Distributing personalized content

• US 7,394,816 B1
• Filed: 06/26/1998
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yahoo AD Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: AOL LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bill, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan; Man U.
• Application Number:
  US09/105,840
• Time in Patent Office: 3,658 Days
• Field of Search: 370254-355, 370390-401, 370/410, 370/522, 370/402, 370/524, 370/474, 370/466, 709/227, 709/238, 709/250, 709217-226, 709/214, 709/215, 709/229, 707 1- 4, 707100-102
• US Class Current: 370/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/435 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access

Abstract

The invention provides a method and system for distributing personalized content to potentially large numbers of recipients. A pool is selected, from among all content available for distribution, of those content elements that will be made available for simultaneous distribution, and personalized content is selected for distribution from that pool. The content of the pool can change with new selections over time. For each individual recipient, content elements in the pool are examined to determine if they are predicted to be of sufficient interest to that recipient for distribution, and if so, those content elements are distributed. If not, successive content elements in the pool are examined, relaxing the standard for sufficient interest, until at least one content element is found and distributed to the individual recipient.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a score for one of a set of content elements in a pool, said score being responsive to a predicted interest in said one content element by an individual recipient;

comparing said score with a threshold;

choosing whether to distribute said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said comparing; and

selecting a new pool that differs from said pool, said selecting said new pool includes;

selecting an individual content element for addition to said pool, and

selecting an individual content element for removal from said pool.

2. A method as in claim 1 further comprising adjusting said threshold in response to comparing.

3. A method as in claim 1 further comprising adjusting said threshold in response to said individual recipient.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein a number of said individual recipients is substantially greater than a number of content elements in said pool.

5. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:

repeating said determining and comparing, for a plurality of content elements in said pool; and

selecting one of said plurality in response to said scores.

6. A method as in claim 5 further comprising adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing.

7. A method as in claim 5 further comprising adjusting said threshold in response to said individual recipient.

8. A method as in claim 5 wherein said selecting one of said plurality in response to said scores is responsive to said threshold.

9. A method as in claim 1 further comprising repeating said determining, comparing, and choosing, until a condition occurs.

10. A method as in claim 9 further comprising adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing.

11. A method as in claim 9 further comprising adjusting said threshold in response to said individual recipient.

12. A method as in claim 9 wherein said condition is responsive to a number of times said determining is performed.

13. A method as in claim 9, wherein said condition is that at least one content element in said pool is chosen for distribution.

16. A method as in claim 1 further comprising selecting a pool of content elements from said set of content elements, said pool having a plurality of content elements but less than all of said set of content elements.

14. A system including:

a plurality of scores for content elements in a set of content elements in a pool, said scores being responsive to a predicted interest by an individual recipient of said one content element to a recipient;

a result of comparing said scores with a threshold;

an adjusted threshold, said adjusted threshold being determined in response to said result for comparing;

a communication path disposed for coupling said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said result of comparing; and

a selected one of said content elements, said selected one being in response to said scores.

15. A system including:

a plurality of scores for content elements in a set of content elements in a pool, said scores being responsive to a predicted interest by an individual recipient of said one content element to a recipient;

a result of comparing said scores with a threshold;

an adjusted threshold, said adjusted threshold being in response to said result for comparing;

a corresponding set of results of comparing said plurality of scores with said adjusted threshold;

a communication path disposed for coupling said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said result of comparing; and

a selected one of said content elements, said selected one being responsive to said set of results of comparing.

17. A system including:

means for determining a score for one of a set of content elements in a pool, said score being responsive to a predicted interest in said one content element by an individual recipient;

means for comparing said score with a threshold;

means for choosing whether to distribute said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said comparing; and

means for selecting a new pool that differs from said pool, said means for selecting said new pool includes;

means for selecting an individual content element for addition to said pool, and

means for selecting an individual content element for removal from said pool.

18. A system as in claim 17 further comprising means for adjusting said threshold in response to comparing.

19. A system as in claim 17 further comprising means for adjusting said threshold in response to said individual recipient.

20. A system as in claim 17 wherein a number of said individual recipients is substantially greater than a number of content elements in said pool.

21. A system as in claim 17 further comprising:

means for repeating said determining and comparing, for a plurality of content elements in said pool; and

means for selecting one of said plurality in response to determining and comparing performed by said means for determining and comparing.

22. A system as in claim 21 further comprising means for adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing.

23. A system as in claim 21 further comprising means for adjusting said threshold in response to said individual recipient.

24. A system as in claim 21 wherein said means for selecting one of said plurality selects the one of said plurality responsive to said threshold.

25. A system as in claim 17 further comprising means for repeating said determining, comparing, and choosing, until a condition occurs.

26. A system as in claim 25 further comprising means for adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing.

27. A system as in claim 25 further comprising means for adjusting said threshold in response to said individual recipient.

28. A system as in claim 25 wherein said condition is responsive to a number of times said determining is performed.

29. A system as in claim 25 wherein said condition is that at least one content element in said pool is chosen for distribution.

30. A system as in claim 17 further comprising means for selecting a pool of content elements from said set of content elements, said pool having a plurality of content elements but less than all of said set of content elements.

31. A computer program stored on a tangible computer-readable medium, the computer program comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to:

determine a score for one of a set of content elements in a pool, a score being responsive to a predicted interest in said one content element by an individual recipient;

compare said score with a threshold;

choose whether to distribute said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said comparing; and

select a new pool that differs from said pool, said selection of said new pool includes;

selecting an individual content element for addition to said pool, and

selecting an individual content element for removal from said pool.

32. A computer program as in claim 31 farther comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to adjust said threshold in response to said comparison of said score with a threshold.

33. A computer program as in claim 31 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to adjust said threshold in response to said individual recipient.

34. A computer program as in claim 31 wherein a number of said individual recipients is substantially greater than a number of content elements in said pool.

35. A computer program as in claim 31 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to:

repeat said determining and comparing, for a plurality of content elements in said pool; and

select one of said plurality of content elements in response to determining and comparing repeatedly performed.

36. A computer program as in claim 35 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to adjust said threshold in response to said comparison of said score with a threshold.

37. A computer program as in claim 35 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to adjust said threshold in response to said individual recipient.

38. A computer program as in claim 35 wherein said selection of one of said plurality of content elements is responsive to said threshold.

39. A computer program as in claim 31 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to repeat said determining, comparing, and choosing, until a condition occurs.

40. A computer program as in claim 39 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to adjust said threshold in response to said comparing.

41. A computer program as in claim 39 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to adjust said threshold in response to said individual recipient.

42. A computer program as in claim 39 wherein said condition is responsive to a number of times said determining is performed.

43. A computer program as in claim 39 wherein said condition is that at least one content element in said pool is chosen for distribution.

44. A computer program as in claim 31 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to select a pool of content elements from said set of control elements, said pool having a plurality of content elements, but less than all of said set of content elements.

45. A method comprising:

determining a score for more than one of several different content elements in a pool of content elements, said scores being responsive to a predicted interest in said different content elements by an individual recipient;

comparing said scores with a threshold;

noting a plurality of content elements in said pool, each having an associated score, in response to said comparing;

selecting one of said plurality of content elements in response to said scores; and

choosing whether to distribute at least one of said plurality of content elements to said individual recipient.

46. The method of claim 45 further comprising adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing.

47. The method of claim 45 further comprising selecting said pool of content elements from a set of content elements, said pool having a plurality of content elements but less than all of said set of content elements.

48. A method as in claim 45 further comprising repeating said determining and comparing, for a plurality of content elements in said pool.

49. The method of claim 48 further comprising:

adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing; and

noting a plurality of content elements in said pool, each having an associated score, in response to said adjusting.

50. A method as in claim 48 further comprising repeating said choosing until a condition is satisfied.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing; and

noting a plurality of content elements in said pool, each having an associated score, in response to said adjusting.

52. A system comprising:

means for determining a score for more than one of several different content elements in a pool of content elements, said scores being responsive to a predicted interest in said different content element by an individual recipient;

means for comparing said scores with a threshold;

means for noting a plurality of content elements in said pool, each having an associated score, in response to said comparing;

means for selecting one of said plurality of content elements in response to said scores; and

means for choosing whether to distribute at least one of said plurality of content elements to said individual recipient.

