Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and insertion of content targeted to a particular audience within a content-based network, such as a cable television or satellite network. In one embodiment of the invention, audience qualities are identified and distributed to an advertisement decision maker, which uses the information to fulfill advertisement placement opportunities. Qualifiers about an existing or projected audience are classified utilizing an algorithm for qualifier weight and variance in order to determine the proximity any given qualifier may be to a target audience for an advertisement. Subscriber privacy and anonymity is also optionally maintained via e.g., hashing or encrypting data relating to the CPE and/or subscriber, thus ensuring that audience data is not traceable to a specific user account. Business methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of multimedia or other content within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a broadcast switched cable television network, which utilizes a Network optimization controller (NOC) that processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., the creation of one or more “microcasts” specifically targeting one or more users), and evaluate these options to determine one that optimizes network operation. The NOC performs these decisions by considering various parameters including network resource availability, type of CPE, subscriber's targeted advertisement profile, and business rules programmed by operator of the network. Business methods based on such network optimization are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying, distributing, and/or utilizing data regarding audience qualities within an advertisement management system. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus of the present invention provide a technique for classifying data collected about an audience, and creating and grouping qualifiers to those classifications. Methods and apparatus for managing an advertising inventory via a management system, and using the aforementioned audience data, are also disclosed. The inventory is defined in one variant by predicted secondary content insertion opportunities and a particular audience of the primary content associated with the insertion opportunity. Subscriber privacy and anonymity is also optionally maintained via e.g., hashing or encrypting data relating to the CPE and/or subscriber, thus ensuring that audience data is not traceable to a specific user account.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing individual customized content delivery features and services to service subscribers are described. Individual service subscribers are issued devices such an RFID chip or IR device such as a remote control capable of transmitting service subscriber identification signals and/or records. A set top box detects signals used to identify individual subscribers and determines a subscriber identifier corresponding to each of the identified subscriber(s) and/or receives service profile record and/or service preference information from the user device. Service and/or other customer records corresponding to detected service subscriber(s) are used to determine what services and/or features are to be provided, what program channels may be accesses, what recorded programs corresponding to a subscriber may be accessed and, in some embodiments, service preference information such as personal preferences/settings relating to program guide presentation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and distributing watermarked content are described. Content to be distributed is sliced into a plurality of segments, e.g., short portions. Individual segments are subjected to watermarking with multiple watermarked versions of a segment being generated. Different watermarked versions of a segment communicate different information, e.g., one or more numbers. Sets of watermarked segments corresponding to a program are supplied to a content distribution device. Based on a session number or other information corresponding to the destination of the content, the content distribution device selects watermarked segments from the sets of segments to provide to the user. The combination of segments communicates, via the watermarks, a sequence of numbers used to identify the streamed content without requiring the distribution node to perform image processing to generate the watermarks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and insertion of content targeted to a particular audience within a content-based network, such as a cable television or satellite network. In one embodiment of the invention, audience qualities are identified and distributed to an advertisement decision maker, which uses the information to fulfill advertisement placement opportunities. Qualifiers about an existing or projected audience are classified utilizing an algorithm for qualifier weight and variance in order to determine the proximity any given qualifier may be to a target audience for an advertisement. Subscriber privacy and anonymity is also optionally maintained via e.g., hashing or encrypting data relating to the CPE and/or subscriber, thus ensuring that audience data is not traceable to a specific user account. Business methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cross-platform advertising system utilizes viewing data, browsing data, and telephone call data to establish subscriber account profile and, optionally, user profiles for users at the subscriber account. An ad selection processor selects ads based on subscriber account profile and, optionally, the user profile. An ad delivery processor delivers the selected ads to a device associated with the subscriber account.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for providing targeted advertising in a television distribution system, without the disclosure of personally identifiable information. The system of the present invention comprises an advertisement management system (AMS) operative to monitor the state of one or more clients in the television distribution system and determine when a advertisement is required. The AMS is operative to select one or more features that do not comprise personally identifiable information from a feature repository. The system also comprises an advertisement selection system (ADS) operative to receive the one or more features from the AMS and select an advertisement targeted according to the one or more features.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing parties, e.g., individuals, at different locations to participate in an on-demand content delivery session are described. Dynamically updateable playlists are used to control content delivery to the session participants in a synchronized manner. Content may be delivered to different session participants from different servers with a different playlist corresponding to each session participant being used to control content delivery to the session participant's host platform, e.g., set top box. Either party may update the playlist with, optionally, each of the content delivery servers being controlled by a different or local copy of the jointly updateable play list. Thus, an inviting party and one or more joining parties are able to participate together in an on-demand session. While the participants may be served by the same or different content delivery servers, the parties are able to share images, audio, and/or video in a synchronized manner.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for providing targeted advertising in a television distribution system, without the disclosure of personally identifiable information. The system of the present invention comprises an advertisement management system (AMS) operative to monitor the state of one or more clients in the television distribution system and determine when a advertisement is required. The AMS is operative to select one or more features that do not comprise personally identifiable information from a feature repository. The system also comprises an advertisement selection system (ADS) operative to receive the one or more features from the AMS and select an advertisement targeted according to the one or more features.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for the delivery of programming content with targeted advertisements. One embodiment of a method according to the present invention comprises receiving a request for programming content from a given user, determining a given demographic group to which the given user belongs and determining whether the requested programming content is being streamed to one or more users associated with the given demographic group. If the requested programming content is being streamed to one or more users associated with the given demographic group, the requested programming content is streamed with advertisements targeted to the given demographic group to the given user. If not, a new stream is generated for the requested programming content with advertisements targeted to the given demographic group, which is streamed to the given user.

Abstract: A cross-platform advertising system utilizes viewing data, browsing data, and telephone call data to establish subscriber account profile and, optionally, user profiles for users at the subscriber account. An ad selection processor selects ads based on subscriber account profile and, optionally, the user profile. An ad delivery processor delivers the selected ads to a device associated with the subscriber account.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and distributing watermarked content are described. Content to be distributed is sliced into a plurality of segments, e.g., short portions. Individual segments are subjected to watermarking with multiple watermarked versions of a segment being generated. Different watermarked versions of a segment communicate different information, e.g., one or more numbers. Sets of watermarked segments corresponding to a program are supplied to a content distribution device. Based on a session number or other information corresponding to the destination of the content, the content distribution device selects watermarked segments from the sets of segments to provide to the user. The combination of segments communicates, via the watermarks, a sequence of numbers used to identify the streamed content without requiring the distribution node to perform image processing to generate the watermarks.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for employing canonical metadata to describe advertisements comprising an advertiser storing an advertisement and arbitrarily complex metadata that is descriptive of the advertisement, which is received at a control center. At the control center, the advertisement is mapped to canonical metadata. The advertisement and canonical metadata are stored at the control center for use in discriminating between advertisements from a plurality of advertisers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of multimedia or other content within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a broadcast switched cable television network, which utilizes a Network optimization controller (NOC) that processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., the creation of one or more “microcasts” specifically targeting one or more users), and evaluate these options to determine one that optimizes network operation. The NOC performs these decisions by considering various parameters including network resource availability, type of CPE, subscriber's targeted advertisement profile, and business rules programmed by operator of the network. Business methods based on such network optimization are also described.

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: Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of multimedia or other content within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a broadcast switched cable television network, which utilizes a Network optimization controller (NOC) that processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., the creation of one or more “microcasts” specifically targeting one or more users), and evaluate these options to determine one that optimizes network operation. The NOC performs these decisions by considering various parameters including network resource availability, type of CPE, subscriber's targeted advertisement profile, and business rules programmed by operator of the network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing primary and secondary content and data to users. In one embodiment, management entities at a content delivery network core cooperate to provide primary content with contextually related or germane inserted secondary content to user devices. Inserted secondary content may include e.g., advertisements, multimedia applications, interactive programming, and scheduled programming. A network entity monitors user-specific data such as demographics, geographic location, and viewing patterns, and facilitates content selection and delivery based thereon. Content insertion may further be managed by a campaign manager according to business rules. In another embodiment, the primary and secondary content is pushed to a device at or near the network edge based on the applicability thereof to devices serviced by the edge device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and insertion of content targeted to a particular audience within a content-based network, such as a cable television or satellite network. In one embodiment of the invention, audience qualities are identified and distributed to an advertisement decision maker, which uses the information to fulfill advertisement placement opportunities. Qualifiers about an existing or projected audience are classified utilizing an algorithm for qualifier weight and variance in order to determine the proximity any given qualifier may be to a target audience for an advertisement. Subscriber privacy and anonymity is also optionally maintained via e.g., hashing or encrypting data relating to the CPE and/or subscriber, thus ensuring that audience data is not traceable to a specific user account. Business methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying, creating and distributing audience qualities and other information to an advertisement management system and/or an advertisement decision maker. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus of the invention provide a technique for classifying data collected about an audience, and creating and grouping qualifiers to those classifications. The invention further includes methods and apparatus for managing an advertising inventory via a management system. The inventory is defined in one variant by predicted or known secondary content insertion opportunities, and a particular audience of the primary content associated with the insertion opportunity. Subscriber privacy and anonymity is also optionally maintained via e.g., hashing or encrypting data relating to the CPE and/or subscriber, thus ensuring that audience data is not traceable to a specific user account.