Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer readable mediums for efficient and unconstrained information distribution and IP multicasting are provided. An exemplary method may include receiving, from a set top box, information indicative of criteria associated with targeted advertisement; and determining, at a set top box, whether the criteria corresponds to a characteristic of a household at which the criteria is received. The method may also include joining, from a set top box, a multicast group associated with the criteria in the event the criteria is determined to correspond to the characteristic of the household at which the criteria is received. The method may also include receiving, via multicast, at a set top box, the targeted advertisement associated with the criteria; and displaying, at a video display device, the targeted advertisement. The exemplary method may allow efficient and unconstrained information distribution leading to improved application quality and performance.

Abstract: A network device receives, across a network, measurements of channel tuning times from multiple, different set-top boxes (STBs), where the channel tuning times are measured internally within each of the multiple, different STBs. The network device stores the measurements of the channel tuning times as data in a data structure and analyzes channel tuning behavior of at least one of the multiple, different STBs based on the data stored in the data structure. The network device generates a report of the channel tuning behavior of the at least one of the multiple, different STBs.

Abstract: A network device receives, across a network, measurements of channel tuning times from multiple, different set-top boxes (STBs), where the channel tuning times are measured internally within each of the multiple, different STBs. The network device stores the measurements of the channel tuning times as data in a data structure and analyzes channel tuning behavior of at least one of the multiple, different STBs based on the data stored in the data structure. The network device generates a report of the channel tuning behavior of the at least one of the multiple, different STBs.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer readable mediums for efficient and unconstrained information distribution and IP multicasting are provided. An exemplary method may include receiving, from a set top box, information indicative of criteria associated with targeted advertisement; and determining, at a set top box, whether the criteria corresponds to a characteristic of a household at which the criteria is received. The method may also include joining, from a set top box, a multicast group associated with the criteria in the event the criteria is determined to correspond to the characteristic of the household at which the criteria is received. The method may also include receiving, via multicast, at a set top box, the targeted advertisement associated with the criteria; and displaying, at a video display device, the targeted advertisement. The exemplary method may allow efficient and unconstrained information distribution leading to improved application quality and performance.

Abstract: Participant input for an interactive show, such as input submitted by the show's viewers or listeners, is managed. The received participant input is stored in a server. Software or other techniques/tools processes the participant input stored in the server to sort, identify, classify, or select submissions that may be appropriate to address during the interactive show or during other times. While the participant input is being processed, the participant who sent the submission need not be kept on hold or otherwise have to keep the line of communication open, and instead, the participant can terminate the communication with the interactive show. An alert can be subsequently sent to the participant if or when the participant's submission is to be addressed in the interactive show.

Abstract: An advertising service presents an interactive advertisement to a customer, such as via a television commercial. If the customer indicates an interest in the advertised product by responding to the advertisement, then the advertising service or other mechanism identifies the customer, correlates the customer to a merchant, and then automatically connects the customer to the merchant (or triggers connection of the merchant to the customer). The customer may be identified by extracting an identification number, address, or other identifying information associated with a client terminal that the customer used to respond to the advertisement. Correlation of the customer to the merchant may be performed by a database lookup to match customer information to merchant information. Thereafter, the merchant can be notified by the advertising service to contact the customer to fulfill the customer's response in a personalized and interactive manner.

Abstract: Participant input for an interactive show, such as input submitted by the show's viewers or listeners, is managed. The received participant input is stored in a server. Software or other techniques/tools processes the participant input stored in the server to sort, identify, classify, or select submissions that may be appropriate to address during the interactive show or during other times. While the participant input is being processed, the participant who sent the submission need not be kept on hold or otherwise have to keep the line of communication open, and instead, the participant can terminate the communication with the interactive show. An alert can be subsequently sent to the participant if or when the participant's submission is to be addressed in the interactive show.