Method and apparatus for facilitating the providing of content

• US 7,016,968 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Beijing Zitiao Network Technology Company Limited (ByteDance Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Stern, Edith H., Willner, Barry E., Yu, Philip Shi-lung, Greene, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barot, Bharat
• Application Number:
  US09/888,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20020199009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 709201-203, 709227-228, 709231-234, 709217-219
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/289 Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for providing content to a device, wherein operation of the device may be interrupted as a result of a display of content by the device. According to embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of content segments can be identified or selected. In addition, a device (e.g., computer, cellular telephone, personal digital assistant) associated with a recipient of the content segments can be identified or selected. The content segments can then be provided to the device in such a way that display of a content segment by the device may interrupt operation of the device, thereby providing focus on the content segment.

Claims

1. A method for providing content, comprising:

determining a plurality of content segments;

determining a device associated with a recipient of said plurality of content segments;

providing a first of said plurality of content segments to said device at a first time and a second of said plurality of content segments to said device at a second time, wherein display of a content segment by said device interrupts operation of said device, said first of said plurality of content segments for posing a question to said recipient;

receiving a response to said question from said recipient; and

determining if said response to said question is correct.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining a plurality of content segments includes at least one of the following:

selecting said plurality of content segments;

determining bandwidth of a communication channel to said device;

selecting said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on available bandwidth of a communication channel to said device;

determining at least one time window of opportunity to provide said first of said plurality of content segments to said device;

selecting said first of said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on availability of said device;

selecting said first of said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on availability of a communication channel to said device;

selecting said first of said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on demographic information regarding said recipient; and

selecting said first of said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on an attribute of said device; and

selecting said first of said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on an attribute of said recipient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining a plurality of content segments includes at least one of the following:

receiving a notification regarding said plurality of content segments;

receiving a request from said recipient to provide all of said plurality of content segments;

receiving a request from said device to provide all of said plurality of content segments;

receiving a request from said recipient to provide said first of said plurality of content segments; and

receiving a request from said device to provide said first of said plurality of content segments.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying said recipient.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said identifying said recipient includes at least one of the following:

selecting said recipient from a group of potential recipients;

identifying said recipient from data included in a request to provide said plurality of content segments; and

identifying said recipient based, at least in part, on an attribute of said recipient.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining a device associated with a recipient includes at least one of the following:

determining an address for said device;

determining a communication channel to said device;

determining accessibility of said device;

receiving a notification regarding said device from said recipient;

receiving a request to provide said first and second of said plurality of content segments to a specific device;

receiving a command from said recipient to provide said first and second of said plurality of content segments to a specific device; and

selecting said device from a plurality of devices associated with said recipient.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining said first time and said second time.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said determining said first time and said second time includes at least one of the following:

determining a time interval associated with said first and second of said plurality of content segments, wherein said second time occurs said time interval after said first time;

determining a time interval associated with said plurality of content segments, wherein said second time occurs at least said time interval after said first time;

determining a time interval associated with said recipient, wherein said second time occurs at least said time interval after said first time;

determining a time interval associated with said device, wherein said second time occurs at least said time interval after said first time;

determining a time interval associated with said plurality of content segments, wherein said first time occurs at least said time interval after receipt of a request to provide said plurality of content segments; and

determining a time interval associated with said plurality of content segments, wherein said first time occurs at least said time interval after receipt of a request to provide said content segments and said second time occurs at least said time interval after said first time.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said determining said first time and said second time includes at least one of the following:

receiving a notification regarding said first time from said recipient;

receiving a notification regarding said first time from said device;

determining accessibility of said device;

determining an attribute of said recipient;

determining an attribute of said device;

selecting said first time at random;

selecting said first time to be during a period of accessibility of said device;

selecting said first time based, at least in part, on an external event;

selecting said first time based, at least in part, on an attribute of said recipient;

selecting said first time based, at least in part, on an attribute of said device; and

selecting said second time based, at least in part, on a length of time between said first time and a time at which a response to said first of said plurality of content segments is received.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said determining said first time and said second time includes at least one of the following:

determining said first time based, at least in part, on a number of content segments in said plurality of content segments;

determining said first time based, at least in part, on a length of time available to display said plurality of content segments;

determining said first time based, at least in part, on a minimum length of time to be used to display all of said plurality of content segments;

determining said first time based, at least in part, on a maximum length of time to be used to display all of said plurality of content segments;

determining said first time based, at least in part, on a format of said first of said plurality of content segments; and

determining said second time based, at least in part, on a response provided to said first of said plurality of content segments.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing said first of said plurality of content segments to said device at a first time and said second of said plurality of content segments to said device at a second time includes at least one of the following:

providing said both said first and said second of said plurality of content segments to said device prior to said first time and allowing said device to display said first of said plurality of content segments at said first time and said second of said plurality of content segments at said second time; and

providing said both said first and said second of said plurality of content segments to said device at said first time and allowing said device to display said first of said plurality of content segments at said first time and said second of said plurality of content segments at said second time.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing said first of said plurality of content segments to said device at a first time and said second of said plurality of content segments to said device at a second time includes at least one of the following:

providing to said device at said first time data indicative of a location of said first of said plurality of content segments;

providing to said device at said second time data indicative of a location of said second of said plurality of content segments;

providing to said device data indicative of a location of said first of said plurality of content segments and data indicative of a location of said second of said plurality of content segments and allowing said device to retrieve said first of said plurality of content segments at said first time and said second of said plurality of content segments at said second time;

providing to said device data indicative of a location of said first of said plurality of content segments and data indicative of a location of said second of said plurality of content segments and allowing said device to retrieve said first of said plurality of content segments prior to said first time and said second of said plurality of content segments prior to said second time; and

providing to said device data indicative of a location of said first of said plurality of content segments and data indicative of a location of said second of said plurality of content segments, allowing said device to retrieve said first of said plurality of content segments prior to said first time and said second of said plurality of content segments prior to said second time, and allowing said device to display said first of said plurality of content segments at said first time and said second of said plurality of content segments at said second time.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing said first of said plurality of content segments to said recipient at a first time and said second of said plurality of content segments to said recipient at a second time includes at least one of the following:

interrupting display of a content segment by said device by displaying said first of said plurality of content segments on said device;

interrupting operation of said device and displaying said first of said plurality of content segments on said device; and

interrupting operation of software on said device and displaying said first of said plurality of content segments on said device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of content segments includes at least one of the following:

educational content;

an advertisement;

a survey;

a question;

an animation;

a sound file;

a video clip;

a multimedia file;

an image;

software code;

text material; and

rich media.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following:

allowing said recipient to select at least one of said plurality of content segments; and

allowing said recipient to select all of said plurality of content segments.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following:

receiving a notification regarding a selection of at least one of said plurality of content segments;

receiving a notification regarding accessibility of said device;

receiving a notification regarding a communication channel to said device;

selecting said first of said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on an attribute of said device; and

selecting said first of said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on an attribute of said recipient.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining a plurality of content segments includes identifying said plurality of content segments after receiving a request to provide said plurality of content segments.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said identifying said plurality of content segments includes at least one of the following:

selecting said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on said recipient;

selecting said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on said device; and

selecting said plurality of content segments based, at least in part, on said request.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said request includes at least one of the following:

information regarding a communication channel for delivery of said plurality of content segments;

information regarding a format for said plurality of content segments;

information regarding said recipient;

information regarding said device;

an identifier associated with said plurality of content segments;

an identifier associated with said device; and

an identifier associated with said recipient.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second of said plurality of content segments are stored on said device.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein an interruption of said operation of said device includes at least one of the following:

an interruption in display of material by said device;

an interruption in display of material by software operating on said device;

a delay in use of data by software operating on said device;

a delay in use of data by said device;

a delay in manipulation of data by software operating on said device;

a delay in manipulation of data by said device;

a display of a window by said device;

a display of a window by software operating on said device;

a display of an image by said device;

a change in display of material by said device from foreground to background;

a change in display of material by said device from background to foreground;

a change in display of material by software operating on said device from foreground to background;

a change in display of material by software operating on said device from background to foreground;

a delay in operation of a software program operating on said device while a content segment is displayed by said device;

a delay in visual display of data by said device;

a delay in transmission of data by said device;

a delay in storage of data by said device;

a delay in reception of data by said device;

a delay in transmission of data by software operating on said device;

a delay in storage of data by software operating on said device;

a delay in reception of data by software operating on said device;

a prevention of use of at least one feature of said device while a content segment is displayed by said device;

a prevention of use of at least one feature of software operating on said device while a content segment is displayed by said device;

a suspension of usability of said device while a content segment is displayed by said device; and

a suspension of usability of software operating on said device while a content segment is displayed by said device.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating a response to said first of said plurality of content segments.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating responses to all of said plurality of content segments.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a format for said first of said plurality of content segments.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein all of said plurality of content segments are thematically related.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a time period during which said plurality of content segments are to be displayed by said device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said first time and said second time occur within said time period.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

determining a first time associated with a first of said plurality of content segments and a second time associated with a second of said plurality of content segments by randomly selecting said first time and said second time from said time period.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein selection of said second of said plurality of content segments is based, at least in part, on whether said recipient'"'"'s response to said first of said plurality of content segments is correct.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a duration of time that said first of said plurality of content segments is to be displayed by said device.

31. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a rule governing display of said first of said plurality of content segments by said device.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a benefit associated with viewing of said first of said plurality of content segments;

wherein said benefit includes at least one of a rebate, a discount and a coupon.

33. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a notification of said benefit.

34. A method for providing content, comprising:

determining a plurality of content segments;

identifying a first device associated with a recipient of said plurality of content segments and a second device associated with said recipient;

allowing said first device to display a first of said plurality of content segments, said first of said plurality of content segments for posing a question to a user of said device;

receiving a response to said question from said recipient;

determining if said response to said question is correct; and

allowing said second device to display a second of said plurality of content segments.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

providing said first of said plurality of content segments to said first device and said second of said plurality of content segments to said second device.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

providing data indicative of a location of said first of said plurality of content segments to said first device and data indicative of a location of said second of said plurality of content segments to said second device.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein display of said first content segment by said first device interrupts operation of said first device.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein display of said second content segment by said second device interrupts operation of said second device.

39. A method for providing content, comprising:

determining a plurality of content segments;

determining a device associated with a recipient of said plurality of content segments;

providing at least two of said plurality of content segments to said device;

allowing said device to display a first of said plurality of content segments at a first time and a second of said plurality of content segments at a second time, wherein display of a content segment by said device interrupts operation of said device, said first of said plurality of content segments for posing a question to said recipient;

receiving a response to said question from said recipient; and

determining if said response to said question is correct.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said first and second of said plurality of content segments are stored on said device.

41. A system for facilitating display of at least one content segment, comprising:

a memory;

a communication port; and

a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to;

determine a plurality of content segments;

determine a device associated with a recipient of said plurality of content segments;

provide a first of said plurality of content segments to said device at a first time and a second of said plurality of content segments to said device at a second time, wherein display of a content segment by said device interrupts operation of said device, said first of said plurality of content segments for posing a question to said recipient;

receive a response to said question from said recipient; and

determine if said response to said question is correct.

42. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for facilitating display of at least one content segment, comprising:

first instructions for identifying determining a first content segment and a second content segment;

second instructions for identifying at least one device associated with a recipient of said first and second content segments;

third instructions for sending said first content segment to said device at a first time and said second content segment to said device at a second time, wherein display of a content segment by said device interrupts operation of said device, said first of said plurality of content segments for posing a question to said recipient;

fourth instructions for receiving a response to said question from said recipient; and

fifth instructions for determining if said response to said question is correct.