Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for providing dedicated television advertisements based on speech recognition of telephone conversations. The home user makes telephone calls using a landline, cellular phone or VoIP phone. The user may also be watching TV. While doing so, the user is able to see advertisements on part or all of his TV screen, based on words and phrases he may have used during his telephone conversation(s). The system and method may be provided by a triple play or quad play service provider which associates its users' telephone calls with TV advertising. Once the user sees the advertisement he can get more information concerning the advertisement by clicking on it with a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or TV remote control, or by using any other navigation method the TV system provides, to see additional details concerning the advertisements.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which an indication of a telephone call being placed from a calling number is received, and a determination is made of an audio advertisement to play based on the calling number. The audio advertisement is played based on the determination.

Abstract: Programming media and advertising media may be presented in a manner that approximates or equals a target ratio. In one implementation, a total temporal length of one or more programming media segments is accessed after the user has selected the programming media segments. One or more advertising media segments are then selected. The advertising media segments have a total length that is based on the total temporal length of the programming media segments and a target temporal ratio between programming media and advertising media. The client system may present the one or more selected advertising media segments.

Abstract: A system for generating advertisements is provided. The system includes an advertisement server, advertisement storage, and user activity storage. The advertisement server receives a request for an advertisement. The advertisement storage is in communication with the advertisement server. The advertisement storage includes a format for the advertisement and a pre-defined formula for calculating a value for the advertisement. The user activity storage is in communication with the advertisement server. The advertisement server calculates the value for the advertisement based on the formula and user data from the user activity storage.

Abstract: Described techniques enable a particular user to automatically share a piece of content with a group of users. To share the content, the particular user navigates to a Website or the like to identify the desired piece of content. The particular user then chooses to share the piece of content by actuating a button, an icon, or the like displayed within the content (e.g., Web content) or displayed within the browser's toolbar. In some embodiments, the users with whom the piece of content is then shared each include the particular user within a contact list. This document also describes techniques capable of enabling the particular user to allow a third party to select and share a piece of content. In some instances, the piece of content comprises an advertisement. This piece of content may be shared with a group of users that include the particular user as a contact.

Abstract: A method and computing devices are provided for determining whether an advertisement aired in accordance with predefined airing specifications. A plurality of advertisement identification markers may be inserted into an advertisement by a first computing device. The plurality of advertisement identification markers may be inserted between the start and end of the advertisement. A second computing device may receive a broadcast stream including the advertisement having the plurality of advertisement identification markers. Airing parameters of the advertisement may be determined by the second computing device based on the advertisement identification markers. The airing parameters of the advertisement may be compared with predefined airing specifications corresponding to the advertisement. Auditing data may be generated that describes whether or not the advertisement aired in accordance with the predefined airing specifications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for creating a program for delivery to a client in a video time shifting architecture. The system of the present comprises an advertisement selection system (ADS) operative to select one or more advertisements and transmit one or more identifiers that uniquely identify the selected advertisements and an advertisement management system (AMS) operative to generate a playlist that identifies content. The playlist includes a user requested time shifted program and the one or more selected advertisements. A video server is operative to interpret the playlist and deliver the content to the user.

Abstract: A method for placing online advertisements includes the step of displaying a primary advertisement on a first web page. The method includes the steps of initiating a timer to measure a first time period for which the primary advertisement is displayed. At the end of the first time period, the primary advertisement is switched to display a secondary advertisement on the first web page. In another embodiment, a computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium when executed by a processor, performs the method for placing online advertisements. In yet another embodiment, a system to place online advertisements includes a display output to display a primary advertisement on a first web page. The system includes a timer to be initialized to a first time period. The system further includes, an advertisement controller, coupled to the display output and the timer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which an indication of a telephone call being placed from a calling number is received, and a determination is made of an audio advertisement to play based on the calling number. The audio advertisement is played based on the determination.

Abstract: Advertisers provide bids for presenting temporal media ads along with content presented to users. The bids presented comprise a cost per unit time of presentation of the temporal media ad. Advertisers specify target audience and target media content for presenting their ads. A candidate set of ads is selected for presentation to the user along with requested content based on the temporal media ad targeting criteria. Machine learning techniques are used for predicting playtimes of ads based on features extracted from user attributes, content, and time of presentation. A winning temporal media ad is selected from the candidate set of ads based on predicted playtimes of ads in the candidate set of ads. An auction scheme is used for selecting a winning temporal media ad from the candidate ads.

Abstract: An inventory control system for a digital signage network is provided that uses a denormalized relational database to maintain a record of each of a plurality of screen zones for displays of the network. An inventory column in the database may be used to track scheduling assignments for each day of a calendar year. A screen zone may be given a collective duration limit that prevents assignment of media content items to that screen zone if the assignment would cause the limit to be exceeded for any of the days in the scheduling request. A screen zone may also be designated as overbookable to allow a scheduling assignment even if the limit is exceeded, or may be designated as partially bookable to allow the assignment of media content items for only those days specified in the request for which the limit would not be exceeded.

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: A method for distributing advertisement through a digital media is disclosed, the method comprises inserting an advertisement in a copy of a digital media content being ordered by a client device, the digital media content being stored in a server device, embedding duration information of the inserted advertisement in the copy of the digital media content, transmitting the copy of the digital media content with the advertisement inserted and the duration information embedded to the client device, and providing a software program to the client device for checking the duration information and for removing or disabling an expired inserted advertisement.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods trigger delivery of interactive advertisements to devices, such as wireless mobile devices, based upon exposure of a user to non-interactive advertisements. The non-interactive advertisements may include advertisements such as publicly displayed billboards or video advertisements embedded into broadcast programming There are many places and many instances where a device user may be exposed to an advertisement, and often the user does not have the ability to retain information associated with the advertisement. Rather than merely utilizing contextual information limited to user location or user profile information, the apparatus and methods correlate one or more behavioral context parameters to exposure, including exposure duration, in order to ascertain a user's interest in the non-interactive advertisement and thus suitability for receiving a corresponding interactive advertisement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing audio advertisements in a computer network enables Web sites to deliver audio advertisements that cannot be bypassed by a visitor. More particularly, an advertising or sponsoring Web site receives a request from at least one user for delivery of a user-selected Web page associated with the Web site. The Web site selects at least one audio advertisement from a plurality of audio advertisements for delivery to the user in conjunction with the user-selected Web page. The Web site then delivers the audio advertisement to the user via the network in a format that precludes the user from controlling the manner of playback of the audio advertisement.

Abstract: A method attributes credit for conversions to a plurality of event types. A plurality of probabilities that a single impression of each of a plurality of respective event types causes a conversion by one of a plurality of users are defined. A processor is used to select values for the plurality of probabilities so as to minimize a total squared error based on differences between an observed outcome for each user and a respective expected outcome for each user calculated from the plurality of probabilities.

Abstract: An advertisement display system and method of advertising has an initial step of loading a graphic advertisement onto a mobile computer-readable medium of a mobile device. The graphic advertisement has a time passage indicator for indicating the passage of time. An idle-time sensor determines an idle-time period in which updated application information cannot be presented on a display of the mobile device due to data processing activity by the processor, data transfer activity, congestion or latency in the wireless network, or any other activity that occupies resources in the mobile device to prevent the updating of the display. The graphic advertisement is displayed when the mobile device is in the idle-time period, animated to indicate the passage of time, and removed once the idle-time period has ended.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic interaction mapping for online advertizing is disclosed in one embodiment. Metric information relating to interaction with a creative is received from a number of user computer from across the Internet. The metric information is correlated to playback time of the creative and position of interaction with respect to the creative. A graphic overlay or heatmap is formulated according to display options, event triggers, playback time and position of the interaction relative to the creative. The graphic overlay is presented in a way that the graphic overlay changes according to playback time. Display options include creative transparency, graphic overlay transparency, selection from a number of interactions and/or events, selection of one or more panels, choosing clicks and/or rollovers, choice of different colors or shading for different interaction, etc.

Abstract: A time factor feature generation system includes: a use status grasping portion that extracts transition data showing variations in degree of use of a site from log data; a variation data generating portion that generates, based on the transition data, variation data expressing the variations in degree of use of the site as a group Y of values showing the degree of use of the site; a time factor data recording portion in which a plurality of time factors and time factor values of each of the plurality of time factors are recorded; a time factor extracting portion that generates groups Di of time factor values, each of which corresponds to a time factor extracted from among the plurality of time factors; and a time factor feature generating portion 13 that calculates coefficients ai such that a square of an error b has a minimum value in an equation in which the groups Di and the group Y are used as an explaining variable and an explained variable, respectively, thereby to generate data showing a time factor f

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for managing content obtained by combining works and advertisements using a public license. A server computer performs the registration of copyright holder computers and advertiser computers which are connected thereto, the registration of copyright holders and advertisers, and public license agreement, registers the works and advertisement data of the copyright holders and the advertisers in a database, and registers content, which is a combination of the registered work and advertisement, in the database.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method including delivering an initial promotion to a customer, determining a status of the initial promotion delivered, selecting a related promotion based on the status of the initial promotion determined, and delivering the related promotion to the customer. The related promotion is selected based on the status of the initial promotion determined by selecting a predetermined related promotion associated with the status of the initial promotion determined. Moreover, the initial and related promotions may be delivered through an electronic or hard delivery medium, and the status of the initial promotion delivered may be determined by determining a status of the initial promotion based on electronic feedback from the customer or based on predetermined status criteria assigned to the initial promotion.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a display system for use on the exterior of a vehicle having a display, a vehicle speed sensor, and a processor coupled to the vehicle speed sensor. The processor is configured to implement one of three operational modes of the display system based on the speed and state of the vehicle: a first operational mode, wherein a first content, including identification and/or registration information of the vehicle is rendered on the display at a first power consumption level; a second operational mode, wherein a second content, including a message, identification and/or registration information of the vehicle, is rendered on the display; and a third operational mode, wherein content is rendered on the display at a second power consumption level less than the first power consumption level.

Abstract: Advertisements are refreshed in an interface based on one or more parameters provided over a network. The parameters can be retrieved from a web service and implemented at a client device. Advertisement refreshing is performed independently of web page content loading. The parameters may include a time period and user action count and be configured differently for different markets, geographical areas, other customer groups, sections of an application or different advertisement types. One or more of the parameters may be adjusted at a back-end server and distributed to machines in the different customer groups, allowing an efficient and centralized mechanism for managing and updating advertisement refreshing.

Abstract: A system is described that dynamically enhances a software application executing on a computing device without having to change and recompile the original application code. The system includes a staging environment that monitors the execution of the application and indexes each item of graphical and/or audio information generated by the application into a first database. A second database is then populated by manual or automated means with one or more business rules, wherein each business rule is associated with one or more of the objects indexed in the first database. The system further includes a run-time environment that identifies items of graphics and/or audio information as they are generated by the application during run-time, uses the second database to determine if an identified item is associated with a business rule, and, responsive to a determination that an identified item is associated with a business rule, applies the business rule.

Abstract: A media player is provided. The media player comprises a communications interface, a memory store containing a plurality of personalized advertisements, and a media playback component. The targeted advertisements are refreshed by receiving updates from the communications interface during some of the intervals when the media player is connected to a network. The targeted advertisements are indexed by a plurality of characteristics, the first characteristic being a creation date of the targeted advertisements. The media playback component is configured to play a media content, wherein the media content is stored separately from the targeted advertisements, and to play one of the targeted advertisements in the memory store selected based on the characteristics of the one of the targeted advertisements.

Abstract: Disclosed are an auction method and system, an advertising method and system, and a charging method and system, based on bid prices depending on clicks or exposures, and a time period. The advertising method may include verifying an advertisement exposure priority determined with respect to an advertisement of an advertiser, based on a bid price per click (or a bid price per exposure), and a period-based bid price which may be input from the advertiser, and exposing the advertisement of the advertiser during a time period corresponding to the period-based bid price, through an advertisement exposure region depending on the verified advertisement exposure priority, wherein an advertising fee depending on the exposure of the advertisement may be calculated based on the bid price per click (or the bid price per exposure), a number of clicks (or a number of exposures) which may actually occur with respect to the advertisement during the time period, and the period-based bid price.

Abstract: A behavioral analysis device for analyzing the behavior of people contacting a plurality of advertising media devices (3a to 3b) comprises a contact history recording unit (7) extracting features of a person viewing advertisement on the advertising media devices (3a to 3c) and recording the features and the time the image is captured for each of the advertising media devices (3a to 3c) and a media pass counting unit (8) analyzing the records of all advertising media devices (3a to 3c) recorded in the contact history recording unit (7) and counting the number of people moving between the advertising media devices (3a to 3c).

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying monetization values for voice-enabled text advertisements and for providing the voice-enabled text advertisements for presentation to users within electronic advertising environments are provided. Advertisers may submit bids on both text advertisements and voice-enabled text advertisements. Using the bids submitted by advertisers, monetization values for text advertisements and voice-enabled text advertisements are calculated. The monetization values for voice-enabled text advertisements may be calculated based on a cost-per-voice bid submitted by the advertiser indicating a monetary amount the advertiser is willing to pay for voice audio of the voice-enabled text advertisement. Based on the monetization value of each of the voice-enabled text advertisements, at least one voice-enabled text advertisement is selected for presentation. The selected voice-enabled text advertisement is communicated for presentation to the user.

Abstract: An electronic advertisement apparatus includes: a facial image extraction device (5) that extracts a facial image, which is an image of a facial region of a viewer, from an image of the viewer captured while the viewer views an advertising image displayed on a display device (2); a feature value extraction device (6) that calculates a feature value of the appearance of the viewer by analyzing the extracted facial image; an image storage device (9) that stores a plurality of content images having key information; and a main control device (8) that compares the extracted feature value of the viewer with the stored key information in order to extract a content image having key information that corresponds to the feature value of the viewer from the image storage device (9), and displays the extracted image on the display device (2).

Abstract: A computer-driven apparatus coupled to a network receives data from metadata sources and consumers' display devices. From the sources, the apparatus collects metadata concerning characteristics of a given item of host video and a proposed class of advertisements for web delivery proximate or embedded in the given item. The apparatus continually monitors actual delivery of the given item by receiving transmissions from consumers' display devices. The apparatus develops initial forecasting inputs based on historical data from similar host videos, and then adjusts the forecasting inputs based on the actual deliveries. These forecasting inputs are used to compute an interim supply of advertising opportunities associated with the given item, which is reduced by relevant factors to provide a net available supply forecast. The apparatus provides a human-readable display of information including the net available supply forecast.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic advertising system (200) having an electronic advertising board (210) with a number of advertising slots (230). Each slot (230) can contain an advertisement (225). If all advertising slots (230) are full, one or more of advertising slots (230) can be cleared to accommodate a new advertisement, in accordance with a chosen criterion. The criterion may be selected from a range including date, price, category, products/services, location, or randomly.

Abstract: Provided is a keyword advertising system for extracting search listings in response to a search request. The system comprises a memory for storing a search information database; a bid control module selecting a predetermined number of search listings primarily according to the bid amount and an estimated advertising period; a ranking module generating an ordered search result list; and a computation control module computing the advertising period for the received bids. The ranking module orders the selected search listings in the search result list according to the selected search listings' respective bid amounts and the estimated advertising period and the computation control module estimating advertising costs uses the bid amount of the advertiser and average number of clicks information during a predetermined previous period. The computation control module further calculates the estimated advertising period using deposit from the advertiser and the estimated advertising costs.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a Media Expiration System (MES) that improves upon current content control systems by better managing media recordings. The MES enables media owners to disable recordings of their broadcast content and/or advertising, locally, after the content has been recorded by a consumer. In one embodiment, the MES places expiration stamps into broadcast media as it is recorded by a consumer electronics device. The MES tracks viewing habits, enables the purchasing of extended views of programs, and removes expired media programming content. The manner and way in which this is achieved results in the expiration of stale media content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording impression events of Ad content on a webpage. An example method renders on a display of a computer device a webpage accessible over a network. The webpage includes at least one Ad unit. Then Ad tag information associated with the at least one Ad unit and browser viewport information (display location and size information) is retrieved. The occurrence of an Ad Placement event is determined if based on the comparison a predefined percentage of the Ad unit is within the browser viewport. An Ad Placement event timer is begun upon the determination of occurrence of the Ad Placement event. The Ad Placement event timer is stopped if an out-of-view event has occurred based on the Ad tag information and the browser viewport information. An Ad Placement event is then recorded. The recorded Ad Placement event is transmitted to a previously designated server over the network.

Abstract: Method for automatically monitoring and verifying advertising content during a campaign, delivered over a data network. Accordingly, one or more advertisers submit, via a user interface, a list (that may be generated manually or by the mapping crawlers) of sites or of sections per site, on which the advertising content should be placed according to a desired insertion order (the insertion order information may modified at any time point). In addition, one or more mapping crawlers are activated to visit these sites and locate pages with advertisements that belong to required sections, pages that do not belong to the required sections or pages with high probability for incidents. A list of pages to visit per every site is generated and autonomous or Plug-in visual crawlers are allowed to visit the list of pages, according to a predetermined site visiting plan. A crawlers' manager allocates the pages between visual crawlers, for obtaining required adequate incident coverage and load on the visual crawlers.

Abstract: A system and method for targeted advertisement that includes embedding the content of the advertisement with the existing displayed content, which is optionally and more preferably broadcast video content. For example, the present invention relates to embedding advertising content within broadcast video content displayed on television screens. The system features a receiver that is connected to the video input and video output of the television set and can inject advertisements to the display. The advertisements are optionally selected according to a bidding algorithm that is preferably performed by an external server or other remote device; however, it is also possible that they are selected according to a different, non-bidding mechanism. The advertiser and/or the owner of the resource displaying the advertisement may optionally select or request the advertisement for display.

Abstract: This object is aimed to provide an advertisement providing system, etc. that defines a web API that contributes to the creation of an advertisement attached webpage for making it possible to distribute referral fees of the advertisement. A system carries out processing while taking a session ID generated by an advertisement intermediary service (105) among a website (103), a web API (104) and the advertisement intermediary service (105), wherein the website (103) creates a webpage including a result of processing by the web API (104), a link for acquiring a resource of advertisement information, and a link having as a parameter a session ID which is called on selection of an advertisement.

Abstract: A mobile advertising system includes a banner, a first banner anchor and a second banner anchor coupled to a vehicle. The banner is capable of being deployed by being connected at opposing ends to and suspended between the first and second banner anchors. The banner has first and second surfaces on which indicia are imprinted. Both the first and second banner surfaces are visible when the banner is deployed. An invoicing and tracking system may be included that computes an advertising charge based at least in part on a time period during which the banner is deployed and, optionally, a location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of generating revenue for a governmental entity is achieved by identifying a stationary structure supporting a traffic route information sign on a first side; making provisions for inclusion of commercial advertisement on an unused second side portion of the stationary structure; executing a licensing agreement between an interested party and the governmental entity for use of the unused second side portion of the stationary structure for commercial advertisement, wherein the executed licensing agreement includes an agreed upon royalty payable to the governmental entity; securing a commercial advertisement on the unused second side portion of the stationary structure; and collecting the agreed upon royalty from the interested party to generate revenue for the governmental entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing advertising service in a computer network is provided. This method and apparatus further comprises receiving a request from a user via this computer network to view a Web page, providing conditions to the user for viewing this Web page, delivering this Web page to the user, determining if the user has met the conditions required for viewing this Web page, and terminating access of the user to this Web page if these conditions are not met.

Abstract: System for creation and transport of multimedia content flows. The system includes a method for transporting a content flow to a wireless access network for broadcast to devices coupled to the wireless access network. The method includes transmitting a request message to add the content flow to the wireless access network, wherein the request message includes a scheduled delivery time. The method also includes receiving a response message indicating that the content flow will be added to the wireless access network, waiting until the scheduled delivery time, and delivering the content flow to the wireless access network.

Abstract: A method for delivering advertising to a consumer over a broadcast media/global communication network combination. An advertisement broadcast is generated comprised of a general program and associated advertising dispersed therethrough for broadcast over a broadcast media which is directed to a general class of consumers. Unique information is embedded in the broadcast for inducing a consumer to access a desired advertiser's location on the global network system over a personal computer-based system. The advertisement broadcast is then broadcast to the potential class of consumers with the embedded unique information therein.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for messaging over a data network, such as the Internet and interactive TV, which allows every registered user to generate and update one or more user portfolio(s) containing information relative to Providers and/or individuals of which the user is willing to view their messages. The messages are displayed inside the space of the webpage where usually banners are shown. The system may provided benefits to the user upon displaying messages with commercial value to him. The disclosed messaging system allows an easy and effective communication path between providers and users any time publicly or privately in the banner area of a web site, which does not occupy additional space on the user's browser, and does not require the user to load another application besides his browser.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system stores video clips which a user can select and use to create an ad video. The user can download the video clip, edit it appropriate, and then upload the ad video to the system. The user can then place the ad with a cable service provider as part of an ad campaign. The system allows the user to view available advertising opportunities with one or more video service providers, such as a cable service provider, and then define attributes of an ad campaign defining how and when to stream the ad in various programs. The ad campaign can place the ad in on-demand programs or schedule (broadcast) programs. The user can also be provided with reports indicating in part when the ad was actually streamed, allowing the user evaluate the performance of the ad campaign.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing online advertising. Advertisers can specify requirements or preferences relating to advertisement exposures. The requirements or preferences can include, during a period of time, a minimum number of users exposed to an advertisement or group of advertisements, a range of exposures per exposed user, an average number of exposures per exposed users and an allowed variation about the average. Advertisement serving planning and advertisement serving are facilitated based in part on the specified requirements or preferences.

Abstract: [Purpose] To provide an advertisement with viewer's high interest and publishes a highly effective advertisement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling a player to take a tour of a secondary game at a game machine. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes offering to enable entry of a player into a bonus round of a game machine in exchange for a fee, receiving the fee from the player, and enabling entry of the player into the bonus round. The method further includes receiving an indication of at least one player selection during the bonus round, and determining an outcome based on the at least one player selection. In other embodiments, the method includes providing a prize to the player based on the outcome.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method for providing information to computer users includes receiving at a server system an indicator of an action performed on a third-party website by a first user of a social network of users. The method can also include creating by the server system first promotional information based upon the received indicator and information associated with the first user of the social network. The method can further include persistently storing by the server system the created first promotional information in a repository of promotional information, wherein the repository stores promotional information associated with a plurality of third-party websites for display to users of a plurality of social networks. The method can additionally include receiving at the server system a request for promotional information to display to a second user of the social network, the second user having an acquaintance relationship with the first user.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method is disclosed for playing a video program for a user that has an associated commercial that can be avoided to some extent if the user is authorized. In one step, the video program is received with the associated commercial and made available for display. An attempt by the user to avoid normal playback is detected. A playback point in the video program for the associated commercial is determined. The attempt is correlated to the playback point in the video program for the associated commercial. It is determined whether the user is authorized to avoid normal playback of the associated commercial. If the user is not authorized to avoid normal playback of the associated commercial, the attempt is thwarted.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed which provide additional revenue stream to a client while providing training multimedia to a plurality of end users associated with the client. The method comprises comparing a client profile to a plurality of advertisements, selecting an advertisement from the plurality of advertisements based on the client profile, combining the selected advertisement with the training multimedia to create a combined multimedia, and delivering the combined multimedia to a selected one of the plurality of end users.