System and method for providing for out-of-home advertising utilizing a satellite network

• US 7,742,950 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2006
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NExT-e Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Automated Media Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Goldring, Peter G., Amadio, Martin A., Kirshenbaum, Stanley, Wolinsky, Robert I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Airapetian; Mila
• Application Number:
  US11/600,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20070130023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/14
• US Class Current: 705/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0248 Avoiding fraud
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/74 of satellite networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services

Abstract

A system and method for distributing content for a broadcaster on a communications network. The system may include a database operable to maintain the content for the broadcaster, the broadcaster being a subscriber for use of at least one visual appliance. A user interface may be in communication with the database and be operable (i) to provide a self-servicing scheduler for the broadcaster to form a playlist of the content and (ii) to distribute the playlist and associated scheduled content across the communications network. A server may be operable to receive the playlist and scheduled content associated therewith via the communications network. A visual appliance may be in communication with the server and be operable to receive and display the scheduled content.

Claims

1. A system for distributing content for a broadcaster on a communications network, said system comprising:

a database operable to maintain the content for the broadcaster, the broadcaster being a subscriber for use of at least one visual appliance;

a user interface in communication with said database and operable to provide a self-servicing scheduler for the broadcaster to form a playlist of the content, and to distribute the playlist and associated scheduled content across the communications network;

a server operable to receive the playlist and schedule content associated therewith via the communications network; and

a visual appliance in communication with said server and operable to receive and display the scheduled content.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said server is operable to communicate a start command to said visual appliance to start displaying the scheduled content.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the playlist includes an advertising content identifier, a start time for display, and a visual appliance identifier.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the communications network includes a satellite.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless local access point providing communication between said server and said visual appliance.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said wireless local access point operates an 802.11 wireless protocol.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said user interface is accessible via the Internet.

8. A method for broadcasting to a subscriber an advertisement from a network having a plurality of advertisements, said method comprising:

providing a user interface to enable self-scheduling of advertisements to form a playlist of advertisements;

accessing, by a computing system, a network location of an advertisement on the network desired by the subscriber for broadcasting for the subscriber and to the subscriber;

selecting, by the computing system, the desired advertisement from the network location for broadcasting for the subscriber;

scheduling a display time for the desired advertisement for the subscriber;

communicating the desired advertisement via a communications network to the subscriber from the network location;

receiving, by a visual appliance, the desired advertisement for display based on the display time scheduled; and

displaying, on the visual appliance, the desired advertisement for the subscriber in accordance with the scheduling.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said scheduling includes selecting at least one of a time and date.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said scheduling further includes selecting at least one device for displaying the advertisement.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

operating at least one visual appliance; and

assigning the advertisement to one or more visual appliances.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the subscriber is at least one of a retailer, advertising agency, manufacturer, and out-of-home media entity.

13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising receiving a charge based on an amount of data communicated for the advertisement.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein said scheduling includes assigning the advertisement for communication to at least one facility of the subscriber for distribution of the advertisement.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein said scheduling includes assigning the advertisement to be displayed on the visual appliance at a location defined by a planogram within a facility of the subscriber.

16. The method according to claim 8, wherein the advertisement includes at least one of a photograph, graphic, text, audio, and video.

17. The method according to claim 8, further comprising substantially simultaneously receiving the desired advertisement at substantially any location within a country.

18. The method according to claim 8, further comprising receiving the advertisement from at least one of the following communications network:

the Internet, satellite network, wide area network, local area network, private network, and public network.

19. A system for broadcasting advertisements to a subscriber, said system comprising:

means for accessing a network location of an advertisement on the network desired by the subscriber for broadcasting for the subscriber and to the subscriber;

means for selecting the desired advertisement from the network location for broadcasting for the subscriber;

means for scheduling a display time for the desired advertisement for the subscriber;

means for communicating the desired advertisement to the subscriber from the network location;

means for receiving the desired advertisement for display based on the display time scheduled; and

means for displaying the desired advertisement for the subscriber in accordance with the scheduling.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said means for scheduling includes means for selecting at least one of a date and time.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein said means for scheduling includes means for selecting at least one means for displaying the advertisement.

22. The system according to claim 19, wherein said means for scheduling includes means for assigning the advertisement to at least one facility of the subscriber for distribution of the advertisement.

23. The system according to claim 19, wherein said means for scheduling includes means for assigning the advertisement to be displayed at a location defined by a planogram.

24. A system for distributing content for a broadcaster on a communications network, said system comprising:

a server;

a database in communication with said server, and operable to maintain the content for the broadcaster, the broadcaster being a subscriber for use of at least one visual appliance;

a user interface in communication with said database and operable to provide a self-servicing scheduler for the broadcaster to form a playlist of the content and to distribute the playlist and associated scheduled content across the communications network; and

a visual appliance in communication with the communications network, and configured to receive and display the scheduled content.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein said server is configured to receive the scheduled content and playlist via the communications network.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein said server is further configured to communicate a start command to said visual appliance to start displaying the scheduled content.

27. The system according to claim 24, wherein said server is in communication with said database and configured to operate said user interface.

28. The system according to claim 24, wherein the playlist includes an advertising content identifier, a start time for display, and a visual appliance identifier.

29. The system according to claim 24, wherein said visual appliance is configured to display the schedule content according to the playlist.