U.S. patent application number 15/707103 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-04 for methods and systems for facilitating subsidized access by a user to network content.
This patent application is currently assigned to Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.. Invention is credited to Gilda Majidi, Momin Mirza, Kiran Naiga, Suresh Venkateswaran.
Application Number | 20180007527 15/707103 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58407659 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180007527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Majidi; Gilda ; et
al. |
January 4, 2018 |
Methods and Systems for Facilitating Subsidized Access by a User to
Network Content
Abstract
An exemplary method includes a subsidized access management
system detecting a request provided by a user of an access device
for the user to receive subsidized access to network content,
identifying a plurality of user parameters provided by the user and
that define a plurality of conditions associated with the
subsidized access to the network content and that the user is
willing to experience in order to receive the subsidized access to
the network content, selecting a sponsor from a pool of potential
sponsors and that is willing to sponsor the subsidized access to
the network content in accordance with the plurality of user
parameters, and providing the user with the subsidized access to
the network content by way of the access device in accordance with
a subsidized access arrangement between a subsidized access
provider and the sponsor. Corresponding systems and methods are
also described.
Inventors: |
Majidi; Gilda; (San Jose,
CA) ; Mirza; Momin; (Santa Clara, CA) ; Naiga;
Kiran; (Mountain View, CA) ; Venkateswaran;
Suresh; (Fremont, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc. |
Arlington |
VA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Verizon Patent and Licensing
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
58407659 |
Appl. No.: |
15/707103 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14868569 |
Sep 29, 2015 |
9826379 |
|
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15707103 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0267 20130101;
H04M 15/83 20130101; H04W 4/24 20130101; H04M 2215/0192 20130101;
H04M 15/8083 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/24 20090101
H04W004/24; G06Q 30/02 20120101 G06Q030/02; H04M 15/00 20060101
H04M015/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: detecting, by a subsidized access
management system associated with a subsidized access provider, a
request provided by a user of an access device for the user to
receive subsidized access to network content by way of the access
device; identifying, by the subsidized access management system in
response to the request, a plurality of user parameters provided by
the user that define a plurality of conditions associated with the
subsidized access to the network content and that the user is
willing to experience in order to receive the subsidized access to
the network content; selecting, by the subsidized access management
system based on the plurality of user parameters, a sponsor from a
pool of potential sponsors that is willing to sponsor the
subsidized access to the network content by the user by way of the
access device in accordance with the plurality of user parameters;
and providing, by the subsidized access management system in
response to the selecting of the sponsor, the user with the
subsidized access to the network content by way of the access
device in accordance with a subsidized access arrangement between
the subsidized access provider and the sponsor; wherein the
selecting of the sponsor from the pool of potential sponsors
comprises designating a potential sponsor included in the pool of
potential sponsors that best satisfies a set of sponsorship
criteria provided by the subsidized access provider as the sponsor
that is selected, the set of sponsorship criteria comprising one or
more of a distance of the sponsor from the user, a physical
location of the sponsor, a connection between the sponsor and the
network content, a field of trade of the sponsor, and a correlation
of a user profile associated with the user to demographic
information of the sponsor.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying, by the
subsidized access management system in response to the selecting of
the sponsor, the user that the sponsor has been selected from the
pool of potential sponsors and that the sponsor is willing to
sponsor the subsidized access to the network content by the user by
way of the access device in accordance with the plurality of user
parameters.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the notifying comprises
displaying a notification within a graphical user interface
displayed by way of the access device, wherein the notification
provides confirmation that the subsidized access to the network
content is being sponsored.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein a first display element linked to
the network content and a second display element representative of
a selectable option to request to receive subsidized access to the
network content are concurrently presented within a graphical user
interface that is displayed by the access device, and wherein the
detecting of the request provided by the user comprises detecting
that the user selects the second display element.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the user does not receive the
subsidized access to the network content if the user selects the
first display element without first selecting the second display
element.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting of the sponsor from
the pool of potential sponsors is further based on a real-time
bidding process between two or more potential sponsors within the
pool of potential sponsors that are willing to sponsor the
subsidized access to the network content by way of the access
device in accordance with the plurality of user parameters.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user parameters
provided by the user comprises one or more of a resolution of the
network content that the user is willing to experience in order to
receive the subsidized access to the network content, a maximum
number of content instances that the user is willing to experience
in order to receive the subsidized access to the network content, a
total length of content instances that the user is willing to
experience in order to receive the subsidized access to the network
content, a type of sponsor that the user is willing to have sponsor
the subsidized access to the network content, a specific potential
sponsor that the user is willing to have sponsor the subsidized
access to the network content, and a minimum download speed that
the user is willing to experience in order to receive the
subsidized access to the network content.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the subsidized
access to the network content comprises presenting content provided
by the sponsor together with the network content by way of the
access device in accordance with the subsidized access arrangement
between the subsidized access provider and the sponsor.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving, by the
subsidized access management system in response to the providing of
the subsidized access to the network content to the user, user
feedback related to at least one of the content provided by the
sponsor and the network content; and providing, by the subsidized
access management system in response to the receiving of the user
feedback, the user feedback to the sponsor.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting of the sponsor
from the pool of potential sponsors is further based on a plurality
of sponsor parameters provided by each potential sponsor within the
pool of potential sponsors and that define a plurality of
conditions associated with the subsidized access to the network
content and that the potential sponsor is willing to provide in
order for the user to receive the subsidized access to the network
content.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sponsor
parameters provided by each potential sponsor included in the pool
of potential sponsors comprises one or more of a resolution of the
network content that each potential sponsor is willing to sponsor
during the subsidized access to the network content, a minimum
amount of content instances that each potential sponsor is willing
to provide during the subsidized access to the network content, a
format of the network content that each potential sponsor is
willing to provide during the subsidized access to the network
content, a total amount of data that each potential sponsor is
willing to sponsor during the subsidized access to the network
content, and a maximum sponsorship budget that each potential
sponsor is willing to spend to sponsor the subsidized access to the
network content.
12. The method of claim 1, embodied as computer-executable
instructions on at least one non-transitory computer-readable
medium.
13. A method comprising: detecting, by a subsidized access
management system associated with a subsidized access provider, a
request provided by a user of an access device for the user to
receive subsidized access to network content by way of the access
device; identifying, by the subsidized access management system in
response to the request, a plurality of sponsors from a pool of
potential sponsors and that are willing to sponsor the subsidized
access to the network content by the user by way of the access
device; selecting, by the subsidized access management system, a
sponsor included in the plurality of sponsors and that is a best
match for the subsidized access; and providing, by the subsidized
access management system in response to the selecting of the
sponsor, the user with the subsidized access to the network content
by way of the access device in accordance with a subsidized access
arrangement between the subsidized access provider and the sponsor;
wherein the selecting of the sponsor from the pool of potential
sponsors comprises designating a potential sponsor included in the
pool of potential sponsors and that best satisfies a set of
sponsorship criteria provided by the subsidized access provider as
the sponsor that is selected, the set of sponsorship criteria
comprising one or more of a distance of the sponsor from the user,
a physical location of the sponsor, a connection between the
sponsor and the network content, a field of trade of the sponsor,
and a correlation of a user profile associated with the user to
demographic information of the sponsor.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: identifying, by the
subsidized access management system in response to the request, a
plurality of user parameters provided by the user and that define a
plurality of conditions associated with the subsidized access to
the network content and that the user is willing to experience in
order to receive the subsidized access to the network content;
wherein the identifying of the plurality of sponsors that are
willing to sponsor the subsidized access comprises identifying a
set of sponsors included in the pool of potential sponsors and that
are willing to sponsor the subsidized access in accordance with the
plurality of user parameters, and designating the set of sponsors
as the plurality of sponsors that are willing to sponsor the
subsidized access.
15. The method of claim 13, embodied as computer-executable
instructions on at least one non-transitory computer-readable
medium.
16. A system comprising: at least one physical device that: detects
a request provided by a user of an access device for the user to
receive subsidized access to network content by way of the access
device, identifies a plurality of user parameters provided by the
user and that define a plurality of conditions associated with the
subsidized access to the network content and that the user is
willing to experience in order to receive the subsidized access to
the network content, selects a sponsor from a pool of potential
sponsors and that is willing to sponsor the subsidized access to
the network content by the user by way of the access device in
accordance with the plurality of user parameters, and provides the
user with the subsidized access to the network content by way of
the access device in accordance with a subsidized access
arrangement between a subsidized access provider and the sponsor;
wherein the at least one physical device selects the sponsor from
the pool of potential sponsors by designating a potential sponsor
included in the pool of potential sponsors and that best satisfies
a set of sponsorship criteria provided by the subsidized access
provider as the sponsor that is selected, the set of sponsorship
criteria comprising one or more of a distance of the sponsor from
the user, a physical location of the sponsor, a connection between
the sponsor and the network content, a field of trade of the
sponsor, and a correlation of a user profile associated with the
user to demographic information of the sponsor.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one physical
device notifies, in response to the selection of the sponsor, the
user that the sponsor has been selected from the pool of potential
sponsors and that the sponsor is willing to sponsor the subsidized
access to the network content by the user by way of the access
device in accordance with the plurality of user parameters.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the notifying comprises
displaying a notification within a graphical user interface
displayed by way of the access device, wherein the notification
provides confirmation that the subsidized access to the network
content is being sponsored.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein a first display element linked
to the network content and a second display element representative
of a selectable option to request to receive subsidized access to
the network content are concurrently presented within a graphical
user interface that is displayed by the access device, and wherein
the at least one physical device detects the request provided by
the user by detecting that the user selects the second display
element.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the user does not receive the
subsidized access to the network content if the user selects the
first display element without first selecting the second display
element.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/868,569, filed Sep. 29, 2015, and
entitled "Methods and Systems for Facilitating Subsidized Access by
a User to Network Content," which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] Network service providers (e.g., wireless carriers, Internet
service providers, etc.) often charge users to access network
content by way of the providers' networks based on the amount of
data that the users utilize while accessing the network content.
