the comparison; if the selected product information is not stored on user equipment, downloading the selected product information from a remote location; and causing the product information to be displayed on a viewing device in response to the selection of the product information.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the downloading is based on the metadata associated with the video program.
39. The method of claim 37, wherein the metadata associated with the video program includes source address information.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein downloading is based on the source address information.
41. A system for providing product information, comprising: a processor configured to: receive a video program and metadata associated with the video program, wherein the metadata associated with the video program indicates that a product is included in the video program; receive product information and metadata associated with the product information, wherein the metadata associated with the product information describes the content of the product information; compare the metadata associated with the video program with metadata associated with the product information; determine that the product information is associated with the product included in the video program based on the comparison; select, without user input, the product information for display based on the comparison; if the selected product information is not stored on user equipment, download the selected product information from a remote location; and cause the product information to be displayed, without user input, on a viewing device, at the user equipment, in response to the selection of the product information.
42. The system of claim 41, wherein the processor is further configured to download the selected product information based on the metadata associated with the product information.
43. The system of claim 41, wherein the metadata associated with the product information includes source address information.
44. The system of claim 43, wherein the processor is further configured to download based on the source address information.
45. A system for providing product information, comprising: a processor configured to: receive a video program and metadata associated with the video program, wherein the metadata describes the content of the video program at a time in the video program; receive product information; receive, at the time in the video program, a user input to display product information; compare, in response to the user input, the metadata associated with the video program with the product information; determine that the product information is associated with the product included in the video program based on the comparison; select, without further user input, the product information for display based on the comparison; if the selected product information is not stored on user equipment, download the selected product information from a remote location; and cause the product information to be displayed on a viewing device in response to the selection of the product information.
46. The system of claim 45, wherein the processor is further configured to download the selected product information based on the metadata associated with the video program.
47. The system of claim 45, wherein the metadata associated with the video program includes source address information.
48. The system of claim 47, wherein the processor is further configured to download based on the source address information.
This invention relates to advertisement delivery systems and methods. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods that associate advertisements with other media using metadata links.
With the advent of modern television equipment and communication networks, advertisers have been able to provide graphical advertisements to viewers such as ordinary television commercials. However, in the past, these systems were limited in their functional capabilities and typically only provided non-content or semi-content related advertisements to viewers.
To increase the effectiveness of advertisements, it may be advantageous to both advertisers and consumers alike to associate what is being advertised with other media (e.g., programs, applications, etc) that are provided to viewers. Associating these advertisements with other media may not only tend to increase the effectiveness of the advertisements, but doing so may also provide users with an increased awareness of the content of such other media, as opposed to simply being subject to an advertisement for a product or service without being provided additional information.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide systems and methods for associating advertisements with other media using metadata.
In accordance with this and other objects of the present invention, systems and methods for associating advertisements with other media are provided. These systems and methods may associate advertisements with other media by using an enhanced data set herein referred to as “metadata”. For example, metadata is data that may be used to describe programming and may include any information that may be associated with a program and/or that may describe the program, its content, or services related to the program.
One aspect of the present invention may include advertisements that are targeted to other media based on metadata contained within such other media. For example, metadata may be provided at the scene level of a program. By providing metadata at the scene level, more descriptive information about a program or other media can be provided in a more temporally associated way.
Another aspect of the invention may include advertisements that are provided within display screens of guidance applications based on metadata of other media attached to or associated with the guidance application. For example, in an interactive program guide, advertisements may be presented in a browse overlay and such advertisements may be based on metadata associated with a currently selected program listing. In addition, the interactive program guide may present advertisements in a menu or guide overlay based upon the metadata associated with the last program viewed.
A further aspect of the invention may include metadata that contains a source reference for an advertisement. The source reference may be, for example, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). This source reference may be recorded or otherwise stored by a guidance application. For example, on playback of the recorded program, the guidance application may play back advertisements from a location defined by the source.
Still a further aspect of the invention may include enabling a system provider to manage advertisement inventories and to provide marketing and other data to advertisers. For example, through polling, monitoring user requests, or using any other scheme suitable to the chosen implementation of the system, a system provider may track valuable marketing information and provide such information to advertisers.
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout and in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system that may be used to implement various embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of user equipment that may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process in which an advertisement may be selected based on the user's selection of an object and that may be used with various embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process in which an advertisement may be selected from stored metadata and/or other media and that may be used with various embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process in which an advertisement may be downloaded using metadata and that may be used with various embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a process in which data relating to metadata-selected advertisements may be monitored, collected and recorded and that may be used with various embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is an illustration of a screen display that may be used to implement various embodiments of the present invention.
The present invention provides systems and methods for associating advertisements with other media (e.g., programs, applications, etc).
These systems and methods may associate advertisements with other media by using an enhanced data set herein referred to as “metadata”. Metadata may be used to describe programming and may include any information that may be associated with a program and/or that may describe a program, its content, or services related to a program. Metadata may describe, for example, the content of a program, whether commercials may be skipped during playback of a recorded program, or the clothes that an actor is wearing.
Metadata may be transmitted and/or received by a user's equipment (e.g. a set-top box) through any communications network (e.g., cable systems, satellite systems, modems, wireless paging frequencies, the Internet, etc., or any combination thereof). Furthermore, metadata may be transmitted and/or received by the user's equipment on one or more broadcast channels. For example, a program may be received on a program channel, and metadata for that program may be received through this program channel's vertical blanking interval (VBI). Additionally, metadata may be provided by utilizing other existing analog and digital technologies such as the “Advanced Television Enhancement Forum” (ATVEF) protocol for enhanced television programming.
One aspect of the present invention may include advertisements that are targeted to other media based on the metadata contained within such other media. For example, metadata may be provided at the scene level of a program. Each scene of the program may show a different product. In one scene, an actor may be driving a certain car or wearing a particular type of clothing. In another scene, the actor may be wearing different clothing, or another actor may be in the shot with other items that may be promoted (e.g., a cell phone, sun glasses, etc). As stated above, these products may be linked to advertisements for these products using metadata. By providing metadata at the scene level, more descriptive information about a program or other media can be provided in a more temporally associated way. In this way, the advertising of a product is enhanced because the viewer can watch the product or service as it is worn, used, or provided.
Another aspect of the invention may include advertisements that are provided within the display screens of guidance applications based on metadata of other media attached to or associated with the guidance application. For example, in an interactive program guide, advertisements may be presented in a browse overlay and such advertisements may be based on metadata associated with a currently selected program listing. The metadata for a program listing may include any descriptive information about the program itself, the channel the program is being displayed on, and/or any other information attached to or associated with the program listing.
Another aspect of the invention may include metadata that contains a source reference for an advertisement. The source reference may be, for example, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). For example, when a program. is recorded, the metadata along with the source reference may be recorded or otherwise stored by a guidance application. On playback of the recorded program, the guidance application may play back advertisements from a source as defined, for example, using a URL contained in the recorded program. A system provider may then replace previously stored and now outdated advertisements with new ones having the same identifier. Therefore, for example, when a program is recorded and subsequently played back, new advertisements may be retrieved and presented simply by changing an advertisement's identifier.
Another aspect of the invention may include enabling a system provider to manage advertisement inventories and provide marketing and other data to advertisers. The system provider may manage advertisement inventories by providing fresh advertisements, as described above. By providing fresh advertisements, the System provider controls what advertisements the viewer sees when playing back a recorded program. By controlling which advertisement a viewer sees on playback, the system provider may be able to sell playback advertising space to advertisers.
Furthermore, system providers may provide advertisers valuable marketing information and other data. Through polling, monitoring user requests, or using any other scheme suitable to the chosen implementation of the system, a system provider may track valuable marketing information and provide such information to advertisers. Marketing information may include the program recorded, the number of times an advertisement is accessed, the time at which the advertisement was accessed, etc., and may also include demographic information associated with a user's account.
In one embodiment of the invention, a system may include: one or more receivers that may receive signals and/or data; one or more transmitters that may transmit signals and/or data; a processor that accepts a user's input signal, that selects an object within the visual plane of a video display, that reads metadata, that selects an advertisement, and that causes the advertisement to be displayed; and one or more storage devices capable of electronically storing signals and/or data.
In another embodiment of the invention, a system may include a processor that accepts a user's input signal, that reads metadata, that downloads an advertisement, and that causes the advertisement to be displayed.
In still another embodiment of the invention, a system may include a processor that monitors metadata-selected advertisements; that collects data relating to the metadata-selected advertisement, and that causes the data to be recorded.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 that may be used to implement various embodiments of the present invention. System 100 may comprise media broadcast equipment 110, advertisement broadcast equipment 120, metadata broadcast equipment 130, guide application and data broadcast equipment 140, communications network 150, user equipment 160, and communications links 170. Broadcast equipment 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be any suitable equipment for providing media (e.g., programs, applications, and other signals and data), such as video and data servers, live broadcast equipment, video tape players, etc., and may be located at a cable headend or at any other convenient location. In addition, broadcast equipment 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be combined into a single broadcast unit or combined in other ways.
