United States Patent
US Patent 8146126: Request for information related to broadcast…
US 8146126 · granted 2012-03-27
Abstract
A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the internet. In one implementation, a viewer of a cable television network enters an RFI input (1) to a digital set top box using a user remote. Based on this RFI input, the digital set top box transmits a data request (2) to an RFI data center. The RFI data center also receives asset data (3) from an asset database so as to associate the RFI input (1) with a particular asset. An RFI request (4) can then be transmitted to the appropriate asset provider. The asset provider can then provide a report such package of assets or follow-on information (5) back to the RFI data center. The RFI data center may then, in turn, provide the package of assets or follow-on information to a user data terminal, for example, of the cable television network viewer, via access through a web-portal or e-mail (6). The digital set top box may also record inputs from the user to verify consumption of assets and track data requests. Using this information, the RFI data center or an RFI platform may credit value to a rewards account established for the network user based on the user's verified consumption of assets and/or data requests. Further, the RFI data center or RFI platform may be used to collect consumer behavior information, including purchasing decisions made by the user after consumption of assets, and correlate the consumer behavior information with the user's verified asset consumption.
| Patent Number | 8146126 |
|---|---|
| Title | Request for information related to broadcast network content |
| Filed | 2009-05-18 |
| Granted | 2012-03-27 |
| Inventor(s) | Downey; David, Anderson; Bruce J., Wilson; Daniel C. |
| Assignee | Invidi Technologies Corporation |
| CPC Classification | H04N 7/173, G06Q 30/00 |
| Number of Claims | 31 |
Abstract
A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the internet. In one implementation, a viewer of a cable television network enters an RFI input (1) to a digital set top box using a user remote. Based on this RFI input, the digital set top box transmits a data request (2) to an RFI data center. The RFI data center also receives asset data (3) from an asset database so as to associate the RFI input (1) with a particular asset. An RFI request (4) can then be transmitted to the appropriate asset provider. The asset provider can then provide a report such package of assets or follow-on information (5) back to the RFI data center. The RFI data center may then, in turn, provide the package of assets or follow-on information to a user data terminal, for example, of the cable television network viewer, via access through a web-portal or e-mail (6). The digital set top box may also record inputs from the user to verify consumption of assets and track data requests. Using this information, the RFI data center or an RFI platform may credit value to a rewards account established for the network user based on the user's verified consumption of assets and/or data requests. Further, the RFI data center or RFI platform may be used to collect consumer behavior information, including purchasing decisions made by the user after consumption of assets, and correlate the consumer behavior information with the user's verified asset consumption.
Claim 1
A method for use in providing information to users of a broadcast network, comprising the steps of: providing a targeted asset system in connection with said broadcastnetwork, wherein assets are targeted to said users of said broadcast network by matching target parameters of an asset to classification parameters of said users; providing a network bridging system of one or more processors in communication with abroadcast network structure separate from a user equipment device, and in communication with a data network structure at a remote location separate from said broadcast network structure and said user equipment device, for receiving information from saiduser equipment device via first pathway connecting said user equipment device and said broadcast network structure, and for outputting information to a data network terminal, such as a computer or data enabled mobile device, via a second pathwayinterconnecting said data network structure and said data network terminal such as a computer or data enabled mobile device; receiving, at said network bridging system via said first pathway, from a user equipment device of said broadcast network,request information regarding an indicat
Claims
31 totalA method for use in providing information to users of a broadcast network, comprising the steps of: providing a targeted asset system in connection with said broadcastnetwork, wherein assets are targeted to said users of said broadcast network by matching target parameters of an asset to classification parameters of said users; providing a network bridging system of one or more processors in communication with abroadcast network structure separate from a user equipment device, and in communication with a data network structure at a remote location separate from said broadcast network structure and said user equipment device, for receiving information from saiduser equipment device via first pathway connecting said user equipment device and said broadcast network structure, and for outputting information to a data network terminal, such as a computer or data enabled mobile device, via a second pathwayinterconnecting said data network structure and said data network terminal such as a computer or data enabled mobile device; receiving, at said network bridging system via said first pathway, from a user equipment device of said broadcast network,request information regarding an indicat