Method and apparatus for collecting viewer survey data and for providing compensation for same
AssigneeHulu, LLC
InventorsRobert Masao Wong, Richard Waiven Tom, Eugene Chuan-Huai Wei, Jason Alan Kilar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims66
A method of transmitting a media program to a user computer, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a first message to the user computer, the first message comprising an offer to view a special version of at least a portion of the media program in exchange for completion of a survey;
- if a second message is received from the user computer indicating that the user would like to complete the survey, performing steps comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a third message comprising the survey to the user computer;
- accepting and storing a fourth message comprising survey responses;
- and
- providing the special version of the media program;
- if a second message is received from the user computer indicating that the user would not like to complete the survey, transmitting a standard version of the media program.
An apparatus for transmitting a media program to a user computer, comprising:
- means for transmitting a first message to the user computer, the first message comprising an offer to view a special version of at least a portion of the media program in exchange for completion of a survey;
- means for transmitting a third message comprising the survey to the user computer, for accepting and storing a fourth message comprising survey responses, and for providing the special version of the media program if a second message received from the user computer indicates that the user would like to complete the survey;
- and
- means for transmitting a standard version of the media program if a second message is received from the user computer indicating that the user would not like to complete the survey.
An apparatus for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user computer, comprising:
- a media program provider computer, having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions which, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to operate as a specially programmed computer, the instructions comprising instructions for:
- transmitting a first message to the user computer, the first message comprising an offer to view a special version of at least a portion of the media program in exchange for completion of a survey;
- if a second message is received from the user computer indicating that the user would like to complete the survey, performing steps comprising the steps:
- transmitting a third message comprising the survey to the user computer;
- accepting and storing a fourth message comprising survey responses;
- and
- providing the special version of the media program;
- if a second message is received from the user computer indicating that the user would like to complete the survey is not received, transmitting a standard version of the media program.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.