Controlling content distribution

• US 9,799,050 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Weinberg, Aitan, Moonka, Rajas, Bender, Brad H., Axe, Brian, Zamir, Oren E., Hochmuth, Gregor
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazaro, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAW, ROBERT A
• Application Number:
  US15/187,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20160307230A1
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/335 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles filtering in web context G06F16/9535, G06F16/9536
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0242 Determining effectiveness of advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• 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 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4586 Content update operation triggered locally, e.g. by comparing the version of software modules in a DVB carousel to the version stored locally deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for controlling content distribution includes forwarding information associated with a user to a device operated by the user, the information being configured for use in selecting content from any of multiple content providers for a content distribution to the user. The method includes receiving, in response to the information, an edit of the information forwarded from the device. The edit identifies a first content provider and including a first modification of the content distribution regarding the first content provider. The method includes storing the edit in association with the information such that the first modification is taken into account in the content distribution. The method can be implemented using a computer program product tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling content distribution, the method comprising:

identifying, for a user, interests used to select content that is distributed to the user;

providing, for display in a graphical user interface, content distribution information that includes one or more of the identified interests that are used to select content that is distributed to the user;

receiving, from a device associated with the user, an edit of the content distribution information, wherein the edit comprises a first modification that updates a viewing preference of the user for viewing content related to a first interest;

storing the edit in the content distribution information;

receiving a request from a first content provider to retarget the user, wherein the user previously accessed content provided by the first content provider; and

based on receiving the request to retarget the user and based on the updated viewing preference;

identifying a content portion that was previously presented to the user and is related to the first interest and is provided by the first content provider; and

causing the identified content portion to be presented to the user again.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the content distribution takes place under an arrangement where the content providers provide advertising content for publication in connection with content from any of a plurality of publishers, wherein the plurality of publishers receive compensation from the content providers in return for publication, and wherein the edit permits the user to exercise control over which of the advertising content is included in the content distribution.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving the edit comprises receiving a user input via a free-form entry control.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the edit further comprises a preference for one or more attributes for content distribution, wherein the preference is taken into account when identifying the content portion.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request from a first content provider to retarget the user comprises determining that the first content provider previously provided content for presentation to the user.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising identifying a predetermined number of content portions as having been most recently presented to the user, wherein the first content provider provided at least one of the content portions identified as having been most recently presented to the user.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the first modification indicates a positive preference for the first interest.

8. A computer program product embodied in a computer readable storage device and comprising instructions that when executed by one or more processors perform a method for controlling content distribution, the method comprising:

identifying, for a user, interests used to select content that is distributed to the user;

providing, for display in a graphical user interface, content distribution information that includes one or more of the identified interests that are used to select content that is distributed to the user;

receiving, from a device associated with the user, an edit of the content distribution information, wherein the edit comprises a first modification that updates a viewing preference of the user for viewing content related to a first interest;

storing the edit in the content distribution information;

receiving a request from a first content provider to retarget the user, wherein the user previously accessed content provided by the first content provider; and

based on receiving the request to retarget the user and based on the updated viewing preference;

identifying a content portion that was previously presented to the user and is related to the first interest and is provided by the first content provider; and

causing the identified content portion to be presented to the user again.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the content distribution takes place under an arrangement where the content providers provide advertising content for publication in connection with content from any of a plurality of publishers, wherein the plurality of publishers receive compensation from the content providers in return for publication, and wherein the edit permits the user to exercise control over which of the advertising content is included in the content distribution.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the edit further comprises a preference for one or more attributes for content distribution,

wherein the preference is taken into account when identifying the content portion.

11. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein receiving a request from a first content provider to retarget the user comprises determining that the first content provider previously provided content for presentation to the user.

12. The computer program product of claim 8, the method further comprising identifying a predetermined number of content portions as having been most recently presented to the user,

wherein the first content provider provided at least one of the content portions identified as having been most recently presented to the user.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the first modification indicates a positive preference for the first interest.