Apparatus and methods for enabling media options in a content delivery network
First Claim
1. Server apparatus configured to provide a plurality of media functions to a plurality of user devices in communication therewith, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one first interface for communication with said plurality of user devices;
a storage device associated to individual ones of said plurality of user devices; and
a processor, said processor configured to execute at least one computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed;
receive a plurality of parameters which relate to a promotion campaign;
utilize at least (i) said plurality parameters, (ii) information which relates to a plurality of user devices, (iii) a current time, and (iv) information which relates to a channel line-up or schedule, to identify and insert one or more inactive media function-enabling triggers into a media stream for delivery of said promotion campaign;
provide said media stream to said one or more of said plurality of user devices in communication therewith via at least one interface;
enable said individual ones of said plurality of user devices to immediately view a previously stored promoted event or content similar thereto from said storage device; and
based at least on a completion of a viewing of said previously stored promoted event or content similar thereto by said individual ones of said plurality of user devices, signal said individual ones of said plurality of user devices, said signal configured to activate said one or more inactive media function-enabling triggers;
wherein said information which relates to said plurality of user devices comprises one or more capabilities of respective individual ones of said plurality of user devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for providing media options over a network. In one embodiment, the media options are presented in conjunction with a promotion or advertisement for particular content. The precise ones of a plurality of disclosed options that will be presented may be determined based at least in part on a campaign established by a content management entity and a current availability of the content. For example, certain media options may only be made available for content that is currently available, while other options may be only available for content available at a future date/time, or during a particular time window. Rules for determining which options are to be provided in conjunction with which content and/or advertisements are established and by a content management entity, such as an entity of a multiple systems operator (MSO).
354 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Server apparatus configured to provide a plurality of media functions to a plurality of user devices in communication therewith, said apparatus comprising:
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at least one first interface for communication with said plurality of user devices; a storage device associated to individual ones of said plurality of user devices; and a processor, said processor configured to execute at least one computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed; receive a plurality of parameters which relate to a promotion campaign; utilize at least (i) said plurality parameters, (ii) information which relates to a plurality of user devices, (iii) a current time, and (iv) information which relates to a channel line-up or schedule, to identify and insert one or more inactive media function-enabling triggers into a media stream for delivery of said promotion campaign; provide said media stream to said one or more of said plurality of user devices in communication therewith via at least one interface; enable said individual ones of said plurality of user devices to immediately view a previously stored promoted event or content similar thereto from said storage device; and based at least on a completion of a viewing of said previously stored promoted event or content similar thereto by said individual ones of said plurality of user devices, signal said individual ones of said plurality of user devices, said signal configured to activate said one or more inactive media function-enabling triggers; wherein said information which relates to said plurality of user devices comprises one or more capabilities of respective individual ones of said plurality of user devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A non-transitory computer readable apparatus comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, by a processor:
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receive a plurality of parameters which relate to a promotion campaign; utilize at least information which relates to a plurality of user devices to identify and insert one or more unselectable media function-enabling triggers into a media stream for delivery of a promotion within said promotion campaign; and provide said media stream comprising said promotion and said one or more unselectable media function-enabling triggers to one or more of said plurality of user devices configured to render said promotion thereon; in response to a completion of said rendering of said promotion on said one or more of said plurality of user devices, transmit a signal to said one or more of said plurality of user devices, said signal configured to cause enabling of the one or more unselectable media function-enabling triggers such that said one or more of said plurality of user devices can subsequently select said enabled one or more media function-enabling triggers. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for providing media functionality to a plurality of user devices in communication with a content delivery network, said method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of parameters relating to a promotion campaign; identifying and inserting one or more inactive media function-enabling triggers into a media stream for delivering at least one promotional content of said promotion campaign, said identifying and inserting based at least in part on said plurality of parameters; providing said media stream to said one or more of said plurality of user devices in communication therewith via at least one interface; and in response to meeting an end of said at least one promotional content, activating said one or more inactive media function-enabling triggers via a signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification