# US 8,543,452 B2 · Monetary distribution of behavioral demographics and fan-supported distribution of commercial content

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- Number: US 8,543,452 B2
- Document ID: US8543452B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/967,987
- Filed: 2010-12-14
- Published: 2011-06-16
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2009-12-15
- Assignees: EarDish Corporation
- Applicants: Daniel Patrick Murphy; Rod Underhill
- Inventors: Daniel Patrick Murphy; Rod Underhill
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543452B2

## CPC

- G06Q 30/0242: Determining effectiveness of advertisements
- G06Q 30/02: Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
- G06Q 30/0207: Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
- G06Q 30/0214: Referral reward systems
- G06Q 30/0218: {based on score}
- G06Q 30/0231: {Awarding of a frequent usage incentive independent of the monetary value of a good or service purchased, or distance travelled}
- G06Q 30/0269: {based on user profile or attribute}
- G06Q 30/0236: {Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user}
- G06Q 30/0251: Targeted advertisements
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A method includes identifying a media file for distribution and identifying a plurality of commercial messages as possible content that can be associated with the media file when it is distributed. Votes from a plurality of customers can be received, with each vote reflecting a customer's preference for at least one of the plurality of commercial messages. The votes can be calculated and at least one preferred commercial message can be designated based on the calculation. At least one preferred commercial message can be associated with the media file to create a combined media file and the combined media file can be distributed and/or made available for distribution.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of providing customer-supported advertising and creating media files for distribution to customers, the method comprising:
registering a plurality of customers by obtaining personal and geographic information about each customer across a network;
identifying a media file for distribution by sending identifying information about the identified media file across the network for display by the plurality of customers;
identifying a plurality of commercial messages as possible content that can be associated with the media file when it is distributed by sending identifying information about the plurality of commercial messages across the network for display by the plurality of customers;
receiving votes from the plurality of customers, each vote reflecting a customer's preference for at least one of the plurality of commercial messages;
calculating the votes and designating at least one preferred commercial message based on the calculation;
associating the at least one preferred commercial message with the media file to create a combined media file, the created combined media file being capable of being distributed over the network; and
distributing the combined media file to the registered plurality of customers from whom one or more votes were received.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the media file and the commercial messages comprise audio files.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the media file and the commercial messages comprise video files.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the media file comprises a video that exceeds twenty minutes in length when played back in its designated viewing medium, and the act of associating the at least one preferred commercial message with the media file comprises associating two or more preferred commercial messages with the media file based on the votes received from the plurality of customers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the combined media file is distributed free of charge to the plurality of customers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of commercial messages identified as possible commercial content comprise commercial messages created by one or more of the registered customers.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
calculating a number of viewings of the commercial message by registered customers; and
providing a reward to a registered customer that views the commercial message in the combined media file a predetermined amount of times.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the reward comprises:
providing the registered customer with a free copy of the media file without the commercial message.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the reward comprises:
providing the registered customer with a cash reward.