System For Awarding Coupon, Token, Or Credit Patents (Class 725/23)
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Publication number: 20130205326Abstract: Systems, methods and/or techniques for detection of user-initiated events in relation to a media device are described, for example utilizing a content recognition system. A method may be executed in a media device that is operable to play video content. The method may include receiving user interaction with the media device and the user interaction causes initiation of a feature that affects video content that plays on the media device. The method may include receiving one or more interactive events from a content recognition system in response to the user interaction. The method may comprise executing the one or more interactive events to affect video content that is playing on the media device, and display one or more overlay windows corresponding to the affected video content. One or more video fingerprints that correspond to the affected video content may be communicated to the content recognition system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Inventors: Nishith Kumar Sinha, Donald Jude Loheide, Matthew Paul Giles
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Publication number: 20130191856Abstract: A coupon distribution system includes a television device and a server. The television device acquires program related information of a television program. The television device sends the program related information and a device ID of the television device via a network. The server has a user database that stores for each device a device ID and a device location. The server acquires the device ID of the television device via the network. The server searches in the user database for the device location of the television device based on the device ID of the television device. The server converts service information of a coupon providing store into a code image. The server sends the code image to the television device such that the television device displays the code image on a screen of the television device in response to receiving the code image from the server.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
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Patent number: 8495671Abstract: This application discloses a system and method for the delivery of television programming comprising of: a video source connected to a subscriber network to transport a primary video signal; a message source connected to said subscriber network to transport a supplemental video signal; wherein the primary and supplemental video signals are combined to display the primary and supplemental video signals concurrently. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the subscriber receives discounts relative to the amount of supplemental video signal that is viewed by the subscriber.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2002Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Inventors: Aldemaro Ribeiro, Sam Johnson
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Publication number: 20130185743Abstract: A system and method are provided to perform operations for racing entertainment, including providing each of multiple racers with devices to capture images and sounds as perceived by the racer during a race, obtaining information pertaining to each of multiple users such as account information and selection of a racer whom the user wants to get connection with, managing transactions, processing the images and sounds, and transmitting the processed images and sounds from the racer to a client terminal of the user who selected the racer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Inventor: Takayuki Arima
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Patent number: 8484670Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a memory coupled to a processor. The processor can be operable to receive a request for promotional information responsive to a media processor detecting a promotional tag in a media program stream and transmit to the media processor promotional information associated with a promotion responsive to a determination that a promotional offer is available. The processor can also be operable to receive from the media processor a request for redeemable material associated with the promotion and store the redeemable material in a portion of a database associated with a user of the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Reuben Klein, Sreenivasa Gorti, Karen Mullis
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Patent number: 8484676Abstract: An advertisement system includes an advertising manager that receives a content-event indicator, which indicates playback of an advertisement for viewing on a first display screen at a media-playback device or indicates playback of recorded content that includes advertisements. The advertising manager can determine an optimal time offset as a duration of time before or after playback of an advertisement to the start of an event that is associated with the advertisement for viewing on a second display screen at a mobile device. For recorded content, an optimization schedule is determined that replaces and time-shifts advertisements during playback of the recorded content. The advertising manager can also determine a fulfillment criterion for a product or service based on latency constraints to indicate a duration of time within which fulfillment of the product or service is expected when offered as a second advertisement corresponding to a first advertisement.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Nitya Narsimhan, Venugopal Vasudevan, Jehan Wickramasuriya, Joseph F. Wodka
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Publication number: 20130174191Abstract: Systems and methods for incentivizing user interaction with promotional content on a secondary device are provided. The secondary device may be synchronized with the media content displayed on a primary device to provide promotional opportunities relevant to the displayed content. A promotional opportunity may allow a user to identify an object (which may be a product placement) embedded within the primary media content. For instance, the user may be prompted to select the object using a display screen on the secondary device. Alternatively, the user may use the secondary device to capture a photograph of the embedded object as displayed on the primary device. The user may then be rewarded for correctly identifying or photographing the embedded object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.Inventors: Robert Barr Thompson, JR., Yulei Zhang
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Patent number: 8473976Abstract: A device may include a storage device and a processor. The storage device may be configured to store video programs and advertisements. The processor may be configured to display a graphical user interface that provides a list of video programs and advertisements stored in the storage device, receive a user selection of a video program and advertisement in the list of video programs and advertisements, provide the advertisement to a content presentation device for user viewing, track whether the device plays the advertisement, determine a number of credits for playing the advertisement, and credit the user account based on the number of credits.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventor: Sanjay K. Udani
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Patent number: 8467807Abstract: A method for distributing a location aware mobile coupon (LAMC) based on a current location of a consumer using a mobile device. The method includes: receiving the current location of the mobile device from a location aware service (LAS) provider; comparing the current location of the mobile device to a retail location of a merchant to determine that the consumer is in proximity to the retail location of the merchant; obtaining pre-generated LAMC terms of the merchant specifying a maximum price discount of an item offered by the merchant; determining, in response to determining that the consumer is in proximity to the retail location, a price discount of the LAMC using a pre-determined formula based on the maximum price discount and a distance of the consumer to the retail location; and sending the LAMC including the price discount to the mobile device used by the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Intuit Inc.Inventors: Christian G. Dalit, Colin J. Roper
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Patent number: 8468557Abstract: The present invention provides a receiving apparatus for receiving digital broadcast having a plurality of channels including a transition unit configured to transit a mode for controlling channel selection from a normal mode to a warning mode in the case that a determining unit determines that the broadcasting program is allowed to obtain a right to receive a reward, and a notifying unit configured to notify, in the warning mode, that the right to receive the reward will be lost, in the case that a detecting unit detects a channel selection operation that selects another channel from the viewing channel broadcasting a broadcast program which is allowed to obtain the right to receive the reward.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Yonishi, Takashi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8464310Abstract: A technique for providing interactive television viewing. A programming signal is combined with a code signal to form a transmission signal, wherein different programming signals correspond to respective code signals. The technique includes broadcasting the transmission signal, receiving the broadcast transmission signal with a TV receiver at a viewer's location, and displaying the programming signal in the received transmission signal. At least one code signal is pre-stored at the viewer's location. Interactive program data is also pre-stored at the viewer's location, wherein different interactive program data correspond to respective ones of the pre-stored code signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Inventor: Lee S. Weinblatt
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Patent number: 8458034Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a group identity for an audience associated with an event, accessing a plurality of announcements, identifying at least one announcement of the plurality of announcements based on the group identity, and providing the identified announcement to the audience at the event. The group identity is indicative of at least one characteristic of the audience. The plurality of announcements are processed to identify at least one announcement that approximately matches the group identity.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: John A. Toebes, Glenn T. Millican, III, John C. Davi
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Patent number: 8453171Abstract: A method and system for auxiliary data detection. Data is received on a hand-held device from a display of a signal on a monitor. The signal is visually displayed on the monitor at a frequency. A modulated video signal is received on the hand-held device from a display device. The modulated video signal contains auxiliary data modulated within a video signal in a substantially invisible way. The modulated video signal is demodulated to obtain the auxiliary data. At least one of the data or the auxiliary data is processed to identify a promotional opportunity available through the hand-held device. The user of the hand-held device is notified of availability of the promotional opportunity through the hand-held device.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Koplar Interactive Systems International L.L.C.Inventor: Edward J. Koplar
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Publication number: 20130132994Abstract: Methods and systems include providing a plurality of rebroadcasting devices at a plurality of different geographic locations and controlling the plurality of rebroadcasting devices to receive local television broadcasts via their respective digital television tuners and upload the received local television broadcasts to a network server. The uploaded local television broadcasts can be received at the network server from the respective rebroadcasting devices. One or more of the uploaded local television broadcasts can be delivered to one or more computer devices via the Internet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventors: Daniel Patrick Murphy, Rodney E. Underhill
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Publication number: 20130125160Abstract: Embodiments for executing interactive television promotions are disclosed. One example embodiment includes an entertainment system comprising a sensor input to receive from one or more sensors observation information indicating a natural user interface behavior of a viewer, a program input to receive from a broadcaster a video program, an output configured to output to a display the video program, and a module input to receive from an interaction authority an experience module associated with the video program, the experience module configured to execute an experience instruction if the natural user interface behavior of the viewer satisfies a condition defined by the experience module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Antonio Fontan, Sascha Prueter, Tim Herby, Chris Welden
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Publication number: 20130125161Abstract: Embodiments for awarding a user are provided. In one example embodiment, a method for awarding a user comprises receiving a user-viewing goal detailing a specific linear video content viewing behavior of the user. The method also includes receiving one or more user-specific reports of all linear video content viewing behaviors of the user while using each of a plurality of different applications, and granting an award to the user if the user-specific reports collectively indicate the user-viewing goal is reached by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Tim Herby, Antonio Fontan, Chris Welden
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Patent number: 8413206Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Youtoo Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher W. Wyatt, Mark A. Harwell, Ryland M. Reed
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Patent number: 8392940Abstract: A device receives an advertisement, a code, an encryption key, and information associated with a product and/or service, and provides the advertisement to a set-top box (STB) for display on a television. The device receives, from the STB, a request for a promotion associated with the advertisement and an identification associated with the STB, and provides the code associated with the product and/or service to the STB for display on the television. The device receives, from a user device, a claim for the code and the identification associated with the STB, and validates the claim for the code and the identification associated with the STB based on an identification associated with the user device.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventor: Syed Zafar Beyabani
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Publication number: 20130042263Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Video On Demand (VOD) asset as a gift from a plurality of users to a social network friend. A user can discover from a friend's user profile that other users have contributed amounts toward the purchase of a VOD asset as a gift for the friend, and make an additional contribution. A gift server totals the contributions and notifies the friend. If the purchase price is completely paid by the user contributions, the friend can watch the VOD asset free of charge. Alternatively, if the friend decides to watch the VOD asset before the purchase price is completely paid by the user contributions, the friend pays a discounted price equal to the remainder of the purchase price. A billing server proportionally charges the account of each user for their respective contribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Inventor: Jennifer Reynolds
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Patent number: 8370870Abstract: A method and system for use in providing content to a viewer that includes providing a service comprising an on demand video service to the viewer wherein the viewer has an option to view video content. The system is configured to compensate the viewer a reward for having viewed the video content, and the system maintains an accounting of the reward and corresponding viewer identification.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.Inventor: Bryan F. Bowles
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Publication number: 20130024882Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device. The electronic device may include a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit may provide access to at least one network. The control unit extracts a search keyword from contents received through the communication unit, searches for a coupon for at least one product corresponding to the search keyword in a social commerce network, and transmits a result of the coupon search to another predetermined electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Kyechul LEE, Duksung KIM, Sunghyuk PARK, Junwon LIM, Mikyoung JUNG, Hyekyeong YEOM
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Publication number: 20130024881Abstract: Methods, systems, computer readable media, and apparatuses for electronically clipping coupons are presented. In one aspect, a user request to electronically clip a vendor coupon may be received at a user device, where the vendor may be different from a supplier of the content. Account information associated with the user may be identified. Thereafter, information identifying the electronically clipped coupon and the account information may be transmitted to the vendor. The vendor subsequently may allow the user to redeem the clipped coupon the next time that the user visits the vendor and presents matching account information to the vendor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLCInventor: Jianju Liu
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Publication number: 20130019259Abstract: A production facility receives program content from a plurality of broadcast feeds over the Internet. In an embodiment, the production facility comprises server on a computer network, such as the Internet. The server comprises computer programs configured to manipulate the audio and video data of the multiple program contents. At the production facility, the program content can be manipulated to produce a production. Program manipulation can comprise at least one of green screen technology, music, graphics, Foley, sound effects, voice over, advertising, or the like. The production is broadcast over the computer network to viewers, where the viewers receive the production. In an embodiment, the production is customized based on the viewers' input received while broadcasting. In other words, the production is customized in real time based at least in part on the interaction of the production with the viewers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: AJP ENTERPRISES, LLPInventor: AJP Enterprises, LLP
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Publication number: 20130014152Abstract: A mechanism is provided for indexing commercials. A viewer may query a search engine for a particular product or service. The index may include descriptors that are provided within a blanking interval within the media stream or within program guide information associated with the stream. The index information may also include Internet hyperlinks. Commercials may also have associated therewith a value that is relative to a value of media content. A viewer may accumulate value by viewing advertisements. Accumulated value may then be used to acquire more content.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: David Phillip JOHNSON, David Louis KAMINSKY
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Publication number: 20130014151Abstract: An exemplary method includes a non-intrusive advertisement presentation system subscribing a user to an advertisement service associated with a media content program, detecting a presentation of the media content program together with one or more advertisements associated with the media content program, and providing, in accordance with the advertisement service and in a manner independent of the presentation of the media content program together with the one or more advertisements, advertisement content associated with the one or more advertisements for selective access by the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING, INC.Inventors: Kishore Tallapaneni, Brian F. Roberts, Anthony M. Lemus, Japan A. Mehta, Donald H. Relyea, Michael R. Oliver
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Patent number: 8341677Abstract: A computing device receives selection of television content from a device associated with a user, and collects metadata associated with the selected television content. The computing device also collects information associated with commercials associated with the television content, and determines an interactive product/service listing based on the collected metadata and commercial information. The device further provides the interactive product/service listing to the device for display to the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Sundar Rajan Padmanabhan, Vijay Jayapalan, Manvinder S. Chopra, Xiaodong Zhang, Mohammad Azam Khan
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Publication number: 20120324501Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a memory coupled to a processor. The processor can be operable to receive a request for promotional information responsive to a media processor detecting a promotional tag in a media program stream and transmit to the media processor promotional information associated with a promotion responsive to a determination that a promotional offer is available. The processor can also be operable to receive from the media processor a request for redeemable material associated with the promotion and store the redeemable material in a portion of a database associated with a user of the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LPInventors: Reuben Klein, Sreenivasa Gorti, Karen Mullis
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Publication number: 20120317595Abstract: Apparatus and method for relaying moving images in real time using a communication terminal are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventor: Woon Sig Hong
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Patent number: 8316390Abstract: A system and method that allows content to be broadcast without commercial interruption, yet lets the company or companies that sponsor the broadcast to offer advertisements and discounts and various special offers to the viewers at a later time. The amount of time a viewer spends watching a particular broadcast is recorded along with information about the sponsoring companies or organizations for the broadcast. The viewer later accesses a central database, which sends back to the viewer advertisements, coupons, discounts, contests, and other enticements to purchase products, based on the amount of time the viewer spent watching broadcasts or segments of broadcasts that were sponsored by the advertiser.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Inventor: Robert M. Zeidman
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Patent number: 8312483Abstract: Methods and systems for processing and provisioning media content for display on a viewer device are provided. An example method may comprise accessing an advertisement database to obtain a plurality of advertisement media components. The advertisement media components may be provided by an advertisement provider that pays to have the advertisement media components accessible. An entertainment database may be accessed to obtain a plurality of entertainment media components, the plurality of entertainment media components being provided by an entertainment provider that receives payment to make the entertainment media components accessible. Thereafter, the entertainment media components may be interspersed between the advertisement media components to provide viewer media content. An award associated with the viewer media content may be selectively allocated and the media content is communicated to at least one viewer device for viewing.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Inventor: Keith Barish
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Patent number: 8312503Abstract: A management apparatus for managing a content display change time on a display apparatus and content information to be transmitted to a terminal determines the content information to be transmitted to the terminal on the basis of a reception time of a content information request command transmitted from the terminal and the content display change time on the display apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsushi Tanaka
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Publication number: 20120272256Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing content are disclosed. A first plurality of items of content, including video content, is selected based on one or more criteria. Information is accessed indicating respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times corresponding to items in the first plurality of items of content. The first plurality of items of content or representations thereof is provided for display on the user terminal in association with the respective time lengths and/or qualifying viewing times. In response to a user selection, a first item of content included in the first plurality of items of content is caused to be played or otherwise distinctly presented by the user terminal in conjunction with a timer corresponding the a respective qualifying viewing time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: WINNOL LLCInventor: Paramjit Singh Bedi
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Publication number: 20120260275Abstract: A mobile terminal and coupon managing method thereof are disclosed, by which coupon information may be received using broadcast related information and by which a specific coupon may be received using the received coupon information. The present invention includes receiving broadcast related information, extracting at least one coupon information from the received broadcast related information, displaying the extracted at least one coupon information, and receiving a coupon corresponding to a selected coupon information if the coupon information is selected from the displayed at least one coupon information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Wonjong Lee, Hyunho Koh, Miseon Kim, Euisoon Kim
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Publication number: 20120240137Abstract: A billing statement according to one aspect of the invention includes a description of a transaction and an offer pointer associated with the transaction, wherein the offer pointer includes information that may be used to review an offer. In one example of this aspect, a telephone number or a hyperlink is provided adjacent to a total amount owed listed on a statement (e.g., an electronically-displayed billing statement). The offers reviewed may be customized, for example, based on details of the transaction such as the product purchased or the amount of the purchase, the identity of the consumer, and/or on other data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Daniel E. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley, Timothy A. Palmer, Russell Pratt Sammon, John M. Packes, JR., Geoffrey M. GELMAN, Kurt M. Maschoff, Andrew M. Golden, Michiko Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20120240138Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of conducting a transaction. In one aspect, the method includes: displaying a media program on a media display device; indicating, while the media program is being displayed, an item associated with the media program is available for purchase; receiving authentication information of a prospective purchaser of the item; and completing a purchase of the item in response to the authentication information. In another aspect, the method includes: receiving, from a media display device, a user authentication request that contains user login credentials; granting the user authentication request in response to the user login credentials; and sending an authentication permission to the media display device; wherein the receiving and the sending are each performed such that the user login credentials and the authentication permission are sent through one or more intermediate hops without being inspected by any of the intermediate hops.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: eBay Inc.Inventors: Gak Wee Low, Mark Wenger, Prashant Jamkhedkar
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Patent number: 8255939Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for interactive television offer presentation are provided. The method comprises assigning a unique marketing key to a subscriber, storing the unique marketing key and information of the subscriber in a database, detecting a request from the subscriber comprising the unique marketing key, retrieving the information from the database based on the unique marketing key, and making at least one offer of a product or service to the subscriber based on the information.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: West CorporationInventor: Mark J. Pettay
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Patent number: 8250596Abstract: A technique for providing a reward as an incentive for a monitored person to be an audience member of at least one program being performed by reproduction equipment. A programming signal is provided for broadcasting the program with a programming signal source. The programming signal is encoded with discrete code signals, such that a preset number of the code signals occur within a given period of time, to produce an output signal, and the output signal is then broadcast. The broadcast output signal is received at a site where the monitored person is located, and the code signals therein are detected. The detected code signals are recognized only if a signal manually-actuated by the monitored person is received within a predetermined time period. The number of the code signals recognized while the monitored person is an audience member of the at least one program is determined, and the number of recognized code signals is compared with predetermined reward issuance criteria.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Inventor: Lee S. Weinblatt
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Publication number: 20120210339Abstract: There is provided a system and method for the synchronizing on-air commercial programming with interactive applications, providing interactive content synchronized with on-air television programming. There is provided a system comprising a client device with a display device and an input device and running a synchronization application. The client device receives digital data transmitted from a server, and transmits user feedback information generated from user interactions with the digital data back to the server. The digital data are interactive advertisements, such as online social games, that increase users' awareness of the advertised products or messages. The digital data are delivered to the user's client device in synchronization with the broadcasting of on-air television commercials.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Albert Cheng
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Publication number: 20120210340Abstract: A system, an authentication engine and a method are described herein for authenticating an end user and associating their set-top box with a third party web based application to stream a third party video to the set-top box. In one example, the end user may utilize a client device (e.g., computer, laptop computer, smart phone) to access via the internet the third party video provider which lists a number of videos that the end user could watch on their television. The end user would select one of the videos to watch and then their cable provider would stream the video to the end-user's set-top box to be displayed on their television. To enable this service, the authentication system authenticates the end user and associates their set-top box with the third party video provider's web based application.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Jennifer Reynolds, Charles Dasher, Paul Canter
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Publication number: 20120210341Abstract: There is provided a system for regulating access and managing distribution of content in a network, such as the Internet. The system includes communication gateways, installed at a subscriber site, internet control points, installed remotely, and various network elements installed throughout the network. The communication gateways and network elements operate in conjunction with the internet control points to restrict or allow access to specified Internet sites and to manage efficient distribution of content such as music, video, games, broadband data, real-time audio and voice applications, and software to subscribers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Robert M. Burke, II, David Z. Carman
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Patent number: 8239889Abstract: To address the requirements described above, a method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user computer. The method permits the user to provide survey responses in exchange for viewing a media program with fewer advertisement, and permits the user to manage the survey responses.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Hulu, LLCInventors: Robert Masao Wong, Richard Waiven Tom, Eugene Chuan-Huai Wei, Jason Alan Kilar
