Method and system for delivering contextual content to a mobile device

• US 7,860,449 B1
• Filed: 12/05/2005
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Voltari Operating Corp.
• Original Assignee: Motricity
• Inventors: Bowman, Judson Shiers
• Primary Examiner(s): Dean; Raymond S
• Application Number:
  US11/294,233
• Time in Patent Office: 1,849 Days
• Field of Search: 455 301- 306, 705/26, 709217-219
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/37 via a different channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/91 Mobile communication networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/85
• 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 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02

Abstract

A system and methods for targeting mobile content to a mobile device based on the context of where and how a user discovers the content. Instead of advertising content during commercial breaks of a television program, the invention contextually targets the mobile content to specific program content (e.g., music video) as it is being broadcast in the form of a screen pop-up containing text messaging instructions to obtain the mobile content concurrently with, or following the broadcast of the specific program content. Such “contextual targeting” leads to a significantly higher frequency and profitability of conversions and downloads. Similarly, the invention contextually integrates mobile content into a user'"'"'s online experience using a web-enabled device in which the contextual content can be integrated with a search engine or a contextual link can be placed on web pages that are served to the user.

Claims

1. A method for delivering mobile content to a mobile device during a television video media stream broadcast, comprising the steps of:

transmitting the television video media stream to a media stream receiver;

displaying a text messaging instruction on a media stream receiver display for requesting mobile content during transmission of the television video media stream;

receiving an SMS text message from the mobile device complying with the text messaging instruction; and

delivering the mobile content to the mobile device.

2. The method for delivering media contextual content of claim 1 further comprising the steps of receiving a media stream schedule at a mobile content delivery platform and downloading the media stream schedule to a server.

3. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining if mobile content is available for delivery to the mobile device.

4. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 1 further comprising the steps of detecting a type associated with the mobile device and determining if mobile content is available to the mobile device type.

5. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 1 further comprising the step of billing the delivery of mobile content to a mobile device account.

6. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 1 wherein the media stream comprises a plurality of music videos.

7. The method for delivering mobile of claim 1 wherein the media stream comprises a television program.

8. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 1 wherein the text messaging instructions comprise a shortcode and an associated text message.

9. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 8 wherein the shortcode is specific to the media contextual content.

10. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 8 wherein the shortcode is specific to a media stream broadcaster.

11. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 1 wherein the text messaging instructions are displayed in a pop-up on the media stream receiver display.

12. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 1 wherein the contextual content comprises a file selected from the group consisting of:

ringtone file, a game file, a graphic file, an MP3 file, a music file, and a video file.

13. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 1 wherein the media stream is transmitted to at least one of a television, a personal computer or handheld device.

14. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 4 wherein the step of determining if mobile content is available for delivery to the mobile device comprises determining if the associated mobile carrier is supported by the mobile content delivery platform.

15. The method for delivering mobile content of claim 4 further comprising the step of delivering merchandise offers to the mobile device.

30. A memory storage device comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which, when read by a computer, is capable of causing the computer to execute the method of claim 1.

16. A computerized system for delivering mobile content to a mobile device during a television video media stream broadcast, comprising:

a processor;

at least one memory storage device comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium;

a connection to a telecommunications network configured to receive an SMS text message;

a database recorded on one of the memory storage devices including a library of mobile content;

a mobile content delivery platform comprising a program recorded on one of the memory storage devices, said program including;

a module for displaying a text messaging instruction on a media stream receiver for delivering mobile content to a mobile device during transmission of the television video media stream;

a module for receiving an SMS text message from the mobile device complying with the text messaging instructions; and

a module for delivering the mobile content to the mobile device.

17. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the mobile content delivery platform further comprises a module for receiving a media stream schedule from a media stream broadcaster.

18. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the mobile content delivery platform further comprises a module for determining if mobile content corresponding to the media stream is available for delivery to the mobile device.

19. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the mobile content delivery platform further comprises a module for detecting a type associated with the mobile device and determining if mobile content is available to the mobile device type.

20. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the mobile content delivery platform further comprises a module for billing the delivery of mobile content to a mobile device account.

21. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the media stream comprises a plurality of music videos.

22. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the media stream comprises a television program.

23. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the text messaging instruction comprises a shortcode and an associated text message.

24. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 23 wherein the shortcode is specific to the mobile content.

25. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 23 wherein the shortcode is specific to a media stream broadcaster.

26. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the text messaging instructions are displayed in a pop-up on the media stream receiver display.

27. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the library of mobile content comprises a file selected from the group consisting of:

a ringtone file, a game file, a graphic file, an MP3 file, a music file, and a video file.

28. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 16 wherein the media stream is transmitted to a device selected from the group consisting of a television, a personal computer or and a handheld device.

29. The system for delivering mobile content of claim 19 wherein the module for determining if mobile content is available for delivery to the mobile device type comprises a sub-module for determining if the associated mobile carrier is supported by the mobile content delivery platform.