Method, system and computer program product for producing and distributing enhanced media downstreams

• US 20020053078A1
• Filed: 04/18/2001
• Published: 05/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Verboncoeur, Roger, Sisisky, Richard L., Robblee, William, Holtz, Alex, Fres, Gilberto, Todd, Richard, Snyder, Robert, Parker, Jeffrey L., Couch, William H., Hamlett, Timothy, Tingle, Keith G., Hoeppner, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 6,760,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/222 Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00

Abstract

A multimedia production and distribution system collects or assembles a media production (such as, a news program, television programming, or radio broadcast) from a variety of sources, including television stations and other media hosting facilities. The media production is categorized and indexed for retrieval and distribution across a wired or wireless network, such as the Internet, to any client, such as a personal computer, television, or personal digital assistant. A user can operate the client to display and interact with the media production, or select various options to customize the transmission or request a standard program. Alternatively, the user can establish a template to generate the media production automatically based on personal preferences. The media production is displayed on the client with various media enhancements to add value to the media production. Such enhancements include graphics, extended play segments, opinion research, and URLs. The enhancements also include advertisements, such as commercials, active banners, and sponsorship buttons. An advertisement reporting system monitors the sale and distribution of advertisements within the network. The advertisements are priced according to factors that measure the likelihood of an advertisement actually being presented or viewed by users most likely to purchase the advertised item or service. The advertisement reporting system also collects metrics to invoice and apportion income derived from the advertisements among the network participants, including a portal host and/or producer of the content.

Claims

1. A method of providing video content from a server to an end-user in a network, comprising:

storing a plurality of video segments;

indexing into at least two categories said plurality of video segments;

selecting at least two video segments according to a user parameter, wherein said user parameter relates to at least one of said categories;

transmitting said at least two video segments according to said user parameter to the end-user; and

displaying said at least two video segments.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a template for specifying said user parameter, wherein said template is configured by the end-user, wherein the step of selecting is based on said template.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting includes specifying said user parameter according to inputs provided by the end-user.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing a history of the prior selections of the end-user, wherein the step of selecting includes specifying said user parameter according to said history.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprises assembling all of said at least two video segments prior to the step of transmitting.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting step streams at least one of said at least two video segments upon receipt at the server.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two video segments includes an advertisement.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said advertisement is selected according to a metric associated with the end-user.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said metric includes a demographic of the end-user.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said metric include a buying pattern of the end-user.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said metric includes a past viewing history of the end-user.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said advertisement is selected according to a metric associated with the content of said video segment.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising billing an advertiser only when said advertisement is displayed.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising apportioning revenue generated from said advertiser for said advertisement displayed to the end-user, said apportioning being among at least two parties associated with the network and/or production of said plurality of video segments.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least two parties include a television station.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least two parties include an operator of a portal.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least two parties include an Internet service provider.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least two parties include an information service provider.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of billing occurs when an end-user event is detected.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said end-user event is a click-through of said advertisement or a page-view.

21. The method of claim 7, further comprising billing an advertiser according an advertisement metric.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said advertisement metric includes a time duration of said advertisement.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said advertisement metric includes a file size of said advertisement.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said advertisement metric includes a time of day when said advertisement is displayed.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said advertisement metric includes the content of said video segment.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein said advertisement metric includes a demographic of the end-user.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein said advertisement metric includes a rating of said video segment.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the network includes the Internet.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the network includes a communication infrastructure.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least two video segments are a news program.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two video segments includes auxiliary information.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two video segments includes extended media.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two video segments includes a hyperlink to a related site.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying includes displaying a viewer interface.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said viewer interface includes a media viewer, a media index, a viewer control, an auxiliary media, an opinion media, a media access area, a banner, a media access control, and/or an index button.

36. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of archiving said plurality of video segments in a database from a plurality of sources.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said database is distributed throughout the network.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said database is centralized in the network.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of storing and indexing are performed by a production automation system.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of storing and indexing are performed automatically.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of storing and indexing are performed using automated media production.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of storing and indexing are done post production using a fragmenting process.

43. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of storing and indexing are performed using manual media production.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the steps of storing and indexing are done post-production.

45. The method of claim 1, further comprising capturing information concerning the end-user.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said information is used to develop a profile of the end-user.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said user parameter is defined according to said profile.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein said at least two video segments are scheduled according to said profile.

49. The method of claim 46, further comprising transmitting an advertisement according to said profile.