US7546617B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Credit based media presentation
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 2000-05-25
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Granted: 2009-06-09
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Expires: 2020-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A method for monitoring and controlling the presentation of electronic media according to a credit-based scheme. “Debit-bearing” media may include video, audio, interactive software, etc. “Credit-bearing” media typically include commercials or banner ads. Other credit factors include cash, prizes, etc. The customer determines how to accumulate credits and how to spend them.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin G. Kienzle
- 👤 Raymond E. Rose, Jr.
- 👤 Olivier Verscheure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/442; H04N21/44204; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0277; H04H; H04H60/00; H04H60/09; H04H60/14; H04H60/21; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/254; H04N21/2543; H04N21/2547; H04N21/258; H04N21/25866; H04N21/25883; H04N21/25891; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/812; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for regulating the presentation of electronic media content to a consumer via a presentation medium, said apparatus comprising: an interface arrangement which receives media content comprising a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes cost factor data associated therewith; a controller which examines said cost factor data, attributes credit values to said plurality of segments based on said cost factor data, and maintains a credit balance associated with said consumer based on the attributed values, wherein said controller attributes a positive credit value to received media content construed as credit-bearing content and attributes a negative credit value to received media construed as debit-bearing content, and adjusts the attributed credit value of the received media content based on said cost factor data and at least one additional predetermined criterion external to the received media content; uses the balance in the account to determine the rules for future behavior of content presentation; is programmed with consumer demographic profile and preference information, wherein, based upon the demographic and preference information, a modulated credit value for credit-bearing content is obtained; and a regulator which applies rules for presenting the media content based on the credit balance; wherein the presentation medium is a television; and wherein the modulated credit value has a higher credit value when the credit-bearing content is being presented to a consumer who is known to be in a demographic group that has a high probability of purchasing a product featured in said credit-bearing content.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for regulating the presentation of electronic media content to a consumer via a presentation medium, said apparatus comprising: an interface arrangement which receives media content comprising a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes cost factor data associated therewith; a controller which examines said cost factor data, attributes credit values to said plurality of segments based on said cost factor data, and maintains a credit balance associated with said consumer based on the attributed values, wherein said controller attributes a positive credit value to received media content construed as credit-bearing content and attributes a negative credit value to received media construed as debit-bearing content, and adjusts the attributed credit value of the received media content based on said cost factor data and at least one additional predetermined criterion external to the received media content; uses the balance in the account to determine the rules for future behavior of content presentation; is programmed with consumer demographic profile and preference information, wherein, based upon the demographic and preference information, a modulated credit value for credit-bearing content is obtained; and a regulator which applies rules for presenting the media content based on the credit balance; wherein the presentation medium is a television; and wherein the modulated credit value has a higher credit value when the credit-bearing content is being presented to a consumer who is known to be in a demographic group that has a high probability of purchasing a product featured in said credit-bearing content.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: said controller attributes a credit rating associated with said consumer; and said regulator controls the presentation of received media content based on the attributed credit rating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the credit rating represents a threshold value and said regulator ceases the presentation of debit-bearing content upon the threshold value being breached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said controller: monitors the presentation of received media content at the presentation medium; and adjusts the credit balance based on the presentation of received media content at the presentation medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said controller subtracts from the credit balance upon debit-bearing content being presented at the presentation medium and add to the credit balance upon credit-bearing content being presented at the presentation medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein: the received media content includes pre-recorded media content; and said regulator comprises a decoder for decoding the pre-recorded media content, as to permit the presentation of the content, based on the credit balance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one additional predetermined criterion external to the received media content comprises a time-dependent factor, wherein said time-dependent factor decreases a debit value of the received media content upon passage of time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the received media content comprising a plurality of segments comprises a television commercial and at least a portion of a television show; and wherein said consumer demographic profile and preference information includes consumer buying habits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises a set-top cable TV converter box.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation medium is a computer monitor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the received media content includes internet multimedia content.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of regulating electronic media content to a consumer via a presentation medium, said method comprising the steps of: receiving media content comprising a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes cost factor data associated therewith; examining said cost factor data; attributing credit values to said plurality of segments based on said cost factor data, wherein a positive credit value is attributed to received media content construed as credit-bearing content and a negative credit value is attributed to received media content construed as debit-bearing content; adjusting the attributed credit value of the media content based on said cost factor data and at least one additional predetermined criterion external to the received media content; maintaining a credit balance associated with said consumer based on the attributed values; using the balance in the account to determine the rules for future behavior of content presentation; obtaining a modulated credit value for credit-bearing content based upon consumer demographic and preference information; and applying rules for presenting the media content based on the credit balance; wherein the presentation medium is a television; and wherein the modulated credit value has a higher credit value when the credit-bearing content is being presented to a consumer who is known to be in a demographic group that has a high probability of purchasing a product featured in said credit-bearing content.