53. The system of claim 52 further comprising means for adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing.

54. The system of claim 52 further comprising means for selecting said pool of content elements from a set of content elements, said pool having a plurality of content elements but less than all of said set of content elements.

55. A system as in claim 52 further comprising means for repeating said determining and comparing, for a plurality of content elements in said pool.

56. The system of claim 55 further comprising:

means for adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing; and

means for noting a plurality of content elements in said pool, each having an associated score, in response to said adjusting.

57. A system as in claim 55 further comprising means for repeating said choosing until a condition is satisfied.

58. The system of claim 57 further comprising:

means for adjusting said threshold in response to said comparing; and

means for noting a plurality of content elements in said pool, each having an associated score, in response to said adjusting.

59. A computer program for choosing whether to distribute one content element stored on a tangible computer-readable medium, the computer program comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to:

determine a score for more than one of several different content elements in a pool of content elements, said scores being responsive to a predicted interest in said different content elements by an individual recipient;

compare said scores with a threshold;

note a plurality of content elements in said pool, each having an associated score, in response to said comparing;

select one of said plurality of content elements in response to said scores; and

choose whether to distribute at least one of said plurality of content elements to said individual recipient.

60. The computer program of claim 59 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to adjust said threshold in response to said comparing.

61. The computer program of claim 59 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to select said pool of content elements from a set of content elements, said pool having a plurality of content elements but less than all of said set of content elements.

62. The computer program as in claim 59 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to repeat said determining and comparing, for a plurality of content elements in said pool.

63. The computer program of claim 62 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to:

adjust said threshold in response to said comparing; and

note a plurality of content elements in said pool, each having an associated score, in response to said adjusting.

64. The computer program of claim 62 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to repeat said choosing until a condition is satisfied.

65. The computer program of claim 64 further comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to:

adjust said threshold in response to said comparing; and

note a plurality of content elements in said pool, each having an associated score, in response to said adjusting.

66. A method comprising:

determining a score for one of a set of content elements in a pool, said score being responsive to a predicted interest in said one content element by an individual recipient;

comparing said score with a threshold;

choosing whether to distribute said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said comparing; and

selecting a new pool that differs from said pool, said new pool being selected by replacing said pool entirely.

67. A method comprising:

determining a score for one of a set of content elements in a pool, said score being responsive to a predicted interest in said one content element by an individual recipient;

comparing said score with a threshold;

choosing whether to distribute said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said comparing; and

selecting a new pool that differs from said pool, said new pool being selected based on timing information.

68. A system including:

means for determining a score for one of a set of content elements in a pool, said score being responsive to a predicted interest in said one content element by an individual recipient;

means for comparing said score with a threshold;

means for choosing whether to distribute said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said comparing; and

means for selecting a new pool that differs from said pool, said means for selecting said new pool includes means for replacing said pool entirely.

69. A system including:

means for determining a score for one of a set of content elements in a pool, said score being responsive to a predicted interest in said one content element by an individual recipient;

means for comparing said score with a threshold;

means for choosing whether to distribute said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said comparing; and

means for selecting a new pool that differs from said pool, said means for selecting said new pool includes means for selecting based on timing information.

70. A computer program stored on a tangible computer-readable medium, the computer program comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to:

determine a score for one of a set of content elements in a pool, a score being responsive to a predicted interest in said one content element by an individual recipient;

compare said score with a threshold;

choose whether to distribute said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said comparing; and

select a new pool that differs from said pool, said new pool being selected by replacing said pool entirely.

71. A computer program stored on a tangible computer-readable medium, the computer program comprising one or more code segments that, when executed, cause a computer to:

determine a score for one of a set of content elements in a pool, a score being responsive to a predicted interest in said one content element by an individual recipient;

compare said score with a threshold;

choose whether to distribute said one content element to said individual recipient, in response to said comparing; and

select a new pool that differs from said pool, said new pool being selected based on timing information.