Methods and systems for presenting online content elements based on information known to a service provider

• US 20090089357A1
• Filed: 11/25/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Inventors: Bouchard, Jean, Murray, Sean MacLean, Fortier, Stephane Maxime Francois
• Granted Patent: US 10,078,660 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0254 based on statistics
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0892 by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds

Abstract

Methods and systems for presenting online content elements based on information known to a service provider. One of the methods is a method for presenting online content at a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus being assigned an identifier. The method comprises: obtaining information that pertains to a profile associated with the identifier and provided by a service provider involved in assigning the identifier to the communication apparatus; determining an online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the information; and causing the communication apparatus to present the online content element. Another one of the methods is a method for facilitating determination of online content to be presented at a communication apparatus. Servers for implementing the methods are also provided.

Claims

1-81. -81. (canceled)

82. A method for presenting online content at a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus using a network access service provided by a service provider to exchange data over a packet-switched network, said method comprising:

receiving bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth provided to the communication apparatus by the service provider;

determining an online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information; and

causing the communication apparatus to present the online content element.

83. A method as claimed in claim 82, wherein the communication apparatus is assigned an identifier by the service provider, said method comprising, prior to said receiving, sending a request to a network component, the request conveying the identifier and requesting the bandwidth information.

84. A method as claimed in claim 82, comprising implementing a network site accessed by the communication apparatus, said receiving comprising receiving the bandwidth information from a network component detecting that the communication apparatus accesses the network site without sending a request to the network component for the bandwidth information.

85. A method as claimed in claim 82, wherein said determining comprises determining a data size of the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information.

86. A method as claimed in claim 82, wherein said determining comprises selecting the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus from a plurality of online content elements having different data sizes, based on the bandwidth information.

87. A method as claimed in claim 86, wherein the plurality of online content elements comprises an online video and at least one of an online picture and online text.

88. A method as claimed in claim 82, wherein the online content element is an online advertisement.

89. A method as claimed in claim 88, wherein said receiving, said determining and said causing are performed by an ad server associated with a network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

90. A method as claimed in claim 82, wherein the online content element is a primary content element of a network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

91. A method as claimed in claim 90, comprising implementing the network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

92. A method as claimed in claim 82, wherein the online content element is an online page.

93. A method as claimed in claim 83, wherein the identifier is a logical identifier allowing the communication apparatus to exchange data over the packet-switched network.

94. A method as claimed in claim 83, wherein the identifier comprises an IP address.

95. A method as claimed in claim 83, wherein the identifier is a profile identifier used to identify the profile but not required by the communication apparatus to exchange data over the packet-switched network.

96. A method as claimed in claim 82, comprising receiving location information regarding the communication apparatus, said determining comprising determining the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information and the location information.

97. A method as claimed in claim 96, wherein the location information includes a service point location of the communication apparatus.

98. A method as claimed in claim 82, comprising receiving personal information regarding a party, said determining comprising determining the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information and the personal information.

99. A method as claimed in claim 98, wherein the personal information comprises at least one of:

a name, a gender, a date of birth or an age, a nationality, a correspondence language, a civic address, a phone number, an email address, an instant messaging identifier, and financial information.

100. A server for presenting online content at a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus using a network access service provided by a service provider to exchange data over a packet-switched network, said server comprising:

an interface for receiving and sending data; and

a processing unit coupled to said interface and operative for;

receiving bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth provided to the communication apparatus by the service provider;

determining an online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information; and

causing the communication apparatus to present the online content element.

101. A server as claimed in claim 100, wherein the communication apparatus is assigned an identifier by the service provider, said processing unit being operative for, prior to said receiving, sending a request to a network component, the request conveying the identifier and requesting the bandwidth information.

102. A server as claimed in claim 100, wherein said processing unit is operative for implementing a network site accessed by the communication apparatus, said receiving comprising receiving the bandwidth information from a network component detecting that the communication apparatus accesses the network site without sending a request to the network component for the bandwidth information.

103. A server as claimed in claim 100, wherein said determining comprises determining a data size of the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information.

104. A server as claimed in claim 100, wherein said determining comprises selecting the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus from a plurality of online content elements having different data sizes, based on the bandwidth information.

105. A server as claimed in claim 104, wherein the plurality of online content elements comprises an online video and at least one of an online picture and online text.

106. A server as claimed in claim 100, wherein the online content element is an online advertisement.

107. A server as claimed in claim 106, wherein said receiving, said determining and said causing are performed by an ad server associated with a network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

108. A server as claimed in claim 100, wherein the online content element is a primary content element of a network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

109. A server as claimed in claim 108, wherein said processing unit is operative for implementing the network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

110. A server as claimed in claim 100, wherein the online content element is an online page.

111. A server as claimed in claim 101, wherein the identifier is a logical identifier allowing the communication apparatus to exchange data over the packet-switched network.

112. A server as claimed in claim 101, wherein the identifier comprises an IP address.

113. A server as claimed in claim 101, wherein the identifier is a profile identifier used to identify the profile but not required by the communication apparatus to exchange data over the packet-switched network.

114. A server as claimed in claim 100, wherein said processing unit is operative for receiving location information regarding the communication apparatus, said determining comprising determining the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information and the location information.

115. A server as claimed in claim 114, wherein the location information includes a service point location of the communication apparatus.

116. A server as claimed in claim 100, wherein said processing unit is operative for receiving personal information regarding a party, said determining comprising determining the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information and the personal information.

117. A server as claimed in claim 116, wherein the personal information comprises at least one of:

a name, a gender, a date of birth or an age, a nationality, a correspondence language, a civic address, a phone number, an email address, an instant messaging identifier, and financial information.

118. Computer-readable media storing program code for execution by a computer system to present online content at a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus using a network access service provided by a service provider to exchange data over a packet-switched network, said program code comprising:

first program code for causing the computer system to receive bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth provided to the communication apparatus by the service provider;

second program code for causing the computer system to determine an online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information; and

third program code for causing the computer system to cause the communication apparatus to present the online content element.

119. A method for facilitating determination of online content to be presented at a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus using a network access service provided by a service provider to exchange data over a packet-switched network, said method comprising:

obtaining an identifier assigned to the communication apparatus by the service provider;

consulting a database on a basis of the identifier to obtain bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth provided to the communication apparatus by the service provider; and

transmitting the bandwidth information to a network component to allow the network component to determine an online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information.

120. A method as claimed in claim 119, comprising assigning the identifier to the communication apparatus.

121. A method as claimed in claim 119, wherein said obtaining comprises receiving a request conveying the identifier from the network component.

122. A method as claimed in claim 119, wherein said obtaining comprises receiving data conveying the identifier when the communication apparatus accesses a network site implemented by the network component.

123. A method as claimed in claim 119, wherein the identifier is a logical identifier allowing the communication apparatus to exchange data over the packet-switched network.

124. A method as claimed in claim 119, wherein the identifier comprises an IP address.

125. A method as claimed in claim 119, wherein the identifier is a profile identifier used to identify the profile but not required by the communication apparatus to exchange data over the packet-switched network.

126. A method as claimed in claim 119, wherein the online content element is an online advertisement.

127. A method as claimed in claim 126, wherein the network component is an ad server associated with a network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

128. A method as claimed in claim 119, wherein the online content element is a primary content element of a network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

129. A method as claims in claim 128, wherein the network component implements the network site.

130. A method as claimed in claim 129, wherein the online content element is an online page.

131. A method as claimed in claim 119, wherein said consulting comprises consulting the database on a basis of the identifier to obtain location information regarding the communication apparatus and said transmitting comprises transmitting the bandwidth information and the location information to the network component to allow the network component to determine the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information and the location information.

132. A method as claimed in claim 131, wherein the location information includes a service point location of the communication apparatus.

133. A method as claimed in claim 119, wherein said consulting comprises consulting the database on a basis of the identifier to obtain personal information regarding a party and said transmitting comprises transmitting the bandwidth information and the personal information to the network component to allow the network component to determine the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information and the personal information.

134. A method as claimed in claim 133, wherein the personal information comprises at least one of:

a name, a gender, a date of birth or an age, a nationality, a correspondence language, a civic address, a phone number, an email address, an instant messaging identifier, and financial information.

135. A server for facilitating determination of online content to be presented at a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus using a network access service provided by a service provider to exchange data over a packet-switched network, said server comprising:

an interface for receiving and sending data; and

a processing unit coupled to said interface and operative for;

obtaining an identifier assigned to the communication apparatus by the service provider;

consulting a database on a basis of the identifier to obtain bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth provided to the communication apparatus by the service provider; and

transmitting the bandwidth information to a network component to allow the network component to determine an online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information.

136. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein said processing unit is operative for assigning the identifier to the communication apparatus.

137. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein said obtaining comprises receiving a request conveying the identifier from the network component.

138. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein said obtaining comprises receiving data conveying the identifier when the communication apparatus accesses a network site implemented by the network component.

139. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein the identifier is a logical identifier allowing the communication apparatus to exchange data over the packet-switched network.

140. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein the identifier comprises an IP address.

141. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein the identifier is a profile identifier used to identify the profile but not required by the communication apparatus to exchange data over the packet-switched network.

142. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein the online content element is an online advertisement.

143. A server as claimed in claim 142, wherein the network component is an ad server associated with a network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

144. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein the online content element is a primary content element of a network site accessed by the communication apparatus.

145. A server as claims in claim 144, wherein the network component implements the network site.

146. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein the online content element is an online page.

147. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein said consulting comprises consulting the database on a basis of the identifier to obtain location information regarding the communication apparatus and said transmitting comprises transmitting the bandwidth information and the location information to the network component to allow the network component to determine the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information and the location information.

148. A server as claimed in claim 147, wherein the location information includes a service point location of the communication apparatus.

149. A server as claimed in claim 135, wherein said consulting comprises consulting the database on a basis of the identifier to obtain personal information regarding a party and said transmitting comprises transmitting the bandwidth information and the personal information to the network component to allow the network component to determine the online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information and the personal information.

150. A server as claimed in claim 149, wherein the personal information comprises at least one of:

a name, a gender, a date of birth or an age, a nationality, a correspondence language, a civic address, a phone number, an email address, an instant messaging identifier, and financial information.

151. Computer-readable media storing program code for execution by a computer system to facilitate presentation of online content at a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus using a network access service provided by a service provider to exchange data over a packet-switched network, said program code comprising:

first program code for causing the computer system to obtain an identifier assigned to the communication apparatus by the service provider;

second program code for causing the computer system to consult a database on a basis of the identifier to obtain bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth provided to the communication apparatus by the service provider; and

third program code for causing the computer system to transmit the bandwidth information to a network component to allow the network component to determine an online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the bandwidth information.