Methods and apparatus for enhanced advertising and promotional delivery in a network
US9503691B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/8586
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for enhanced advertising selection and delivery in a communications network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the methods and apparatus enable a viewer to individually select and view advertisements during real-time broadcast program settings, as well as during “trick mode” operation in recorded program settings. Guess-work associated with skipping commercials via manual fast-forwarding through recorded content is eliminated, and a viewer is presented with several options regarding which advertisements to view and when to view them. In one variant, decoupling of advertising or promotions from a previously recorded program is provided, thus affording the network operator flexibility to insert various advertising content options, or selectively replace dated or expired advertisements, or those having less correlation to a current program content stream. In another variant, advertising or commercial skipping is substantially frustrated by presenting a viewer with several viewing options.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.