Abstract: Systems and methods in which advertisers can be assured that target audience members for whom advertising messages are intended both receive the advertising messages, and consume the ads while paying sufficient attention to them. The system and methods can be used to present at least one ad for consumption by a target audience member at a computerized device, to detect at least one condition associated with the consumption of the ad at the computerized device, and to block or at least partially inhibit audience member access to at least one item of value associated with on-line content at the computerized device based on the condition associated with the consumption of the ad.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and accessing information such as targeted advertisements and other information content in a computer network environment that increase the efficiency of services provided by advertisers, while enhancing the economics of information content owners. The system implements a triangular economic transaction enabling negotiated transactions involving an information content owner, an advertiser, and a consumer. During the transactions between the respective parties, the information content owner is in control over terms of sale for its information content, the advertiser is in control over terms of its advertising campaign, and the consumer maintains control over personal profile information upon which the targeting of advertisements is based. The system allows the consumer to view targeted advertisements or any desired information content at a computer or computerized device on his or her own schedule, while maintaining a desired level of on-line privacy.

Abstract: A system and method of delivering and accessing information including advertisements targeted to a user that assures the privacy protection of the user, and allows the user to access the advertisements without interrupting the flow of desired information content. The system includes at least one computerized user device and at least one ad matching entity communicably coupled to at least one network. The ad matching entity includes a master computer system and at least one computer sub-system, in which each sub-system is associated with a respective user device. The user device creates a user profile based upon data obtained from observing various user actions, including the consumption/abandonment of content programs or advertisements, the visiting of web pages, the use of web search terms, etc. The user profile data is provided by the user device to the sub-system of the ad matching entity, which is a trusted third party.

Abstract: A system and method of delivering and accessing information including advertisements targeted to a user that assures the privacy protection of the user, allows the user to access the advertisements without interrupting the flow of desired information content, monitors the user's interaction with the advertisements to provide advertisers with performance-based feedback relating to their advertising services, and enables the user to control the degree to which payment for the delivered information is user or advertiser-supported. The system includes at least one computerized user device and at least one ad matching entity communicably coupled to at least one network. The computerized user device creates a user profile based upon data obtained by the device from observing various user actions, including the consumption/abandonment of content programs or advertisements, the visiting of web pages, the use of web search terms, etc.

Abstract: A media gateway/media server (MGMS) distributes video, without impairment, from a variety of sources, over an in-home distribution medium (such as coaxial cable) directly to one or more conventional televisions sets within a house, i.e., without requiring specially adapted hardware, such as a set-top-box, at each television set. One or more peripheral control devices can be used to control the MGMS and select video content to be displayed on the various television sets. The MGMS produces a signal, such as an ATSC, DVB or QAM signal, that the television sets can receive directly, i.e., without additional hardware. In some embodiments, each television set has an associated dedicated channel on the in-home distribution medium, and the MGMS sends video content to a particular television set by modulating the video content onto the channel dedicated to that television set.

Abstract: A Web-based buyer-driven system of commerce efficiently and inexpensively connects buyers and sellers. In general, the system includes a Web site globally accessible by potential buyers and sellers. Potential buyers post descriptions of products and services they desire on the Web site. Interested sellers of those products and services can access the descriptions posted by the buyers and selectively post responses to buyers. The responses preferably include information identifying the seller and describing the product or service offered by the seller. The system determines if the potential buyer retrieves a response directed to him from a potential seller and, if so, it charges that potential seller a small fee.

Abstract: In a ring communication system, data is received by and retransmitted by a plurality of network interface units spaced along the ring. Each network interface unit includes an elastic storage buffer which is preferably less than two bits in length. A feedback loop in each unit continuously controls the data transmitting rate from the network interface unit as a function of the average number of data bits in the elastic storage buffer. By thus controlling the transmitting rate, delay of data in the elastic storage buffer is controlled. Each network interface unit provides some of the delay required to cause the sum of all delays in the ring to become a multiple of 360 degrees. The entire network thus stabilizes at a substantially common frequency which provides the necessary phase delays throughout the network to provide a total phase shift of a multiple of 360 degrees.