Method and apparatus for context-specific content delivery

• US 20070033531A1
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Marsh, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,286,388 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24578 using ranking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for generating and delivering selected primary content and contextually-related, targeted secondary content to users of a network. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a packet-switched data (e.g., IP) network such as the Internet, and the primary content comprises video or media clips that are user-selectable via a network site or web page. The primary content carries with it descriptive metadata that is accessed by a distribution server and forwarded to a secondary content source. The secondary content source (or its proxy) utilizes the metadata to identify and return contextually-related secondary content such as advertising links. This secondary content is then presented to the user in conjunction with the primary content, such as in a common display window and in a seamless fashion, thereby avoiding distractions to the user associated with generating ancillary windows or other display mechanisms, and providing the user with highly relevant secondary content choices.

Claims

1. In a packet-switched data network having a server and a computerized client device in data communication therewith, a method of providing primary media content and contextually-related advertising content to users of said network, said method comprising:

receiving at said server from a software program, running on said client device a request for said primary content for download;

accessing, in response to said act of receiving, a metadata file associated with said primary content in order to obtain metadata therefrom;

providing said metadata obtained from said file to a search entity having a search engine, said metadata being used for a search, said search producing said contextually related advertising content;

receiving said advertising content from said search entity;

associating at least a portion of said advertising content with said primary media content to form a common data structure;

transmitting said data structure to said client device;

playing said data structure using a media player application operative to run on said client device; and

displaying said primary and advertising content within a single display window generated by said media player application, said act of displaying comprising displaying said advertising content immediately subsequent to the completion of display of the primary media content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said data network comprises the Internet, said search entity comprises a third-party advertising server, and said software program comprises an Internet browser.

3. In a network having a server and a client device in data communication therewith, a method of providing primary content and contextually-related secondary content to users of said network, said method comprising:

receiving at said server from said client device a request for said primary content for download;

accessing, in response to said act of receiving, a metadata file associated with said primary content in order to obtain metadata therefrom;

providing said metadata obtained from said file to a search entity for a search based at least partly on said metadata, said search producing said contextually related secondary content;

receiving said secondary content from said search entity;

associating at least a portion of said secondary content and said primary content;

transmitting said primary content to said client device, and said secondary content to said client device; and

displaying said primary and secondary content using said client device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said act of displaying comprises displaying said primary and secondary content in a common display element.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said common display element comprises a display window generated by a media player software application.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said act of displaying further comprises displaying said secondary content immediately following the completion of the display of said primary content.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said primary content comprises an audio-visual medium, and said secondary content comprises substantially textual advertising data.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said act of associating comprises disposing said primary and secondary content within a common data structure, and said act of transmitting comprise transmitting said common data structure to said client device.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein said act of transmitting comprises transmitting said primary content and said secondary content separately to said client device, and said act of associating comprises transmitting information to said client device relating said primary content to said secondary content.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said acts of separately transmitting said primary and secondary content comprise sending said primary content to a separate port or socket address of said client device from that where said secondary content is sent.

11. The method of claim 3, further comprising processing at least a portion of said obtained metadata to produce a search string, and

wherein said act of providing said metadata comprises providing said search string to said search entity.

12. The method of claim 3, further comprising processing at least a portion of said secondary content, said processing being selected from the group consisting of:

(i) filtering;

(ii) prioritizing; and

(iii) editing.

13. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

accessing a metadata file to obtain second metadata;

providing said second metadata to said search entity for a second search, said second search producing contextually related tertiary content;

receiving said tertiary content from said search entity; and

associating at least a portion of said tertiary content and said primary content.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

displaying said primary, secondary and tertiary content within the same display window on said client device.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein said network comprises a content-based network selected from the group consisting of (i) a cable television network, and (ii) a satellite network, and said client device comprises consumer premises equipment (CPE) adapted to receive said primary and secondary content via radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted to said CPE over said network.

16. The method of claim 3, wherein said network comprises a cable television network capable of video-on demand (VOD) delivery of content, and said act of transmitting comprises transmitting as part of a VOD session.

17. Storage apparatus comprising a storage medium, said medium being adapted to store a plurality of data thereon, said data comprising at least one computer program, said at least one computer program being adapted to run on a computerized device and further to:

receive a request for primary content from a client device in data communication with said computerized device;

access said primary content;

access a metadata file associated with said primary content;

provide at least a portion of said metadata to a search entity in data communication with said computerized device;

receive results of a search conducted by said entity based at least in part on said metadata;

couple at least a portion of said results to said primary content; and

transmit said primary content and said secondary content to said client device.

18. The storage apparatus of claim 17, wherein said computerized device comprises a data network server and said client device comprises a computer program adapted for playing said primary and secondary content within a window generated on a display of said client device.

19. The storage apparatus of claim 17, wherein said computerized device comprises a cable network server and said client device comprises consumer premises equipment (CPE) having a computer program adapted for playing said primary and secondary content within a window generated on a display in data communication with said CPE.

20. In a content-based network having a server and a consumer premises device in data communication therewith, a method of providing primary content and contextually-related secondary content to users of said network, said method comprising:

receiving at said server from said consumer premises device a request for said primary content for transmission or download;

accessing, in response to said act of receiving, a descriptive data file associated with said primary content in order to obtain descriptive data therefrom, said descriptive data relating to at least one aspect of said primary content;

providing said descriptive data to a search entity for a search, said search producing said contextually related secondary content;

transmitting said primary and secondary content to said consumer premises device over at least a radio-frequency medium; and

displaying said primary and secondary content on a display device associated with said consumer premises device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said act of displaying comprises displaying said primary and secondary content in a common display window generated by a software application adapted for playing audiovisual content.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein:

said act of displaying further comprises displaying said secondary content immediately following the completion of the display of said primary content; and

said secondary content comprises substantially textual advertising data.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said act of transmitting comprises:

disposing said primary and secondary content within a common data structure; and

transmitting said common data structure to said consumer premises device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said network comprises a cable television network capable of video-on demand (VOD) delivery of content, and said act of transmitting comprises transmitting as part of a VOD session.

25. Storage apparatus comprising a storage medium, said medium being adapted to store a plurality of data thereon, said data comprising at least one computer program, said at least one computer program being adapted to run on a computerized device and further to:

issue a request for primary content to a server device in data communication with said computerized device;

receive said primary content from said server, said primary content further comprising secondary content, said secondary content being selected based at least in part on metadata associated with said primary content, said metadata being extracted by said server and provided to a search entity to identify said secondary content; and

play said primary and secondary content within the same window generated on a display at least associated with said computerized device.

26. The storage apparatus of claim 25, wherein said data communication between said computerized device and said server comprises at least a portion of a cable television network, and said computerized device comprises consumer premises equipment (CPE).

27. CPE adapted for use within a cable network, comprising:

an interface configured to receive encoded content signals from said network;

processing apparatus operatively coupled to said interface and adapted to decode said encoded signals received via said interface; and

at least one computer program running on said CPE, said at least one program being adapted to;

issue a request for primary content to a server device in data communication with said CPE over said network;

receive said primary content from said server, said primary content further comprising secondary content, said secondary content being selected based at least in part on metadata associated with said primary content, said metadata being extracted by said server and provided to a search entity to identify said secondary content; and

play said primary and secondary content in a substantially contiguous fashion and within the same window generated on a display in communication with said CPE.

28. The CPE of claim 27, wherein said interface comprises a wideband RF tuner apparatus adapted to receive said encoded content signals over a plurality of said carriers in substantially simultaneous fashion, said encoded content comprising at least said primary and secondary content.

29. The CPE of claim 27, wherein said computer program is downloaded to said CPE at runtime.

30. The CPE of claim 27, wherein said computer program is downloaded to said CPE in response to said issuance of said request.

31. Network server apparatus for use in a network having a plurality of client devices in data communication therewith, said apparatus comprising:

a processor adapted to run at least one computer program thereon;

a storage device in data communication with said processor; and

a computer program stored at least partially on said storage device and adapted to distribute primary content and contextually-related secondary content to users of said network by;

receiving at said server from at least one of said client devices a request for said primary content for transmission or download;

accessing, in response to said act of receiving, a descriptive data file associated with said primary content in order to obtain descriptive data therefrom, said descriptive data relating to at least one context of said primary content;

providing said descriptive data to a search entity for a search, said search producing said contextually related secondary content;

transmitting said primary and secondary content to said at least one client device; and

displaying said primary and secondary content on a display device associated with said at least one client device.

32. The server apparatus of claim 31, wherein said network comprises a switched digital broadcast (SDB) cable network, and said at least one client device comprises a digital set-top box (DSTB).

33. The server apparatus of claim 31, wherein said network comprises a video on demand (VOD) capable cable network, and said act of transmitting comprises transmitting said primary and secondary content over an in-band channel established pursuant to a VOD session request.

34. The server apparatus of claim 31, wherein said computer program is adapted to perform at least one of (i) modifying said descriptive data, and (ii) modifying said contextually related secondary data, based at least in part on profiling data obtained from said at least one client device.

35. The server apparatus of claim 34, wherein said profiling data comprises at least one cryptographically hashed portion, said at least one hashed portion substantially maintaining the anonymity of said at least one client device.

36. A method of selectively providing primary and secondary content to a plurality of subscribers of a network comprising at least one server and a plurality of client devices in direct or indirect signal communication therewith, comprising:

providing each of said client devices with an identifying parameter;

receiving a request for said primary content from at least one of said client devices, said request comprising at least said identifying parameter for the requesting device;

identifying secondary content that is contextually related with said primary content, said act of identifying being based at least in part on information accessed via said identifying parameter of said requesting device; and

delivering said primary and secondary content to said at least one requesting client device.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said method further substantially preserves the anonymity of said at least one client device by:

cryptographically hashing said identifying parameter;

and indexing said information based on said cryptographically hashed parameter.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said information comprises profiling data related to said at least one requesting client device or the habits of a user associated therewith.

39. A method of doing business within a network comprising at least one server and a plurality of client devices in direct or indirect signal communication therewith, the method comprising:

providing users of said client devices with a plurality of primary content choices;

receiving selections by said users relating to individual ones of said primary content choices;

evaluating the selected primary content to identify descriptive information associated therewith;

utilizing said descriptive information to identify contextually related secondary content within a revenue-based content source;

associating said secondary content with said primary content;

delivering said primary and secondary content to said selecting users; and

allowing said users to interact with said secondary content, said interaction comprising an event that directly or indirectly produces revenue.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said descriptive information comprises metadata, and said revenue-based content source comprises an advertisement database with associated search engine, said search engine being adapted to utilize said metadata to identify said secondary content.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising displaying said delivered primary and secondary content within a common display element and in substantially sequential and contiguous fashion so as to avoid disrupting the user'"'"'s attention on said display element.