Interactive video distribution systems – Program – message – or commercial insertion or substitution – Based on demographics or geographical area
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-04
2010-11-30
Kelley, Chris (Department: 2424)
Interactive video distribution systems
Program, message, or commercial insertion or substitution
Based on demographics or geographical area
C725S009000, C725S032000, C725S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07844985
ABSTRACT:
A novel multiple channel architecture is designed to allow targeted advertising directed to television terminals connected to an operations center or a cable headend. Advertisements are displayed during commercial breaks in the television programs. Such advertisements may be broadcast on the same channel as the television program. In addition, feeder channels may carry alternate advertising that may be better suited for certain viewing audiences. The operations center or the cable headend generate a group assignment plan that assigns the television terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence, household income and other demographic data, and programs watched data gathered by the television terminals. A switching plan is then generated that instructs the television terminals to remain with the program channel or to switch to one of the alternate feeder channels during the program breaks. The television terminals record which channels were viewed during the program breaks, and report this information to the cable headends and the operations center. The reported information is used to generate billing for commercial advertisers, and to analyze viewer watching habits. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software to accomplish these functions.
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Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 09/964,891, dated Mar. 11, 2010.
Asmussen Michael L.
Bonner Alfred E.
Hendricks John S.
McCoskey John S.
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC
Kelley Chris
Newlin Timothy R
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