Advertising management method and system

• US 8,935,718 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2008
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Aaltonen, Janne
• Primary Examiner(s): Featherstone, Mark D
• Application Number:
  US12/080,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20080295128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,475 Days
• US Class Current: 725/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• 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: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23605 Creation or processing of packetized elementary streams [PES]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26616 for merging a unicast channel into a multicast channel, e.g. in a VOD application, when a client served by unicast channel catches up a multicast channel to save bandwidth data multicast over packet-switching network H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• 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 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• 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 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6334 for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key wireless communications network key management H04W12/04; wireless communications network access security H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64315 : DVB-H
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

System and method for managing distribution of content such as television programs to portable multi-media devices which are capable of using such content and communicating includes a broadcast management system arranged to manage delivery of content from content sources to the devices, an account management system arranged to manage requests for use of the content from the devices and manage communications to and from the devices, and a processor coupled to the account management system and arranged to analyze requests to use content relative to information about users of the devices in order to determine whether use of the content by the users can be sponsored. If so, an advertisement is delivered to that user'"'"'s device and the device presents the advertisement to the user as a condition for use of the content.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing, by a computer processor, access to a first content to a user'"'"'s device;

receiving, by the computer processor, a request from the user to use the first content on the user'"'"'s device;

analyzing, by the computer processor, profile information about the user and the first content to determine whether use of the first content by the user can be sponsored based on the profile information and the first content;

upon a determination that use of the first content by the user can be sponsored, selecting, by the computer processor, a first advertisements from a plurality of different advertisements to deliver to the user based on the profile information, wherein the first advertisement includes an interactive link;

delivering, by the computer processor, the first advertisement and the first content to the user'"'"'s device, wherein the first content requires a digital rights management (DRM) key to enable use of the first content;

determining, by the computer processor, that the user selected the interactive link included in the first advertisement; and

in response to the user selecting the interactive link, transmitting, by the computer processor, the DRM key to the user'"'"'s device, wherein the DRM key enables the user'"'"'s device to use the first content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of analyzing is performed only after receiving the request from the user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating the DRM key at a content source.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRM key is delivered via a cellular network.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

packaging the first advertisement and the DRM key in a packet, wherein the packet is delivered to the user'"'"'s device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a time for delivery of the first advertisement and DRM key to the user'"'"'s device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from an advertiser, rules for delivery of the first advertisement to the user, wherein the step of analyzing comprises determining if the user satisfies the rules.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

delivering the first advertisement to the user'"'"'s device via the cellular network.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining the first content from a content source, wherein

the DRM key is delivered to the user'"'"'s device via a cellular network independent of delivery of the first advertisement.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the user, feedback in response to the first advertisement;

receiving a subsequent request from the user for use of a second content; and

determining whether user of the second content by the user can be sponsored based on any feedback provided by the user in response to the first advertisement, whereby the second content can be used by the user without an advertisement based on the feedback to the first advertisement.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing comprises delivering television programs to the user'"'"'s device via a broadcast network.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

billing the advertiser for sponsorship of the first content.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

directing the advertiser to pay an of the first content for sponsorship of the first content.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the rules for delivery are received via an interface which presents advertisers with options for setting rules of an advertising campaign.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

storing the rules in a first database; and

obtaining and storing profile information about the user in a second database, wherein the step of analyzing comprises accessing the first and second databases to determine whether the use of the first content can be sponsored.

16. A system, comprising:

a computer processor; and

a memory containing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to;

provide access to a first content to a user'"'"'s device;

receive a request from the user to use the first content on the user'"'"'s device;

analyze profile information about the user and the first content to determine whether use of the first content by the user can be sponsored based on the profile information and the first content;

upon a determination that use of the first content by the user can be sponsored, select a first advertisements from a plurality of different advertisements to deliver to the user based on the profile information, wherein the first advertisement includes an interactive link;

deliver the first advertisement and the first content to the user'"'"'s device, wherein the first content requires a digital rights management (DRM) key to enable use of the first content;

determine that the user selected the interactive link included in the first advertisement; and

in response to the user selecting the interactive link, transmit the DRM key to the user'"'"'s device, wherein the DRM key enables the user'"'"'s device to use the first content.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the step of analyzing is performed only after the request from the user is received.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

generate the DRM key at a content source.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the DRM key is delivered via a cellular network.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

package the first advertisement and the DRM key in a packet, wherein the packet is delivered to the user'"'"'s device.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

determine a time for delivery of the first advertisement and DRM key to the user'"'"'s device.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

receive, from an advertiser, rules for delivery of the first advertisement to the user, wherein the step of analyzing comprises determining if the user satisfies the rules.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

deliver the first advertisement to the user'"'"'s device via the cellular network.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

obtain the first content from a content source, wherein the DRM key is delivered to the user'"'"'s device via a cellular network independent of delivery of the first advertisement.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

receive, from the user, feedback in response to the first advertisement;

receive a subsequent request from the user for use of a second content; and

determine whether user of the second content by the user can be sponsored based on any feedback provided by the user in response to the first advertisement, whereby the second content can be used by the user without an advertisement based on the feedback to the first advertisement.

26. The system of claim 16, wherein the step of providing comprises delivering television programs to the user'"'"'s device via a broadcast network.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

bill the advertiser for sponsorship of the first content.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

direct the advertiser to pay an owner of the first content for sponsorship of the first content.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein the rules for delivery are received via an interface which presents advertisers with options for setting rules of an advertising campaign.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the instructions further cause the computer processor to:

store the rules in a first database; and

obtain and store profile information about the user in a second database, wherein the step of analyzing comprises accessing the first and second databases to determine whether the use of the first content can be sponsored.

31. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to:

provide access to a first content to a user'"'"'s device;

receive a request from the user to use the first content on the user'"'"'s device;

analyze profile information about the user and the first content to determine whether use of the first content by the user can be sponsored based on the profile information and the first content;

upon a determination that use of the first content by the user can be sponsored, select a first advertisements from a plurality of different advertisements to deliver to the user based on the profile information, wherein the first advertisement includes an interactive link;

deliver the first advertisement and the first content to the user'"'"'s device, wherein the first content requires a digital rights management (DRM) key to enable use of the first content;

determine that the user selected the interactive link included in the first advertisement; and

in response to the user selecting the interactive link, transmit the DRM key to the user'"'"'s device, wherein the DRM key enables the user'"'"'s device to use the first content.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the step of analyzing is performed only after the request from the user is received.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

generate the DRM key at a content source.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the DRM key is delivered via a cellular network.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

package the first advertisement and the DRM key in a packet, wherein the packet is delivered to the user'"'"'s device.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

determine a time for delivery of the first advertisement and DRM key to the user'"'"'s device.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

receive, from an advertiser, rules for delivery of the first advertisement to the user, wherein the step of analyzing comprises determining if the user satisfies the rules.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

deliver the first advertisement to the user'"'"'s device via the cellular network.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

obtain the first content from a content source, wherein the DRM key is delivered to the user'"'"'s device via a cellular network independent of delivery of the first advertisement.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

receive, from the user, feedback in response to the first advertisement;

receive a subsequent request from the user for use of a second content; and

determine whether user of the second content by the user can be sponsored based on any feedback provided by the user in response to the first advertisement, whereby the second content can be used by the user without an advertisement based on the feedback to the first advertisement.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the step of providing comprises delivering television programs to the user'"'"'s device via a broadcast network.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

bill the advertiser for sponsorship of the first content.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

direct the advertiser to pay an owner of the first content for sponsorship of the first content.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the rules for delivery are received via an interface which presents advertisers with options for setting rules of an advertising campaign.

45. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

store the rules in a first database; and

obtain and store profile information about the user in a second database, wherein the step of analyzing comprises accessing the first and second databases to determine whether the use of the first content can be sponsored.