Method and system for controlling and auditing content/services systems
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a network transaction, the method comprising the steps of:
- directing enhanced broadcast information via a network to a plurality of receivers, wherein said network is controlled by a network operator, and wherein at least a portion of said enhanced broadcast information is provided by at least one content provider;
detecting triggers within said portion of said enhanced broadcast information provided by said at least one content provider, wherein said detecting step is performed by a third party;
intercepting by said third party a user request directed at said at least one content provider from a receiver of said plurality of receivers coupled to said network, said user request containing request information;
stripping at least a portion of the request information from said user request;
inserting third party parameters into said user request to form a modified user request;
directing said modified user request to said at least one content provider;
intercepting a user request response directed to said receiver by said at least one content provider;
permitting the network transaction to proceed if the content provider abides by said third party parameters; and
storing at least a portion of the network transaction information provided by said at least one content provider in said user request response, wherein said storing step is performed by said third party;
requesting additional information on said network transaction from said at least one content provider, wherein said requesting step is performed by said third party;
receiving said additional information from said at least one content provider; and
storing said additional information in a data base controlled by said third party.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved interactive network system is provided that allows the Network Operator to control the transfer of information to and from the network end users, the system preferably using triggers or markers embedded within the programming broadcast to users via the network. As a consequence of this system, the Network Operator is able to efficiently garner revenues from third parties transacting business over the network and to control the look and feel of programming offered to network users. Additionally the system can be used as a means of limiting network access, filtering programming, providing on-screen graphics or audible signals for particular programming types or providers, bookmarking programming, profiling network users, targeting advertising, and simplifying network transactions.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a network transaction, the method comprising the steps of:
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directing enhanced broadcast information via a network to a plurality of receivers, wherein said network is controlled by a network operator, and wherein at least a portion of said enhanced broadcast information is provided by at least one content provider; detecting triggers within said portion of said enhanced broadcast information provided by said at least one content provider, wherein said detecting step is performed by a third party; intercepting by said third party a user request directed at said at least one content provider from a receiver of said plurality of receivers coupled to said network, said user request containing request information; stripping at least a portion of the request information from said user request; inserting third party parameters into said user request to form a modified user request; directing said modified user request to said at least one content provider; intercepting a user request response directed to said receiver by said at least one content provider; permitting the network transaction to proceed if the content provider abides by said third party parameters; and storing at least a portion of the network transaction information provided by said at least one content provider in said user request response, wherein said storing step is performed by said third party; requesting additional information on said network transaction from said at least one content provider, wherein said requesting step is performed by said third party; receiving said additional information from said at least one content provider; and storing said additional information in a data base controlled by said third party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification