Patent US6477704B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6477704B1
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US
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Method of gathering and utilizing demographic information from request-based media delivery system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1999-06-21
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Granted: 2002-11-05
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Expires: 2019-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A method of automatically delivering media based on audience requests. The method statistically identifies the most requested media content and assembles a play list from individual media segments in a catalog database. Demographic information gathered from the audience requests is used to dynamically insert commercial media segments into the play list. Demographically linked news and weather updates may also digitally recorded and interspersed between requested media segments.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Cremia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/262; H04N21/26208; H04N21/26233; H04N21/258; H04N21/25866; H04N21/25883; H04N21/26258; H04N21/40; H04N21/47; H04N21/472; H04N21/475; H04N21/4753; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of delivering media content comprising the steps of: creating a membership database comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining an array of demographic information from an individual; (b) assigning said individual a unique membership ID; (c) storing said membership ID and said array of demographic information in said membership database; obtaining a request for media content comprising the steps of: (a) identifying said individual from said unique membership ID; (b) prompting said individual for selection of a media segment from a catalog database; (c) associating said media segment and said individual's array of demographic information in a request database; broadcasting media content comprising the steps of: (a) accessing said request database; (b) assembling a play list from the most requested media segments in said catalog database based on a predetermined formula; and (c) executing said play list.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of delivering media content comprising the steps of: creating a membership database comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining an array of demographic information from an individual; (b) assigning said individual a unique membership ID; (c) storing said membership ID and said array of demographic information in said membership database; obtaining a request for media content comprising the steps of: (a) identifying said individual from said unique membership ID; (b) prompting said individual for selection of a media segment from a catalog database; (c) associating said media segment and said individual's array of demographic information in a request database; broadcasting media content comprising the steps of: (a) accessing said request database; (b) assembling a play list from the most requested media segments in said catalog database based on a predetermined formula; and (c) executing said play list.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining said array of demographic information from an individual by telephonic means comprising the steps of: (1) accepting an incoming telephone call from a telephone caller; (2) prompting said caller to relay an array of demographic information; (3) associating said array of demographic information with a unique membership ID; and (4) transmitting said unique membership ID to said telephone caller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: (a) posting one or more form-based interfaces on a data network; (b) prompting a network user for an array of demographic information; (c) associating said array of demographic information with an associated membership ID; and (d) transmitting said membership ID to said network user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of interspersing a system identifier at predetermined intervals within said play list.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of interspersing one or more public service announcements at predetermined intervals within said play list.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of interspersing one or more individual commercial segments at predetermined intervals within said play list.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method as in claim 6 , further comprising the steps of: (a) associating a demographic value with an individual commercial segment; (b) analyzing said play list for one or more common demographic values of said individuals who requested the media segments in said play list; and (c) broadcasting said individual commercial segments whose demographic values most closely match said common demographic values of said individuals who requested the media segments in said play list.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as in claim 7 , further comprising the step of recording the number of instances said individual commercial segment is played.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of interspersing one or more prerecorded news updates at predetermined intervals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as in claim 9 , further comprising the steps of accepting a media upload from an authorized user and inserting said media upload in said play list.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as in claim 9 , further comprising the steps of receiving an analog media segment comprising said prerecorded news update from an authorized user, converting said analog media segment to a digital media segment, and inserting said digital media segment into said play list.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as in claim 11 , wherein said analog media segment comprising said prerecorded news update is received telephonically.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as in claim 9 , further comprising the steps of uploading said prerecorded news updates through a network interface from a verified source for insertion into said play list.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 9 , further comprising the step of time-stamping said news updates wherein out-of-date media segments are not inserted into said play list.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of recording said demographic information associated with said play list into a history file.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of maintaining remote supervision and control over said method of delivering media content via a network connection to a remotely located network operations center.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of offloading said membership-associated functions to a remotely located network operations center.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 1 , wherein said media content is audio and further comprising the step of broadcasting said play list by radio frequency transmission.
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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) | 2005-11-04 | 2006-05-06 | 2006-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-04 | 2010-05-06 | 2010-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-04 | 2014-05-06 | 2014-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |