Method and system for controlling and auditing content/service systems

• US 7,949,749 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2008
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Johnson, Stephen M., Fernandez-Silva, Joaquin, Elliott, L. Dane, Allibhoy, Nizar
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUOC H
• Application Number:
  US12/189,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20090055403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 709/225, 709/229, 709/231, 709/232, 725/127, 725/131, 725/139, 725/145, 725/149, 725/151
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/027 involving a payment switch or gateway
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0855 involving a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02

Abstract

An improved interactive network system is provided that allows the Network Operator to control the transfer of information to and from the network end users, the system preferably using triggers or markers embedded within the programming broadcast to users via the network. As a consequence of this system, the Network Operator is able to efficiently garner revenues from third parties transacting business over the network and to control the look and feel of programming offered to network users. Additionally the system can be used as a means of limiting network access, filtering programming, providing on-screen graphics or audible signals for particular programming types or providers, bookmarking programming, profiling network users, targeting advertising, and simplifying network transactions.

Claims

1. A method of enhancing the ability of a user to interact with a plurality of content providers coupled to a network, the plurality of content providers offering a plurality of enhanced content programming via the network which is operated by a network operator, wherein said user interacts with the plurality of content providers via a receiver coupled to the network, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a trigger identifier in a data base within a controller which is separated from said receiver, where said receiver receives said enhanced programming through said controller is only operated by said network operator;

detecting via said controller a trigger embedded in enhanced content from the plurality of enhanced content programming, wherein said trigger indicates the presence of said enhanced content;

pairing in said controller said detected trigger with said trigger identifier; and

notifying the receiver of available enhanced content programming user said trigger identifier when said trigger identifier matches said detected trigger where said pairing and notification steps are performed by said controller.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said trigger identifier is comprised of a plurality of on-screen graphics.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein trigger identifier is comprised of a plurality of audible signals.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving said trigger identifier from the receiver which is stored in the database of said controller.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving trigger identifier from said network operator.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said notifying step is performed upon the initial receipt of the enhanced content programming.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said set of trigger identifiers corresponds to the plurality of content providers.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said trigger identifier correspond to a plurality of information types.