For example, a network service provider may impose a maximum data
usage amount per billing period (i.e., a data usage quota) with
excess data usage being billed separately, charge a predetermined
amount per unit of data usage (e.g., when a wireless device user is
roaming on another wireless network), or allow a user to pre-pay
for a predetermined amount of data usage.
[0003] Unfortunately, maximum data limits may deter a user from
accessing network content, especially in cases where the user must
budget data usage in order to avoid incurring additional charges.
Many such users may refrain from accessing network content (e.g., a
mobile device application, image content, video content,
advertisement content, and other potentially high-bandwidth network
content) because they do not want access to such content to count
against their predetermined data usage limits and/or because they
do not want to pay for the data used in accessing such network
content.
[0004] Hence, if a user could receive subsidized access to network
content (i.e., if a sponsoring entity were to pay for at least a
portion of the data that is used to access the network content),
many such users would be willing to experience advertisement
content together with the network content, even if the network
content does not normally include advertisements. However, the
quantity, type, and/or duration of advertisements that each user in
a group of users would be willing to experience in exchange for
subsidized access to the network content may vary significantly
from user to user. For example, a first user who is close to
exceeding his or her predetermined data usage limit may be much
more willing to experience a relatively high duration of
advertisement content in order to access network content than a
second user who is not close to exceeding his or her predetermined
data usage limit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments and
are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are
merely examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.
Throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numbers
designate identical or similar elements.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary subsidized access management
system according to principles described herein.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration in which the
subsidized access management system of FIG. 1 is entirely
implemented by a subsidized access provider system according to
principles described herein.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary configuration in which
the subsidized access management system is implemented by a
third-party sponsor management system according to principles
described herein.
[0009] FIGS. 4-8 illustrate exemplary graphical user interfaces
according to principles described herein.
[0010] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary method of facilitating
subsidized access to network content based on user-provided
parameters according to principles described herein.
[0011] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary method of facilitating
subsidized access to network content according to principles
described herein.
[0012] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary computing device according
to principles described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Methods and systems for facilitating subsidized access by a
user to network content are described herein. For example, as will
be described below, a subsidized access management system
associated with a subsidized access provider may detect a request
provided by a user of an access device for the user to receive
subsidized access to network content by way of the access device.
The subsidized access management system may identify a plurality of
user parameters provided by the user and that define a plurality of
conditions associated with the subsidized access to the network
content and that the user is willing to experience in order to
receive the subsidized access to the network content. The
subsidized access management system may select, based on the user
parameters, a sponsor from a pool of potential sponsors and that is
willing to sponsor the subsidized access to the network content by
the user by way of the access device in accordance with the
plurality of user parameters, and then provide the user with the
subsidized access to the network content by way of the access
device in accordance with a subsidized access arrangement between
the subsidized access provider and the sponsor.
[0014] To illustrate, a user may desire to view an online video on
his or her smartphone while the smartphone operates on a mobile
network provided by a mobile network service provider.
Unfortunately, the user may be nearing a maximum monthly data limit
allowed by the user's service contract with the service provider,
and may therefore be reluctant to access the online video. However,
in accordance with the methods and systems described herein, a
"sponsor me" link may be displayed near a link for the online
video. The user may select the "sponsor me" link and then specify
various conditions that the user is willing to experience in order
to receive subsidized access to the online video.
[0015] In response to the user specifying the various conditions
the user is willing to experience in exchange for subsidized access
to the online video, the methods and systems described herein may
select a sponsor that is willing to sponsor the subsidized access
by the user to the online video in accordance with the conditions
specified by the user. The methods and systems described herein may
notify the user that the sponsor has been selected and then provide
the user with subsidized access to the online video in accordance
with a subsidized access arrangement between the subsidized access
provider and the sponsor.
[0016] The methods and systems described herein may allow a
subsidized access provider to facilitate subsidized access to
network content by a user based on user-provided parameters.
Subsidized access to network content may encourage or incentivize a
user to access the network content, thereby providing content
providers and/or their network content with increased exposure,
traffic, and/or revenue. Likewise, subsidized access to network
content may allow a user to experience and enjoy network content
that he or she may not otherwise choose to access due to the
typical data usage charges associated therewith. The subsidized
access provided in accordance with the methods and systems
described herein may also allow a sponsor to provide advertisements
to a captive and willing audience.
[0017] As used herein, "network content" refers to any data,
service, or content (e.g., Internet content) that may be accessed
by way of a network. For example, network content may include, but
is not limited to a website, a network-based application (e.g., an
application configured to be executed by a mobile device), a
network-based service (e.g., an email service, a global positioning
service ("GPS") service, a navigation service, etc.), advertisement
content (e.g., web-based advertisements, banner advertisements,
pop-up advertisements, etc.), media content (e.g., video and/or
audio content), and/or any other type of content accessible by way
of a network as may serve a particular implementation. Network
content to which access is subsidized may be referred to herein as
"subsidized network content," "sponsored network content," and/or
"sponsored data."
[0018] As used herein, a "subsidized access provider" may include
any entity configured to provide one or more network access
services (e.g., wireless data access services) to a user (e.g., a
subscriber) and to facilitate subsidized access to network content
by the user. For example, a subsidized access provider may include,
but is not limited to, a wireless carrier, a wireless network
provider, an Internet service provider, a subscriber television
service provider, and/or any other type of provider of network
access services as may serve a particular implementation.
[0019] As used herein, a "content provider" may include any entity
or person that provides network content for access by a user. For
example, a content provider may be a website provider, a mobile
application provider, etc. In some examples, a content provider may
also serve as a sponsor for the content provider's own network
content. Alternatively, the content provider may not be the same
entity as a sponsor of the content provider's network content.
[0020] As used herein, a "sponsor" may include any entity or person
(e.g., an entity or person other than the subsidized access
provider associated with network content) that may subsidize (i.e.,
pay for all or a portion of) access to the network content. For
example, a sponsor may include, but is not limited to, a website
owner, an application developer, an application provider, an
advertisement provider, and/or a business. A sponsor may sponsor
subsidized access by a user to network content in any suitable
manner. For example, the sponsor may pay for all or part of the
data usage charge associated with the user accessing the network
content in accordance with a subsidized access arrangement between
the sponsor and the subsidized access provider. In this manner, the
user may access the network content for free or at a reduced cost.
A sponsor may additionally or alternatively sponsor subsidized
access by reducing (e.g., eliminating) an amount of data that is
counted against a user's data usage quota while the user accesses
the network content, paying for a refund of all or part of the data
usage charge to the user, and/or paying for an upgrade in a quality
of service (e.g., speed) for the data used to access the network
content free-of-charge to the user.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary subsidized access management
system 100 ("system 100") configured to facilitate subsidized
access by a user to network content. As shown, system 100 may
include, without limitation, a detection facility 102, a subsidized
access management facility 104 ("management facility 104"), and a
storage facility 106 selectively and communicatively coupled to one
another. It will be recognized that although facilities 102-106 are
shown to be separate facilities in FIG. 1, any of the facilities
102-106 may be combined into fewer facilities, such as into a
single facility, or divided into more facilities as may server a
particular implementation.
[0022] Storage facility 106 may maintain subsidized access data 108
generated and/or used by detection facility 102 and/or management
facility 104. For example, as will be described below, subsidized
access data 108 may include, but is not limited to, data
representative of user-provided parameters for receiving subsidized
access to network content, sponsor-provided parameters for
providing subsidized access to network content, a set of
sponsorship criteria, a subsidized access arrangement, tracked data
usage, etc. Storage facility 106 may maintain additional or
alternative data as may serve a particular implementation.
[0023] Detection facility 102 may detect a request provided by a
user of an access device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer,
etc.) for the user to receive subsidized access to network content
by way of the access device. In some examples, the network content
may be associated with (e.g., provided by) a content provider and
maintained by a content provider system that is separate from
system 100. Exemplary manners in which detection facility 102 may
detect the request provided by the user of the access device to
receive the subsidized access to the network content by way of the
access device will be described below.
[0024] Management facility 104 may perform one or more subsidized
access management operations. For example, in response to a request
provided by a user to receive subsidized access to network content
by way of an access device, management facility 104 may identify a
plurality of user parameters provided by the user and that define a
plurality of conditions associated with the subsidized access to
the network content and that the user is willing to experience in
order to receive the subsidized access to the network content. The
plurality of user parameters that define the plurality of
conditions the user is willing to experience may include, for
example, a parameter that specifies a resolution of network content
that the user is willing to experience in order to receive the
subsidized access to the network content, a parameter that
specifies a maximum number of advertisements that the user is
willing to experience (e.g., view and/or listen to) in order to
receive the subsidized access to the network content, a parameter
that specifies a total length of advertisements that the user is
willing to experience in order to receive the subsidized access to
the network content, a parameter that specifies a type of sponsor
that the user is willing to have sponsor the subsidized access to
the network content, a parameter that specifies a specific
potential sponsor that the user is willing to have sponsor the
subsidized access to the network content, and/or any other type of
parameter associated with the subsidized access as may serve a
particular implementation. Various user parameters will be
described in more detail below. Exemplary manners in which
management facility 104 may identify the plurality of user
parameters will also be described below.
