Automation-resistant, advertising-merged interactive services
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- an interactive service having one or more functions associated therewith;
a set of multimedia objects;
a randomization component that is configured to randomly select a multimedia object from the set of multimedia objects and to provide countermeasures against automation by a shell service; and
a processor that is a component of a computer that is configured to implement a functionality invocation component, the functionality invocation component being configured to deliver the randomly selected multimedia object within the interactive service, and including a matching component configured to analyze interaction with the randomly selected multimedia object and determine whether the analyzed interaction satisfies one or more predetermined criteria for accessing the one or more functions, the randomly selected multimedia object including a set of instructions and multimedia content, the set of instructions being presented as one or more images embedded in the multimedia content and being stylized utilizing a captcha-like technique, and the set of instructions identifying manipulations of visual elements of the multimedia content that are required to satisfy the one or more predetermined criteria; and
an advertising component configured to provide one or more advertising elements, the functionality invocation component being configured to utilize the one or more advertising elements as part of the multimedia content in the randomly selected multimedia object delivered within the interactive service, and the countermeasures including rejecting one of the multimedia objects based on a similarity to a previously used multimedia object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methodologies for implementing automation-resistant interactive computing services are provided herein. Function invocation mechanisms can be utilized as described herein to facilitate invocation and/or activation of one or more functions of an interactive service upon performance of an interaction falling within a predefined class of interaction with selected multimedia content. The described functionality invocation mechanisms can operate similarly to a traditional captcha image by requiring interaction that is easily understandable and performable by a human user but is prohibitively difficult for an automated program to carry out. Techniques such as masking relationships between user interaction and function invocation and varying elements of the selected multimedia content for respective accesses can be utilized to provide additional resistance to automation. Described invocation mechanisms can additionally be merged with advertising, which can optionally be targeted to a particular user(s).
27 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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an interactive service having one or more functions associated therewith; a set of multimedia objects; a randomization component that is configured to randomly select a multimedia object from the set of multimedia objects and to provide countermeasures against automation by a shell service; and a processor that is a component of a computer that is configured to implement a functionality invocation component, the functionality invocation component being configured to deliver the randomly selected multimedia object within the interactive service, and including a matching component configured to analyze interaction with the randomly selected multimedia object and determine whether the analyzed interaction satisfies one or more predetermined criteria for accessing the one or more functions, the randomly selected multimedia object including a set of instructions and multimedia content, the set of instructions being presented as one or more images embedded in the multimedia content and being stylized utilizing a captcha-like technique, and the set of instructions identifying manipulations of visual elements of the multimedia content that are required to satisfy the one or more predetermined criteria; and an advertising component configured to provide one or more advertising elements, the functionality invocation component being configured to utilize the one or more advertising elements as part of the multimedia content in the randomly selected multimedia object delivered within the interactive service, and the countermeasures including rejecting one of the multimedia objects based on a similarity to a previously used multimedia object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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identifying a function of an interactive service for which automated use is to be prevented; identifying advertising features to be delivered within the interactive service; creating a set of multimedia objects utilizing multimedia content that includes the identified advertising features; defining a set of interactions with the set of multimedia objects; collecting demographic information for a plurality of users; dividing the plurality of users into a number of different groups; utilizing a processor that is a component of a computer to select one of the multimedia objects from the set based at least in part on the demographic information and the number of different groups; checking the selected multimedia object to determine whether or not it is similar to a previously used multimedia object, and rejecting the multimedia object based on a determination that it is similar to the previously used multimedia object; varying at least one of the selected multimedia object, one or more of the advertising features incorporated into the multimedia object, or the defined set of interactions with the multimedia object; presenting the selected multimedia object; and controlling access to the identified function of the interactive service based on matching an interaction with the selected multimedia object with the defined set of interactions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification