Patent US6446261B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6446261B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Set top device for targeted electronic insertion of indicia into video
Assignee: Disney Enterprises Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-17
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Granted: 2002-09-03
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Expires: 2017-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A method of anonymous targeted insertion of indicia into video broadcasts. Individual televisions or other video reception devices are associated with set-top boxes that monitor the usage and viewing habits of the television set or other video reception device. A viewer profile derived from data acquired from said monitoring is created wherein the viewer profile indicates certain characteristics about the viewer. This profile is transmitted to a centralized database, said centralized database being an intermediate link between the origin of the video broadcast and the end viewer. The purpose of the database is to link specific insertable indicia with matching specific viewer profiles. The insertable indicia are encoded directly into the broadcast video and re-broadcast to the end viewer where the set-top box decodes the broadcast video and performs insertion of the indicia. Thus, the system and method allow advertisers to target specific ads or indicia to specific viewing profiles.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy J. Rosser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:06
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/258; H04N21/25866; H04N21/25883; H04N21/25891; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/44; H04N21/44016; H04N21/442; H04N21/44213; H04N21/44222; H04N21/44224; H04N21/45; H04N21/4508; H04N21/4532; H04N21/454; H04N21/458; H04N21/466; H04N21/4667; H04N21/60; H04N21/65; H04N21/658; H04N21/6582; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N7/173
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
316 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally on said set-top device, said device comprising: means local to the user for monitoring the usage of a television or a video viewing device; means local to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated version of a viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, wherein said cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means is weighted by how recently it was collected; means local and private to the user for storing said viewer profile in said device; means remote from the user for transmitting demographic requirements of a target viewer into corresponding ranges of viewer profiles: means remote from the user for creating a table associating said ranges of viewer profiles with said video indicia or sequences; means remote from the user for encoding data pertaining to where and when to insert video indicia or sequences for transmission on said video distribution mechanism; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said video signal and receiving, decoding and storing said table; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said data pertaining to where and when to insert said video indicia or sequences; means local to the user for comparing the locally stored viewer profile with the ranges of viewer profiles in said stored table to determine the corresponding video indicia or sequences; and, means for inserting said video indicia or sequences directly into said video signal for viewing on said television or video viewing device, said inserting means further comprising using said data to determine where and when to insert said video indicia or sequences into said video signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
316 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally on said set-top device, said device comprising: means local to the user for monitoring the usage of a television or a video viewing device; means local to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated version of a viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, wherein said cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means is weighted by how recently it was collected; means local and private to the user for storing said viewer profile in said device; means remote from the user for transmitting demographic requirements of a target viewer into corresponding ranges of viewer profiles: means remote from the user for creating a table associating said ranges of viewer profiles with said video indicia or sequences; means remote from the user for encoding data pertaining to where and when to insert video indicia or sequences for transmission on said video distribution mechanism; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said video signal and receiving, decoding and storing said table; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said data pertaining to where and when to insert said video indicia or sequences; means local to the user for comparing the locally stored viewer profile with the ranges of viewer profiles in said stored table to determine the corresponding video indicia or sequences; and, means for inserting said video indicia or sequences directly into said video signal for viewing on said television or video viewing device, said inserting means further comprising using said data to determine where and when to insert said video indicia or sequences into said video signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The set-top device of claim 1 further comprising: means for sampling a statistically representative sub-set of viewers to create statistical correlations between viewer demographics and said ranges of viewer profiles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The set-top device of claim 2 wherein said monitoring means monitors time of day, day of week, duration of viewing time per channel, channel tuned, program type being viewed, and channel surfing patterns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The set-top device of claim 3 wherein said viewer profile includes information about the viewer derived from the monitoring means, said information designed to predict the age, sex, family size, hobbies and interests of the viewer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The set-top device of claim 4 wherein the statistical correlation between viewer demographics and said ranges of viewer profiles are used so that specific video sequences or indicia are anonymously targeted to specific viewer demographics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The set-top device of claim 5 wherein the insertable indicia and the data pertaining to said insertable indicia are encoded into the vertical blanking interval, a spare audio channel, in the video itself, or in some other spare channel or field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The set-top device of claim 5 wherein a viewer can interactively amend, change, add to, or alter the viewer profile primarily for the purpose of soliciting specific indicia.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The set-top device of claim 5 wherein the video signal can be a compressed video signal that is decompressed by said set-top device, or an analog or digital television broadcast.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The set-top device of claim 5 wherein said means for receiving includes a coaxial cable connection, television aerial connection, satellite broadcast connection, or telephone connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The set-top device of claim 5 wherein the television can be substituted with a computer or any other video reception device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The set-top device of claim 10 wherein said indicia include links to Internet web-sites.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
290 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally on said set-top device, said device comprising: means local to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, and wherein said cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means is weighed by how recently it was collected; means local and private to the user for storing said viewer profile in said device; means remote from the user for translating demographic requirements of a targeted viewer into corresponding ranges of viewer profiles; means remote form the user for creating a table associating said ranges of viewer profiles with said video indicia or sequences; means remote from the user for encoding said table for transmission on said video distribution mechanism; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said video signal and receiving, decoding and storing said table; means local to the user for comparing the locally stored viewer profile with the ranges of viewer profiles in said stored table to determine the corresponding video indicia or sequences; and, means for inserting said video indicia or sequences directly into said video signal for viewing on said television or video viewing device, and wherein said inserted indicia are interactive links to a web address, the contents of which may be accessed via the video distribution media or an associated data network and displayed on said television or video viewing device as part of said modified video signal or as a hypertext page.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
290 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally on said set-top device, said device comprising: means local to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, and wherein said cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means is weighed by how recently it was collected; means local and private to the user for storing said viewer profile in said device; means remote from the user for translating demographic requirements of a targeted viewer into corresponding ranges of viewer profiles; means remote form the user for creating a table associating said ranges of viewer profiles with said video indicia or sequences; means remote from the user for encoding said table for transmission on said video distribution mechanism; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said video signal and receiving, decoding and storing said table; means local to the user for comparing the locally stored viewer profile with the ranges of viewer profiles in said stored table to determine the corresponding video indicia or sequences; and, means for inserting said video indicia or sequences directly into said video signal for viewing on said television or video viewing device, and wherein said inserted indicia are interactive links to a web address, the contents of which may be accessed via the video distribution media or an associated data network and displayed on said television or video viewing device as part of said modified video signal or as a hypertext page.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally on said set-top device, said device comprising: means local to the user for monitoring the usage of a television or video viewing device; means local and private to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, wherein said means for automatically creating a viewer profile further comprises analysis of the user's accesses to web-sites when browsing the World Wide Web or other computer network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
125 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally on said set-top device, said device comprising: means local to the user for monitoring the usage of a television or video viewing device; means local and private to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, wherein said means for automatically creating a viewer profile further comprises analysis of the user's accesses to web-sites when browsing the World Wide Web or other computer network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
234 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally on said-set top device, said device comprising: means local to the user for monitoring the usage of a television or video viewing device; means local to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, wherein said cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means is weighed by how recently it was collected; means local and private to the user for storing said viewer profile in said device; means remote from the user for translating demographic requirements of a targeted viewer into corresponding ranges of viewer profiles; means remote from the user for encoding said table for transmission on said video distribution mechanism; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said video signal and receiving, decoding and storing said table; means local to the user for comparing the locally stored viewer profile with the ranges of viewer profiles in said stored table to determine the corresponding video indicia or sequences; and, means for inserting said video indicia or sequences directly into said video signal for viewing on said television or video viewing device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
234 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally on said-set top device, said device comprising: means local to the user for monitoring the usage of a television or video viewing device; means local to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, wherein said cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means is weighed by how recently it was collected; means local and private to the user for storing said viewer profile in said device; means remote from the user for translating demographic requirements of a targeted viewer into corresponding ranges of viewer profiles; means remote from the user for encoding said table for transmission on said video distribution mechanism; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said video signal and receiving, decoding and storing said table; means local to the user for comparing the locally stored viewer profile with the ranges of viewer profiles in said stored table to determine the corresponding video indicia or sequences; and, means for inserting said video indicia or sequences directly into said video signal for viewing on said television or video viewing device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
287 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally in said set top device, said device comprising: means local and private to the user for monitoring the usage of a television or video viewing device; means local to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, wherein said viewer profile includes information about the viewer derived from the monitoring means, said information designed to predict the age, sex, family size, hobbies and interests of the view, and wherein said cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means is weighed by how recently it was collected; means local to the user for storing said viewer profile in said device; means remote from the user for translating demographic requirements of a targeted viewer into corresponding ranges of viewer profiles; means remote from the user for creating a table associating said ranges of viewer profiles with said video indicia or sequences; means remote from the user for encoding said table for transmission on said video distribution mechanism; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said video signal and receiving, decoding and storing said table; means local to the user for comparing the locally stored viewer profile with the ranges of viewer profiles in said stored table to determine the corresponding video indicia or sequences; and, means for inserting said video indicia or sequences directly into said video signal for viewing on said television or video viewing device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
287 words
A set-top device for sending and receiving data pertaining to television or video viewing in which a video signal having been transmitted by a video distribution mechanism is received by said device and modified prior to viewing by utilizing automatically selected video indicia or sequences which are stored locally in said set top device, said device comprising: means local and private to the user for monitoring the usage of a television or video viewing device; means local to the user for automatically creating a continuously updated viewer profile based upon the cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means, wherein said viewer profile includes information about the viewer derived from the monitoring means, said information designed to predict the age, sex, family size, hobbies and interests of the view, and wherein said cumulative data acquired by said monitoring means is weighed by how recently it was collected; means local to the user for storing said viewer profile in said device; means remote from the user for translating demographic requirements of a targeted viewer into corresponding ranges of viewer profiles; means remote from the user for creating a table associating said ranges of viewer profiles with said video indicia or sequences; means remote from the user for encoding said table for transmission on said video distribution mechanism; means local to the user for receiving and decoding said video signal and receiving, decoding and storing said table; means local to the user for comparing the locally stored viewer profile with the ranges of viewer profiles in said stored table to determine the corresponding video indicia or sequences; and, means for inserting said video indicia or sequences directly into said video signal for viewing on said television or video viewing device.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of anonymous targeted insertion of selected indicia or sequences, which are stored locally on a set-top device, into a video broadcast comprising the steps of: a. monitoring the usage and viewing habits of viewer of a television set or other video reception device via said set-top device located at the television set or other video reception device, said monitoring step including the step of acquiring cumulative data weighted by how recently it was collected; b. automatically creating a continuously updated local viewer profile in said device derived from data acquired from said monitoring step, said viewer profile indicating certain characteristics of the viewer; c. linking specific insertable indicia with specific viewer profiles; d. encoding insertable indicia as well as data pertaining to the placement, shape, size, and perspective of the indicia directly into the video broadcast; e. employing said locally and privately stored viewer profile to decide which insertable video indicia to insert based upon viewer profiles encoded in said video broadcast; and, f. having said set-top device decode the broadcast video and perform the insertion of the indicia.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of anonymous targeted insertion of selected indicia or sequences, which are stored locally on a set-top device, into a video broadcast comprising the steps of: a. monitoring the usage and viewing habits of viewer of a television set or other video reception device via said set-top device located at the television set or other video reception device, said monitoring step including the step of acquiring cumulative data weighted by how recently it was collected; b. automatically creating a continuously updated local viewer profile in said device derived from data acquired from said monitoring step, said viewer profile indicating certain characteristics of the viewer; c. linking specific insertable indicia with specific viewer profiles; d. encoding insertable indicia as well as data pertaining to the placement, shape, size, and perspective of the indicia directly into the video broadcast; e. employing said locally and privately stored viewer profile to decide which insertable video indicia to insert based upon viewer profiles encoded in said video broadcast; and, f. having said set-top device decode the broadcast video and perform the insertion of the indicia.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-02 | 2006-03-04 | 2006-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-02 | 2014-03-04 | 2014-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |