Method of delivering information over a communication network

Method of supplying information through a communication network

Technical field

The present invention relates to the provision of information to subscribers to a communication network, more specifically to a technique for dynamically delivering information to each active subscriber without guaranteeing reception and displaying their selected data or program from the network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a typical communications network, such as a conventional cable TV network. local area network (LAN), remote area network (VAN - vide area network), and the Internet where ads or other information are delivered, ad delivery interferes with the reception and / or display of the program or data selected by the network participant.

In a conventional cable television network and a conventional video distribution system operating on demand, the communications are incorporated into a stream of data representing a program selected by the network subscriber. This means that the transmission and / or display of the selected program is interrupted for business breaks.

In the Internet, the information is loaded into the network subscriber terminal so that displaying the loaded information interferes with the display of the data selected by the network subscriber. That is, the loaded information is located at the top of the data, e.g. frames or site data pages) that are normally displayed on a network subscriber terminal.

However, it is desirable. ensure that continually downloaded information, messages, or advertisements are displayed concurrently with the program or data selected by the network participant. without disturbing each other, while being observed simultaneously by the network subscribers.

Also in a typical communication network, information such as advertisements is delivered to many Network Subscribers without distinction. This is disadvantageous for network subscribers because some network subscribers are exposed to the advertising they are not interested in. This is also disadvantageous for advertisers. because advertisers have to pay to deliver ads to a large circle of network publishers, including network members who require them to be within their advertising reach and network members who are not interested in their advertising.

It is desirable to target information, such as communications, announcements, advertisements, etc., to network subscribers who are more likely to be interested in such information and to supply such information only to selected network subscribers.

To this end, techniques have been proposed to selectively distribute communications over communication networks such as a conventional cable television network and a conventional video distribution system operating on demand. In a conventional cable TV network, the addressable controller communicates with a plurality of subscriber converters in the network. Each converter, i.e. the parent converter box, is assigned as a member of the primary message group and may also be assigned to one or more message subgroups. The messages are fed to an addressable controller for subsequent transmission to a converter for display on a television connected to that converter. The input circuit tags text messages with distribution data defining at least one primary message group or a subset of messages to receive the messages. Different primary groups are used to separate • * *

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· * ····· * converters based on a geographic region or distribution node, and subgroups are used to separate network subscribers into groups of particular interest. Marked text messages are transmitted via a conventional cable TV network along with the broadcast signals from the network service providers over separate routes or channels. A specific converter determines whether it is authorized to receive the marked text message. If it is determined that this particular converter is entitled to receive the marked text message, the converter either immediately displays the marked text message by blocking the display of the broadcast signals on the selected (tuned) channel or translates alphanumeric characters and / or graphs to the top of the program being displayed on the television network subscriber.

In a conventional video distribution system operating on demand, a technique has been proposed in which advertising messages to be distributed by the network include embedded information identifying the categories of recipients of each message. The server, which is centrally located in the network, selects the messages of the network participants' converters to select the advertising message. meeting the Identification Categories. Advertising messages are embedded in a video signal associated with a video program selected by a particular addressed converter (network subscriber) and are transmitted by the network for reception and display by a television receiver connected to the addressed converter. Addressed converters will receive and display ads on their corresponding television set during timed advertising breaks in the program. Addresses are selected by the server based on the information stored in the database that applies to demographic or other information related to the household of the network participant compared to the same information related to households that are actual customers of the product or service being advertised.

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However, it is desirable to continuously display text messages or advertisements along with the program on the subscriber's television set. The present invention further proceeds in the desirability of continuously displaying messages simultaneously with a broadcast program, wherein the broadcast program and the messages do not interfere with each other and can be simultaneously observed by the subscriber of the network.

It is also desirable to update demographic information based on observation habits, purchasing behavior, etc., as demographic information may become obsolete over time.

A set of customer information is dynamically generated for each active subscriber in accordance with the corresponding profile data stored in the database. Each set of customer information containing a plurality of information addresses, e.g., communications. notifications, advertisements, etc., is sent to the network participant. Each active terminal sequentially displays the information located on the corresponding subscriber to the addresses found in its customer information list.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for supplying information to subscribers of a communication network such that the information and data selected by the subscriber is simultaneously observable by the subscriber.

As stated above, another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method that additionally displays information without interfering with the reception and display of data selected by the network subscriber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for routing information to network subscribers who are more likely to be interested in certain information and to supply this information only these designated (selected) network participants.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In accordance with the present invention, a processor device connected to a communication network continuously displays a sequence of information received from a plurality of information sources simultaneously with data selected from at least one data provider in the network so. that the sequence of information and selected data are simultaneously observable by the network subscriber. Although the network subscriber can select data from one or more data providers, the network subscriber cannot control the display of the sequence of information.

In a preferred embodiment, the sequence of information is continuously displayed without disturbing the display of the selected data.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a sequence of information for each network subscriber is uniquely generated for each network subscriber in accordance with the network subscriber profile data. The processor device associated with the network subscriber continuously displays the sequence of information simultaneously with the data selected from at least one data provider in the network such that the sequence of information and the selected data are simultaneously observable by the network subscriber. Although the network subscriber can select data from one or more data providers, the network subscriber cannot control the display of the sequence of information.

The sequence of information is preferably continuously displayed in one part of the monitor associated with the processing device and the selected data is displayed in another part of the monitor.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the invention solely to itself, will be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the incorporation of the invention into a worldwide network (Internet).

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the embodiment of the terminal of Fig. 1 showing three parts of the monitor; Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the embodiment of the information window and viewing window of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the incorporation of the present invention Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the embodiment of the television reception apparatus of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the information window and program window of Fig. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is realized by readily available communication devices and electronic components. In fact, the invention finds ready-to-use applications in all commercial communications networks including wireless broadcasting, local area network (LAN), long-distance network (VAN), intranet, worldwide Cinternet). wired cable transmission systems but not limited to satellite broadcasting systems and direct satellite broadcasting systems

Just them.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a computer network, specifically the Internet (worldwide network) into which the present invention is incorporated. Internet service provider (ISP) server 110. servers 120 Information, databases 121 i . profilfl database 122, network subscriber terminals 130, data providers such as IBM server 140, FORD server 150, session use server 210, database 220 names / passwords. session usage database 230, information display database 240, click event mouse server 250, click event mouse database 260, reported session server 270, primary reported session database 280, profile server 285, and additional profile database 286 are interconnected to form the Internet 100. It will be appreciated that the Internet contemplated in the present invention is not limited to the Internet of Fig. 1. 1 It is merely a simplified representation of the Internet and it is appreciated that a number of servers can be connected to form the Internet. The individual subscriber terminal 130 includes a monitor 180 and an input device 170 such as a keyboard, mouse, etc. Although not described in detail, it will be appreciated. that the terminal may be a conventional computer, such as a personal computer (PC) compatible with an IBM PC, a network computer, an Apple Macintosh computer, and the like.

The profile data representing the demographics of the network subscriber is stored in the profile database 122. Profile data may include, but is not limited to, home address, business address, residence time, household income, gender, age group, Internet or cable frequency used. It is appreciated that profile data can be delivered to the representative of the Internet service by telephone. embedded on the input device 170 of the network subscriber terminal 130, obtained from the profile questionnaire form completed by the network subscriber or other comparable means. If the profile data is input by the network subscriber at the input device 170, the network subscriber terminal 130 transmits the profile data to the ISP server 110. The profile data may be encoded and compressed before being transmitted to the ISP server 110 of the CISP.

The CISP1 ISP server 110 forwards the received profile data and stores it in the profile database 122. The ISP server 110 may also decode and decompress the received profile data before storing the profile data in the profiled database 122. From time to time, additional demographic information may also be requested from network subscribers, and the additional demographic information may be stored with profile data in the profilfl database 122 or separately in the additional profile database 286,

If the subscriber enters additional profile data at the input device 170, the subscriber terminal 130 transmits the additional profile data to the ISP server 110. The additional profile data may be encoded and compressed before being transmitted to the Internet Service Provider (CISP) server 110). The ISP server 110 sends the additional profile data received and stores it in the additional profile database 286 or in the profile database 122. Alternatively, the Internet Service Provider Server 110 (CISP) may forward additional profile data to a profile server 285, which decodes the received additional profile data.

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286 additional profiles.

