System and method for distributing media related to a location

• US 8,281,027 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Martinez, Ronald, Spiegelman, Michael, Paretti, Christopher T., Ghezzi, Nicola Stefano, Higgins, Christopher William, Kalaboukis, Chris, Davis, Marc Eliot
• Primary Examiner(s): Moise, Emmanuel L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ashraf, Waseem
• Application Number:
  US12/234,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20100077017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/227, 709/231
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

A system and method for distributing media related to a location. The physical location of a media presentation device is received over a network. The physical location of a plurality of end users are identified, via the network, wherein each of plurality of users is associated with a user device capable of storing media files. At least one of the end users is identified who is located in such proximity to the media presentation device that the user can perceive media that presented on the media presentation device. At least one media file that is currently being presented on the media presentation device is identified and transmitted over the network to each of the identified end users.

Claims

1. A method comprising of:

receiving the physical location of a media presentation device over a network;

identifying, via the network, the physical location of a plurality of end users, such that each of plurality of users is associated with a respective user device capable of storing media files;

identifying, via the network, at least one of the plurality of end users who is located in such proximity to the media presentation device that the user can perceive media that is presented on the media presentation device;

identifying, via the network, at least one media file that is currently being presented on the media presentation device;

accumulating, via the network, a playlist comprising the at least one media file;

determining, via the network, if each of the at least one of the plurality of end users made a purchase at the physical location;

transmitting, over the network, the playlist to the respective user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users that made a purchase.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:

determining, via the network, if the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file, wherein if the at least one of the plurality of end users is not eligible, the at least one media file is not transmitted to the at least one of the plurality of end users.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the media presentation device is located in a business location and the at least one of the plurality of end users is present in the business location during normal business hours.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the least one of the plurality of end users is carrying the user device capable of storing media files.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the least one of the plurality of end users is a subscriber of a media service.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the at least one of the plurality of end users matches a targeting profile having social, spatial, temporal and topical targeting criteria.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the targeting profile relates to a national brand.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the targeting profile relates to an advertiser.

9. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:

determining, via the network, if the at least one media file meets at least one filter criteria, wherein if the at least one of the plurality of end users meets the at least one filter criteria, the at least one media file is not transmitted to the at least one of the plurality of end users.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one filter criteria is that the at least one of the plurality of end users has previously perceived a presentation of the at least one media file.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one filter criteria is that the at least one of the plurality of end users has previously perceived a presentation of the at least one media file and has unfavorable reviewed the media file.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one filter criteria is that at least one other user has unfavorably reviewed the media file.

13. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:

determining, via the network, if at least one content restriction should be applied to the at least one media file, wherein if the at least one content restriction should be applied to the at least one media file, the at least one content restriction is applied to the at least one media file before it is transmitted to the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the number of times the media file can be perceived by the end user.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the number of times the media file can be presented on the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the duration for which the at least one media file can be presented on the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the number of times the at least one media file can be shared by each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one content restriction is at least one advertisement.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting, over the network, the at least one media file comprises the steps of:

updating, over the network, a playlist on the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users, wherein each playlist is updated to reflect the at least one media file;

transmitting, over the network, the at least one media file to the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one media file is a hyperlink.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one media file is a ringtone.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one media file is selected from the list:

audio, video file.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one media file is selected from the list:

product brochure, service brochure, marketing materials.

24. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for a method comprising the steps of:

receiving the physical location of a media presentation device over a network;

identifying, via the network, the physical location of a plurality of end users, such that each of plurality of users is associated with a respective user device capable of storing media files;

identifying, via the network, at least one of the plurality of end users who is located in such proximity to the media presentation device that the user can perceive media that is presented on the media presentation device;

identifying, via the network, at least one media file that is currently being presented on the media presentation device;

accumulating, via the network, a playlist comprising the at least one media file;

determining, via the network, if each of the at least one of the plurality of end users made a purchase at the physical location;

transmitting, over the network, the playlist comprising the at least one media file to the respective user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users that have made a purchase.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 comprising the additional step of:

determining, via the network, if the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file, wherein if the at least one of the plurality of end users is not eligible, the at least one media file is not transmitted to the at least one of the plurality of end users.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the media presentation device is located in a business location and the at least one of the plurality of end users is present in the business location during normal business hours.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the least one of the plurality of end users is carrying the user device capable of storing media files.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 25 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the least one of the plurality of end users is a subscriber of a media service.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the at least one of the plurality of end users matches a targeting profile having social, spatial, temporal and topical targeting criteria.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 29 wherein the targeting profile relates to a national brand.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 29 wherein the targeting profile relates to an advertiser.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 comprising the additional step of:

determining, via the network, if the at least one media file meets at least one filter criteria, wherein if the at least one of the plurality of end users meets the at least one filter criteria, the at least one media file is not transmitted to the at least one of the plurality of end users.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 32 wherein the at least one filter criteria is that the at least one of the plurality of end users has previously perceived a presentation of the at least one media file.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 32 wherein the at least one filter criteria is that the at least one of the plurality of end users has previously perceived a presentation of the at least one media file and has unfavorable reviewed the media file.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein the at least one filter criteria is that at least one other user has unfavorably reviewed the media file.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 comprising the additional step of:

determining, via the network, if at least one content restriction should be applied to the at least one media file, wherein if the at least one content restriction should be applied to the at least one media file, the at least one content restriction is applied to the at least one media file before it is transmitted to the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 36 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the number of times the media file can be perceived by the end user.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 36 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the number of times the media file can be presented on the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 36 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the duration for which the at least one media file can be presented on the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 36 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the number of times the at least one media file can be shared by each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 36 wherein the at least one content restriction is at least one advertisement.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein the step of transmitting, over the network, the at least one media file comprises the steps of:

updating, over the network, a playlist on the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users, wherein each playlist is updated to reflect the at least one media file;

transmitting, over the network, the at least one media file to the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein the at least one media file is a hyperlink.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein the at least one media file is a ringtone.

45. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein the at least one media file is selected from the list:

audio, video file.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24 wherein the at least one media file is selected from the list:

product brochure, service brochure, marketing materials.

47. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

a storage medium for tangibly storing thereon program logic for execution by the processor, the program logic comprising;

location tracking logic executed by the processor for receiving, over a network, the physical location of a plurality of media presentation devices and the physical location of a plurality of end users, such that each of plurality of users are associated with a respective user device capable of storing media files;

eligible user identification logic executed by the processor for identifying at least one of the plurality of end users who are located in such proximity to at least one of the plurality of media presentation devices that the at least one of the plurality of end users can perceive media that is presented on the at least one of the plurality of media presentation devices;

location related media identification logic executed by the processor for identifying at least one media file that is currently being presented on the at least one of the plurality of media presentation devices;

media filter logic executed by the processor for determining if the at least one media file meets at least one filter criteria, wherein if the at least one of the plurality of end users meets the at least one filter criteria, the at least one media file is not transmitted to the at least one of the plurality of end users by the media delivery module;

content restriction logic executed by the processor for determining if at least one content restriction should be applied to the at least one media file, wherein if the at least one content restriction should be applied to the at least one media file, the at least one content restriction is applied to the at least one media file before it is transmitted to the user device of the at least one of the plurality of end users by the media delivery module, the at least one content restriction applied to the media file comprises a determination that the at least one of the plurality of end users has made a purchase at the physical location;

playlist update logic executed by the processor for accumulating a playlist comprising the at least one media file and updating a playlist on the user device of the at least one of the plurality of end users, wherein the playlist updated to reflect the at least one media file upon the at least one content restriction being satisfied;

media delivery logic executed by the processor for transmitting, over the network, the at least one media file to the respective user device of the at least one of the plurality of end users upon the at least one of the plurality of end users making a purchase at the physical location.

48. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the eligible user identification logic determines if the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file, wherein if the at least one of the plurality of end users is not eligible, the at least one media file is not transmitted to the at least one of the plurality of end users by the media delivery module.

49. The computing device of claim 48 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the media presentation device is located in a business location and the at least one of the plurality of end users is present in the business location during normal business hours.

50. The computing device of claim 48 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the least one of the plurality of end users is carrying the user device capable of storing media files.

51. The computing device of claim 48 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the least one of the plurality of end users is a subscriber of a media service.

52. The computing device of claim 48 wherein the at least one of the plurality of end users is eligible to receive a transmission of the at least one media file if the at least one of the plurality of end users matches a targeting profile having social, spatial, temporal and topical targeting criteria.

53. The computing device of claim 52 wherein the targeting profile relates to a national brand.

54. The computing device of claim 52 wherein the targeting profile relates to an advertiser.

55. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one filter criteria is that the at least one of the plurality of end users has previously perceived a presentation of the at least one media file.

56. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one filter criteria is that the at least one of the plurality of end users has previously perceived a presentation of the at least one media file and has unfavorable reviewed the media file.

57. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one filter criteria is that at least one other user has unfavorably reviewed the media file.

58. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the number of times the media file can be perceived by the end user.

59. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the number of times the media file can be presented on the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

60. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the duration for which the media file can be presented on the user device of each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

61. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one content restriction restricts the number of times the at least one media file can be shared by each of the at least one of the plurality of end users.

62. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one content restriction is at least one advertisement.

63. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one media file is a hyperlink.

64. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one media file is a ringtone.

65. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one media file is selected from the list:

audio, video file.

66. The computing device of claim 47 wherein the at least one media file is selected from the list:

product brochure, service brochure, marketing materials.