Abstract: Methods and systems to schedule delivery of items of content selectively to online users are described. In various embodiments, a method of scheduling delivery of multiple items of content selectively to a plurality of online users is disclosed. The method includes determining expected values relating to each user being online during a given time period, and generating an ordered list of the multiple items of content to be selectively delivered to each of the plurality of online users based on the expected values. Other methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system to schedule delivery of items of content selectively to online users are described. Expected values relating to each user being online is determined during a given time period. An ordered list of the items of content to be selectively delivered to the users is generated based on the expected values. The ordered list may be prioritized to meet delivery requirements associated with the items of content.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for accurately and anonymously profiling Web users and for selectively delivering content such as advertisements to users based on their profiles. The system uses behavioral information preferably collected at the users' point of connection to the Internet to anonymously profile their interests and demographics. It accurately matches and delivers content to the users to which they will likely be most receptive. Advertisers can use the system to launch effective advertising campaigns delivering selected Web content to chosen target audiences. The system uses feedback from users to determine the effectiveness of an advertising campaign and allows dynamic modification of the advertising campaign by, e.g., altering the target audience, to optimize results.

Abstract: In a content distribution system, in which broadcast content is distributed and provided to a television viewer, a method and apparatus for providing a compact guide display of a plurality of television show or program recommendations, optionally with descriptions, which are available and selectable for viewing by a viewer without interrupting the presently-viewed content.

Abstract: A method for profiling an iTV user. The method comprises gathering user-requested content information from iTV interactions, correlating content-associated profile information from a rating service with the user-requested content information, and developing a profile of the user based on the content-associated profile information correlated with the user-requested content information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling the operators of television broadcasting systems or other content distribution systems to effectively alter the program viewing patterns of viewers or subscribers to direct viewership traffic to selected television programs or other content. In a recommendation based EPG system, the rating or recommendation assigned to a program is increased or decreased in accordance with the desire of the operator to increase or decrease viewership or in exchange for monetary or other consideration from content providers, advertisers or others. In one aspect, a boost value is applied to alter the recommended rating/ranking of program content, including selectively in a manner which may be substantially imperceptible to viewers. In another aspect, a sponsored program is assigned a premium position in a list of programs in exchange for receipt of monetary or other consideration.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying content recommendations to a television viewer. In one aspect of the invention, when the user changes channel, the system displays contact recommendations to the user before going to the next channel. The recommendations are based on user profiles and/or aggregated multi-user content. In a further aspect, the user can decide on one of the recommendations (or answer a yes/no query) to migrate to the corresponding content.

Abstract: A method and system to schedule delivery of items of content selectively to online users are described. Expected values relating to each user being online is determined during a given time period. An ordered list of the items of content to be selectively delivered to the users is generated based on the expected values. The ordered list may be prioritized to meet delivery requirements associated with the items of content.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for scheduling the delivery of multiple items of content selectively to online users. Expected values relating to each user being online during a given time period are determined. An ordered list of the items of content to be selectively delivered to the users is generated based on the expected values. The list is prioritized to meet delivery requirements associated with the items of content.

Abstract: Methods and systems to enable simplified, compact implementations of profiling and other functions on STBs or other limited-resource computing platforms. For every television show transmitted from the server to the STB, the server also sends a classifying group identifier for the show. The STB then generates user profiles, ratings and/or recommendations, based on the group identifiers, simplifying the STB's processing tasks. Exception processing, special cases, or changes in group assignments or algorithms are handled at the server. The STB calculates viewing profiles based on recording statistics about content its user(s) view, based on the group identifiers. In another embodiment, the STB provides ratings and/or recommendations using group identifier information and related statistics. User privacy is maintained by stripping off and discarding personal information or averaging user profile information to erase or “blur” any suggestions of personal information.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and system for personalizing displays of published Web pages provided by Web content providers to meet the interests of Web users accessing the pages, based on profiles of the users. The system preferably provides to the requesting user, through a proxy server, an edited version of the HTML file for the original published Web page that is served by a host Web server. The system uses user profiles that may include demographic and psychographic data to edit the requested Web page. The content of a Web page as published by a host Web server may be coded to correlate components of the Web page with demographic and psychographic data. The user profiles may then be used to filter the content of a coded Web page for delivery to a requesting user. The system may rearrange content on a published Web page so that content determined to be of higher interest to a user is more prominently featured or more easily or quickly accessible.

Abstract: In a content distribution system, in which broadcast content is distributed and provided to a television viewer, a method and apparatus for providing a compact guide display of a plurality of television show or program recommendations, optionally with descriptions, which are available and selectable for viewing by a viewer without interrupting the presently-viewed content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling the operators of television broadcasting systems or other content distribution systems to effectively alter the program viewing patterns of viewers or subscribers to direct viewership traffic to selected television programs or other content. In a recommendation based EPG system, the rating or recommendation assigned to a program is increased or decreased in accordance with the desire of the operator to increase or decrease viewership or in exchange for monetary or other consideration from content providers, advertisers or others. In one aspect, a boost value is applied to alter the recommended rating/ranking of program content, including selectively in a manner which may be substantially imperceptible to viewers. In another aspect, a sponsored program is assigned a premium position in a list of programs in exchange for receipt of monetary or other consideration.

Abstract: Methods and systems to enable simplified, compact implementations of profiling and other functions on STBs or other limited-resource computing platforms. For every television show transmitted from the server to the STB, the server also sends a classifying group identifier for the show. The STB then generates user profiles, ratings and/or recommendations, based on the group identifiers, simplifying the STB's processing tasks. Exception processing, special cases, or changes in group assignments or algorithms are handled at the server. The STB calculates viewing profiles based on recording statistics about content its user(s) view, based on the group identifiers. In another embodiment, the STB provides ratings and/or recommendations using group identifier information and related statistics. User privacy is maintained by stripping off and discarding personal information or averaging user profile information to erase or “blur” any suggestions of personal information.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for scheduling the delivery of multiple items of content selectively to online users. Expected values relating to each user being online during a given time period are determined. An ordered list of the items of content to be selectively delivered to the users is generated based on the expected values. The list is prioritized to meet delivery requirements associated with the items of content.

Abstract: A method for profiling an iTV user. The method comprises gathering user-requested content information from iTV interactions, correlating content-associated profile information from a rating service with the user-requested content information, and developing a profile of the user based on the content-associated profile information correlated with the user-requested content information.