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Patent number: 8229790Abstract: An advertising control method is described. The method includes receiving an advertisement identification message (AIM) (127) at a first mobile device (125), sending the AIM from the first mobile device to a content display unit (CDU) and storing the AIM in the CDU, selecting at least one content item from among a plurality of content items based, at least in part, on at least one stored AIM, the stored AIM being stored in the CDU, and displaying the selected content item on the CDU. Related apparatus and methods are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: NDS LimitedInventors: Stephanie Wald, Yossi Tsuria, David Richardson, Eliphaz Hibshoosh, Joseph Deutsch, Shabtai Atlow
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Patent number: 8224699Abstract: An advertising control method is described. The method includes receiving an advertisement identification message (AIM) at a first mobile device, sending the AIM from the first mobile device to a content display unit (CDU) and storing the AIM in the CDU, selecting at least one content item from among a plurality of content items based, at least in part, on at least one stored AIM, the stoned AIM being stored in the CDU, and displaying the selected content item on the CDU. Related apparatus and methods are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: NDS LimitedInventors: Stephanie Wald, Yossi Tsuria, David Richardson, Eliphaz Hibshoosh, Joseph Deutsch, Shabtai Atlow
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Publication number: 20120151515Abstract: A method of retrieving data from broadcast programming on a communication device, the method comprising: mixing a data stream with media to be broadcast; broadcasting the media including the data stream; and processing the data stream on an electronic card.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: Dialware Inc.Inventors: Alon ATSMON, Amit Antebi, Tsvi Lev, Moshe Cohen, Gabriel Speyer, Alan Sege, Nathan Altman, Ram Anati
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Publication number: 20120151514Abstract: A method may include receiving a user request to view a channel to which the user does not currently subscribe. Customer information regarding the user and marketing rules regarding a plurality of combination offers that include the channel may be obtained. A number of combination offers from the plurality of combination offers may be determined based on the customer information and the marketing rules. One or more of the determined combination offers may be provided to the user. A user request to purchase a selected one of the provided combination offers may be received. The channels included within the selected combination offer may be provisioned based on the user request.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.Inventors: Venket Kandanala, Nicky Pinakin Joshi, Lisa A. Caputo, Karthik Srinivasan, Mousumi Dasgupta, Anand N. Sankaran, Rajesh Narayan, Jubish C. Parambath, Mareeswari Muthusamy, VijayPrabhu Baskaran
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Patent number: 8191088Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to present media content to a user, and provide the user with access to related media content based upon access information, where the related media content is determined based upon monitoring of the media content, where the related media content is retrieved based on a query of a plurality of sources over the Internet, and where the access information is associated with each of the plurality of sources. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Gerard Edwards, Loraine Sanchez
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Publication number: 20120124608Abstract: A loyalty program operated in association with a television broadcast network, wherein reward content is provided along with television content (programming and/or advertising) to generate a television broadcast signal that is transmitted to a plurality of viewers. Each viewer may view or hear the reward content via their television receiver (or set top box, personal computer, etc.) along with the associated programming or advertisements, and as a result provide a reward response which may be a visit to a local merchant, a mail-in or call-in response, entered to a web site via the Internet, etc. Reward points, as well as prizes and product discounts may be provided as the reward to the viewer that provides the appropriate reward response. This program can be configured and adapted to provides incentives to viewers to visit certain merchants and sponsors, purchase certain products, view certain programs, and the like, based on the reward parameters employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: SIGNATURE SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Richard Postrel
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Patent number: 8161505Abstract: A method includes, providing a television, a reading device, an input device, and a printer. The reading device is connected to receive a digital signal transmitted by a television signal provider. The reading device is connected to provide a first output signal to the television and a second output signal to the printer under control of the input device. The method includes receiving a digital signal with the reading device wherein the digital signal is transmitted by the television signal provider. It also includes sending the first output signal from the reading device to the television for display to a viewer. If the viewer uses the input device to choose to print, it also includes printing information provided in the second output signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: The Partnership of Jeffrey R. Lloyd and Frank WestcottInventors: Jeffrey R Lloyd, Frank Westcott
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Publication number: 20120079521Abstract: A system and method are configured to provide an incentive to one or more viewer(s) to view (watch) one or more displayed advertisement(s), to notify advertiser(s) that the viewer(s) viewed the advertisement(s) and to identify one or more purchase(s) associated with the viewed advertisement(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Sharad K. Garg, Mark D. Yarvis
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Publication number: 20120072943Abstract: A system for delivering advertisements based on a digital television system and a mobile communication device is disclosed. The television system and the mobile device are connectable in an ad hoc manner. When a user is attracted by an advertisement being broadcasted by the television, an instruction may be sent from a remote control device of the television system to trigger the television system to send an electronic coupon to the mobile device. An icon may then be displayed on a display screen of the mobile device to represent the coupon. When the icon is selected, the electronic coupon is displayed. The electronic coupon may include an advertising message. The user may select the message for receiving detailed information about the product from a data manager connected to the mobile device through a communication network.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventor: Yang Pan