Communication network 150 may be any suitable network for transmitting signals and/or data to and/or from broadcast equipment 110, 120, 130 and 140. For example, network 150 may be the Internet, a satellite communications system, a cable system, a local area network, a wide area network, etc., or any combination of the same. Communication network 150 may use digital or analog technology or any combination thereof.
User equipment 160 may be any suitable equipment for receiving, transmitting, processing and/or displaying signals and/or data received from and/or transmitted to broadcast equipment 110, 120, 130 and 140. For example, user equipment 160 may be a one or two-way set-top box, a television with processing and storing capability, a personal video recorder, a video cassette recorder with suitable processing capabilities, a personal computer, etc.
Communication links 170 may be any suitable links for communicating data and/or signals, such as a dial-up connection, a fiber optic cable, a coaxial cable, a DSL connection, etc., or any combination of the same.
Although not shown in FIG. 1, system 100 may also include one or more remote storage units that may be used to store media, advertisements, metadata, guidance applications and data. These remote storage units may receive media, advertisements, metadata, guidance applications, and other data from broadcast equipment 110, 120, 130, and/or 140, may be controlled by any of broadcast equipment 110, 120, 130, and 140 and user equipment 160, and may provide the media, advertisements, metadata, guidance applications and other data to user equipment 160 via communications network 150.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of user equipment 160 shown in FIG. 1. User equipment 160 may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. User equipment 160 may include: a receiver 220; a transmitter 225; a processor 280; storage units 230, 240, 250 and 260; a user display 270; a recorder 275; an audio output 277; a remote control unit 290; a remote control interface 295, and audio/video circuitry 215. Receiver 220 may be any suitable equipment for receiving guidance applications and data, and/or any other desired signals or data (e.g., media, advertisements, metadata, guides applications and data, URL addresses, audio, etc). Transmitter 225 may be any suitable equipment for transmitting data and/or any other desired signals. The signals and/or data received and/or transmitted by receiver 220 and transmitter 225 may be transmitted and/or received through any communications network, as described above. Processor 280 may be any suitable equipment for accepting a user input signal, reading metadata attached to or associated with an advertisement and other media, selecting an advertisement, causing an advertisement to be downloaded from a remote location, and causing an advertisement to be displayed. Storage units 230, 240, 250, and 260 may be used for storing media, advertisements, metadata, audio, and guidance applications and data, respectively. Any of storage units 230, 240, 250, and 260 may be any devices that are capable of storing signals and/or data (e.g., a separate video cassette recorder, a disk drive, a memory card, etc). Storage units 230, 240, 250, and 260, if desired, may also be combined into a single storage unit or combined in other ways. Remote control unit 290 may be a keyboard, a touch screen display, a front panel, or any other wired or wireless device that a user may use to input data. Remote control interface 295 may receive a signal from remote control unit 290 and then send that signal to processor 280. Remote control interface 295 may be, for example, a photo detector. Audio/video circuitry 215 may be any suitable circuitry for converting data from processor 280 into audio and/or video signals for display on display 270, recording on recorder 275, and/or output on audio output 277. Display 270 may be any suitable device for presenting images to a viewer, such as a television, a monitor, a computer monitor, a personal digital assistant, etc. Audio output 277 may be any suitable device or devices for allowing a user to listen to or otherwise provide an audio signal, such as amplifiers, speakers, etc. Audio output 277 may be combined or partly combined with display 270. Finally, recorder 275 may be any suitable device for recording video signals and data, such as a video cassette recorder, a disk drive, a memory card, etc.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process 300 in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, at step 310, process 300 may begin by receiving metadata and other media. Receiving metadata and other media, as mentioned above, may be accomplished by utilizing a receiver that may receive signals and/or data.
Next, at step 320, process 300 may select an object located within a viewing plane of a viewing device. For example, process 300 may use an audio/video coding method, such as MPEG-4 that allows objects to be defined. The selecting of an object may be accomplished, as mentioned above, by a processor that utilizes a user's input signal. A user's input signal may include the selection of an object displayed on a video display unit with a cursor and/or a command to move a cursor displayed on a video display unit to any point within a video display's viewing plane. A user's input signal, as described above, may be entered through a wired or wireless remote control unit.
To select an object, the processor may be running software that enables certain objects within the viewing plane of a video device to be selected. For example, the processor may utilize visual pattern recognition software that tracks colors, shapes, etc. Alternatively, the processor may utilize a downloaded predefined selectable target area to select objects displayed within the viewing plane of the viewing device.
At step 330, process 300 may read metadata. The metadata may be attached to and/or associated with media or a selectable object imbedded within the media. Reading metadata may be accomplished by a processor. The metadata, as described in detail above, may contain characteristics describing media and/or objects. In addition, the metadata may contain a source address (e.g., a URL) to download an advertisement from a remote location, as also described below.
