System and method for providing targeted advertisements in user requested multimedia content

BACKGROUND

00011. Field

0002This disclosure relates to distribution of targeted advertising content and more particularly to targeted advertisement distribution with multimedia content obtained through the internet.

00032. General Background

0004Advances in television entertainment have been primarily driven by breakthroughs in technology. In 1939, advances on Vladimir Zworykin's picture tube provided the stimulus for National Broadcasting Service (NBS) to begin its first regular broadcasts. In 1975, advances in satellite technology provided consumers with increased programming to homes.

0005Today, the opportunity to distribute television and radio content over the internet is fast becoming a serious consideration. However technology limitations exist in providing a profitable advertising model in distributing television content over the internet. Advertising forms an important part of broadcast programming and radio. The revenues generated from advertisers subsidize, and in some cases pay entirely for, programming received by subscribers. For example, over the air broadcast programming is provided entirely free to viewers and is essentially paid for by the advertisements placed in the shows that are watched. Even in cable television systems and satellite-based systems, the revenues from advertisements subsidize the cost of programming, and were it not for advertisements, the monthly subscription rates for cable television would be many times higher than at present. Radio similarly offers free programming based on payments for advertising.

0006Techniques for inserting pre-recorded messages into broadcast transmission have been known. Generally, broadcast video sources (i.e., TV networks, special interest channels, etc.) schedule their air time with types of information: “programming” for the purpose of information or entertaining, and “avails” for the purpose of advertising. The avails are time slots that may occupy roughly 20-25% of the total transmitting time and are usually divided into smaller intervals of 15, 30, or 60 seconds. Avails are offered based on the target demographics of the end user. These demographic factors advertisers consider in placing an advertisement include location, target audience, and reach.

0007These broadcast content providers either provide their content directly to consumers, or through the use of local affiliates. Avails are thus sold at a national, regional, or local level, either by the content provider or the local affiliate which ultimately airs the content in the local market with the sold avails inserted into the content.

0008Because of the global nature of the internet, the advertising markets of traditional broadcasts are non-existent. Thus because there are no markets, it is difficult to duplicate the existing model of providing avails based on the same demographic information considered in traditional broadcasting. Content providers have thus faced a challenge in distributing their media over the internet, because it has not been possible to duplicate the advertising model of broadcast media over the internet.

0009Because content providers have not been able to duplicate the traditional broadcast model using the internet, content providers have utilized revenue models involving one of three mechanisms for content distribution over the internet: 1) Subscription based, were the content provider charges a monthly fee for content; 2) pay per view, where the content providers charge per each access to content; or 3) global advertising, in which the insertion of an advertisement is non-geographically targeted, and merely tags along with whatever content is distributed. An exemplary attempt to provide an advertisement system for subscriber based systems is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0148625, dated Jul. 29, 2004 by Eldering et al.

0010There are severe limitations to these mechanisms. First, these strategies compete with the content provider's traditional and primary broadcast medium content, where they present a scenario where an undervalued alternative to their content is available and risks eroding viewer-ship and advertising revenue of their traditional broadcast source. Second, the subscription model is adoption-prohibitive, meaning that users are reluctant to pay for content that is available for free in another offline medium.

0011As the proliferation and adoption of broadband internet connectivity continues to increase, and the popularity of streaming media, on-demand viewing, “podcasting” and “vidcasting” continue to expand, content providers are challenged to meet consumer demand and find a profitable business model of internet distribution that complements existing offline broadcast models.

0012Several definitions of terms used in this specification may be helpful to a reader. As used in this specification:

0013“Podcasting” means providing audio files for download from a provider's website via the internet to a user device such as an Ipod or laptop to be played by a user.

0014“Vidcasting” means providing video files for download via the internet from a provider's website to a user device such as an Ipod or laptop for users to play on demand.

0015“Multimedia” and “media” mean any audio data and video data, whether digital or analog, designed to be played together on a user device. “Multimedia” and “media” are used interchangeably in this specification.

0016“Streaming media” means real-time multimedia content transmission to a user device over the internet where the content is immediately played as it is received.

0017“Download” means a data file destined to be fully downloaded to a user device prior to being played on the user device.

0018“User device” means any device capable of playing a multimedia file or files, such as an MP3 video-player, video Ipod, a personal computer, laptop computer, cellular phone, internet connected set-top box, or personal digital assistant (PDA).

SUMMARY

0019The present disclosure provides a solution to the above identified problems and limitations with content provided via the internet as well as achieving other objectives.

0020One embodiment in the present disclosure is a method for providing targeted advertising material in multimedia content to a user device via the internet. This method includes operations of receiving a request for multimedia content from a user device via the internet, determining geo-location information about the user device, and retrieving the requested media content along with user demographic information. The content included user demographic information is combined with the geo-location information about the user device to provide a user profile. Then at least a first advertisement database is queried for advertising material matching one or more characteristics of the demographic information about the user and/or the user profile. If there is a matching advertisement found, the matching advertising material is retrieved from the first database, and inserted into the retrieved media content. The retrieved multimedia content, along with the matching advertising material, is then transmitted to the requesting user device over/through the internet.

0021Preferably the content is broken into segments between which the advertising material is placed. The content may also have empty avail space between each content segment, similar to traditional broadcast method formats. If multiple advertisements are identified, these may be interspersed between the segments of content. The retrieved content and advertising material is then preferably compiled into a single file for transmission via the internet to the requesting user device.

0022The first advertisement database preferably includes advertising material provided by the provider of the media content. A second database may be queried as well, for example, to provide geographically specific advertisements based on the geo-location information about the user's user device. Such a second database would preferably contain advertisements of a content provider affiliate in a local geographic market, such as, for example, Phoenix, Ariz. A third database may also be queried that contains additional advertising material for use where the first and second database advertisements have not preempted the permissible advertising space available with the content. These databases may be integrated into a single database.

0023For example, if no content provider matching advertising material is initially identified that is to be inserted regardless of geo-location, the first database or another database is queried for advertising material matching a geo-location corresponding to the requesting user. The advertising material matching the geo-location of the requesting user is then inserted into the retrieved media content. Finally, the inserted advertising material and media content are preferably compiled into a single file prior to sending the file to the requesting user's device.

0024One embodiment of the disclosure is a system for providing targeted advertising material in multimedia content to a user via the internet in response to a user's request for media content on a content provider's website. This system preferably includes a processing module receiving the user's request for media content from a user device via a content provider's website on the internet, a geo-location module determining geo-location information about the user device, a content retrieval module obtaining the requested multimedia content along with user demographic data provided by the content provider, an advertisement database, a search module searching the database for advertising material matching a characteristic of the demographic information about the user and an insertion module inserting any matching advertising material into the retrieved media content. Finally the system preferably includes a compiler converting the multimedia content and matching advertising material into a single file for transmission to the requesting user device over the internet.

0025In addition, the system preferably includes a transaction module operable to track content download or streaming requests, delivery statistics, and process payment information. Further, the content provider preferably provides, in addition to the content in the content database, limitations as to the type and number of advertisements that may be incorporated into the requested content. The content provider thus preferably can control the total number of ads and the proportion of spot, affiliate and network provided ads that may be incorporated into a particular requested content file being downloaded or streamed to the user's device.

DRAWINGS

0026The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a simplified schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the system in accordance with the present disclosure.

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is simplified block diagram of the operational modules in the system in accordance with the embodiment of the system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref> together form a process flow diagram of one method of operating the embodiment of the system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an exemplary simple composite user profile for an exemplary multimedia content in accordance with the present disclosure.

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a visual representation of the compiled file containing ads and content for download to a requesting user device.

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a simplified process flow diagram of the process for placement of an advertisement to the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a simplified process flow diagram of advertisement identification upon a user's request for content in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a simplified process flow diagram of advertisement placement in content and delivery to a user device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a simplified process flow diagram of a transaction fulfillment process for the requested content in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8 and 9</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0036The operations of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure set forth below may be implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented acts, operations, or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within the computing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance requirements of the computing system implementing the invention. Accordingly, the logical operations making up the embodiments of the present invention described herein are referred to variously as operations, structural devices, acts or modules. It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that these operations, structural devices, acts and modules may be implemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention as recited within the claims attached hereto.

0037All patents, published patent applications and other printed publications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

0038An exemplary embodiment described below enables content providers to distribute their television and radio content over the internet while retaining the profitable and time proven method of market based broadcasting and advertising. This is preferably accomplished by first segmenting the internet audience into localized markets using geo-location technology. This technology may involve triangulation of transmission signals from a user device, or may use a requesting user's device IP address to identify their location in an approximate fashion, for example. This information may also be provided by a content provider's own database of known users that contains geo-location information where available. Secondly, the content provider/owners specifies the target audience information associated with their content, i.e., perceived user demographics (age, income, etc.). This audience information, or user demographics, is combined to yield a user demographic profile that then is used to match advertisements from one or more databases to be inserted into the multimedia content. The content owner/provider also preferably specifies the number of, position of, exclusion of, and selection criteria for advertisements that may be incorporated into its content.

0039A content owner may choose to incorporate their own advertisements (ads), commonly referred to as “commercials”, into the content, or may allow business logic based on the demographics of the requesting user to automatically choose from a localized affiliate database of available commercials or a general posting database of commercials. These latter advertisements are often referred to as “spot” buys.

0040If the content owner selects the second option, i.e., allow automatic business logic to select advertisements, they can control the types of advertisements, advertisers, set the minimum rates per transmission, and control the markets the ads are shown in so a commercial that is unfavorable to their business name is not automatically selected. As an example, a GM ad may not be selected to accompany a show that Ford has produced with CBS.

0041The content provider/owner can also do a blended approach, choosing to run their own ads in certain markets, but, in markets for which they don't have their own ads, they can allow the system to select an advertisement. The uniqueness of this arrangement is that typically content providers and/or content owners, e.g., a broadcast network such as CBS, have local affiliates that control the advertisement buys in their locations. Thus, content providers can provide their own ads, allow their affiliates to provide ads, or buy ads on the “spot” market through the advertisement database in the present disclosure. For example, a CBS affiliate in Phoenix, Ariz. will run Phoenix ads, etc., to user devices in the Phoenix locale. This allows the content provider to distribute content and advertisements that they have booked and that their affiliates have booked, but also allow the system to automatically insert advertisements in localities where they currently have no advertisements booked such as in Paris, France, for example.

0042The content and ads are compiled preferably into a single file—on a transaction basis (as the user requests the file)—and the compiled content can be either downloaded or streamed to the user device. Content owners can distribute their content as a downloadable file or streaming content, transmitted as a live event, archived for on-demand, or timed to play in different time zones.

0043A conceptual block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of the system <b>100</b> in accordance with this disclosure is illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. When a user <b>102</b> requests content from a content owner's website <b>104</b> via the internet <b>106</b> using a user device <b>108</b>, he or she would either click on a hyperlink that points to the server <b>110</b> or activate an embedded video player on the content provider's website <b>104</b> that references the server <b>110</b>. When the request is made the system <b>100</b> first calls a geo-location engine <b>112</b> to determine an approximate location of the user device <b>108</b>. This information may, for example, be obtained from the request header, e.g., the IP address, etc. Concurrently, the system queries a content database <b>114</b> to retrieve the requested multimedia content along with corresponding content, geo-location restrictions, if any, demographic values and content rules, or parameters. These content rules or parameters define the restrictions and rules for advertisement insertions provided by the content provider. Second, the system <b>100</b> analyzes the rules of the content (e.g., whether the system <b>100</b> is to provide an advertisement that has already been predefined by the content owner, select an advertisement from a local affiliate, or select an advertisement automatically from the database <b>116</b>. These parameters and rules also preferably provide bounding criteria for maximum number of advertisement insertions, frequencies, etc.). Third, the system <b>100</b> queries one or more advertisement databases <b>116</b> to retrieve advertisements that match the rules or criteria provided by the content provider, affiliate, and geo-location information for the user device <b>108</b>. Finally, the system <b>100</b> preferably compiles or concatenates the ad(s) and the multimedia content to a single file that is then either streamed or downloaded to the user device <b>108</b>. This is important because there is only 1 file the user streams or downloads, with the advertisements embedded between sequential segments of the content. The end user's user device <b>108</b> may be any device that has the capability of accessing a content provider's website <b>104</b>, such as a laptop, a personal computer, a cell phone, an internet connected set-top box or a PDA. Each of these devices must have a capability of displaying/providing a media player functionality. Multi-media is viewed through a media player. The user <b>102</b> thus can play the file as a multimedia program tailored in a similar manner as if the user <b>102</b> were watching a television or listening to a radio broadcast through traditional broadcast mediums in their specified geographic location.

0044One preferred embodiment of the system <b>100</b> residing on the server comprises a series of interconnected functional software modules as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. Fundamental to the system <b>100</b> are a Geo-location Module <b>202</b>, an Ad Characterization Module <b>204</b>, a Content Characterization Module <b>206</b>, an Advertisement/Media Insertion Module <b>208</b>, a Correlation/Business Logic Module <b>210</b>, and a Delivery Engine Module <b>212</b>. The system <b>100</b> also includes support modules such as a Transaction module <b>214</b>, a Billing Module <b>216</b>, a Reporting Module <b>218</b>, a History Module <b>220</b>, and a Security Module <b>222</b>. Each of these modules interfaces with one or more of the other modules as described below.

0045The Geo-location Engine Module <b>202</b> determines the location of a user's user device, and hence the approximate location of the user. This module may utilize the internet protocol address of the user device, the IP node through which the user device accesses the internet, wireless signal triangulation techniques, or other technique as appropriate to the particular user device. For example, if the user accesses the internet through a cell phone to transmit a content request, a wireless signal triangulation technique may be utilized. In fact, such information may already be encoded into the transmission signal from the cell phone. If the user is accessing the internet through a wireless or wired hotspot or other localized access point, the IP address of the hotspot will most likely suffice to provide geo-location information for purposes of the present disclosure. A precise geo-location of the user device is not generally required. For example, if the user device can be localized to a particular town or city that will generally be sufficient, although precise location information could conceivably be utilized to target very specific advertisements in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, if it were known that the IP address reflected a Starbucks outlet location, a Starbucks advertisement could be given preferential position.

0046The Ad Characterization Module <b>204</b> allows an advertiser to upload or provide their multimedia advertisement along with demographic criteria, and type of advertisement restrictions such as live only, on-demand, timed, or download. The advertisements are stored to one or more advertisement databases generally indicated as database <b>116</b>. This module <b>204</b> also provides posters of advertisements to associate their ads with only certain content producers such as the sponsor network (e.g., CBS).

0047The Content Characterization Module <b>206</b> allows content providers/owners to upload or otherwise provide their multimedia, define and associate demographic information with each item of multimedia content, define the type of content item (e.g., timed, live, on-demand, and, if live or timed, enter date/time data). This module <b>206</b> also provides for placement rules such as the conditions required for ad placement such as requiring exclusion of other identified advertisers, inclusion of certain sets of advertisements, set price requirements for spot placement, associate or place available advertisements, and define limitations on the number and distribution of ads within the specific content item.

0048The Correlation Module <b>208</b> contains algorithms and rules that determine the actual placement of ads into a requested multimedia content item (e.g., provided ads or spot matches with either affiliates or general advertisements).

0049The Insertion Module <b>210</b> operates to concatenate, i.e., link identified and selected ads within a selected content item based on instructions from the correlation module <b>208</b>.

0050The Delivery Engine Module <b>212</b> receives the concatenated multimedia content and compiles the concatenated content preferably into a single file and delivers the final single file through the internet <b>106</b> to the user device <b>108</b> for play by the user <b>102</b>. The Delivery Engine Module <b>212</b> also provides input data to the transaction Module <b>214</b>, the Billing Module <b>216</b>, the history Module <b>218</b>, Reporting Module <b>220</b> and Security Module <b>222</b> described below. Alternatively, the function of compilation may be incorporated into the Insertion Module <b>210</b>. In this instance, the Delivery Engine Module <b>212</b> would simply deliver the final single file and provide input data as above described.

0051The Transaction Module <b>214</b> registers each and every content request/delivery occurrence along with monitoring which advertisements, and how many, were incorporated into the content, and whether the delivery was by download, streaming, live or on-demand.

0052The Billing Module <b>216</b> communicates with the Transaction Module <b>214</b> and facilitates financial tracking, payment, payment of residuals for content downloaded for play, payment requisition, and accounting functions related to each transaction, i.e., content request/delivery occurrence.

0053The History Module <b>220</b> maintains and logs content type, ads sent, and tracks repeat user transactions/occurrences. The data compiled in the History Module may be used to enhance demographic categorizations utilized by the content providers and others tracking trends in usage.

0054The Reporting Module <b>218</b> generates reports for advertisers and content providers on a periodic basis. The transactional modules <b>214</b>, <b>216</b>, <b>218</b> and <b>220</b> may be interleaved into one overall transactional function module rather than being separate as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> since many of their functions are related to tracking and monitoring operation of the system <b>100</b>.

0055The Security Module <b>222</b>, however, is important on several levels. First, the Security Module <b>222</b> preferably provides mechanisms in the downloaded or streamed content to prevent the user <b>102</b> from stripping out embedded advertisements from the multimedia content received in the user device <b>108</b>. Essentially this module prevents unauthorized file tampering and permits only content play on the user device <b>108</b> from which the content was requested. Second, the security module <b>222</b> may provide a mechanism for preventing a user from distorting ad impressions to preclude false billings to the advertisers with consequent inflated payments to the content provider. This module <b>222</b> may also incorporate a digital rights monitoring and tracking function to track ownership of digital material.

0056<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref> together show on a block diagram level, the process flow <b>300</b> of operations in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>.

0057When a user <b>102</b> views a website <b>104</b>, the user is typically presented with a variety of information, choices, links, etc. If and when a user <b>102</b> viewing the website clicks on an item that operates to request an item of content, control transfers to operation <b>302</b> where a media content request is issued from the content provider's server to the system <b>100</b> in accordance with the present disclosure. When the request in operation <b>302</b> is issued, control transfers from the content provider's server in operation <b>304</b> to system <b>100</b>, identity operation <b>306</b>. In operation <b>306</b> the request from the content provider is processed, the user device <b>108</b> type is identified, and a control signal is sent to an appropriate geo-location engine <b>307</b>. The particular engine <b>307</b> that is utilized depends on the type of user device <b>108</b>. Operation <b>306</b> determines which type of engine <b>307</b> is to be used. Engine <b>307</b> is conventional third party software that determines the approximate geo-location of the user device <b>108</b>. For example, a triangulation method may be utilized in engine <b>307</b> where the user device <b>108</b> is a cell phone and sufficient information was included with the request, or by receiving the information from the cell phone provider directly. Alternatively, if the user device <b>108</b> is a laptop connecting to the internet through a web portal, for example, an IP address of the requesting node could be used to localize the request. Once the geo-location engine <b>107</b> returns a geo-location for the user device <b>108</b>, process control transfers to operation <b>308</b>.

0058In operation <b>308</b>, the requested content is retrieved from the content database <b>114</b>. Along with the content, associated rules, parameters and codes are retrieved that define the number and type of advertisements, appropriate user demographics, preferred geo-location, and any other restrictions on ad insertions that may be applied to the particular requested content. Control then transfers to operation <b>310</b>.

0059In operation <b>310</b>, the content metadata retrieved in operation <b>308</b> is combined with the user device <b>108</b> geo-location information determined in operation <b>306</b> to generate a user profile. An example <b>500</b> of such a user profile is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. However, not shown are other parameters particularly associated with the content itself, such as the number of segments that the content may be divided into, the number and location of ads between each segment, etc. That information is tied to the content itself. Control then transfers to operation <b>312</b>.

0060In operation <b>312</b>, a content provider advertisement database is searched to determine if there are any advertisements that match the user profile <b>500</b> developed in operation <b>310</b>. If there are any matching advertisements, these are retrieved and temporarily stored in active memory. Control then transfers to query operation <b>314</b>.

0061In query operation <b>314</b> the question is asked whether there is a content provider's advertisement matches a required number of parameters in the user profile. If the answer is yes, control transfers to operation <b>316</b> where the matching ad or ads are queued for insertion into the requested content, assuming the content parameters permit insertion. On the other hand, if the content provider's ads do not match the required one or more parameters of the user profile, then control transfers to operation <b>318</b> where, if there are any identified default content provider ads identified, these are queued for insertion into the requested content. For example, say a content provider has stored a first advertisement for use whenever that provider's content is requested and a second ad that is to be used only for a user demographic of age 15-25. If, in operation <b>310</b>, the retrieved content is geared for 15-25 year olds, then both of these ads would match, and would be queued for insertion into the content. However, if the content provider had no advertisements in the database to be used in every case, or not enough advertisements, and the user profile associated with the content was age 55+ (such as perhaps a piece from the History Channel content), then no matching ad would be found and a default content provider ad, if any, could be queued for insertion in operation <b>318</b>.

0062Control then passes to operation <b>320</b>. Here a search is made of any content provider affiliate database <b>322</b> based on the geo-location determination back in operation <b>306</b>. A content provider affiliate, for example, might be a CBS affiliate in Phoenix, Ariz., if the content provider is CBS. It should be understood that the advertisement database <b>116</b> may encompass each of the ad databases described herein or each may be separately compiled. Control then transfers to query operation <b>324</b>.

0063In query operation <b>324</b>, the question is asked whether the retrieved affiliate ad or ads match the user profile determined in operation <b>310</b>. If there is a match, control transfers to operation <b>326</b> where the affiliate's ad or ads are queued for embedding in the requested content. If, on the other hand, the user profile does not match the affiliate profile, control passes to query operation <b>328</b> without queuing affiliate advertisements.

0064In query operation <b>328</b>, the query is made whether the retrieved content may contain any more advertisements. If the answer is yes, control transfers to operation <b>332</b>. If the answer is no, control transfers to operation <b>330</b>.

0065In operation <b>332</b>, a database <b>334</b> of available “spot” ads is searched and ads retrieved according to space left available. Preferably spot ads are placed based on a relative level of matching between the ad and the user profile, i.e., a match considering both geographic and demographic. For example, the top level of match may only be 20%. These may alternatively be essentially “filler ads, with no special criteria, except, perhaps, matching geo-location criteria. They are preferably not affiliated in any way with the content provider or its affiliates. Both geo-location information and demographics are preferably considered, however. In sum, preferential treatment is given first to the content provider's own and its affiliate's advertisements before the spot ads. Control then transfers to operation <b>330</b>.

0066In operation <b>330</b>, all of the queued advertisements are embedded in the requested and retrieved content provider's content, in between consecutive content segments defined by the content provider. A visualization example of an item of content <b>600</b> with advertisements interspersed is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. This composite content would be played by a user <b>102</b> on a media player in the user device <b>108</b> after transmission, or during, in the case of streaming media. The composite content <b>600</b> in this illustration has three sequential segments <b>602</b>, <b>604</b> and <b>606</b>. At the beginning a content provider specified ad <b>608</b> is positioned to play first. After content segment <b>602</b> a content provider affiliate advertisement <b>610</b>, for example, an affiliate in Phoenix, is provided. Next a demographic matched advertisement <b>612</b> is followed by another content provider specified advertisement <b>614</b>. The second content segment <b>604</b> is followed by a content provider specified advertisement <b>616</b> and then, finally, a matched geo-location advertisement is placed. This is followed by the final third segment of the requested content <b>606</b>.

0067In operation <b>330</b> this composite content is assembled and compiled into a single file for transmission to the user device <b>108</b>. Control then transfers to operation <b>336</b>. In operation <b>336</b>, the requested file is downloaded, streamed, or otherwise transmitted or queued for transmission to the user device <b>108</b>. In addition, this operation sends data to each of the reporting and transaction modules <b>214</b> through <b>220</b> so that the transaction, i.e., the requested content and its delivery can be tracked and billed to the proper advertisement or content source.

0068Finally, control transfers to operation <b>338</b> where the system <b>100</b> is reset to await another user request from a content provider's website. It should be understood that the operations <b>300</b> may preferably be performed by the system <b>100</b> on distributed machines such that many requests may be simultaneously handled and processed in order to timely meet the demands of users and content providers alike.

0069Further, the sequence of operations <b>302</b> through <b>336</b> may be continuously repeated as needed to maintain a flow of contiguous streaming of compiled files if a user request, for example, is for streaming live broadcast multimedia content. in such a case, near the end of one compiled content file would be a flag or other coded indication to signal compilation of the next file for sequential delivery. For example, if the user <b>102</b> issues a request on a content providers website <b>104</b> to watch MSNBC during Hardball, the system <b>100</b> would compile ads with the MSNBC content file and stream the file to the user device <b>108</b> as above described, and would then repeat the sequence of operations for the next MSNBC program in sequence. Control, in this situation would invoke operation <b>338</b> whenever a termination signal is received from the user device <b>108</b>. If such a termination signal is not received, the stream could continue uninterrupted with the operations <b>302</b>-<b>336</b> in system <b>100</b> repeated as each live broadcast program occurs.

0070<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a block diagram of the ad placement operations that the operator of the system <b>100</b> accomplishes to place an advertisement, i.e., commercial, into the database <b>116</b>, which constitutes an advertisement “buy” function. This ad buy applies as well to database <b>322</b> and <b>334</b>. The process <b>700</b> begins with operation <b>702</b> where the advertisement is provided or accessed for upload into the database. In operation <b>704</b>, the demographics metadata are provided by the advertiser. These metadata may include a geo-location requirement, as well as other demographic information such as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. The selection rules are then set in operation <b>706</b>. These rules govern how, where and when the advertisement is placed in a content file. Next the pricing parameters are set. These pricing parameters may include price limitations depending on the positioning in the content, where the advertisement is placed. For example, a higher price may be charged for ad placement ahead of the first segment of content, or just ahead of the last segment of the content. Finally, the advertisement, along with its associated metadata, rules and limitations, is compiled and queued into the database <b>116</b>. It is to be understood that databases <b>322</b> and <b>334</b> may be incorporated into, and exist as a part of, database <b>116</b> throughout this discussion.

0071<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a summary block diagram <b>800</b> of the system <b>100</b> ad selection function upon receiving a user request for content to determine the ads to be queued. First, a user requests content in operation <b>802</b>. Next, in operation <b>804</b>, the content is retrieved and content ad rules are checked to determine what ads may be compiled with the content, where they are to be placed, and how many ads may be included. Next, in operation <b>806</b>, the databases <b>116</b>, and, if separate, databases <b>322</b> and <b>334</b> are searched. Matching ads are found in operation <b>808</b> and queued for eventual insertion in operation <b>810</b>.

0072<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a summary block diagram <b>900</b> of the system <b>100</b> advertisement delivery function. Once all the advertisements permitted by the content provider to be associated with the requested content are queued, the queued ads, in operation <b>902</b><i>i</i>, are inserted, or otherwise collated, at their requisite segment locations in the content. Then, in operation <b>904</b>, the content and ads are compiled into a single file for delivery to the user device <b>108</b>. In operation <b>906</b>, the ads are viewed by the user <b>102</b> via the user device <b>108</b>, and the completed transaction is logged in operation <b>910</b>. Once the compiled file has been transmitted to the user device <b>108</b>, it is preferably assumed that the content and ads are viewed.

0073<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a summary block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of the transaction fulfillment function <b>1000</b> in the system <b>100</b>. When the content and ads are delivered, and played, (play is assumed), a delivery of each of the advertisements compiled with the transmitted content is logged in operation <b>1002</b>. Then, on a periodic basis, the fee payment required is reconciled in operation <b>1004</b>. When the advertiser submits payment to the content provider, payment is recorded in operation <b>1006</b> and periodically a transaction report generated in operation <b>1008</b>. Finally, the advertiser may update the advertisement metadata in operation <b>1010</b> based on a review of ad placement frequency, changes in perceived demographics, etc.

0074While the apparatus, system and method have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. The system <b>100</b> may be implemented on a variety of hardware/software platforms utilizing a variety of development languages, databases, communication protocols and frameworks as will be evident to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.