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of regulating electronic media content to a consumer via a presentation medium, said method comprising the steps of: receiving media content comprising a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes cost factor data associated therewith; examining said cost factor data; attributing credit values to said plurality of segments based on said cost factor data, wherein a positive credit value is attributed to received media content construed as credit-bearing content and a negative credit value is attributed to received media content construed as debit-bearing content; adjusting the attributed credit value of the media content based on said cost factor data and at least one additional predetermined criterion external to the received media content; maintaining a credit balance associated with said consumer based on the attributed values; using the balance in the account to determine the rules for future behavior of content presentation; obtaining a modulated credit value for credit-bearing content based upon consumer demographic and preference information; and applying rules for presenting the media content based on the credit balance; wherein the presentation medium is a television; and wherein the modulated credit value has a higher credit value when the credit-bearing content is being presented to a consumer who is known to be in a demographic group that has a high probability of purchasing a product featured in said credit-bearing content.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: attributing a credit rating associated with said consumer; and said regulating step comprising the step of controlling the presentation of received media content based on the attributed credit rating.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 13 , wherein the credit rating represents a threshold value and said controlling step comprises ceasing the presentation of debit-bearing content upon the threshold value being breached.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 12 , further comprising the steps of: monitoring the presentation of received media content at the presentation medium; and adjusting the credit balance based on the presentation of received media content at the presentation medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 15 , further comprising the steps of subtracting from the credit balance upon debit-bearing content being presented at the presentation medium and adding to the credit balance upon credit-bearing content being presented at the presentation medium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 15 , wherein: the received media content includes pre-recorded media content; and said method further comprises the step of decoding the pre-recorded media content, as to permit the presentation of the content, based on the credit balance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein said at least one additional predetermined criterion external to the received media content comprises a time-dependent factor, wherein said time-dependent factor decreases a debit value of the received media content upon passage of time.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 12 , wherein the received media content comprising a plurality of segments comprises a television commercial and at least a portion of a television show; and wherein said consumer demographic profile and preference information includes consumer buying habits.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 12 , wherein the presentation medium is a computer monitor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 20 , wherein the received media input includes internet multimedia content.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
243 words
A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps regulating the presentation of electronic media content to a consumer via a presentation medium, said method comprising the steps of: receiving media content comprising a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes cost factor data associated therewith; examining said cost factor data; attributing credit values to said plurality of segments based on said cost factor data, wherein a positive credit value is attributed to received media content construed as credit-bearing content and a negative credit value is attributed to received media content construed as debit-bearing content; adjusting the attributed credit value of the media content based on said cost factor data and at least one additional predetermined criterion external to the received media content; maintaining a credit balance associated with said consumer based on the attributed values; using the balance in the account to determine the rules for future behavior of content presentation; obtaining a modulated credit value for credit-bearing content based upon consumer demographic and preference information; and applying rules for presenting the media content based on the credit balance; wherein the presentation medium is a television; and wherein the modulated credit value has a higher credit value when the credit-bearing content is being presented to a consumer who is known to be in a demographic group that has a high probability of purchasing a product featured in said credit-bearing content.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
243 words
A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps regulating the presentation of electronic media content to a consumer via a presentation medium, said method comprising the steps of: receiving media content comprising a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes cost factor data associated therewith; examining said cost factor data; attributing credit values to said plurality of segments based on said cost factor data, wherein a positive credit value is attributed to received media content construed as credit-bearing content and a negative credit value is attributed to received media content construed as debit-bearing content; adjusting the attributed credit value of the media content based on said cost factor data and at least one additional predetermined criterion external to the received media content; maintaining a credit balance associated with said consumer based on the attributed values; using the balance in the account to determine the rules for future behavior of content presentation; obtaining a modulated credit value for credit-bearing content based upon consumer demographic and preference information; and applying rules for presenting the media content based on the credit balance; wherein the presentation medium is a television; and wherein the modulated credit value has a higher credit value when the credit-bearing content is being presented to a consumer who is known to be in a demographic group that has a high probability of purchasing a product featured in said credit-bearing content.
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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) | 2012-06-08 | 2012-12-08 | 2013-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-06-08 | 2016-12-08 | 2017-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-06-08 | 2020-12-08 | 2021-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |