Method and system for using a communication network to supply targeted streaming advertising in interactive media

• US 6,161,142 A
• Filed: 01/10/2000
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tumbleweed Holdings LLC (Equitable IP Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EHI Patent Company LLC (CCUR Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wolfe, Robert L., Pinals, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Peeso, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US09/480,093
• Time in Patent Office: 337 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/212, 709/230
• US Class Current: 709/230
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/46 for recognising users' preferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side

Abstract

A system and method for delivering programmed music and targeted advertising messages to Internet based subscribers includes a software controlled microprocessor based repository in which the dossiers of a plurality of the subscribers are stored and updated, musical content and related advertising are classified and matched. A subscriber has an appropriate microprocessor based device capable of selecting information and receiving information from the Internet. The subscriber receives the programmed music and matched advertisements from the repository over the Internet.

Claims

1. A method of using a computer network to transmit programmed information to a plurality of users, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a first database containing a number of discrete data units each of which has a related profile, the data units comprising audio content;

storing a second database containing user criteria corresponding to each of the plurality of users;

using the user criteria to identify a desired one or more of the plurality of users; and

transmitting a message to the identified user, the message identifying one or more of the discrete data units, the message further identifying a method by which the identified user may be provided access to the identified discrete data units.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a third database having advertiser criteria corresponding to each of at least one advertiser, wherein the desired one or more of the plurality of users are identified by matching the user criteria with at least one advertiser criterion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitted message is an electronic mail message.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmitted message is an electronic mail message.

5. A method of using a computer network to transmit programmed information to a plurality of users, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a first database containing a number of discrete data units each of which has a related profile, the data units comprising audio content;

storing a second database containing user criteria corresponding to each of the plurality of users;

storing a third database containing a variety of discrete advertising messages each of which has a related profile;

using the user criteria to identify a desired one or more of the plurality of users;

transmitting a message to the identified user, the message identifying one or more of the discrete data units;

receiving a request for one or more of the identified data units from the identified user;

appending to the requested data units, at least one of the advertising messages based upon a matching between the corresponding advertising profile and at least one user criterion to create a composite response packet in the form of a sequential data flow, the sequential data flow comprising an advertising message and a data unit; and

transmitting the composite response packet to the identified user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the request is made by selecting a web link.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of storing a fourth database having advertiser criteria corresponding to each of at least one advertiser, wherein the desired one or more of the plurality of users are identified by matching the user criteria with at least one advertiser criterion.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmitted message is an electronic mail message.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmitted message is an audio message, the user interactively responding to the audio message using the computer network.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the transmitted message is an electronic mail message.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the transmitted message is an audio message, the user interactively responding to the audio message using the computer network.

12. A system for transmitting programmed information to a plurality of users across a computer network, the system comprising:

a first database storing a number of discrete data units each of which has a related profile, the data units comprising musical content;

a second database storing user criteria corresponding to each of the plurality of users;

a central processing unit coupled to the first database and the second database, the central processing unit executing functions comprising;

using the user criteria to identify a desired one or more of the plurality of users; and

transmitting a message to the identified user across the computer network, the message identifying one or more of the discrete data units.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a third database storing advertiser criteria corresponding to each of at least one advertiser, wherein the central processing unit identifies the desired one or more of the plurality of users by matching the user criteria with at least one advertiser criterion.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the transmitted message is an electronic mail message.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the transmitted message is an audio message, the user interactively responding to the audio message using the computer network.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitted message is an electronic mail message.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitted message is an audio message, the user interactively responding to the audio message using the computer network.

18. A system for transmitting programmed information to a plurality of users across a computer network, the system comprising:

a first database storing a number of discrete data units each of which has a related profile, the data units comprising musical content;

a second database storing user criteria corresponding to each of the plurality of users;

a third database storing a variety of discrete advertising messages each of which has a related profile;

a central processing unit coupled to the first database, the second database and the third database, the central processing unit executing functions comprising;

using the user criteria to identify a desired one or more of the plurality of users;

transmitting a message to the identified user, the message identifying one or more of the discrete data units;

receiving a request for one or more of the identified data units from the identified user;

appending to the requested data units, at least one of the advertising messages based upon a matching between the corresponding advertising profile and at least one user criterion to create a composite response packet in the form of a sequential data flow, the sequential data flow comprising an advertising message and a data unit; and

transmitting the composite response packet to the identified user.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a third database storing advertiser criteria corresponding to each of at least one advertiser, wherein the central processing unit identifies the desired one or more of the plurality of users by matching the user criteria with at least one advertiser criterion.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the transmitted message is an electronic mail message.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the transmitted message is an audio message, the user interactively responding to the audio message using the computer network.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the transmitted message is an electronic mail message.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the transmitted message is an audio message, the user interactively responding to the audio message using the computer network.