At step 340, process 300 may select an advertisement. The selecting of an advertisement may be based on metadata attached to and/or associated with media and/or a selectable object imbedded within the media. For example, when media and/or a selectable object within the media is selected, the metadata attached to and/or associated with the media and/or selectable object may be read. Then, an advertisement corresponding to the metadata read may be selected. The advertisement may be selected by comparing the metadata of the media or selected object with metadata from advertisements. The advertisements may be provided from a suitable remote location to the user's equipment at some suitable frequency (e.g., periodically, on-demand, via polling, etc), or may be provided from advertisements previously stored on the user's system, as will be explained below.
Finally, at step 350, process 300 may display the advertisement within the viewing plane of a viewing device.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process 400 in which metadata may be used to select an advertisement and that may be used to implement various embodiments of the present invention. Process 400 shows the receiving and the reading of metadata and other media as well as the selecting and the displaying of an advertisement at steps 410, 430, 440, and 450 respectively. Steps 410, 430, 440, and 450 are substantially the same as steps 310, 330, 340 and 350 which are described in detail above in connection with FIG. 3. Also shown in process 400 is the storing of metadata and other media at step 420. As stated above, the storing of the metadata and other media may be on any suitable storage unit such as a disk drive, or a memory card, etc. The storage unit may be located locally at or near a user's television viewing equipment, or may be located remotely from the user's viewing equipment.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process 500 in which metadata may be used to select an advertisement and that may be used to implement various embodiments of the present invention. Process 500 shows the receiving and the reading of metadata and other media as well as displaying an advertisement at steps 510, 520, and 540 respectively. Steps 510, 520, and 540, are substantially the same as steps 310, 330, and 350 which are described in detail above in connection with FIG. 3. Also shown in process 500 is the downloading of an advertisement based on metadata at step 530. As stated above, metadata may contain a source address (e.g., a URL) to download an advertisement from a remote location. For example, a guidance application utilizing any suitable communication technology (e.g., the Internet using a HyperText Transfer Protocol) may obtain an advertisement by downloading it from a source address. The advertisement that is presented to a viewer may be the advertisement currently available at the source (e.g., a web page). As time passes, the advertiser or the system provider may change the content of the advertisement that is provided to a user by simply modifying the advertisement at the source. In this way, “fresh” advertisements may be presented each time a user plays back a recorded program.
Alternatively, these “fresh” advertisements may be provided by, for example, assigning identifiers to a specific advertisement or a group of advertisements. These advertisements with identifiers may be downloaded and stored in the user's equipment or may be available to a user's system at some remote location available at some suitable frequency (e.g., periodically, on-demand, via polling, etc).
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a process 600 in which data relating to metadata-selected advertisements may be collected and recorded. Process 600 shows monitoring metadata-selected advertisements at step 610. Monitoring of the metadata-selected advertisements may be accomplished through a receiver and/or a processor, as described above in connection with FIG. 2, blocks 220 and 280, respectively. Furthermore, monitoring may be accomplished at any suitable times (e.g. continuously, periodically, on-demand, etc.). Process 600 also shows collecting data relating to metadata-selected advertisements at step 620. Such collecting of data may be accomplished through a processor, as described in detail above. Finally, process 600 shows the recording of the data. Recording the data may be done on any suitable storage unit such as a, a disk drive, or a memory card, etc.
In addition to monitoring, collecting, and recording, marketing information may also be provided to advertisers over a communications network, as described in detail above. For example, marketing information may be provided to advertisers in a real-time or in a block time format. A block-time format may include daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, etc. information. As stated above marketing information may include information such as the program recorded, the number of times an advertisement is accessed, the time at which the advertisement was accessed, etc., and/or include demographic information associated with a user's account.
Turning now to FIG. 7, a program advertisement screen 700 shows one example of how advertisements may be selected and displayed in accordance with the present invention. Program advertisement screen 700 may include a cursor 710, a metadata-selected advertisement 720, a scene 730, and order button 740. Scene 730 shows a scene in which the user may select an object. Cursor 710 may be controlled by a user through a user input, as described in detail above, and may also be utilized by a user to select an object within the viewing plane of a video device, as depicted in scene 730. Selected advertisement 720 shows a displayed advertisement for the user selected object. If desired, the user may then select order button 740 to order the selected item. The selected item may be charged to a user credit card number, a user's account, and/of any other method or purchasing items from a remote location.
Screen 700 is merely illustrative of screens and methods that may be used to select and display metadata selected advertisements. Any suitable screens and methods of displaying advertisements may be used in accordance with the present invention.
Thus, systems and methods for providing metadata-linked advertisements are provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and that the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.
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