US8086491B1
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Method and system for targeted content distribution using tagged data streams
Assignee: Alphonso Inc
•
Filing: 2001-12-31
•
Granted: 2011-12-27
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Expires: 2021-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A method for targeting content to a user based on a user profile and content tags. All content is delivered to the user's computer system. Each unit of content has a tag uniquely identifying a classification of the content. The receiving computer recognizes and evaluates the tags to match the content with a local user profile. The matching content is selected from all the content and displayed. The user profile is a set of data describing the classifications of content that are most appropriate for the user. The profile can be developed based on usage history or demographic information. The user computer system has a tag dictionary that may be updated to correspond to a set of tags utilized by content delivery systems.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Matz
- 👤 Scott R. Swix
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0251; G06Q30/0269
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of targeting content, comprising: receiving a data stream at a set-top box with the data stream comprising a content item and a content tag; storing the data stream in memory of the set-top box; detecting an insertion event; retrieving multiple identifiers of the content tag from the memory; retrieving the multiple identifiers of a corresponding profile tag from a user profile; setting an initial value of a score to zero; successively comparing each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determining the content tag matches the profile tag when at least three identifiers of the multiple identifiers match; incrementing the score when the match occurs; when the content tag does not match the profile tag, then: retrieving another profile tag from the user profile and successively comparing each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the another profile tag; when the user profile contains no more profile tags, then retrieving the multiple identifiers of another content tag from the memory and successively comparing each identifier of the another content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determining the another content tag matches the profile tag and incrementing the score when the match occurs; comparing the score to a threshold value; and when the score satisfies the threshold score, then determining that the content item is appropriate for presentation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of targeting content, comprising: receiving a data stream at a set-top box with the data stream comprising a content item and a content tag; storing the data stream in memory of the set-top box; detecting an insertion event; retrieving multiple identifiers of the content tag from the memory; retrieving the multiple identifiers of a corresponding profile tag from a user profile; setting an initial value of a score to zero; successively comparing each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determining the content tag matches the profile tag when at least three identifiers of the multiple identifiers match; incrementing the score when the match occurs; when the content tag does not match the profile tag, then: retrieving another profile tag from the user profile and successively comparing each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the another profile tag; when the user profile contains no more profile tags, then retrieving the multiple identifiers of another content tag from the memory and successively comparing each identifier of the another content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determining the another content tag matches the profile tag and incrementing the score when the match occurs; comparing the score to a threshold value; and when the score satisfies the threshold score, then determining that the content item is appropriate for presentation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising defining the user profile based on usage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising defining the user profile based on manual input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting a pattern in user selections and updating the user profile with the pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating a weighted average of the multiple identifiers in the content tag and the corresponding multiple identifiers in the corresponding profile tag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising filtering out unselected data streams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that the content item is inappropriate for presentation when the score is less than the threshold score.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the data stream comprises receiving a classification.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising causing presentation of the content item.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
232 words
A system for targeting content, comprising: a processor executing code stored in memory that causes the processor to: receive a data stream comprising a content item and a content tag; store the data stream in the memory; detect an insertion event; retrieve multiple identifiers of the content tag from the memory; retrieve the multiple identifiers of a corresponding profile tag from a user profile; set an initial value of a score to zero; successively compare each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determine the content tag matches the profile tag when at least three identifiers of the multiple identifiers match; increment the score when the match occurs; when the content tag does not match the profile tag, then: retrieve another profile tag from the user profile and successively compare each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the another profile tag; when the user profile contains no more profile tags, then retrieve the multiple identifiers of another content tag from the memory and successively compare each identifier of the another content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determine the another content tag matches the profile tag and increment the score when the match occurs; compare the score to a threshold value; and when the score satisfies the threshold score, then determine that the content item is appropriate for presentation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
232 words
A system for targeting content, comprising: a processor executing code stored in memory that causes the processor to: receive a data stream comprising a content item and a content tag; store the data stream in the memory; detect an insertion event; retrieve multiple identifiers of the content tag from the memory; retrieve the multiple identifiers of a corresponding profile tag from a user profile; set an initial value of a score to zero; successively compare each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determine the content tag matches the profile tag when at least three identifiers of the multiple identifiers match; increment the score when the match occurs; when the content tag does not match the profile tag, then: retrieve another profile tag from the user profile and successively compare each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the another profile tag; when the user profile contains no more profile tags, then retrieve the multiple identifiers of another content tag from the memory and successively compare each identifier of the another content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determine the another content tag matches the profile tag and increment the score when the match occurs; compare the score to a threshold value; and when the score satisfies the threshold score, then determine that the content item is appropriate for presentation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the code further causes the processor to define the user profile based on usage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the code further causes the processor to define the user profile based on manual input.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the code further causes the processor to detect a pattern in user selections and update the user profile with the pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the code further causes the processor to calculate a weighted average of the content tag.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the code further causes the processor to report an error when the score fails the threshold value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the code further causes the processor to receive a classification associated with the content item.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the code further causes the processor to cause presentation of the content item.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
233 words
A computer readable storage medium storing processor executable instructions for performing a method of targeting content, the method comprising: receiving a data stream comprising a content item and a content tag; storing the data stream in the memory; detecting an insertion event; retrieving multiple identifiers of the content tag from the memory; retrieving the multiple identifiers of a corresponding profile tag from a user profile; setting an initial value of a score to zero; successively comparing each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determining the content tag matches the profile tag when at least three identifiers of the multiple identifiers match; incrementing the score when the match occurs; when the content tag does not match the profile tag, then: retrieving another profile tag from the user profile and successively comparing each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the another profile tag; when the user profile contains no more profile tags, then retrieving the multiple identifiers of another content tag from the memory and successively comparing each identifier of the another content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determining the another content tag matches the profile tag and incrementing the score when the match occurs; comparing the score to a threshold value; and when the score satisfies the threshold score, then determining that the content item is appropriate for presentation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
233 words
A computer readable storage medium storing processor executable instructions for performing a method of targeting content, the method comprising: receiving a data stream comprising a content item and a content tag; storing the data stream in the memory; detecting an insertion event; retrieving multiple identifiers of the content tag from the memory; retrieving the multiple identifiers of a corresponding profile tag from a user profile; setting an initial value of a score to zero; successively comparing each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determining the content tag matches the profile tag when at least three identifiers of the multiple identifiers match; incrementing the score when the match occurs; when the content tag does not match the profile tag, then: retrieving another profile tag from the user profile and successively comparing each identifier of the content tag to each corresponding identifier of the another profile tag; when the user profile contains no more profile tags, then retrieving the multiple identifiers of another content tag from the memory and successively comparing each identifier of the another content tag to each corresponding identifier of the profile tag; determining the another content tag matches the profile tag and incrementing the score when the match occurs; comparing the score to a threshold value; and when the score satisfies the threshold score, then determining that the content item is appropriate for presentation.
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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) | 2014-12-26 | 2015-06-27 | 2015-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2018-12-26 | 2019-06-27 | 2019-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2022-12-26 | 2023-06-27 | 2023-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |