REQUEST FOR INFORMATION RELATED TO BROADCAST NETWORK CONTENT
First Claim
1. A method for use in providing information to users of a broadcast network, comprising the steps of:
- providing a targeted asset system in connection with said broadcast network, wherein assets are targeted to said users of said broadcast network by matching target parameters of an asset to classification parameters of said users;
receiving, from a user equipment device of said broadcast network, request information regarding an indication of interest specific to a broadcast network user, said indication being associated with delivery of first broadcast content to said network user via said user equipment device;
using a data structure for making an association of said request information to a first information provider; and
based on said association, providing information of said first information provider from a remote location to said broadcast network user.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the internet. In one implementation, a viewer of a cable television network enters an RFI input (1) to a digital set top box using a user remote. Based on this RFI input, the digital set top box transmits a data request (2) to an RFI data center. The RFI data center also receives asset data (3) from an asset database so as to associate the RFI input (1) with a particular asset. An RFI request (4) can then be transmitted to the appropriate asset provider. The asset provider can then provide a report such package of assets or follow-on information (5) back to the RFI data center. The RFI data center may then, in turn, provide the package of assets or follow-on information to a user data terminal, for example, of the cable television network viewer, via access through a web-portal or e-mail (6). The digital set top box may also record inputs from the user to verify consumption of assets and track data requests. Using this information, the RFI data center or an RFI platform may credit value to a rewards account established for the network user based on the user'"'"'s verified consumption of assets and/or data requests. Further, the RFI data center or RFI platform may be used to collect consumer behavior information, including purchasing decisions made by the user after consumption of assets, and correlate the consumer behavior information with the user'"'"'s verified asset consumption.
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Citations
90 Claims
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1. A method for use in providing information to users of a broadcast network, comprising the steps of:
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providing a targeted asset system in connection with said broadcast network, wherein assets are targeted to said users of said broadcast network by matching target parameters of an asset to classification parameters of said users; receiving, from a user equipment device of said broadcast network, request information regarding an indication of interest specific to a broadcast network user, said indication being associated with delivery of first broadcast content to said network user via said user equipment device; using a data structure for making an association of said request information to a first information provider; and based on said association, providing information of said first information provider from a remote location to said broadcast network user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22-48. -48. (canceled)
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49. An apparatus for use in providing information to users of a broadcast network, comprising:
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data structure for receiving, via a first path from a user equipment device of said broadcast network, request information regarding an input from a broadcast network user, said input being associated with delivery of first broadcast content to said broadcast network user via said user equipment device; and a processor operative for making an identification of said request information to a first information provider and, based on said identification, outputting information of said first information provider from a remote location to a second network device via a second path, wherein said second network device is different than said user equipment device and said second path is separate from said user equipment device. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59-83. -83. (canceled)
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84. A method for use in providing information to users of a broadcast network, comprising the steps of:
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delivering, via a user equipment device, first broadcast content to a broadcast network user, wherein said first broadcast content includes a request for information icon (“
RFI icon”
) that indicates an availability of follow-on information corresponding to said first broadcast content;providing a network platform, separate from said user equipment device, for receiving request information, wherein said request information is associated with a request for information input (“
RFI input”
) from said broadcast network user, and wherein said RFI input is in response to said RFI icon;receiving, at said network platform, said request information; and based on said request information, identifying a subject matter of said first broadcast content. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90)
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Specification