Video-on-demand and targeted advertising
AssigneeOpenTV, Inc.
InventorFrederick B. Harris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for aggregating the data for a plurality of individualized programs into a single channel, and allocating the channel bandwidth as-needed for provision of short video programs on an “on demand” basis, so that the total bandwidth required to provide the individualized channels and associated video clips is substantially reduced. Also provided is a real-time, single-user-targeted individualized advertising associated with the viewer selection that personalizes the user's iTV experience. The advertisements are targeted in real-time based on an immediate interest revealed by the user in a search request for content. Short duration videos are provided so as not to over-tax the individualized “on demand” channel's limited bandwidth.
Claims23
A method for conveying individualized content in a distributed computer system, said method comprising:
- broadcasting a plurality of modules in a broadcast carousel from a server to a plurality of client devices on a single channel, the plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel corresponding to a plurality of programs, each of said plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel having a unique module number, wherein said plurality of modules are not broadcast responsive to a client request;
- sending search criteria from a client device of the plurality of client devices to the server, subsequent to said broadcasting;
- receiving the search criteria at the server and identifying a qualifying module number which corresponds to the search criteria;
- sending the qualifying module number to the client device;
- receiving the qualifying module number at the client device;
- and
- retrieving a first module of said modules at the client device from the single channel, in response to matching the received qualifying module number to said first module.
A distributed computing system for conveying individualized content, said system comprising:
- a server configured to broadcast in a broadcast carousel on a single channel a plurality of modules to a plurality of client devices, said plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel corresponding to a plurality of programs, each of said plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel having a unique module number, wherein said plurality of modules are not broadcast responsive to a client device request;
- and
- a client device coupled to receive said modules, wherein said client device is configured to:
- receive search criteria from a user;
- and
- send said search criteria to the server, subsequent to the server broadcasting said modules;
- wherein said server is further configured to receive the search criteria, identify a qualifying module number corresponding to the search criteria, and send the qualifying module number to the client device;
- and
- wherein said client device is further configured to:
- receive the qualifying module number;
- and
- retrieve a first module of said modules from the single channel, in response to matching the received qualifying module number to said first module.
A client device for use in a distributed computing system, said client device comprising:
- circuitry configured to receive a broadcast signal comprising a plurality of modules, the plurality of modules being received in a broadcast carousel on a single channel, and wherein the plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel correspond to a plurality of programs, each of said plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel having a unique module number, said plurality of modules not being broadcast responsive to a request from a client device;
- processing circuitry configured to:
- receive search criteria from a user;
- send said search criteria to a server, subsequent to the broadcast of said modules;
- receive from said server a qualifying module number, said number corresponding to the search criteria;
- and
- retrieve a first module of said modules from the single channel, in response to matching the received qualifying module number to said first module.
A broadcast station for use in a distributed computing system, said broadcast station comprising:
- a database;
- and
- a server coupled to said database, wherein said server is configured to:
- broadcast in a broadcast carousel on a single channel a plurality of modules to a plurality of client devices, said plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel corresponding to a plurality of programs, each of said plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel having a unique module number, wherein said plurality of modules are not broadcast responsive to a client request;
- receive search criteria from one of said client devices;
- identify a qualifying module number corresponding to the search criteria, and send the qualifying module number to the client device;
- receive a video request from said client device, said request being based upon information corresponding to the qualifying module;
- retrieve a video corresponding to said video request from said database, in response to said request;
- and
- convey said retrieved video to said client.
A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions, wherein said program instructions are executable to:
- broadcast in a broadcast carousel on a single channel a plurality of modules from a server to a plurality of client devices, said plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel corresponding to a plurality of programs, each of said plurality of modules in the broadcast carousel having a unique module number, wherein said plurality of modules are not broadcast responsive to a client request;
- send search criteria from a client device of the client devices to the server, subsequent to said broadcasting;
- receive the search criteria at the server and identify a qualifying module number corresponding to the search criteria;
- send the qualifying module number to the client device;
- receive the qualifying module number at the client device;
- and
- retrieve a first module of said modules from the single channel at the client device, in response to matching the received qualifying module number to said first module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.