The information servers 120 continuously transmit information such as advertisements, news, messages, web pages, data packets, stock ticker. notifications, updates, etc. to create a sequence of information. It is appreciated that the information may include, but is not limited to, texts, still images, moving images, video components and audlo components, or a combination thereof. This sequence of information is delivered to the ISP server 110 for distribution to network subscribers. It is appreciated that one or more of the information servers may be multiple channels, such as travel channels, weather channels, etc. In this case, the Information servers 120 continuously transmit travel or weather related information. It is also appreciated that each information server 120 may include an information database 121 in which information for distribution is stored. In this case, each information server 120 retrieves information from its respective information database 121 and transmits the retrieved information? network subscribers.

Alternatively, the sequence of information for each network subscriber is selected in accordance with the network subscriber profile data, which may also include additional profile data. This means that a sequence of information is generated dynamically and individually for each subscriber. If e.g. the advertiser chooses to target their ad to a man under 40 with an annual salary in excess of $ 50,000, then these ads could be for publishers who meet these. It is appreciated that some or all of the subscriber's profile data containing different demographic information can be used to generate sequence of information.

distributed only to those demographic requirements.

The Internet Service Provider Server 110 (CISP) may conveniently search for distribution to the subscribers of the information identification sequence or information address sequence from information list database 125. The sequence of information identifications may include a list of information identities uniquely identifying each information in the sequence of information; the duration of the information represents the time for which each information of the network subscriber is to be displayed, e.g. display information for 30 seconds; and the display time range is the time of day for which the information of the network subscriber is to be displayed, e.g., displaying information from 7pm to 8pm. In addition, the information address sequence may include a list of addresses indicating the location of each information in the information servers 120, information duration, display time range. The Internet Service Provider Server 110 (CISP) transfers the sequence of identifying information or addresses to the network subscriber terminals 130, which stores the received sequence in a local storage device (not shown).

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Internet Service Provider (CISP) server 110 may generate a customized and personalized sequence of identifying information or addresses for each network subscriber in accordance with the subscriber's profile data, which may also include additional profile data. That is, the sequence of identifying information or addresses is generated dynamically and individually for each subscriber. It is appreciated that this sequence of identifying information or addresses can be pre-generated for each network subscriber during off-peak hours and provided to the network subscriber terminal 130. when it connects to the Internet Service Provider (CISP) server 110 or is generated dynamically for each network subscriber when the network subscriber terminal successfully connects to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110. This customer sequence of identifying information or addresses is then transmitted to the network subscriber terminal 130 associated with the network subscriber and to the session use server 210 that stores the received sequences for that network subscriber in the network subscriber. database 230 session usage.

The individual network subscriber terminals 130 or processor devices then read the information located in these addresses or the corresponding information identifications and display the read information as a sequence of information for the duration of the information specified during the display time ranges. In other words, these addresses can be web addresses (uniform resource locator) or the like. and the network subscriber terminal 130 reads web pages from information servers 120 corresponding to these Internet addresses (URLs) and displays them as a sequence of information, e.g., from 7 pm to 8 pm. If, for example, a particular information is 30 seconds long, that particular information is always displayed. during the display time period, the information is displayed for 30 seconds.

The profile data may also include information relating to the subscriber's time zone, which may be used to generate a sequence of information. For example, if a particular Information has a display time range of 6pm to 7pm and the current time is 9pm Eastern Standard Time (EST), then this information would not be provided to any US Network Eastern Standard ( EST), but would be delivered to participants in the U.S. network in the Pacific time zone.

The individual terminals 130 of the network subscribers, i.e. the authorized subscribers of the ISP network (připoj), are connected to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 by telephone lines 160, which can be constructed as ordinary telephone lines, ISDN lines or TI lines. It is appreciated that the terminals are terminal terminals. 130 subscribers may be connected to the ISP server 110 (cables), which may be constructed as either coaxial cables, fiber optic cables or combinations thereof. It is also appreciated that the connection between the ISP server 110 and each subscriber terminal 130 may be a wireless connection.

Let's notice. that only authorized network participants. that is, the authorized subscriber terminals 130 are allowed to be connected to the ISP server 110 and the unauthorized subscriber terminals are blocked to display a sequence of information received from the information servers 120. Each network subscriber is assigned a unique network subscriber identification and password, in a database of 220 names / passwords, or they are a service provider server 110 Alternatively, each terminal that has a similarly accessible Internet (ISP) may be stored). 130 The network participant enters the network participant identification and password on the input device 170 to initiate a connection between the network participant terminal 130 and the ISP server χίΟ. - The network participant terminal 130 transmits the network participant identification and password to the network. server 110 of the Internet Service Provider (CISF), which forwards them to a database of 220 names / passwords for authentication. The network subscriber identification and password are preferably compressed and encoded using standard compression and encoding techniques before being transmitted to the Internet Service Provider (CISP) server 110). The database 220 of names / passwords decodes and decompresses the compressed and coded network subscriber identification and password before they are stored.

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The name / password database 220 first determines whether the received network subscriber identification is the same as one of the stored

By identifying the network subscriber, the network subscriber will find the names / passwords further determined. whether

If there is a match for identification. then the database 220 received the password le the same as the stored password associated with that network subscriber identification. If a match is also found for the password, then it is determined. that the network subscriber is an authorized network subscriber and a connection is established between the network subscriber terminal 130 and the internet service provider (ISP) server 110. In addition, the network subscriber terminal 130 is categorized as an authorized subscriber terminal, and credential subscriber network generation information is generated and stored in the session usage database 230 or the like. The network subscriber can store the local storage device login information into the appreciated terminal 130 to (not shown) before transmitting the session usage database.

The logon information may include, but is not limited to, the logon time and logon date. In addition, the login information may include location identification, location information of that subscriber terminal 130. It is appreciated that the location identification may be a zip code, a telephone number, a country or code name, a state or province name, etc. Alternatively, the login information may be transmitted to the session usage server 210, which generates a session usage record from the login information and stores the session usage record in the session usage database 230. It is appreciated that the session usage record does not necessarily contain all of the login information.

It is also appreciated that the logon time and logon date can be generated in accordance with the system clock of the network, thereby ensuring the accuracy and consistency of logon information from the subscriber terminal 130. The system clock of the network may be in the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 or another server in the Internet 110. Accordingly, the clock information of each network subscriber terminal is not overwritten by the system clock of the network, but each network subscriber terminal marks the information to be transmitted. ISP server 110 based on the system clock of the network. That is, each network subscriber terminal 130 has real time and virtual time based on the network system clock and generates a virtual login time and a virtual login date based on the network system clock.

However, if no match is found to identify the network subscriber or password, then the network subscriber is designated as an unauthorized subscriber and the connection between the network subscriber terminal 130 and the ISP server 110 is not established. In addition, the network subscriber terminal 130 is categorized as an unauthorized network subscriber terminal.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the network subscriber also selects an access telephone number using an input device 170 to initiate a connection between the network subscriber terminal 130 and the ISP server 11CL using that access telephone number. It is contemplated that the database of telephone numbers 225 connected to the Internet 100 includes all access telephone numbers. which may be used to connect to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 along with postal code and time zones that are associated with each access telephone number. In addition, the pre-assigned routing code is stored with each access telephone number in the telephone number database 225.

Once a connection has been successfully established between the terminal, the terminal, the terminal and the terminal.

130 and the ISP server 110 using the selected access phone number, the ISP server 110 requests information of the routing code of the subscriber terminal 130 from the database 220 names / passwords. The received routing number code is forwarded to the telephone number database 225 to determine whether the received routing number code is associated with the inserted access telephone number. If determined. If the received routing code is associated with the selected access phone number, then the network subscriber is assumed to be logged in from his / her home and the received routing code is used as the postal code of the location. However, if it is determined that the received routing code is not associated with the selected access telephone number, then the network subscriber is assumed to be logged in from a remote location and the pre-assigned routing code associated with the selected access telephone number is used as the area code .

It is appreciated that the access number and postal code of the site subscriber and the time zone corresponding to the postal code of the site subscriber may also be used to generate a sequence of information for that subscriber. For example, if a piece of information has a display time range of 6pm to 8pm and the current time is 9pm. Eastern Standard Time (EST), then this information would not be provided to any US Network subscriber in the Eastern Standard Time (EST), but would be supplied to US subscribers in the Mountain and Pacific Time Zones. This advantageously allows advertisers to target their ads based on the geographic location of the network subscriber, while considering regional preferences. This means that advertisers may want to use one ad for people on the East Coast · * ········

An authorized network participant enters an Internet address (URL) on the input device 170 to request a web page from a base server (or from a data provider) in the Internet 100 It is appreciated. that each base server in the Internet is uniquely identified by the name of the base server, hereinafter referred to as the identification of the data provider. E.g.

web pages from IBM server 140 on the Internet Authorized Network Participant at input device 170 following Internet address (URL) http://wvv.lbm.com. The network subscriber terminal 130 delivers the requested Internet address (URL) to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110. It is appreciated that the requested Internet addresses (URLs) received from an unauthorized network participant are rejected by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 and are not forwarded to the base server.

unauthorized terminals of Site Subscribers from the base server.

It effectively blocks to display web

The ISP server 110 transmits a web page request from the authorized subscriber terminal 130 to the IBM server 140 over the Internet 100. In response to the request, the IBM server 140 delivers the requested web page to the ISP server 110. The ISP server 110 then transfers the web page to the respective subscriber terminal 130.

The network subscriber terminal 130 continuously displays on the monitor 180 a sequence of information at the same time as the desired web page received from the IBM server 140 through the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110. He is considering. that the sequence of information and the desired web page are displayed on the monitor. · · · · · · · · ·

180 so. The display of the sequence of information on the monitor 180 preferably does not interfere with the display of the desired web page. In such a procedure, the sequence of Information may be displayed in the first portion of the monitor 180 and the desired web page in the second portion of the monitor 180. For simplicity, the two portions of the monitor 180 will hereinafter be referred to as viewing window 190 and information window 200 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the sequence of information is displayed in the information window 200 and the desired web page is displayed in the viewing window 190. It is appreciated that each information in the sequence is displayed in the information window 200 for an associated duration of information, e.g. seconds, second information for 15 seconds, etc.

Alternatively, the monitor 180 may be divided into three parts, namely the viewing window 190, the information window 200, and the navigation window 290. The navigation window may include mouse-click buttons 291, channel-292 button to select preferred channels, internet address field 293, launch button 294, button 295 web page, button next web page of the selected homepage back to move to the previous 296 forward to moving home button 297 to locate a subscriber, preferred button 298 to insert, modifying and updating the subscriber profile data, and the logo button 299 to connect to a pre-assigned web site. It will be appreciated that multiple buttons providing different functions and features may be incorporated in the navigation window 290.

The network subscriber may use preferential button 298 to select preferred system features such as preferred home page, display settings, • 0 'settings.

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modem, memory allocation, etc. The preferential button 298 can also be used to modify passwords. access phone numbers, etc.

simple basic

The Internet address (URL) entered by the authorized subscriber at the input device 170 to request a web page from the base server appears in the Internet address field 293. Instead of entering a complete Internet address (CHRL), the user may instead enter an incomplete Internet address (CURL) by entering the host name of the desired server with or without a domain name and pressing the start button 294. The present invention will determine, according to the context, the remaining (or missing) components of an incomplete Internet address (URL) to create a complete Internet address (URL). That is, when subscriber &amp; quot; ibm.com &amp; quot ;, subscriber network terminal 130 connects to the complete Internet address &amp; quot; http://vww.ibm.com &amp; quot; and delivers the complete web address (URL) to the ISP server 110).

network inserts determined by CHRL) on

However, when a network participant simply enters ibm. then the subscriber terminal 130 first determines the appropriate base server domain ibm and then determines the full Internet address (CURL) accordingly. Note that the following are commonly found in the Internet for the US: com, gou, edu, org, and net. For other countries, these domains are followed by a country code such as org.kr for Korea or org.de for Germany. Note also that base servers are distributed among these different domains, so that the network subscriber terminal 130 determines a suitable domain based on the probability of the base servers being spread over a particular domain. That is, the subscriber terminal 130 determines the probability of finding an embedded base server in these different domains, and then selects one with the largest

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999 ···· 9 «9999 9 · probabilities. If determined. For example, if the base server is not in the selected domain, the network subscriber terminal 130 selects another domain that has the next most probability until a domain is found for the embedded base server.

Each clickable mouse button 291 corresponds to (URL), such as indicated on the host name, the Internet folder can properly sequentially one Internet folder http: //, www., .Com ”, .net, etc.

Figure 2. Instead of simply entering a network participant, enter the host name and click one or more clickable buttons 291. for the missing component of the Internet address (URL), and the subscriber terminal 130 determines a suitable Internet address (URL) according to the context. For example, if a network participant enters ibm and clicks on the http: // button, the network participant terminal 130 determines the full Internet address (URL) as http://wvw.ibm.com for the IBM site, according to the context. If the network participant clicks the .gov button and inserts the irs terminal 130 of the network participant, it determines the full Internet address (URL) as http://www.irs.gov for the IRS website, as appropriate. It is appreciated that URLs (URLs) do not have to be inserted in order. Regardless of how the order of the components of the Internet address (URL) is inserted, the present invention determines the complete internet address (URL) in the correct sequential order according to the context.

The information window 200 may also include unconnected areas 202 and associated areas 201. such as "company news, merchandise, new products or order now, as shown in Figure 2. Each linked area 201 may be connected to a base server (provider) 100) in the Internet 100. The network subscriber can select one of the linked areas 201 by clicking with the mouse to receive additional areas 201, to receive additional data. ················································

Coca-Cola, the company's information related to company news, merchandise, new products or set order. For example, if a network subscriber clicks the merged area 201 in FIG. 2 labeled trading company messages, the network subscriber terminal 130 will be connected to a trading company message page containing trading message information that will be displayed in the viewing window 190.

Alternatively, if the network subscriber clicks on the junction area 201 labeled with the company message, the network subscriber may receive this additional information via e-mail, fax, mail, etc. The additional information preferably displayed in the browsing window 190 may depend on the subscriber's profile data. For example, if a network subscriber clicks on the bonded area 201 labeled new products to receive additional information about the latest golf gloves, the network subscriber terminal 130 can request network subscriber profile data from the profile database 122 to determine whether the network subscriber is left-handed or right-handed. If it is determined that the participant of the net-C is left-handed, then only the golf gloves for the left-handed people of area 201 are shown in the viewing window 190 are not limited to that shown in FIG. 2a that other contiguous regions are contemplated in the present invention.

It is appreciated that linked to those linked areas

As shown in FIG. 3, when a network participant clicks one of the linked areas 201 of the information window 200, a window, a pull-down menu, etc. may suddenly appear in the viewing window, and the network participant may be asked to complete a questionnaire form or provided the required data to receive additional information. For example, a network subscriber may be asked to provide an email address, street address, fax number, etc. to receive additional information. It is appreciated that the subscriber may provide the e-mail address of another person, so that the other person can receive additional information via e-mail. It is also appreciated that the requested data can be retrieved from the profiled database 122 and displayed in the browsing window 190. The network subscriber can receive (confirm) the retrieved data or modify the data to provide additional information to another person. Either after entering or selecting the requested data, the subscriber terminal 130 transmits the requested data or a completed questionnaire form to the Internet Service Provider (CISP) server 110).

profi 1 additional internet

The ISP server 110 preferably transmits the completed questionnaire form or the requested data to the profi IQ server 285 to store or update additional subscriber information in the profi IQ databases 286. Alternatively, the service provider server (CISP) 110 retrieves the profile data associated with the subscriber from the profile database 122 and transmits the completed form together with the subscriber identification and the subscriber's profile data to the profile server 285. The profile server 285 then stores or updates additional subscriber profile information in the additional profi IQ database 286. It will be appreciated that this advantageously allows the present invention to provide a mechanism for interactive communication between the network subscriber and the information provider. Other means of providing desired data such as a radio button for exclusive choices, a verification box for multiple choices and the like are also contemplated.

It is appreciated that although the network subscriber cannot control the display of the sequence of information in the information window 200 of the monitor 180, the network subscriber may select another sentence page to be displayed in the browsing window 190 by entering a different Internet address (URL) such as http://vvw.ford. com ”on the input device 170.

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Displaying a Web Page from the IBM Server 140 is replaced in the View Window 190 by a Web page from the FORD Server 150. That is, the desired web page received from the FORD server 150 will now be displayed in the browsing window 190 without affecting the display of the information window 200.

Content of Information Window 200. each information in the sequence of information. may alternatively be characterized as an unsolicited request for a web page (data) from one of the base servers, such as an IBM server 140. In other words, the materials displayed in the browsing window 190 represent the requested web pages requested by the subscriber, while the materials displayed in the information window 200 are the unwanted web pages not requested by the network subscriber.

Essentially, without informing the network subscriber, the terminal 30 of the network subscriber automatically transmits an Internet address (URL) to request a web page. to be displayed from the base server in the information window 200.

The base servers may preferably be divided into two groups, each server group receiving only one type of request. This means that the first group of servers can only accept a solicited Web site request and the second group can only accept an unsolicited Web site request. Any requested request for web pages from the second server group is rejected, and the display window 190 may display such a message as the requested Internet address (URL) is not available.

When the connection between the network subscriber terminal 130 and the ISP server 110 is determined to be terminated, the ISP server 110 generates the logout information and stores the information in the session usage database 230. It is appreciated that the network subscriber terminal can store the information. o logout to the local storage device (not shown) before transferring the logout information to the session usage database 230. The opt-out information may include, but is not limited to, the log-off time and the log-off date. Alternatively, each subscriber terminal 130 may generate logout information if the subscriber terminates the connection between the subscriber terminal 130 and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110. It is appreciated that each subscriber terminal 130 can generate a logout time and a logout date using a virtual clock rather than an internal clock to provide accurate and consistent logout information.

Alternatively, the ISP server 110 transmits the logout information to the session usage server 210. The session usage server 210 generates session duration information depending on the stored subscriber login date, the stored subscriber login time, the received logout date, and the received logout time. Session Usage Server 210 updates the session participant session usage record in response to the received logout date, received logoff time, and session duration information and stores the updated session usage record in the session usage database 230. The updated subscriber session usage record may be used together with the subscriber profile data to select a sequence of information for the subscriber. That is, data generated from the current session for the network subscriber can be used to generate a sequence of information for the next session. Note that the current session includes the simultaneous connection of the subscriber to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110.

It will be appreciated that the network subscriber terminal 130 may be disconnected from the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 due to the fact that the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 is in effect. 99 · bad connection, hardware, and software problems. power loss, etc. To account for such disconnections, each network subscriber terminal 130 preferably generates a ping signal. Translator: Ping is a sof shape that tests all nodes in a network or the Internet (working correctly) at every predetermined interval, such as 5, 10, or 15 minutes, and transmits the ping signal to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110. It is appreciated that the ping signal may include information identifying the source of the ping signal, such as subscriber identification of the ISP server 110, forwards the ping signal to the session usage database 230. It is contemplated that session usage database 230 stores information regarding the expected time of the next ping signal for each network subscriber. When the network subscriber terminal 130 successfully connects to the ISP server 110, the session usage database 230 determines the expected time of the next ping signal for that network subscriber to the current Time plus a multiple number of a predetermined ping signal interval. That is, upon receipt of the login information from the subscriber terminal 130, a database is determined; 230 using the session the expected time of the next ping signal for that network subscriber.

If the ping signal is received from the network subscriber terminal 130 substantially within the expected time, then the session usage database 230 updates the expected time of the next ping signal for that network subscriber. Advantageously, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 may transmit a ping signal to the session usage server 210, which forwards the ping signal to the session usage database 230 for processing and storage. However, if the ping signal is not received from that subscriber terminal 130 substantially within the expected time, then it should be considered. that the connection between terminal 130 of the network participant • # 44 4 4 4 4 • 4 4 4 4 4 * 44 4 • 4 4 4 ^ 4 4 4

MM 4 «·· 44 4 * · 4« 4 444 and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 is terminated. The session usage server 210 preferably transmits the disconnect signal to the ISP server 110 to disconnect that network subscriber terminal 130 from the ISP server 110. The session usage server 210 also generates and transmits logout information for that subscriber to the session usage database 230 for storage. It is appreciated that the disconnect signal and logout information may be generated by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 and may be transmitted to the session usage database 230 for storage. It is appreciated that for transmission efficiency and security, the Ping signal may be encoded and compressed using standard encoding and compression techniques before it is transferred to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110. In such a procedure, the server 210 uses the ping session to decode and decompress the signal before updating the expected time of the next ping signal.

Because the information displayed to network participants may be ads, it may be important to keep track of those ads that have been transmitted and displayed to network participants. This information can be used directly to determine the number of people who watched a particular ad. It is appreciated that this is comparable to Nielsen Arbitron's rating scheme for television and radio, in addition, the technique provides more accurate and detailed observation habits of network subscribers. the technique advantageously allows the network subscriber to have a more accurate demographic profile, allowing advertisers to selectively target their ads with greater accuracy.

or that this measure that this

That is, developed for everyone ·· · * · · * ♦ · · · · · · · vyvinut vyvinut · vyvinut

Accordingly, the present invention determines for each subscriber which information in the sequence of information was displayed to that subscriber based on the duration of the information and the session subscriber usage record stored in the session usage database 230. The stored subscriber session duration information or the stored subscriber time, the saved subscriber date, the saved subscriber time, and the saved subscriber unsubscribe date in the subscriber session usage log may be specifically used to determine which information was displayed at the subscriber terminal 130. The result of this determination can be compiled as a list to provide a list of displayed information. The list of displayed information is then stored in the information display database 240 or the like. It is appreciated that this list of displayed information for each network subscriber may be a list of information identifications and the duration of information corresponding to the information displayed to that network subscriber.

that certain information that was valued that date

In addition, the list of displayed information for each network subscriber may include the identification of the network subscriber and information regarding the display date and time of displaying the information in that list displayed to that network subscriber. Yippee? the display and display time of the information may be derived from the duration of the information and from the network subscriber session usage record stored in the session usage database 230, namely, the logon time, logon date, logoff time, and logon date of the network subscriber.

The list of displayed information for each network subscriber may further include information relating to the location of that network subscriber terminal 130, namely location identification. Alternatively, the list of displayed information for each network subscriber may be transferred to the session using server 210, which is 99 9999 99 999 generates an information display record for each information identification in that display list and stores the information display record in the information display database 240. It is appreciated that the session usage server 210 does not necessarily use all of the information included in the list of displayed information to generate an information display record. The network subscriber information display record may also be used together with the network subscriber profile data to select a sequence of information for the network subscriber. That is, the information displayed to the network subscriber in his / her current session can be used to generate a sequence of information for the next session.

In addition, the present invention keeps track of all linked areas 201 selected (or clicked by the mouse) by each network participant for each displayed information while displaying that information to provide the associated area identification. This information can be used to determine the interest of a network participant in a particular product, company, channel or the like. providing more accurate information about the observation habits of the network participant. This information can also be used to develop a focused advertising strategy in which an advertiser can identify subscribers who are more likely to be interested in receiving such information. It is appreciated that since the junction area 201 is connected to a particular base server, each junction area identification may represent an identification of a selected base server (or a selected data provider).

If it is determined that at least one junction area 201 has been selected by the network subscriber, the network subscriber terminal 130 associated with that network subscriber generates and transmits a mouse click event message packet to the ISP server 110 (I5P). It is appreciated that

- The network subscriber terminal 130 can store a packet of mouse click event messages to a local storage device (not shown) before before the mouse click event message packet is transmitted to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110. The mouse click event message packet may include a network subscriber identification of the network subscriber terminal 130, identification of the displayed information, identification of the selected data provider corresponding to the mouse clicked associated area 201. date and time when the information was displayed on the network subscriber terminal 130 to provide the display date and display time the displayed information has those defining and identifying the network subscriber. can generate this term 130

It is appreciated that the network subscriber terminal 130 display date and display time using a virtual clock rather than an internal clock to provide accurate and consistent information. It is also appreciated that the mouse click event packet can be encoded and compressed to ensure transmission efficiency and security before before sending it to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110.

The ISP server 110 forwards and stores the received packet of mouse click event messages in the database

260 mouse clicked events

Alternatively, the ISP server 110 may forward the click event message packet to the click event server 250, which decodes and decompresses the received click event message packet and generates a click event report. The mouse click event record is then stored in the mouse click event database 260. It's appreciated. the mouse click event server 250 does not necessarily use all the information in the mouse click event message packet to generate a mouse click event record. Event Log · 9 · · «to to &lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;to to to 9

MM M &lt;| 99 9999 99 «·· the mouse of a network participant, along with the network participant's profile data, can also be used to select a sequence of information for the network participant. That is, the information selected by the network subscriber in his / her current session can be used to generate a sequence of information for the next session.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous to maintain tracking of the sites (base servers) visited by the network participant to develop a more accurate profile of each network participant. This allows advertisers to better select their targeted audience (Network Participants) to support, advertise, etc.

Accordingly, the present invention determines, for each network subscriber, all base servers selected by that network subscriber and stores the corresponding data provider identifications in the database 280 of the primary reported sessions. It is appreciated that the desired web page (data) is always successfully retrieved from the base server and displayed in the browsing window 190. the subscriber terminal 130 associated with that subscriber may generate and transmit the packet of reported sessions to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110. It's appreciated. that the subscriber terminal 130 can store the packet of reported sessions to the local storage device (not shown) before transmitting the packet of reported sessions to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110. The packet that reported sessions may contain. network subscriber identification, server selected by the subscriber network subscriber of the base network data provider terminal 130, date and time at which the desired web page was displayed on the network subscriber terminal 130 to provide a display date and time of the desired web page display; . It is also appreciated that the subscriber terminal 130 can generate a display date and display time using a virtual clock rather than an internal clock to provide accurate and consistent information.

It is further appreciated that the packet of reported sessions may be encoded and compressed before it is transmitted to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110.

The ISP server 110 forward and store the received packet of reported sessions in the database 280 of the primary reported sessions. Alternatively, the ISP server 110 may forward the reported session packet to the reported session server 270, which decodes and decompresses the received reported session packet and generates a primary data view record. The primary data view record is then stored in the primary reported data database 280. sessions.

The reported session server 270 may also search for profile data from the profile database 122 using the network subscriber identification and, in addition, generate a secondary display data record by replacing the network subscriber identification information in the primary display data profile profile data associated with that network subscriber identification. The secondary data display record is then stored in a database of 281 secondary reported sessions. For example, a record can be created to provide observational habits of network subscribers belonging to a particular demographic group such as single women under 30 with an annual income exceeding $ 100,000 living in Florida. It is appreciated that the reported session server 270 does not necessarily use all the information in the reported session packet to generate primary and secondary views of the data.

The network subscriber data display record may further be used to to the network subscriber profile data to select a sequence of information for the network subscriber. That is, a site visited by a network subscriber in his / her simultaneous session can be used to generate a sequence of information for adding a session.

Turning now to Fig. 4, a block diagram of a cable television network is shown. to which this invention is incorporated. The apparatus shown in FIG. 4 may comprise a parent converter. a television receiver, video recorder and other conventional devices typically used to receive and display television images. Transmitting station 300 transmits to satellite 310 e.g. The broadcast signals are transmitted back to the input circuits 320 prepared in the individual service areas. each of which may comprise an antenna to receive broadcast signals, a reception amplifier, an input of an image source (if necessary), a modulator to modulate received broadcast signals, and a multiplexer to nultiplex the output of the modulator before being output to the transmission line.

communication satellite broadcast signal).

Individual homes 330, i.e., subscribers to a cable television system, are connected to one input circuit 320 by a cable 340, which may be constructed as a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, or a combination thereof. The input circuit 320 to which a particular home 330 (or certain television reception apparatus 350) is connected is referred to herein as an associated input circuit 320. The cable 340 is connected in the form of a tree or a star. It is appreciated that the individual homes 330 may be connected to the input circuit 320 by a wireless connection, a satellite connection, etc. A subscriber to a cable television system (home 330) is equipped with a processor device such as a television reception apparatus 350 which

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Ϊ ft ft includes a tuner 390 to permanently tune the Information Channels broadcasting the sequence of information and tuning the desired broadcast channel of choice. It is appreciated that tuner 390 may include multiple tuners such that one tuner may be used to tune a desired broadcast channel and the other tuners may be used to tune information channels. The received broadcast signals, which constitute the received program from the broadcast station 300, are supplied to the monitor 370 (FIG. 55, in which they are displayed to an observer (a household member of a network participant). It will be appreciated that the monitor 370 includes conventional video processing circuits normally equipped with a television reception apparatus or a high definition television (HDTV) to allow the viewer to view television images (Ca) of accompanying audio information.

The cable television network of the present invention is not limited to the cable television network shown in Fig. 4. a plurality of program providers (i.e., data providers) may transmit programs and a plurality of information servers 360 may transmit information such as advertisements and the like to satellite 310. A cable television station may be interposed between satellite 310 and rupture circuits 320 to receive broadcast signals from the satellite 310 and send these signals further to the input circuits with fiber optic cables. Each input circuit is connected to the home network of the authorized subscriber with fiber optic or coaxial cables. In addition, the present invention may be used with a video image communication system such as a television conference system, a satellite communication system, and the like. The broadcast signal generated in the input circuit 320 includes a plurality of broadcast channels (i.e. ). which are chalked eg. using a coding technique of compensated motion between frame predictions. High Efficiency • Encoders are used in the input circuit 320 (not listed) in accordance with the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) or Film Expert Group 2 (MPEG2) system adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The encoded broadcast signals may be tiplexed by time division multing into packets that are digitally modulated, for example, by using phase shifting keying (PSK) modulation techniques.

Referring to FIG. 5, the television reception apparatus 350 may be included in a master converter, television receiver, or other conventional device typically used to receive and display television images. The input device 450 is adapted to receive input from a network subscriber. For example, the input device 450 may be used by the network subscriber to answer a cable system provider's request to modify an existing service, such as adding or deleting a pay channel, etc.

The remote control unit 440 is adapted to transmit conventional control signals to a television receiver for controlling various functions such as channel selection, volume control, brightness, contrast, color adjustment, etc. Such control signals may be transmitted by infrared transmission; and in that case the remote control unit comprises an infrared (IR) transmitter (not shown) and the television receiver includes a remote infrared receiver 430. Alternatively, the remote control unit 440 and the remote infrared receiver 430 may be omitted, and the aforementioned control signals may be simply generated by operating corresponding controls directly on the television receiver (eg, channel selector 420, volume knob, image control knob, etc.).

* *

9 9 9

9 9 ·· 9999 • 9 ·

9 9

9 9 • 9 «· 9 received either by the remote or generated by the control television reception apparatus, selector 420. connected to tuner operation 390 to a channel received, for example, to control the tuner on which

Control signals by the receiver 430 directly to the channel which controls the television microprocessor may contain a certain transmission frequency, the program. Alternatively, it may 300 to tune to a particular satellite broadcast program of a program (which transmission) by which the video signals that make up the selected channel are delivered are displayed to the network subscriber.

infrared (IR) elements provided such as to the microprocessor 410, tuning selected at the tuner input. 390 so as to tune in is transmitted to the television microprocessor 410 to control the tuner digital channel (as in the direct broadcast television broadcast of the television monitor 370. It will be appreciated that the monitor 370 includes conventional video processor circuits normally equipped with a television reception apparatus to allow the television images (and accompanying audio information) to be viewed by an observer. The previous operation is typical for a television receiver.

Although not described in detail. it will be appreciated that the microprocessor may be a conventional microprocessor such as a relatively inexpensive small 8-bit processor or a high-speed, high-speed microprocessor such as the 486 type or Pentium microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corp..

Referring back to FIG. 4, each input circuit 320 may also include a profile database 325 in which the profile data representing the network subscriber demographics is stored. As mentioned hereinbefore with respect to the Internet, the profile data may include home address, business address, residence time, household income, gender, age group, Internet or cable frequency used, but not limited to *

« • ·· • · « 4 · · · • » 4

9994 this data. Profile data obtained from the form? a profile questionnaire filled in by the network participant or other comparable means may be provided by telephone to the cable television system representative at the input device 450 of the television set 350 - if the profile data is input at the input device 450 by the network participant, the television receiver 350 transmits the profile data to the associated input circuit 320 via cable 340 or a dedicated channel or data link 341. It is appreciated. That profile data may be encoded and compressed before being transmitted to the associated input circuit 320.

The input circuit 320 decodes and decompresses the received profile data and forwards the decoded and decompressed profile data to the profile database 325 for storage. Decoded to be alternatively shown), which 320. From time to time, the network adds additional demographic data to the additional database 326, and the decompressed profile data may be stored in the central profilfl database. or separately to the prof and Ifl database.

If the additional profile data is inputted by the network subscriber at the input device 450, the television 350 transmits the additional profile data to the associated input circuit 320. The additional profile data may be encoded and compressed before it is transmitted to the television receiver 350 - Input circuit 320 decodes and decompresses the received additional profile data and stores the additional profile data in the additional profile database 326 or the profile database 325.

• · * •

Excluding the information channel, each broadcast channel contains a number of programs that are encoded so that only authorized subscribers of a cable TV system can receive television programs. The feed contains a variety of information such as advertisements, news, messages, announcements, updates, and the like that are continuously transmitted to subscribers of a cable TV system to form a sequence of information. The information may include, but is not limited to, texts, still images, moving images, video and audio components, or combinations thereof. It is appreciated that information from multiple information channels can be multiplexed and distributed to network subscribers. The coding technique normally depends on each channel.

In accordance with the present invention, the information channel may receive a plurality of information from the information servers 360. Each information server may include a memory device 365 or the like. The information to be transmitted on the information channel is first retrieved in the respective storage device 365 and supplied to the information channel for distribution to network subscribers.

Alternatively, the sequence of information may be selected for each subscriber in accordance with the subscriber profile data, which may also include additional profile data. This means that the sequence of information is generated dynamically and individually for each network subscriber. For example, if an advertiser chooses to target their ads to single women under 30 with an annual income of over $ 50,000, then those ads could only be distributed to those network members who meet these demographic requirements. As mentioned hereinabove in relation to the Internet, some or all of the subscriber profile data containing various demographic information may

4*0 0

0 4 • 0 4 * 1 be used to generate a sequence of information.

which should be those, for example, images

As mentioned hereinabove in relation to the Internet, the respective storage device 355 may include, for each information in sequence, the duration of the information representing the duration of the information to be displayed to the network subscriber, e.g. information display for 30 seconds and display time range representing the time of day, in the information displayed to the network subscriber, information from 7 pm to 8 pm Accordingly, each information server 350 can only transmit information that meets the information display time range requirements as part of sequence of information to a particular network participant. The sequence of information is selected for each network subscriber based on the network subscriber profile data and the information display timeframe. In other words, the microprocessor 410 (FIG. 5) controls the tuner 390 (FIG. 5) to tune a particular information channel to receive a sequence of information selected for that subscriber. It is appreciated that each network participant can be. categorized into groups based on the subscriber's profile data, and each information channel is associated with a particular group.

The profile data may also include network subscriber time zone information that may be used to generate a sequence of information. For example, if a piece of information has a display time range of 7pm to 8pm and the current Time is 9pm. Eastern Standard Time (EST), then this information would not be provided to any US subscriber in the Eastern Standard Time (EST), but would be supplied to network subscribers in the Mountain and Pacific Time Zone As mentioned above with respect to the ISP server 110 (ISP) (FIG. 1), the associated input circuit 320 can preferably search for a sequence by identifying the information • 0 * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 000 0 0

0 · 00 00 «from the network information list database 327. The sequence of identifying information by identifying the information uniquely for distribution to the subscriber may include a list identifying each information in the sequence of information, the duration of the information representing the time length of each information to be displayed to the subscriber of the network; time of day, in a network subscriber.

and a display time range representing which each information is to be displayed The associated input circuit 320 may transmit a sequence of information identifications to a television receiver 350 which stores the received sequence in the local storage device 415 (FIG. 5).

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input circuit 320 may generate. a customized and personalized sequence of identifying information for each network subscriber in accordance with the subscriber's profile data, which may also include additional profile data. This sequence of information identifications is generated individually for each network subscriber. It is appreciated that this sequence of information identification can be generated in advance for each network subscriber within hours outside of being provided to the television receiving network subscriber.

means dynamically from a

tip and the machine is grating it

350 when it is turned on or dynamically generated for each network subscriber as part of the sign-on process, ie when the television is switched on to connect to a wired network. This customer information identification sequence is then transmitted to a television receiver 350 associated with the network subscriber tone. The television reception apparatus 350 stores the received sequence of information identification in the local storage device 415 (FIG. 5).

The microprocessor 410 (FIG. 5) of the television reception apparatus one identification of the television information network and the identification of the reception apparatus 350.

350 it may request information corresponding to the stored information identification by a dedicated channel or data link 341 from the associated input circuit 320 to which the television receiver 350 is connected. It is appreciated that the information request may include more than the subscriber

The associated input circuit 320 forwards the request to the information server 360, which retrieves the requested information corresponding to the identification of the information from the memory device 365. The requested information is then transmitted to the associated input circuit 320 for distribution to the requesting television receiver 350. to a television receiver 350 via a dedicated channel or data link 341. The microprocessor 410 stores the requested information in the local storage device 415 and supplies the required information to the monitor 370 to display the network subscriber. It is appreciated and in advance that the orroprocessor 410 may request: the associated input circuit 320 to the local memory device 415 so. The information to be displayed is always available from the local storage device 415.

channel uniquely on which they can be

Alternatively, the associated input circuit 320 may retrieve a sequence of channel identifications from database 327 of the distribution list information to network subscribers. The channel identification sequence may include a list of identities identifying the information channel, information received from the associated input circuit 320, and an information duration representing the length of information that can be received on each information channel corresponding to the channel identifications on which the subscriber is to be displayed. The associated input circuit 320 may transfer the channel identification sequence to the television receiver 350, which stores the received sequence in the local storage device 415 (FIG. 5).

• · f f f f f f f f&gt;&gt;&gt; »» »» »» »»

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input circuit 320 may generate a custom and individualized channel identification sequence for each network subscriber in accordance with the network subscriber profile data. which may also contain additional profile data. That is, the sequence of channel identifications is generated dynamically and individually for each network subscriber. It is appreciated that this channel identification sequence may be pre-generated for each network subscriber during off-peak hours and may be provided to the network subscriber television receiver 350 when it is turned on or dynamically generated for each network subscriber as part of the subscribing process, i.e. the television is turned on to connect to a wired network. This customer channel identification sequence is then transmitted to a television receiver 350 associated with a network subscriber and to a session usage server 510 that stores the received sequence for that subscriber in the session usage database 515. The television reception apparatus 350 stores the received channel identification sequence in the local storage device 415 (FIG. 5).

The network subscriber microprocessor 410 of the network subscriber may control the tuner 390 (FIG. 5) to tune the information channels corresponding to the stored channel identifiers to receive information selected for that subscriber. That is, the tuner 390 gradually tunes the information channel corresponding to each channel identification for the duration of the information specified for that information channel.

Let's notice. that only authorized network participants. ie, authorized television receivers 350 are allowed, * # 4 · 4 4 4 4 * »# 44 4 · 4 4 4 • · 4 * 4 444 • 44» 44 · * 44 · »« »··· to the input circuit 320 and the unauthorized television reception apparatus 350 are blocked to display a sequence of information received from the information server 360 and a program that can be received on broadcast channels as described herein above in relation to the Internet. the login information is generated when the authorized television reception apparatus 350 is turned on to receive programs from the associated input circuit 320 (or connected to the associated input circuit 320). The login information is stored in the session usage database 515 or the like. The logon information may include logon time, logon date, but is not limited to such logon information. include location identification, location information of that television set 350. It is appreciated that location identification may represent a postal code. phone number, name or country code, state or province name, etc. The login information may be transferred to and out of the session usage server 510, which generates a session usage record from the login information and stores the session usage record in the session usage database 515. It is appreciated that the session usage record does not necessarily include all login information.

It is also appreciated that the logon time and logon date can be generated in accordance with the system clock of the network, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy and consistency of the logon information from the television receiver can be located in the input of another server on satellite 310. is 25.Q- System clock network circuit 320 or some Accordingly, the clock information of the device 350 is not overwritten by the network, but every television

444 44 Receiver 350 marks the information to be transmitted to the associated input circuit 320 based on the system clock network. I.e. that each television receiver 350 has real time and virtual time based on the network system clock and generates a virtual login time and a virtual login date based on the network system clock.

It's appreciated. That routing code and time zone of the network subscriber may also be used to generate a sequence of information for that network subscriber. For example, if some of the information has a Display Time Range of 1pm to 8pm and the current time is 9pm Eastern Standard Time (EST), then this information would not be provided to any US Network Participant in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) time zone. , but would be delivered to US participants in the mountain and Pacific time zones. It is appreciated that US subscribers in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) time zone receive information that has a display time range of 21h to 22h. This advantageously allows advertisers to target their ads based on the geographic location of the network subscriber considering regional preferences. This means that Advertisers may want to use one ad for people on the East Coast and another ad for people on the West Coast. It is also appreciated that time zone and impression timeframe information can be used to ensure that an ad is only shown to all US Network Participants from 6pm to 7pm.

The authorized network subscriber selects (requests) a program to observe by selecting the desired broadcast channel using the remote control unit 440 or channel selector 420 on the television 350. In response, the microprocessor 410 controls the tuner 390 to tune the selected broadcast channel, or At a certain broadcasting frequency to which the requested program is transmitted. The video signals that make up the program broadcast on the selected broadcast channel are fed to a monitor 370 on which they are continuously displayed along with the sequence of information. As mentioned hereinabove with respect to the Internet, the sequence of information and the desired program are displayed on the monitor 370 so that they can be viewed simultaneously by the network subscribers.

Preferably, displaying the sequence of information on the monitor 370 does not interfere with the display of the desired program. In such an arrangement, the sequence of information may be displayed in the first portion of the monitor 370 and the desired program in the second portion of the monitor 370. For simplicity, the two portions of the monitor 370 will hereinafter be referred to as program or view window 371 and information window 372. as shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly, the sequence of information is displayed in the information window 372 and the desired program is displayed in the program window 371. It is appreciated that each information in the sequence is displayed in the information window 372 for an associated duration of information, e.g., the first information may be displayed after 30 seconds, the second information after 15 seconds, etc.

As mentioned hereinabove with respect to the Internet, the information window 372 may include unconnected areas 374 and associated areas 373 such as program samples, merchandise, new products or order now as shown in Fig. 5. Each linked area 373 may be connected to an information server 360 or a broadcast station 300 (data provider) on satellite 310. A network subscriber can select one of the connected areas 373 to view fronts of new programs, to receive additional information on goods and new products, or to determine the klepnutím * · *** »•» ··· * φ * * * • «Ttt · · '··········» »*** order. For example, if a network subscriber clicks the washer area 373 indicated in FIG. 6 For example, the television reception apparatus 350 will be tuned to a broadcast channel or information channel to display in a program window 371 a program that can be received on that channel. In addition, the information window 372 can display a program that can be received on a broadcast channel such as channel 10, and the network subscriber can tune channel 10 by simply clicking on the program. That is, the bonded area 373 may be coupled to the microprocessor 410 of the television 350 to control the tuner 390 to select a broadcast channel carrying the program just displayed in the information window 372. As described herein above in relation to the Internet, the additional information may advantageously displayed in the program window 371 depends on the profile data of the network participant. It will be appreciated that the bonded areas 373 are not limited to those bonded areas shown in FIG. 6 and that other contiguous regions are contemplated in the present invention.

Alternatively, if a network participant clicks on the junction area 373 indicated in the program window 371 which may be a program participant, the overlapping window may be asked, in the sample the network is asked to complete a questionnaire form or provide an email address, home address, fax number or the like. to receive an additional copy of the video containing the program or the supporting program brochure. It is appreciated that the desired data can be retrieved from the profilfl database 122 (note. The network participant can accept (confirm) this retrieved data or modify the data to provide additional information to another person. After the requested data is either input or selected by the network subscriber, the television 350 transmits the requested data to the associated • data connection 341 • * · 9 ♦ 9 9 ► 999 9 · 9 9 9

9 The associated input circuit 320 preferably stores or updates additional subscriber profile information in the additional profile database 286 in accordance with the completed questionnaire form or the required data. Alternatively, the ISP server 110 retrieves the profile data associated with the subscriber from the additional profile database 326 and stores or updates additional subscriber profile information in the additional profile database 326 in accordance with the completed questionnaire form or required data, network subscriber identification and profile information. network subscriber data. It is appreciated that this advantageously enables the present invention to provide a mechanism for communication between a subscriber of an information network. Other means of providing the desired radio button for exclusive dialing, multiple dialing, and the like are also contemplated.

k Interactive and data provider such as control cabinets

It is appreciated that although the network subscriber cannot control the display of the sequence of information in the information window 372 of the monitor 370, the network subscriber may select another program to display in the program window 37.1 by selecting a different broadcast channel using the remote control unit 440 or channel selector 420. each information in the sequence of information may alternatively be characterized as an unsolicited program request (data) from one broadcast station. In other words, the program displayed in the program window 371 represents the requested programs requested by the network participant, while the materials (programs) displayed in the information window 372 represent the unsolicited programs not requested by the network participant. The television reception apparatus 350 automatically tunes the broadcast channel to the desired (selected) program that can be received on that, without informing the subscriber.

»» »9

9 9 ·· ·· »··«

9 · • Φ ··· broadcast channel, to be displayed in information window 372.

The broadcast channels (or broadcast stations) may advantageously be divided into two groups, the tuner 390 being operable to tune the first group of broadcast channels in response to the requested request and the second group of broadcast channels in response to the request. That is, the microprocessor 410 tune the tuner 390 to a second set of transmit responses to the control signal from the remote control unit 440 or from the channel selector 420. Any requested request for a program from the second group of broadcast channels is rejected, and the program window 371 may display a message on the unwanted disallow of channels in such a way that the channel is not available.

When it is determined that the television reception apparatus 350 is to be disconnected from the associated input circuit 320, the associated input circuit 320 generates logout information and stores the information in the session usage database 515. As mentioned hereinabove in relation to the Internet, the logout information may include, but is not limited to, the Logout Time and Logout Date. Each television reception apparatus 350, namely, a microprocessor 410. alternatively, it may generate logout information if the network subscriber disconnects the television 350 from the associated input circuit 320 by turning off the television 350. It is appreciated that each television 350 may generate a logoff time and a logoff date using a virtual clock rather than an internal clock to ensuring accurate and consistent logout information.

Alternatively, the associated input circuit 320 transmits the logout information to the session usage server 510. By analogy to the session usage server 210 in FIG. 1, the session usage north generates session duration information depending on the session. «· 4 * 44 ·· 4 * 4 the saved subscriber login date, the saved subscriber login time, the received log-off date, and the received log-off time. The Session Usage Server 510 updates the session participant session usage record in response to the received logout date, received logoff time, and session duration information and stores the updated session usage record in the session usage database 515. The updated subscriber session usage record may be used together with the subscriber profile data to select a sequence of information for the subscriber. That is, data generated from the current session for the network subscriber can be used to generate a sequence of Information for the next session. Let's notice. that the current session means the simultaneous connection of the subscriber to the associated input circuit 320.

It is appreciated that the television reception apparatus 350 may be disconnected from the associated input circuit 320 due to a malfunction. hardware and software problems. power loss, etc. To account for such disconnections, each television receiving apparatus 350 preferably generates a ping signal at each predetermined interval, e.g., every 5, 10, or 15 minutes, and transmits the ping signal to the associated input circuit 320 is appreciated. wherein the ping signal may include information identifying the source of the ping signal such as network subscriber identification and channel identification showing the selected subscriber channel.

The associated input circuit 320 forwards the ping signal to the session usage database 515. It is contemplated that session usage database 515 stores information regarding the expected time of the next ping signal for each network subscriber. When the television is turned on to connect the associated terminal circuit 320, session usage database 515 sets the expected time of the next ping signal for the subscriber. * Network to the present time plus a multiple number of predetermined ping signal intervals. That is, upon receiving the login information from the television set 350, the session usage database 515 sets the expected time of the next ping signal for the network subscriber.

If the ping signal is received substantially within the expected time from the television reception apparatus 350 (microprocessor 410), then the session usage database 515 updates the expected time of the next ping signal for that network subscriber. Preferably, the associated input circuit 320 may transmit a ping signal to the session usage server 510 which forwards the ping signal to the session usage database 51 for processing and storage. However, if the ping signal is not substantially received from the television receiver 350 within the expected time, then the television receiver is assumed to be disconnected from the associated input circuit 320. The session usage server 510 preferably transmits the disconnect signal to the associated input circuit 320 to disconnect the television reception apparatus 350 from the associated input circuit 320. The session usage server 510 also generates and transmits the logout information for that subscriber to the session usage database 515 to store. It's appreciated. that the disconnect signal and logout information may be generated by the associated input circuit 320 and transmitted to the session use database 515 for storage.

As noted herein above in relation to the Internet, it is appreciated for transmission efficiency and security. that the ping signal is encoded and compressed using standard and compression techniques before that. In such a procedure, the server 510 uses the ping session to decode and decompress the signal before updating the expected time of the next. It may be coded to it. · «To *» this »·· ···········

As mentioned hereinabove in relation to the Internet, since the information displayed to the network subscriber may be advertisements, it may be important to keep track of which ads have been transmitted and displayed to subscribers. This information can be used to directly determine the number of people. who watched a particular ad. It is appreciated that this is comparable to the Nielsen and Arbitron rating scheme for television and radio, except that this technique provides a more accurate and detailed measure of the observation habits of network subscribers. This means that this technique advantageously allows a more precise demographic profile to be developed for each subscriber, allowing advertisers to selectively target their ads more effectively.

Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention determines for each network subscriber which information in the sequence of information was displayed to the network subscriber tone based on the duration of the subscriber session session information and session record stored in the session usage database 515. Saved session participant session duration information or saved logon time, saved logon date. the stored log-off time and the saved log-off date in the subscriber session usage log may be specifically used to determine which information has been displayed on the television 350. The result of this determination may be compiled as a list to provide a list of displayed information. This list of views is then saved to the 525 views database below. It is appreciated that the list of displayed information can be stored in the local storage device 415 (FIG. 5) the television reception apparatus 350 before the list is transferred to the information display database 525. It is also appreciated that this list of displayed information for information is Information or nebo «* * nebo · · · · · nebo · · · · · · · · Each network participant may be a list of information identifications and the duration of information corresponding to the information displayed to that network participant.

In addition, the list of displayed information for each network subscriber may include the identification of the network subscriber and information regarding the display date and time of displaying that particular information in the list of displayed information that has been displayed to that network subscriber. It is also appreciated that the Display Date and Display Time information may be derived from the duration of the subscriber session session information and record stored in the session use database 515, namely, the logon time, logon date, logoff time, and logon date of the subscriber.

The list of displayed information for each subscriber may further include information relating to the location of that television set 350, namely, location identification. The display information list for each subscriber may alternatively be transmitted to the session use server 515, which generates a display information record for each information identification in that display list and stores the display information record in the display information database 525. It is appreciated that the session usage server 510 does not necessarily use all of the information included in the list of displayed information to generate an information display record. The network subscriber information display record can also be used together with the network subscriber profile data to select a sequence of information for the network subscriber. That is, the information displayed to the network subscriber in his / her current session can be used to generate a sequence of information for the next session.

In addition, the present invention keeps track of all linked areas 373 selected (or clicked) by each network participant during the display for each displayed region for each displayed region 373 information to provide identification of the associated area. This information may be used to determine the interest of a network participant in a particular product, company, channel or the like. providing more accurate information about the observation habits of the network participant. This information can also be used to develop a focused advertising strategy in which advertisers can identify network members that may be more likely to be interested in receiving such information. It is appreciated that when each junction area 373 is connected to a particular data provider (i.e., a broadcast station or information server), each junction area identification may represent an identification of the selected data provider.

If it is determined that at least one junction area 373 has been selected by the subscriber, the television receiver 350 associated with the subscriber generates and transmits a mouse click event message packet to the associated input circuit 320. It is appreciated that the television receiver 350 can store the packet mouse click event messages to the local storage device 415 (FIG. 5) before transmitting the mouse click event message packet to the associated input circuit 320. The mouse click event message packet may include the identification of the network member of the television 350. identification of the displayed information, identification of the selected data provider corresponding to the mouse clicked area 373, the date and time when the information was displayed on the television 350 to provide the display date and display time information displayed and location identification of the television receiver 350. television reception apparatus 350 defining a location It is appreciated to generate, display date and display time using a virtual clock rather • · · · * 0 0 0

000 0 ··· «0 0000 000 ne2 of its internal clock to ensure accuracy and consistency of information. It is also appreciated that the mouse click event message packet can be encoded and compressed for transmission efficiency and security before it is sent to the associated input circuit 320.

The associated input circuit 320 forwards and stores the received mouse click event message packet in the mouse click event database 535. Alternatively, the associated input circuit 320 may forward the mouse click event message packet to the mouse click event server 530, which decodes and decompresses the received packet. mouse click event reports and generates a mouse click event report. The mouse click event log is then stored in the mouse click event database 535. It is appreciated that the mouse click event event 530 does not necessarily use all of the information in the mouse click event report packet to generate a mouse click event report. The mouse subscriber record of the network subscriber can also be used, along with the subscriber's profile data, to select a sequence of information for the network subscriber. That is, the information selected by the network subscriber in his / her current session can be used to generate a sequence of information for the next session.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous to maintain monitoring of the broadcast channels selected by the network subscriber to develop a more accurate profile of each network subscriber. This allows advertisers to better select their targeted circuit (network subscribers) to support, advertise, etc. Accordingly, the present invention determines for each network subscriber all broadcast channels selected by that network subscriber and stores the corresponding data provider identifications in the database 545 of the primary reported sessions. that a new broadcast channel is always successfully selected to display a program that can be received on the selected broadcast channel in the viewing window 371. the television reception apparatus 350 associated with the network subscriber may generate and transmit the reported session packet to the associated input circuit 320. It is appreciated that the television receiver 350 may store the reported session packet to the local storage device 415 before transmitting the reported session packet to the associated input circuit 320 The packet of reported sessions may include the subscriber identification of the television reception apparatus 350. the identification of the broadcast channel data provider selected by the network subscriber, the date and time at which the program that can be received on the selected (desired) broadcast channel was displayed on the television 350 to provide the display date and time of the desired program display; devices 350. It is also appreciated that the television receiver 350 can generate a display date and display time using a virtual clock rather than its internal clock to ensure accuracy and consistency of information. It is further appreciated that the packet of reported sessions can be encoded and compressed before it is transmitted to the associated input circuit 320.

The associated input circuit 320 forwards and stores the received reported session packet in the primary reported session database 545. Alternatively, the associated input circuit 320 may forward the reported session packet to the reported session server 540 that decodes and decompresses the received report packet and generates a primary data display record. The primary data view record is then stored in the primary reported session database 545.

The reported session server 540 may also forward a profile data request associated with the network subscriber identification to the input circuit 320. Each input circuit 320 searches its profile database 325 for the required profile data corresponding to the Network Subscriber Identification. When the requested profile data is located by the associated input circuit 320, the associated input circuit 320 forwards the desired profile input data to the reported session server 540. In addition, the reported session server 540 generates a secondary data record by replacing the network subscriber identification information in the primary data record data of profile data information associated with that network subscriber identification. The secondary data view record is then stored in a database of 546 secondary reported sessions. That is, the reported session server 540 may combine information from different databases to generate a customer record. The recording may be e.g. Designed to provide observational habits of network members belonging to a certain demographic group such as married men under the age of 35 with an annual income exceeding $ 100,000 living in Nevz York. It's appreciated. that the reported session server 540 does not necessarily use all the information in the reported session packet to generate primary and secondary views of the data.

The record of the displayed subscriber data may further be used together with the subscriber profile data to select the traced information for the subscriber. That is, the broadcast channels selected by the network subscriber in his / her current session may be used to generate a sequence of information for the next rel.

While the present invention has been detailed and described with reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be readily appreciated that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit '' · ···· ♦ · ♦

9 9 • 99 9 • 99 • 9 · 999 and the scope of the invention. E.g. instead of storing the information in different databases, all the information can be stored in a single database or single storage device. Also information such as mouse click event reports, packet of reported sessions, etc. they may be stored in the network subscriber terminal 130 and the television reception apparatus 350 before being sent to the appropriate database for storage, respectively, through the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 and the associated input circuit 320. This advantageously allows the network subscriber terminal 130 and the television set 350 to queue information and transmit the information in a plurality accordingly to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) server 110 and the associated input circuit 320 during off-peak hours when the network is less congested.

Moreover, instead of storing the profile data and additional profile data in the profile database 325 and the additional profile database 326 associated with each input circuit 320, can the data be stored in a single? a profile database 325 and a single database 326 of additional profiles associated with satellite 310.

Still, it is appreciated that, for the redundancy, it is more reliable that each server and each database can be mirrored to provide information stored and the more robust system in different databases can additionally be backed up in the central database at any predetermined interval or off-peak hours to provide recoverability. efficiency and safety. Alternatively, each database can back up another database so that it is always the primary and secondary databases for any given Information.

It is intended that the appended claims be understood to include the embodiments discussed in all, the various variants described and all equivalents thereof.