Request for information related to broadcast network content
First Claim
1. A method for use in providing information to users of a broadcast network, comprising the steps of:
- providing a targeted asset system in connection with said broadcast network, wherein assets are targeted to said users of said broadcast network by matching target parameters of an asset to classification parameters of said users;
providing a network bridging system of one or more processors in communication with a broadcast network structure separate from a user equipment device, and in communication with a data network structure at a remote location separate from said broadcast network structure and said user equipment device, for receiving information from said user equipment device via first pathway connecting said user equipment device and said broadcast network structure, and for outputting information to a data network terminal, such as a computer or data enabled mobile device, via a second pathway interconnecting said data network structure and said data network terminal such as a computer or data enabled mobile device;
receiving, at said network bridging system via said first pathway, from a user equipment device of said broadcast network, request information regarding an indication of interest specific to a broadcast network user, said indication being associated with an input entered by said network user in connection with delivery of first broadcast content to said network user via said user equipment device;
receiving, at said network bridging system, information identifying said user'"'"'s preferences for receiving follow-on information from content providers, said preferences including one or more preferred communication modes for receiving said follow-on information and data network address information pertaining to said data network terminal, and storing said user'"'"'s preferences in a preference data structure where the user'"'"'s preferences are indexed in relation to information contained in said input entered by said network user such that said preference can be accessed in response to said input entered by said network user;
using a data structure for making an association of said request information to a first information provider; and
based on said association, and free from interruption of said delivery of said first broadcast content to said network user, providing information of said first information provider from said remote location to said broadcast network user via said one or more preferred communication modes and via said second pathway connecting said data network structure and said data network terminal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the internet. In one implementation, a viewer of a cable television network enters an RFI input (1) to a digital set top box using a user remote. Based on this RFI input, the digital set top box transmits a data request (2) to an RFI data center. The RFI data center also receives asset data (3) from an asset database so as to associate the RFI input (1) with a particular asset. An RFI request (4) can then be transmitted to the appropriate asset provider. The asset provider can then provide a report such package of assets or follow-on information (5) back to the RFI data center. The RFI data center may then, in turn, provide the package of assets or follow-on information to a user data terminal, for example, of the cable television network viewer, via access through a web-portal or e-mail (6). The digital set top box may also record inputs from the user to verify consumption of assets and track data requests. Using this information, the RFI data center or an RFI platform may credit value to a rewards account established for the network user based on the user'"'"'s verified consumption of assets and/or data requests. Further, the RFI data center or RFI platform may be used to collect consumer behavior information, including purchasing decisions made by the user after consumption of assets, and correlate the consumer behavior information with the user'"'"'s verified asset consumption.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for use in providing information to users of a broadcast network, comprising the steps of:
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providing a targeted asset system in connection with said broadcast network, wherein assets are targeted to said users of said broadcast network by matching target parameters of an asset to classification parameters of said users; providing a network bridging system of one or more processors in communication with a broadcast network structure separate from a user equipment device, and in communication with a data network structure at a remote location separate from said broadcast network structure and said user equipment device, for receiving information from said user equipment device via first pathway connecting said user equipment device and said broadcast network structure, and for outputting information to a data network terminal, such as a computer or data enabled mobile device, via a second pathway interconnecting said data network structure and said data network terminal such as a computer or data enabled mobile device; receiving, at said network bridging system via said first pathway, from a user equipment device of said broadcast network, request information regarding an indication of interest specific to a broadcast network user, said indication being associated with an input entered by said network user in connection with delivery of first broadcast content to said network user via said user equipment device; receiving, at said network bridging system, information identifying said user'"'"'s preferences for receiving follow-on information from content providers, said preferences including one or more preferred communication modes for receiving said follow-on information and data network address information pertaining to said data network terminal, and storing said user'"'"'s preferences in a preference data structure where the user'"'"'s preferences are indexed in relation to information contained in said input entered by said network user such that said preference can be accessed in response to said input entered by said network user; using a data structure for making an association of said request information to a first information provider; and based on said association, and free from interruption of said delivery of said first broadcast content to said network user, providing information of said first information provider from said remote location to said broadcast network user via said one or more preferred communication modes and via said second pathway connecting said data network structure and said data network terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for use in providing information to users of a broadcast network, comprising:
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a network bridging system of one or more processors in communication with a broadcast network structure separate from a user equipment device, and in communication with a data network structure at a remote location separate from said broadcast network structure and said user equipment device, for receiving information from said user equipment device via first pathway connecting said user equipment device and said broadcast network structure, and for outputting information to a data network terminal via a second pathway interconnecting said data network structure and said data network terminal; a first data structure associated with said network bridging system, for receiving preference information regarding one or more preferred communication modes of a user of a broadcast network and data network address information pertaining to said data network terminal and storing said user'"'"'s preferences in a preference data structure where the user'"'"'s preferences are indexed in relation to information contained in said input entered by said network user such that said preference can be accessed in response to said input entered by said network user; a second data structure for receiving, via a first path from a user equipment device of said broadcast network, request information regarding an input from said broadcast network user, said input being associated with delivery of first broadcast content to said broadcast network user via said user equipment device; and one or more processors operative for; making an identification of said request information to a first information provider; based on said preferred communication modes of said broadcast network user, determining a second network device to receive information of said first information provider; and based on said making said identification and said determining said second network device, and free from interruption of said delivery of said first broadcast content to said broadcast network user, outputting said information of said first information provider from a remote location to said second network device via a second path, wherein said second network device is different than said user equipment device and said second path is separate from said user equipment device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification