Abstract: Mobile advertising on personal cellular telecommunications devices includes an initial Level 0 Interactive Display Message (IDM) having a content precursor for requesting additional content with or without a visual advertising component. Level 0 IDMs may be displayed as part of a user initiated client application or automatically replacing an idle screen. Mobile advertising can optionally include one or more Level 1 Advertisement Display Messages (ADMs) including text, graphics, video, and the like Level 1 ADMs may be interactive or not.

Abstract: Disclosed is an internet traffic monitoring method. In the method, a first packet, sent from a user client, having a web content request meeting certain monitoring selection criteria is detected. Upon detection of the first packet, a second packet is forwarded to the user client. The second packet has a redirection with a fabricated web content request to a monitoring web page including at least one monitoring implement.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for providing content. A method includes receiving a request for an advertisement to be displayed in a slot associated with a third-party content site; identifying a relevant advertisement to be provided in the slot; determining information to be included in an annotation associated with the advertisement, the annotation including customized information to be presented along with the advertisement; providing the advertisement responsive to the request including providing the annotation along with a control for re-publishing the advertisement along with the relevant advertisement; receiving user input selecting the control and designating the advertisement for re-publishing to a group, the group being designated by the user; and targeting additional content to the group based on the received user input.

Abstract: A method including providing content for purchasing and viewing by users, wherein the purchasing includes buying or renting content; performing real-time tracking pertaining to the purchasing and the viewing of content by the users based on the providing; generating real-time tracking information based on the performing, wherein the real-time tracking information identifies a content purchased by the user and a user device used by the user to view the content; automatically creating a content promotion or a campaign ad based on the real-time tracking information; and automatically providing the content promotion or the campaign ad to the users.

Abstract: An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.

Abstract: The present invention is and includes a device, system and method for providing an image enhancement widget. The device, system and method include a javascript component that, upon execution, obtains at least one subject of primary content on a networked page, and at least one permission for enhancement of the primary content, ones of a plurality of content produced remotely from the javascript component and according to the javascript component, and an enhancement widget. The enhancement widget may be a flash widget.

Abstract: An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.

Abstract: An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity.

Abstract: The present invention is and includes a device, system and method for providing an image enhancement widget. The device, system and method include a javascript component that, upon execution, obtains at least one subject of primary content on a networked page, and at least one permission for enhancement of the primary content, ones of a plurality of content produced remotely from the javascript component and according to the javascript component, and an enhancement widget. The enhancement widget may be a flash widget.

Abstract: While giving priority to a keyword designated by a seller, it is possible to reduce the extent of mismatch between the keyword designated by the seller and a keyword input as a search condition by a user. An advertisement main-search section (58) identifies, as a search result, at least one of purchase candidates corresponding to a main-keyword which is designated by the seller and fully or partially matches a search term word. In accordance with a number of the purchase candidate identified as the search result by the advertisement main-search section (58), an advertisement sub-search section (62) identifies purchase candidate corresponding to a sub-keyword which is identified based on an appearance frequency of a word contained in each piece of text data and fully or partially matches the search term word, and then adds the purchase candidate to the search result. An information output section (68) outputs information regarding the purchase candidate identified as the search result.

Abstract: The present invention is and includes a device, system and method for providing an image enhancement widget. The device, system and method include a javascript component that, upon execution, obtains at least one subject of primary content on a networked page, and at least one permission for enhancement of the primary content, ones of a plurality of content produced remotely from the javascript component and according to the javascript component, and an enhancement widget. The enhancement widget may be a flash widget.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for delivering content to customers of a service provider are provided. Upon receiving a request for content from a customer of a service provider, a position of the requested content on a content demand curve is determined. A business model to be associated with the requested content is selected, wherein the business model defines how the requested content is to be delivered to the customer and how the customer is to be billed for the requested content. The requested content is delivered to the customer according to the selected business model and the customer is billed according to the selected business model.

Abstract: A system and method to enable a user to initiate a communication with an organization using a mobile communication device by means of a trigger system. A system and method to enable an organization to acquire a user mobile device address by means of a trigger system. A system and method to enable an organization to respond to a user by means of a trigger system and a message application server. A system and method to enable organizations to deliver mobile messages, coupons, offers and promotions to users mobile device by means of a combination of a trigger system, a message application server and an offer application.

Abstract: An enhanced shopping experience is provided via a graphical user interface of a mobile station. The shopping experience may include a categorical hierarchy for a catalog of downloadable content items. The catalog may support any or all of several additional features, such as animated promotions, search capabilities, sharing a wishlist with and receiving a wishlist from another user of the shopping service. The shopping experience may also include an interactive virtual mall.

Abstract: A method is described including requesting content from a directory service, receiving a list of peers in a peer-to-peer network having the requested content, selecting a peer from the received list of peers, establishing communications with the selected peer, receiving a list of chunks of content and ads available from the selected peer, requesting a chunk of content and ads available from said selected peer and receiving the chunk of content and randomly selected ads from the selected peer. Also described is a method including receiving a request for content, generating a list of chunks of content available for the requested content, generating a list of ads associated with the requested content, transmitting the list of available chunks of content responsive to the request, receiving a request for a selected chunk of content and transmitting the selected chunk of content and ads associated with the selected chunk of content.

Abstract: A method of providing a frame-based object redirection overlay for a video stream provided by a third-party content provider and hosted by a host provider that may or may not be the same as the third-party content provider. One or more objects depicted within a frame of a video stream are selected. A user is presented with a tag corresponding to the selected object. Upon detection of the user's selection of the tag, the user is presented with options corresponding to the selected tag. The options are determined by the location of the user, the user's preferences, and enforcement of localization rules. Upon detection of the user's selection of an option, an action is taken that corresponds to the user's selection of the option.

Abstract: Techniques arc provided for allowing a user to cause a displayed advertisement to be replaced by an alternative advertisement. The user is provided with a graphical user interface that includes display of multiple user-selectable alternative advertisement topics or topical categories. The alternative advertisement topics or topical categories may be derived based on an advertisement taxonomy which relates to topics or topical categories of advertisements, and may be topically related to the displayed advertisement. Based at least in part on a selected alternative advertisement topic of topical category, an alternative advertisement is selected for display to the user.

Abstract: Advertisements are often presented in the context of a media content viewing experience. Advertisement presentation may be intrusive or subtle. In many instances, users may be interested in particular advertisements but may not want to disrupt a media content viewing experience by launching an advertisement window, opening an advertisement application, or otherwise being redirected to another piece of content. Consequently, mechanisms are provided to allow a user to identify advertisements or save advertisement interests for presentation at a later time. Saved advertisement interests can be used to inform future advertisement and/or content suggestions, and the user can be presented with selected advertisements within an application or through external mechanisms.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable storage medium provides the ability to deliver media content. A repository stores media content and marketing assets for the media content. A server computer provides a website accessible on the Internet worldwide to client computers. The website provides the ability to search a public site catalog/library of media content that is publicly available. The website further provides marketing assets for licensed media content from the library to authorized client users (that have a license to media content) in a secure manner. The website further provides preview screening access and download access to licensed media content (e.g., titles of audio-visual media content) to the authorized client users.

Abstract: A method and system pertaining to providing service to patrons in an establishment using a communications network. The method and system include enabling access to the communications network by a patron using a patron computer having a user interface including a video display.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating cookies. Multiple advertisements for multiple advertisers are stored on an ad server. Hostnames specific to each of the multiple advertisers are generated dynamically. The generated hostnames identify the ad server. A reference is generated identifying a particular advertisement of the multiple advertisements and the ad server. The ad server is identified in the reference with the generated hostname associated with the advertiser of the advertisement. The reference is provided to a client. A request is received from the client for the advertisement. The request includes the generated hostname. In response to the request, a client cookie, which includes a unique identifier, is sent to the client.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating cookies. Multiple advertisements for multiple advertisers are stored on an ad server. Hostnames specific to each of the multiple advertisers are generated dynamically. The generated hostnames identify the ad server. A reference is generated identifying a particular advertisement of the multiple advertisements and the ad server. The ad server is identified in the reference with the generated hostname associated with the advertiser of the advertisement. The reference is provided to a client. A request is received from the client for the advertisement. The request includes the generated hostname. In response to the request, a client cookie, which includes a unique identifier, is sent to the client.

Abstract: Techniques are provided in which a first set of information is obtained regarding ebook content evidenced as being accessed by an ebook reader, such as a page or paragraph being read, for example. Based at least in part on the ebook content, a second set of information is obtained, including multiple ebook advertising targeting parameters. Based at least in part on the targeting parameters, at least one advertisement is targeted to the ebook reader, in which the at least one advertisement is to be presented to the reader at least in part via the ebook.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that include allowing an ebook reader to select an advertising setting which specifies permissible forms of advertising to be presented to the ebook reader via one or more ebooks. Based at least in part on the selected setting, the ebook reader may be provided with a reduction relating to cost of the one or more ebooks. The reduction may be greater if the selected option indicates more valuable permissible advertising. Permissible advertising may be presented to the ebook reader via at least one of the one or more ebooks.

Abstract: Embodiments provide content and advertising material superdistribution. In one embodiment, a method of distributing content and advertising material may be provided. The method may include: registering members who are potential users and distributors of content; receiving, from a first member, an identifier of a second member with whom the first member has a relationship; receiving, from the first member, a selection of content to be distributed to the second member; receiving, from the first member, a selection of advertising material to be associated with the content to be distributed to the second member; and distributing the content and the advertising material to the second member.

Abstract: Presenting advertisements in graphical user interfaces associated with virtual computers based on user profiles and information about user activities on the virtual computers. A computer device for instantiating the virtual computers analyses user profiles and the user activity information. Based on the analysis, the computer device selects advertisements for presentation to users. The computer device includes the selected advertisements in data objects for transmittal to user terminals of the users. The user terminals generate user interface elements for displaying the graphical user interfaces based on the received data objects. The users may take actions based on the advertisements presented in the graphical user interfaces. By presenting the advertisements, the service provider of computer virtual desktop service may collect monetary compensation from advertisers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for facilitating aggregated product requests. In one aspect, a method includes receiving product request data from a plurality of users and determining that an offer request condition has occurred, where the offer request condition specifies a condition under which offers are requested from advertisers. In response to occurrence of the offer request condition, offer request data are provided to advertisers. The offer request data specify a quantity of users from which product request data were received. Offer data are received from advertisers. The offer data specify an offer associated with the particular product and an amount that an advertiser will pay for distribution of the offer. An offer is selected to be provided to the users and presentation data that cause presentation of the selected offer are provided.

Abstract: An ad is placed in a movie, by analyzing inherent characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewed characteristics of the movie, analyzing viewer characteristics of a viewer of the movie, obtaining advertiser preferences for placement of the ad in the movie, determining costs of placing the ad in the movie based on the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics and the advertiser preferences, and placing the ad in the movie in accordance with the inherent characteristics of the movie, the viewed characteristics of the movie, the viewer characteristics, the advertiser preferences and the determined costs.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user device are described. The method permits the user to access, define, edit, and control a playlist of advertisements that may be played with selected media programs, a playlist of media programs, or all media programs played to the user.

Abstract: A system assigns, to an advertisement while it is running, a short, easily remembered code from a limited list of available codes. A listener or viewer can use the code access the web address and/or telephone number broadcast by the advertisement. The code is assigned to the advertisement. That is, when the advertisement stops being, the code associated with that advertisement is returned to the database of available codes and can be reassigned. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to radio broadcasting. Here, the data base includes the broadcast station or stations that air the advertisement so that in reassigning a code (preferably an alpha numeric code), it is assigned to an advertisement running in a broadcast area that does not overlap with the broadcast area where it had been previously recently used.

Abstract: The sales of automobiles are promoted by providing to a customer a portable media player including a user interface permitting the customer to selectively play one or more walkaround instruction files so that the customer may engage in one or more guided walkaround examinations of vehicles without the presence of a salesperson. The user interface further permits the customer to send a wireless signal requesting salesperson assistance. In response to such a signal, the salesperson engages in face-to-face interaction with the customer. The training of sales personnel may be enhanced by the same or similar portable media player as is provided to the customer, allowing the sales personnel to selectively play one or more sales training files. The media player may signal a base computer of the completion of selected training files, allowing automobile dealership management to track sales training.

Abstract: The number of ads potentially relevant to search query information may be increased by relaxing the notion of search query keyword matching. This may be done, for example, by expanding a set of ad request keywords to include both query keywords (or derivatives of a root thereof) and related keywords. The related keywords may be words with a relatively high co-occurrence with a query keyword in a group of previous search queries (e.g., search queries in a session). The scores of ads with keyword targeting criteria that matched words related to words in a search query, but not the words from the search query, may be discounted. That is, the scores of ads served pursuant to a relaxed notion of matching may be discounted relative to the scores of ads served pursuant to a stricter notion of matching. This may be done by using a score modification parameter, such as an ad performance multiplier (for cases in which an ad score is a function of ad performance information).

Abstract: Method, communication device, and computer program products are provided for adding advertisement contact data to a networked address book. Advertisement data is accessed. The advertisement data is retrieved and parsed to determine if the advertisement data is in a proper format for a networked address book. The advertisement data is converted to the proper format, in response to determining that the advertisement data is not in the proper format. The advertisement data is transferred to the networked address book.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises receiving a request for content from a user, determining a user list associated with the user, the user list including a definition that characterizes members of the user list, determining additional data related to a context associated with the user, and providing user list definition data and the additional data along with the request to a consumer that has subscribed to the user list.

Abstract: A method of monitoring effectiveness of an advertisement delivered to a user of an electronic system is disclosed. An alerting message for notifying the user to accumulate a credit is delivered randomly during an event of streaming of a program of the advertisement. The message may be displayed as a visual image or a video program in a predetermined position of a display. A user may actuate a predetermined input structure when the alerting message is notified. A credit is then assigned to the user. A personalized file recording a history of the user's reaction to the advertised messages is employed to deliver highly targeted advertisements to the user in a late stage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a platform that provides innovative advertising space to businesses by engaging gamers to create viral loops for brands. The platform features unique components including: 1) game developers have real-time control over advertising content and 2) gamers will associate an actual gaming accomplishment with a positive brand interaction (e.g. when a gamer achieves a high score, they will see a message that associates the accomplishment with an advertiser). The platform may be expanded on a global scale through offers of software development kits that allow other game developers to integrate the platform into their own mobile and Web games. Gamers, game developers, and advertisers will be able to track user data produced by the system if each gamer and developer agrees to do so.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controllably delivering a multicast broadcast stream to a client via a VLAN channel and, in response to the detection of a splice point, delivering a unicast stream to the client via a sub-VLAN channel.

Abstract: A hierarchical user interface for determining a user's interest level in categories of advertisements is disclosed. Multiple user selectable icons may be displayed in association with each category of advertisements. An icon is selected and is associated with a user adjustable visual sign indicating the user's interest level in a quantitative manner. Scores for each category or each sub-category of advertisements are determined based upon the user's inputs. Advertisements are delivered to the user according to the scores.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a personalized advertisement service are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method of preparing video and audio content for playback at a plurality of facilities. The method includes transferring the content from a central network computer to at least one remote playback system located in each of the facilities. The method also includes generating, using the central network computer, at least one playlist for each of the facilities, the playlist for determining an order of playback of the content and transferring each of the playlists from the central network computer to the playback system in each of the facilities.

Abstract: A network-connected server has software executing from a machine-readable medium for providing functionality, a web page with links to one or more further pages providing information or services related to a first enterprise hosting the server, an interface for communicating with a computerized appliance accessing the web page with a web browser; and functionality in the software for adding to the browser display at the computerized appliance an interactive interface not provided on the web page, the interactive interface providing one or more links to specific information or services.

Abstract: A merchant supplies a requested offer for inventory to a consumer when the consumer is within a predetermined distance from the merchant. The merchant transmits a merchant identifier, a description of the inventory of the merchant that the merchant is willing to make an offer on, the offer, and instructions to transmit the offer to the consumer making the request for the inventory when the consumer is within the predetermined distance. The merchant receives notice that the offer has been made to the consumer. The consumer accepts the merchant's offer by entering into a transaction with the merchant for the requested inventory that applies the offer to the transaction. The value of the offer may be based on a parameter such as the transaction history of an account associated with the consumer within a payment processing system.

Abstract: An advertising information display method obtains the terminal location information, which is transmitted from a mobile telephone device, a terminal, retail store location information, which is transmitted from a plurality of retail stores, and advertising information, selects the neighborhood advertising information, which should be transmitted to the mobile telephone device, based on the terminal location information and a plurality of retail store location information, associates the terminal ID with the neighborhood advertising information, transmits the neighborhood advertising information to the mobile telephone device, and displays, on the display of the mobile telephone device, the neighborhood advertising information.

Abstract: A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network.

Abstract: In a electronic curbside information system, a seller is provided with an electronic “seller unit” that can be placed in physical proximity to a display, usually an advertising sign. Potential buyers carry “buyers units” usually in the form of smart phones in which an application is downloaded and stored. The buyer unit is programmed to communicate with the seller unit and store a unique identification associated with the seller unit. In a “profile server”, accessible over a public global communications network, the unique identification of each seller unit is associated with detailed product information, and is accessible directly by the buyer unit if the buyer unit can gain access to the global network. Alternatively, the identification stored in the buyer unit can be transferred to the buyer's personal computer, which can then communicate over the global network with the profile server and download the product details.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises determining ad placement times for each of a plurality of associated streams. The method also comprises determining an ad selection request time for each of a plurality of ad selection requests based on a cumulative effect of any other ad selection requests occurring at substantially the same time as the determined ad selection time. Each of the plurality of ad selection requests corresponds to one of the plurality of ad placement times.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for a pay-per-action (PPA) advertising model. An advertiser reports actions and pays an advertising provider for each action that is reported. The payment may be based on the rate at which the actions are reported. The action rate may be updated based on each reported action, which may modify the payment for that action and may modify the payment for previous actions. A one-time premium may be charged to advertisers and a minimum action rate may be established to encourage advertisers to accurately report actions.

Abstract: An interactive system enables users to generate and submit lists of items (e.g., products) for viewing by other users. The user-generated lists are selectively suggested to users of the system based on their respective behaviors, such as their item viewing activities, searches, and/or item purchases. The system may monitor the behaviors of users who access particular user-generated lists, and based on the monitored behaviors, generate measures of the effectiveness of particular lists (e.g., effectiveness at driving item purchases). The measures of effectiveness may be considered in selecting particular lists to suggest.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for associative online advertisement are disclosed. In various embodiments, an online advertisement of a product or service provider may be selectively associated with a member of an online social network, under the selection control of the member. In various embodiments, the association enables at least another member of the online social network to select the online advertisement from a social media associated with the member to be likewise associated with the online advertisement, or purchase for the member, a product or service of the associated product or service provider. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for techniques and processes for stored online content, e.g., digital advertisement objects in a personally controlled repository. The content, e.g., digital advertisement objects, may be enhanced with additional metadata, extended upon by user generated and/or collaborated metadata, as well as the communication used by both the originating user storing the content, e.g., digital advertisement as well as those to whom said user may share the advertising objects with, and the advertiser, publisher and distributor of the content, e.g., digital advertisement. The systems and methods described herein allow for the control and management of distributed advertisements within a controlled repository.