24. A method for using a communication network to deliver broadcast radio content to a user, the method comprising the steps of:

storing at least one advertising message in a first database;

storing the broadcast radio content in a second database;

storing a profile corresponding to the user in a third database;

storing advertisement criteria identifying which of the at least one advertising messages should be played to users whose profile most closely matches the advertisement criteria;

receiving a request for broadcast radio content from a user terminal, the user terminal corresponding to the user;

retrieving at least one advertisement from the first database based upon a matching of the corresponding advertisement criteria which most closely matches the profile corresponding to the user;

retrieving the requested broadcast radio content from the second database;

delivering the broadcast radio content in digital form to the user terminal;

delivering the at least one retrieved advertisement in digital form to the user terminal; and

playing the delivered broadcast radio content and the at least one retrieved advertisement in a sequential manner on the user terminal.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of storing a profile corresponding to the broadcast radio content in a fourth database,

wherein the step of retrieving at least one advertisement from the first database is further based upon a matching of the advertisement criteria which most closely matches the profile corresponding to the requested broadcast radio content.

26. A method for using a communication network to deliver broadcast television content to a user, the method comprising the steps of;

storing at least one advertising message in a first database;

storing the broadcast television content in a second database;

storing a profile corresponding to the user in a third database;

storing advertisement criteria identifying which of the at least one advertising messages should be played to users whose profile most closely matches the advertisement criteria;

receiving a request for broadcast television content from a user terminal, the user terminal corresponding to the user;

retrieving at least one advertisement from the first database based upon a matching of the corresponding advertisement criteria which most closely matches the profile corresponding to the user;

retrieving the requested broadcast television content from the second database;

delivering the broadcast television content in digital form to the user terminal;

delivering the at least one retrieved advertisement in digital form to the user terminal; and

playing the delivered broadcast television content and the at least one retrieved advertisement in a sequential manner on the user terminal.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of storing a profile corresponding to the broadcast television content in a fourth database,

wherein the step of retrieving at least one advertisement from the first database is further based upon a matching of the advertisement criteria which most closely matches the profile corresponding to the requested broadcast television content.

28. A method of delivering broadcast radio content to at least one user, comprising:

storing at least one advertising message in a first database;

storing the broadcast radio content in a second database;

storing a profile corresponding to the user in a third database;

storing advertisement criteria identifying which of the at least one advertising messages should be played to users whose profile most closely matches the advertisement criteria;

receiving a request for broadcast radio content from a user terminal, the user terminal corresponding to the user;

retrieving at least one advertisement from the first database based upon a matching of the corresponding advertisement criteria with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the user;

appending the retrieved at least one advertisement to the requested broadcast radio content;

delivering the appended retrieved at least one advertisement and requested broadcast radio content to the user.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of storing a profile corresponding to the broadcast radio content in a fourth database,

wherein the step of retrieving at least one advertisement from the first database is further based upon a matching of the advertisement criteria with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the requested broadcast radio content.

30. A method of delivering broadcast television content to at least one user, comprising:

storing at least one advertising message in a first database;

storing the broadcast television content in a second database;

storing a profile corresponding to the user in a third database;

storing advertisement criteria identifying which of the at least one advertising messages should be played to users whose profile most closely matches the advertisement criteria;

receiving a request for broadcast television content from a user terminal, the user terminal corresponding to the user;

retrieving at least one advertisement from the first database based upon a matching of the corresponding advertisement criteria with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the user;

appending the retrieved at least one advertisement to the requested broadcast television content;

delivering the appended retrieved at least one advertisement and requested broadcast television content to the user.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of storing a profile corresponding to the broadcast television content in a fourth database,

wherein the step of retrieving at least one advertisement from the first database is further based upon a matching of the advertisement criteria with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the requested broadcast television content.

32. A system for playing selected broadcast radio content to at least one user, the system comprising:

at least one database storing at least one advertising message, broadcast radio content, a profile corresponding to the user and advertisement criteria identifying which of the at least one advertising messages should be played to users whose profile most closely matches the advertisement criteria; and

a central processing unit, the central processing unit performing the functions of;

receiving a request for broadcast radio content from a user terminal corresponding to the user

retrieving at least one advertisement from the database based upon a matching of the corresponding advertisement criteria with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the user and retrieving the requested broadcast radio content from the second database;

responding to the received broadcast radio content request by delivering the broadcast radio content in digital form and the at least one retrieved advertisement in digital form to the user terminal for sequential play to the user.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the central processing unit further performs the function of storing a profile corresponding to the broadcast radio content in the at least one database, and wherein the function by which at least one advertisement is retrieved from the at least one database is further based upon a matching of the advertisement criteria with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the requested broadcast radio content.

34. A system for playing selected broadcast television content to at least one user, the system comprising:

at least one database storing at least one advertising message, broadcast television content, a profile corresponding to the user and advertisement criteria identifying which of the at least one advertising messages should be played to users whose profile most closely matches the advertisement criteria; and

a central processing unit, the central processing unit performing the functions of;

receiving a request for broadcast television content from a user terminal corresponding to the user

retrieving at least one advertisement from the database based upon a matching of the corresponding advertisement criteria with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the user and retrieving the requested broadcast television content from the second database;

responding to the received broadcast television content request by delivering the broadcast television content in digital form and the at least one retrieved advertisement in digital form to the user terminal for sequential play to the user.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the central processing unit further performs the function of storing a profile corresponding to the broadcast television content in the at least one database, and wherein the function by which at least one advertisement is retrieved from the at least one database is further based upon a matching of the advertisement criteria with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the requested broadcast television content.

36. A method for using a communication network to deliver audio content to a user, the method comprising the steps of;

storing at least one advertising message in a first database;

storing a profile corresponding to the user;

storing advertisement criteria identifying which of the at least one advertising messages should be played to users whose profile most closely matches the advertisement criteria;

receiving a request for audio content from a user terminal, the user terminal corresponding to the user;

retrieving at least one advertisement from the database based upon a matching of the corresponding advertisement criteria with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the user;

delivering the audio content to the user terminal;

delivering the at least one retrieved advertisement to the user terminal; and

sequentially playing the audio content and the at least one retrieved advertisement.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the profile corresponding to the user is stored in a second database.

38. A method for using a communication network to deliver multimedia content to a user, the method comprising the steps of:

storing at least one advertising message in a first database;

storing a profile corresponding to the user;

storing advertisement criteria identifying which of the at least one advertising messages should be played to users whose profile most closely matches the advertisement criteria;

receiving a request for multimedia content from a user terminal, the user terminal corresponding to the user;

retrieving at least one advertisement from the database based upon a matching of the corresponding advertisement profile with the most closely matching profile corresponding to the user;

delivering the multimedia content to the user terminal;

delivering the at least one retrieved advertisement to the user terminal; and

sequentially playing the multimedia content and the at least one retrieved advertisement.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the profile corresponding to the user is stored in a second database.

40. A method for using a communication network to play audio content to a user, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a profile corresponding to the user in a database;

receiving a request for selected audio content from a user terminal corresponding to the user;

determining at least one advertisement to be played by the user terminal, the advertisement being determined based on the profile corresponding to the user; and

providing the selected audio content and the determined advertisement to the user terminal for sequential playing to the user.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the at least one advertisement has a corresponding advertisement profile, and the determining step includes matching the advertisement profile with the user profile.

42. The method according to claim 40, further including the step of sequentially playing the selected audio content and the determined advertisement.

43. The method according to claim 40, wherein the determined at least one advertisement is based at least in part on a profile of the selected audio content.

44. A method for using a communication network to play multimedia content to a user, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a profile corresponding to the user in a database;

receiving a request for selected multimedia content from a user terminal corresponding to the user;

determining at least one advertisement to be played by the user terminal, the advertisement being determined based on the profile corresponding to the user; and

providing the selected multimedia content and the determined advertisement to the user terminal for sequential playing to the user.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the at least one advertisement has a corresponding advertisement profile, and the determining step includes matching the advertisement profile with the user profile.

46. The method according to claim 44, further including the step of sequentially playing the selected multimedia content and the determined advertisement.

47. The method according to claim 44, wherein the determined at least one advertisement is based at least in part on a profile of the selected multimedia content.

48. A method for transmitting and receiving programmed information between a user terminal and a server, the method comprising the steps of:

storing at least one data content item and at least one advertisement in at least one database, each of the at least one advertisements having a corresponding profile;

receiving a request from the user terminal to transmit at least one of the data content items from the server to the user terminal;

selecting at least one advertisement for transmission to the user terminal based on a matching between a profile associated with a user of the user terminal and the profiles corresponding to the at least one advertisement;

assembling a response packet, the response packet including a location on the server from which the at least one selected advertisement is to be retrieved and delivered to the user terminal for one of listening and listening and viewing sequentially with the requested data content; and

transmitting the assembled response packet from the server to the user terminal.