[0025] Based on the plurality of user parameters, management
facility 104 may select a sponsor, from a pool of potential
sponsors, that is willing to sponsor the subsidized access to the
network content by the user by way of the access device in
accordance with the plurality of user parameters. In some examples,
as will be described in more detail below, the selection of the
sponsor may also be based on sponsorship criteria provided by the
subsidized access provider, a plurality of sponsor parameters
provided by each potential sponsor within the pool of potential
sponsors, and/or other factors as may serve a particular
implementation. Exemplary manners in which management facility 104
may select the sponsor from the pool of potential sponsors will be
described below.
[0026] Once management facility 104 has selected the sponsor from
the pool of potential sponsors, management facility 104 may provide
the user with the subsidized access to the network content by way
of the access device in accordance with a subsidized access
arrangement between the subsidized access provider and the sponsor.
The subsidized access arrangement may include any suitable
agreement, contract, and/or other arrangement in which the sponsor
has agreed to subsidize access by one or more users to network
content. To illustrate, an exemplary subsidized access arrangement
may specify that a sports equipment company agrees to subsidize
access to an online broadcast of a sporting event by a user who
accesses the broadcast by way of a subsidized access provider's
network in exchange for the sports equipment company providing
advertising content that the subsidized access provider will
transmit to the user. It will be recognized that other subsidized
access arrangements between any type of sponsor and any type of
subsidized access provider may be realized in accordance with the
methods and systems described herein. Exemplary manners in which
management facility 104 may provide the user with the subsidized
access to the network content will be described below.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary configuration 200 in which
system 100 is entirely implemented by a subsidized access provider
system 202. As shown, configuration 200 may also include an access
device 204 (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc.) and a
content provider system 206. Subsidized access provider system 202
is associated with (i.e., located within) a subsidized access
provider network 208-1 and content provider system 206 is
associated with (i.e., located within) a content network 208-2.
Each of these elements will now be described in detail.
[0028] Access device 204 may be configured to facilitate access by
a user 210 to network content associated with (e.g., provided by)
content provider system 206. To this end, as will be described
below, access device 204 may communicate with content provider
system 206 by way of service provider network 208-1 and content
network 208-2. Access device 204 may be implemented by any suitable
access device, such as a mobile or wireless device (e.g. a
smartphone and/or a tablet computer), a personal computer, a
set-top box device, a digital video recorder ("DVR") device, a
personal digital assistant device, a gaming device, a television
device, and/or any other suitable computing device configured to
access network content.
[0029] Subsidized access provider system 202 may be associated with
(e.g., provided and/or managed by) a subsidized access provider
(e.g., a network service provider) and may be configured to provide
one or more network access services (e.g., wireless data access
services) to access device 204. For example, subsidized access
provider system 202 may manage (e.g., track, allow, disallow,
route, etc.) network traffic (i.e., data) that flows through
subsidized access provider network 208-1. To this end, subsidized
access provider system 202 may be implemented by one or more
gateways, routers, servers (e.g., domain name system ("DNS")
servers and/or billing management servers), and/or other network
components as may serve a particular implementation.
[0030] Content provider system 206 may be associated with (e.g.,
provided and/or managed by) any suitable network content provider
and may be configured to provide network content that may be
accessed by access device 204. Hence, content provider system 206
may be implemented by any combination of computing devices (e.g.,
servers) as may serve a particular implementation.
[0031] Access device 204, subsidized access provider system 202,
and content provider system 206 may communicate with one another
using any suitable communication technologies, devices, media, and
protocols supportive of data communications, including, but not
limited to, socket connections, Ethernet, data bus technologies,
data transmission media, communications devices, Transmission
Control Protocol ("TCP"), Internet Protocol ("IP"), File Transfer
Protocol ("FTP"), Telnet, Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP"),
HTTPS, Session Initiation Protocol ("SIP"), Simple Object Access
Protocol ("SOAP"), Extensible Mark-up Language ("XML") and
variations thereof, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol ("SMTP"),
Real-Time Transport Protocol ("RTP"), User Datagram Protocol
("UDP"), Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM")
technologies, Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA") technologies,
Evolution Data Optimized Protocol ("EVDO"), 4G Long Term Evolution
("LTE"), WiMax, Time Division Multiple Access ("TDMA")
technologies, Short Message Service ("SMS"), Multimedia Message
Service ("MMS"), radio frequency ("RF") signaling technologies,
wireless communication technologies (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.),
in-band and out-of-band signaling technologies, and other suitable
communications technologies.
[0032] As shown, access device 204, subsidized access provider
system 202, and content provider system 206 may communicate by way
of service provider network 208-1 and content network 208-2.
Subsidized access provider network 208-1 may include any
provider-specific network (e.g., a wireless carrier network or a
mobile telephone network). Content network 208-2 may include a
content provider-specific network, the Internet, or any other
suitable network associated with content provider system 206. Data
may flow between service provider network 208-1 and content network
208-2 using any suitable communication technologies, devices,
media, and protocols as may serve a particular implementation.
[0033] While two interconnected networks 208-1 and 208-2
(collectively "networks 208") are shown in FIG. 2, it will be
recognized that networks 208 may be combined into a single network
in accordance with the methods and systems described herein.
Likewise, it will be recognized that access device 204 may access
network content by way of more than two interconnected networks in
accordance with the methods and systems described herein as may
serve a particular implementation.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary configuration 300 in
which system 100 is implemented by a third-party sponsor management
system 302 ("third-party system 302"). Third-party system 302 may
perform any operation associated with providing subsidized access
by a user to network content. Hence, third-party system 302 may be
implemented by any suitable combination of one or more computing
devices. For example, third-party system 302 may be implemented by
one or more servers (e.g., proxy servers).
[0035] Third-party system 302 may be managed by a third party
entity separate from the network service provider and the content
provider. In this configuration, third-party system 302 may be used
to provide subsidized access to network content by way of various
different service provider networks (e.g., by way of various
different wireless network carrier networks).
[0036] As shown, third-party system 302 may be communicatively
coupled to both subsidized access provider network 208-1 and to
content network 208-2. However, it will be recognized that
third-party system 302 may alternatively be communicatively coupled
only to (i.e., a part of) either subsidized access provider network
208-1 or content network 208-2.
[0037] In some examples, system 100 is entirely implemented by
third-party system 302. Alternatively, system 100 may be
implemented by third-party system 302 and subsidized access
provider system 202.
[0038] Exemplary manners in which system 100 may facilitate
subsidized access to network content based on user-provided
parameters will now be described.
[0039] As mentioned, system 100 may detect a request provided by a
user (e.g., user 210) of an access device (e.g., access device 204)
for the user to receive subsidized access to network content by way
of the access device. The user may provide the request in any
suitable manner.
[0040] For example, FIG. 4 shows an exemplary access device 400
that a user may use to access network content. As shown, access
device 400 may display a GUI 402 (e.g., a web browser or a mobile
application) within which a display element 404 may be presented.
Display element 404 is linked to network content, which in this
particular example, may include an online video. A user may select
display element 404 to access (e.g., view) the network content.
[0041] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 4, an additional display
element 406 may be concurrently presented with display element 404
within GUI 402. Display element 406 is representative of a
selectable option to request to receive subsidized access to the
network content associated with display element 404. The user may
provide a request to receive subsidized access to the network
content associated with display element 404 by first selecting
display element 406. If, on the other hand, the user were to select
display element 404 without first selecting display element 406,
the user would not receive subsidized access to the network content
and would instead be responsible for any data usage charges
incurred by accessing the network content.
[0042] It will be recognized that the user may provide the request
to receive subsidized access to the network content in any other
manner. For example, the user may select a link for network
content. In response, system 100 may provide a notification to the
user that asks the user if the user wants to receive subsidized
access to the network content. The user may then select an option
displayed within the notification that indicates that the user does
desire to receive subsidized access. However, for purposes of the
examples provided herein, it will be assumed that the user provides
the request for subsidized access to the network content by
selecting display element 406 prior to selecting display element
404.
[0043] System 100 may detect a selection by the user of display
element 406 and, in response, identify a plurality of user
parameters provided by the user and that define a plurality of
conditions associated with the subsidized access to the network
content and that the user is willing to experience in order to
receive the subsidized access to the network content. The user may
provide the user parameters in any suitable manner.
[0044] For example, FIG. 5 shows GUI 402 after the user has
selected display element 406 to receive subsidized access to the
network content associated with display element 404. As shown, GUI
402 has been updated to include various options 502 (e.g., options
502-1 and 502-2) that may be selected by the user in order to
provide the user parameters. For example, option 502-1 shows that
the user has selected "SD" as a resolution of the network content
that the user is willing to experience in order to receive the
subsidized access to the network content. Option 502-2 shows that
the user has selected "three" as the number of advertisements that
the user is willing to experience in order to receive the
subsidized access to the network content.
[0045] Additional or alternative options may be presented within
GUI 402 so that the user may provide additional or alternative user
parameters. For example, an option may be presented within GUI 402
that allows the user to specify a total length of advertisements
(e.g., a total number of seconds and/or minutes) that the user is
willing to experience in order to receive the subsidized access to
the network content. Additionally or alternatively, an option may
be presented within GUI 402 that allows the user to specify a type
of sponsor (e.g., a sponsor that specializes in a particular type
of merchandise or field of trade, a sponsor that provides
kid-friendly advertisement content, etc.) that the user is willing
to have sponsor the subsidized access to the network content.
Additionally or alternatively, an option may be presented within
GUI 402 that allows the user to specify a specific sponsor (e.g., a
particular company) that the user is willing to have sponsor the
subsidized access to the network content. Additionally or
alternatively, an option may be presented within GUI 402 that
allows the user to specify a minimum download speed that the user
is willing to experience in order to receive the subsidized access
to the network content. Additional or alternative user parameters
may be provided by the user as may serve a particular
implementation.
[0046] In the example of FIGS. 4-5, the user provides the user
parameters after he or she provides a request to receive subsidized
access to network content (e.g., by selecting display element 406).
Alternatively, the user may provide the user parameters before he
or she provides the request to receive subsidized access to network
content. For example, the user may specify, at some point prior to
GUI 402 being displayed by access device 400, user parameters that
apply generally to every time the user provides a request to
receive subsidized access to network content. These general user
parameters may be saved and maintained by system 100 in any
suitable manner. For example, the general user parameters may be
maintained as part of a user profile associated with the user and
accessed every time the user provides a request to receive
subsidized access to network content.
[0047] Once the user has provided the user parameters that define
the conditions that the user is willing to experience in order to
receive subsidized access to the network content, the user may
select option 504 to submit the user parameters to system 100.
System 100 may identify the specified user parameters in response
to the user selection of option 504 and use the user parameters to
determine whether there is a potential sponsor included in a pool
of potential sponsors that is willing to sponsor the subsidized
access to the network content by the user by way of access device
400 in accordance with the user parameters. This will be described
in more detail below.
[0048] To facilitate selection of a sponsor that is willing to
sponsor the subsidized access to the network content by the user by
way of access device 400, system 100 may maintain data
representative of a pool of potential sponsors. This may be
performed in any suitable manner. For example, an entity associated
with system 100 (e.g., a subsidized access provider) may enter into
subsidized access arrangements with various potential sponsors. As
mentioned, a subsidized access arrangement may include any suitable
agreement, contract, and/or other arrangement in which a potential
sponsor agrees to subsidize access by one or more users to network
content in accordance with a plurality of sponsor parameters
provided by the potential sponsor. As used herein, "sponsor
parameters" provided by a potential sponsor define a plurality of
conditions associated with subsidized access to network content
that the potential sponsor is willing to provide in order for a
user to receive the subsidized access to the network content.
[0049] To illustrate, FIG. 6 shows an exemplary GUI 600 that may be
presented to a potential sponsor and that may be used by the
potential sponsor to specify a plurality of sponsor parameters
associated with providing subsidized access to network content. GUI
600 may be presented by way of any suitable computing device used
by personnel associated with the potential sponsor.
[0050] As shown, the potential sponsor may utilize option 602-1 to
specify a format of network content that the potential sponsor is
willing to sponsor (e.g., online videos, full websites, specific
objects, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the potential
sponsor may utilize option 602-2 to specify a total amount of data
that the potential sponsor is willing to sponsor during a
particular session in which a user receives subsidized access to
network content. Additionally or alternatively, the potential
sponsor may utilize option 602-3 to identify advertisements that
are to be presented to a user while the user receives subsidized
access that is sponsored by the potential sponsor. Additionally or
alternatively, the potential sponsor may utilize option 602-4 to
specify a maximum sponsorship budget that the sponsor is willing to
spend during a particular session in which a user receives
subsidized access to network content. Additionally or
alternatively, the potential sponsor may utilize option 602-5 to
specify a minimum amount of advertisement content that the
potential sponsor is willing to provide during a particular session
in which a user receives subsidized access to network content.
Additionally or alternatively, the potential sponsor may utilize
option 602-6 to specify a daily time range within which the
potential sponsor is willing to provide subsidized access by a user
to network content. Additionally or alternatively, the potential
sponsor may utilize option 602-7 to specify a resolution (e.g., SD,
HD, etc.) of network content that the potential sponsor is willing
to sponsor during a particular session in which a user receives
subsidized access to network content. Additional or alternative
sponsor parameters may be specified by a potential sponsor in any
suitable manner.
[0051] As mentioned, system 100 may use the user parameters
provided by the user of access device 400 to determine whether
there is a potential sponsor included in a pool of potential
sponsors that is willing to sponsor the subsidized access to the
network content by the user by way of access device 400 in
accordance with the user parameters. This may be performed in any
suitable manner. For example, system 100 may compare the user
parameters provided by the user with different sets of sponsor
parameters provided by the various sponsors included in the pool of
potential sponsors. Based on the comparison, system 100 may
identify a sponsor included in the pool of potential sponsors whose
sponsor parameters match up with the user parameters. In other
words, system 100 may identify a sponsor whose sponsor parameters
indicate that the sponsor is willing to sponsor the subsidized
access to the network content by the user by way of access device
400 in accordance with the user parameters. In this manner, the
selection of the sponsor may be based on both the user parameters
and the sponsor parameters.
