Method and apparatus for providing audio advertisements in a computer network

• US 8,117,068 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2009
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommWorks Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Hoshiko LLC (Raoul Management LLC)
• Inventors: Shuster, Brian Mark, Bugg, Steven Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMPAGNE, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US12/464,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20090287569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14.53, 705/14.66, 705/14.68, 705/14.73, 700/94, 709/203
• US Class Current: 705/14.53
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0272 Period of advertisement exposure
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing audio advertisements in a computer network enables Web sites to deliver audio advertisements that cannot be bypassed by a visitor. More particularly, an advertising or sponsoring Web site receives a request from at least one user for delivery of a user-selected Web page associated with the Web site. The Web site selects at least one audio advertisement from a plurality of audio advertisements for delivery to the user in conjunction with the user-selected Web page. The Web site then delivers the audio advertisement to the user via the network in a format that precludes the user from controlling the manner of playback of the audio advertisement.

Claims

1. A computing system comprising:

one or more hardware processors configured to execute instructions;

a computer memory holding instructions configured for execution by the one or more hardware processors in order to cause the computing system to;

receive a request for a web page from a client computing device executing a client web browser; and

send, in addition to the web page, code configured to cause the client web browser to generate a hidden frame that includes at least one audio file or a link to the at least one audio file in response to the request, wherein the hidden frame is configured to maintain a connection between the computing system and the client web browser at least until the at least one audio file is downloaded to the client computing device regardless of whether or not the web page is open on the client web browser, wherein the at least one audio file is selected based on one or more topical interests of a user of the client computing device.

2. The computing system of claim 1, the computer memory holding further instructions to cause the computing system to select the at least one audio file from a plurality of audio files for delivery to the client computing device in response to the request.

3. The computing system of claim 1, the computer memory holding further instructions to cause the computing system to deliver software code to the client computing device to enable the client computing device to request further web content while the at least one audio file is playing on the client computing device.

4. The computing system of claim 1, the computer memory holding further instructions to cause the computing system to deliver software code to the client computing device to enable the client computing device to request further web content while the at least one audio file is playing on the client computing device, the software code responsive to shortcut commands to automatically retrieve a predetermined web page.

5. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising a database operatively associated with the computing system, the database holding topical measurements of information interests for individuals.

6. A method comprising:

receiving, by a computing system, a request for a web page from a client computing device executing a client web browser; and

sending, by the computing system to the client computing device, code usable by the client web browser in order to generate a hidden frame including at least one audio file or a link to the at least one audio file in response to the request, wherein the hidden frame is configured to maintain a connection between the computing system and the client computing device at least until the at least one audio file is downloaded to the client computing device regardless of whether or not the web page is open on the client web browser, wherein the at least one audio file is selected based on one or more topical interests of a user of the client computing device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising sending the web page to the client computing device with the hidden frame.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising selecting the at least one audio file from a plurality of audio files for delivery to the client computing device in response to the request for the web page.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising delivering software code to the client computing device to enable the client computing device to request further web content while the at least one audio file is playing on the client computing device.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising delivering software code to the client computing device to enable the client computing device to request further web content while the at least one audio file is playing on the client computing device, the software code responsive to shortcut commands to automatically retrieve a predetermined web page.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing topical measurements of information interests for individuals in a database operatively associated with the computing system.

12. A tangible computer readable medium having software modules including executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the software modules are configured for execution by a computing system having one or more hardware processors, the software modules including at least:

a first module configured to cause the computing system to receive a request for a web page from a client computing device; and

a second module configured to transmit to the client computing device the requested web page and code usable by the client computing device to generate a hidden frame including at least one audio file or a link to the at least one audio file, wherein the hidden frame is configured to cause the at least one audio file to be played on the client computing device regardless of whether the web page is open on the client computing device, wherein the at least one audio file is selected based on one or more topical interests of a user of the client computing device.