Targeted online advertisements based on viewing or interacting with television advertisements

• US 20090172728A1
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intent IQ, LLC (AlmondNet, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AlmondNet, Inc.
• Inventors: Shkedi, Roy, Shlomo, Ronen
• Granted Patent: US 8,566,164 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

In a computer-implemented method, a selected online advertisement is automatically directed to, or online activity is automatically tracked and recorded from, an online user interface device which corresponds, at the time the advertisement is directed or the activity is tracked, to a first online access identifier. The advertisement is directed or the activity is tracked based on information from a user profile that references or includes a first set-top box identifier. That information is derived at least in part from automatically collected data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the first set-top box identifier. The first online access identifier is associated with the first set-top box identifier, by being referenced or included in the user profile, by being associated in a database, or otherwise.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising

(a) automatically causing, in response to online activity from an online user interface device, a first selected online advertisement to be directed to the online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the first selected online advertisement is directed, to a first online access identifier,

(b) wherein the act in part (a) is based on information from a first user profile, which user profile references or includes a first set-top box identifier,

(c) wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected first data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the first set-top box identifier, and

(d) wherein the first online access identifier is associated with the first set-top box identifier.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising linking in a database the first online advertisement to the television advertisement delivered to the set-top box corresponding to the first set-top box identifier.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising

(i) automatically causing, in response to online activity from an online user interface device, a second selected online advertisement to be directed to the online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the second selected online advertisement is directed, to a second online access identifier,

(ii) wherein the act in part (i) is based on information from a second user profile, which second user profile references or includes a second set-top box identifier,

(iii) wherein the information in part (ii) is derived at least in part from automatically collected second data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the second set-top box identifier,

(iv) wherein the second online access identifier is associated with the second set-top box identifier, and

(v) wherein which online advertisement is delivered to which online user interface device depends on differences between the first user profile and the second user profile.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first online access identifier and the first set-top box identifier are associated by the first online access identifier being referenced or included in the user profile.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first online access identifier and the first set-top box identifier are associated in a database.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the data in part (c) includes data collected from user interaction responsive to the delivered television advertisement.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the data in part (c) includes data collected from user commands executed during presentation of the delivered television advertisement.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set-top box identifier includes a tag or a cookie placed on the set-top box, or the first online access identifier includes a tag or cookie placed on the online user interface device.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set-top box identifier includes a set-top box IP address, or the first online access identifier includes an online user interface device IP address.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the information in part (b) includes a profile identifier, which profile identifier is referenced or included in a tag or a cookie placed on the online access user interface device, or is related to a username provided by the user or to a logon ID provided by the user.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected data related to user behavior with respect to previous online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time of the previous online activity, to at least one online access identifier associated with the first set-top box identifier.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first online access identifier includes a first online access IP address, the method further comprising receiving, from at least one provider of television service or online access to the user, an indicator of the association of the first set-top box identifier and the first online access IP address.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein (i) the first online access identifier includes a first online access IP address and (ii) the first set-top box identifier is associated with the first online access IP address according to the time and date of at least a portion of the user behavior using a database of set-top box identifiers, at least one online access IP address, and corresponding times and dates.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set-top box identifier includes a set-top box IP address, the first online access identifier includes an online access IP address, and the association of the first online access identifier and the first set-top box identifier is based on a common IP address to which network traffic is routed for both the corresponding online user interface device and the corresponding set-top box.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the act in part (a) is further based on information concerning online activity from an online user interface device.

16. A system comprising at least one computer structured and connected to

(a) automatically cause, in response to online activity from an online user interface device, a first selected online advertisement to be directed to the online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the first selected online advertisement is directed, to a first online access identifier,

(b) wherein the act in part (a) is based on information from a first user profile, which user profile references or includes a first set-top box identifier,

(c) wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected first data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the first set-top box identifier, and

(d) wherein the first online access identifier is associated with the first set-top box identifier.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising at least one computer structured and connected to link in a database the first online advertisement to the television advertisement delivered to the set-top box corresponding to the first set-top box identifier.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the at least one computer is further structured and connected to

(i) automatically cause, in response to online activity from an online user interface device, a second selected online advertisement to be directed to the online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the second selected online advertisement is directed, to a second online access identifier,

(ii) wherein the act in part (i) is based on information from a second user profile, which second user profile references or includes a second set-top box identifier,

(iii) wherein the information in part (ii) is derived at least in part from automatically collected second data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the second set-top box identifier,

(iv) wherein the second online access identifier is associated with the second set-top box identifier, and

(v) wherein which online advertisement is delivered to which online user interface device depends on differences between the first user profile and the second user profile.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the information in part (b) includes a profile identifier, which profile identifier is referenced or included in a tag or a cookie placed on the online access user interface device, or is related to a username provided by the user or to a logon ID provided by the user.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected data related to user behavior with respect to previous online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time of the previous online activity, to at least one online access identifier associated with the first set-top box identifier.

21. An article comprising a tangible medium encoding computer-readable instructions that, when applied to a least one computer, instruct the at least one computer to

(a) automatically cause, in response to online activity from an online user interface device, a first selected online advertisement to be directed to the online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the first selected online advertisement is directed, to a first online access identifier,

(b) wherein the act in part (a) is based on information from a first user profile, which user profile references or includes a first set-top box identifier,

(c) wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected first data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the first set-top box identifier, and

(d) wherein the first online access identifier is associated with the first set-top box identifier.

22. The medium of claim 21 wherein the medium further encodes computer readable instructions that, when applied to at least one computer, instruct the at least one computer to link in a database the first online advertisement to the television advertisement delivered to the set-top box corresponding to the first set-top box identifier.

23. The medium of claim 21 wherein the medium further encodes computer readable instructions that, when applied to the at least one computer, instruct the at least one computer to

(i) automatically cause, in response to online activity from an online user interface device, a second selected online advertisement to be directed to the online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the second selected online advertisement is directed, to a second online access identifier,

(ii) wherein the act in part (i) is based on information from a second user profile, which second user profile references or includes a second set-top box identifier,

(iii) wherein the information in part (ii) is derived at least in part from automatically collected second data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the second set-top box identifier,

(iv) wherein the second online access identifier is associated with the second set-top box identifier, and

(v) wherein which online advertisement is delivered to which online user interface device depends on differences between the first user profile and the second user profile.

24. The medium of claim 21 wherein the information in part (b) includes a profile identifier, which profile identifier is referenced or included in a tag or a cookie placed on the online access user interface device, or is related to a username provided by the user or to a logon ID provided by the user.

25. The medium of claim 21 wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected data related to user behavior with respect to previous online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time of the previous online activity, to at least one online access identifier associated with the first set-top box identifier.

26. A computer-implemented method comprising

(a) automatically tracking and recording first selected online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the online activity is tracked and recorded, to a first online access identifier,

(b) wherein the act in part (a) is based on information from a first user profile, which user profile references or includes a first set-top box identifier,

(c) wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected first data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the first set-top box identifier, and

(d) wherein the first online access identifier is associated with the first set-top box identifier.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising linking in a database the tracked and recorded first online activity to the television advertisement delivered to the set-top box corresponding to the first set-top box identifier.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising

(i) automatically tracking and recording second selected online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the second online activity is tracked and recorded, to a second online access identifier,

(ii) wherein the act in part (i) is based on information from a second user profile, which user profile references or includes a second set-top box identifier,

(iii) wherein the information in part (ii) is derived at least in part from automatically collected second data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the second set-top box identifier,

(iv) the second online access identifier is associated with the second set-top box identifier, and

(v) linking in the database the tracked and recorded second online activity to the television advertisement delivered to the set-top box corresponding to the second set-top box identifier.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the first online access identifier and the first set-top box identifier are associated by the first online access identifier being referenced or included in the user profile.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein the first online access identifier and the first set-top box identifier are associated in a database.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein the data in part (c) includes data collected from user interaction responsive to the delivered television advertisement.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein the data in part (c) includes data collected from user commands executed during presentation of the delivered television advertisement.

33. The method of claim 26 wherein the first set-top box identifier includes a tag or a cookie placed on the set-top box, or the first online access identifier includes a tag or cookie placed on the online user interface device.

34. The method of claim 26 wherein the first set-top box identifier includes a set-top box IP address, or the first online access identifier includes an online user interface device IP address.

35. The method of claim 26 wherein the information in part (b) includes a profile identifier, which profile identifier is referenced or included in a tag or a cookie placed on the online access user interface device, or is related to a username provided by the user or to a logon ID provided by the user.

36. The method of claim 26 wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected data related to user behavior with respect to previous online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time of the previous online activity, to at least one online access identifier associated with the first set-top box identifier.

37. The method of claim 26 wherein the first online access identifier includes a first online access IP address, the method further comprising receiving, from at least one provider of television service or online access to the user, an indicator of the association of the first set-top box identifier and the first online access IP address.

38. The method of claim 26 wherein (i) the first online access identifier includes a first online access IP address and (ii) the first set-top box identifier is associated with the first online access IP address according to the time and date of at least a portion of the user behavior using a database of set-top box identifiers, at least one online access IP address, and corresponding times and dates.

39. The method of claim 26 wherein the first set-top box identifier includes a set-top box IP address, the first online access identifier includes an online access IP address, and the association of the first online access identifier and the first set-top box identifier is based on a common IP address to which network traffic is routed for both the corresponding online user interface device and the corresponding set-top box.

40. A system comprising at least one computer structured and connected to

(a) automatically track and record first selected online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the online activity is tracked and recorded, to a first online access identifier,

(b) wherein the act in part (a) is based on information from a first user profile, which user profile references or includes a first set-top box identifier,

(c) wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected first data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the first set-top box identifier, and

(d) wherein the first online access identifier is associated with the first set-top box identifier.

41. The system of claim 40 further comprising at least one computer structured and connected to link in a database the first online advertisement to the television advertisement delivered to the set-top box corresponding to the first set-top box identifier.

42. The system of claim 40 wherein the at least one computer is further structured and connected to

(i) automatically track and record second selected online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the second selected online advertisement is directed, to a second online access identifier,

(ii) wherein the act in part (i) is based on information from a second user profile, which second user profile references or includes a second set-top box identifier,

(iii) wherein the information in part (ii) is derived at least in part from automatically collected second data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the second set-top box identifier,

(iv) wherein the second online access identifier is associated with the second set-top box identifier, and

(v) link in the database the tracked and recorded second online activity to the television advertisement delivered to the set-top box corresponding to the second set-top box identifier.

43. The system of claim 40 wherein the information in part (b) includes a profile identifier, which profile identifier is referenced or included in a tag or a cookie placed on the online access user interface device, or is related to a username provided by the user or to a logon ID provided by the user.

44. The system of claim 40 wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected data related to user behavior with respect to previous online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time of the previous online activity, to at least one online access identifier associated with the first set-top box identifier.

45. An article comprising a tangible medium encoding computer-readable instructions that, when applied to a least one computer, instruct the at least one computer to

(a) automatically track and record first selected online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the online activity is tracked and recorded, to a first online access identifier,

(b) wherein the act in part (a) is based on information from a first user profile, which user profile references or includes a first set-top box identifier,

(c) wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected first data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the first set-top box identifier, and

(d) wherein the first online access identifier is associated with the first set-top box identifier.

46. The medium of claim 45, wherein the medium further encodes computer readable instructions that, when applied to at least one computer, instruct the at least one computer to link in a database the first online advertisement to the television advertisement delivered to the set-top box corresponding to the first set-top box identifier.

47. The medium of claim 45 wherein the medium further encodes computer readable instructions that, when applied to the at least one computer, instruct the at least one computer to

(i) automatically track and record second selected online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time the second selected online advertisement is directed, to a second online access identifier,

(ii) wherein the act in part (i) is based on information from a second user profile, which second user profile references or includes a second set-top box identifier,

(iii) wherein the information in part (ii) is derived at least in part from automatically collected second data related to user behavior with respect to at least one television advertisement delivered to a set-top box, which set-top box corresponds, at the time of that user behavior, to the second set-top box identifier,

(iv) wherein the second online access identifier is associated with the second set-top box identifier, and

(v) link in the database the tracked and recorded second online activity to the television advertisement delivered to the set-top box corresponding to the second set-top box identifier.

48. The medium of claim 45 wherein the information in part (b) includes a profile identifier, which profile identifier is referenced or included in a tag or a cookie placed on the online access user interface device, or is related to a username provided by the user or to a logon ID provided by the user.

49. The medium of claim 45 wherein the information in part (b) is derived at least in part from automatically collected data related to user behavior with respect to previous online activity from an online user interface device, which online user interface device corresponds, at the time of the previous online activity, to at least one online access identifier associated with the first set-top box identifier.