[0052] In some examples, the selection of the sponsor may be
further based on a set of sponsorship criteria provided by the
subsidized access provider. For example, system 100 may initially
identify a plurality of sponsors whose respective sponsor
parameters indicate that each of the plurality of sponsors are
willing to sponsor the subsidized access to the network content by
the user by way of access device 400 in accordance with the user
parameters. In this scenario, system 100 may designate a particular
sponsor included in the plurality of identified sponsors and that
best satisfies a set of sponsorship criteria provided by the
subsidized access provider as the sponsor that is ultimately
selected to sponsor the subsidized access by the user to the
network content.
[0053] As used herein, "sponsorship criteria" refers to any factor
specified by the subsidized access provider associated with system
100 and that may assist in selecting, from a plurality of sponsors
that are willing to sponsor subsidized access by a user to network
content, a particular sponsor as the sponsor that will actually
sponsor the subsidized access by the user to the network content.
For example, the sponsorship criteria may include a distance of the
sponsor from the user, a physical location of the sponsor, a
connection between the sponsor and the network content, a field of
trade of the sponsor, a correlation of a user profile associated
with the user to demographic information of the sponsor, and/or any
other criterion as may serve a particular implementation.
[0054] To illustrate, a user may request subsidized access to a
streaming video of a local sporting event. System 100 may determine
that multiple potential sponsors are willing to provide the
subsidized access in accordance with user parameters provided by
the user. In this scenario, system 100 may determine which sponsor
included in the multiple potential sponsors best satisfies one or
more sponsorship criteria provided by the subsidized access
provider. For example, system 100 may determine that a particular
sponsor is closer in distance to the user than the other sponsors
and accordingly select the particular sponsor as the sponsor that
will sponsor the subsidized access by the user to the streaming
video. Alternatively, system 100 may determine that a field of
trade of a particular sponsor is most related to the streaming
video of the local sporting event and accordingly select the
particular sponsor as the sponsor that will sponsor the subsidized
access by the user to the streaming video. For example, system 100
may select a sporting goods store as the sponsor for the subsidized
access by the user to the streaming video based on the sporting
goods store's connection to the local sporting event.
[0055] System 100 may additionally or alternatively select a
particular sponsor from a plurality of potential sponsors that are
all willing to sponsor the subsidized access to the network content
by the user in any other suitable manner. For example, system 100
may conduct a real-time bidding process between the plurality of
potential sponsors. The real-time bidding process may be performed
by system 100 in any manner as may serve a particular
implementation. For example, the real-time bidding process may
include an auction conducted by system 100 wherein system 100
selects a particular sponsor that is willing to pay the subsidized
access provider the most amount of money in order to be selected as
the sponsor for the subsidized access.
[0056] In some examples, the user does not have to provide user
parameters in order to receive subsidized access to network content
by way of an access device. For example, the user may simply
provide a request, in any of the ways described herein, for the
user to receive subsidized access to network content by way of an
access device. In response, system 100 may identify a plurality of
sponsors from a pool of potential sponsors and that are willing to
sponsor the subsidized access to the network content by the user by
way of the access device. System 100 may then select a sponsor
included in the plurality of sponsors and that is a best match for
the subsidized access. System 100 may then provide, in response to
selecting the sponsor that is the best match, the user with the
subsidized access to the network content by way of the access
device in accordance with a subsidized access arrangement between
the subsidized access provider and the sponsor.
[0057] System 100 may select a sponsor that is a "best match" for
subsidized access by a user to network content in any suitable
manner. For example, as described above, system 100 may conduct a
real-time bidding process between the plurality of potential
sponsors and select a sponsor that is a highest bidder from among
the plurality of sponsors. System 100 may then designate the
sponsor that is the highest bidder as the sponsor that is the best
match for the subsidized access. Additionally or alternatively,
system 100 may select a sponsor that is a best match for subsidized
access by a user to network content by selecting a particular
sponsor that has the most relevant advertisement content with
respect to the network content, a particular sponsor that is
willing to sponsor the subsidized access with the least amount of
advertisement time, etc. The selection of the sponsor that is the
best match may, in some examples, also be based on user parameters
provided by the user, as described herein.
[0058] In some examples, in response to a sponsor being selected to
sponsor the subsidized access to the network content by the user by
way of access device 400, system 100 may notify the user that the
sponsor has been selected. This may be performed in any suitable
manner. For example, system 100 may display, within GUI 402, a
notification that provides confirmation that the subsidized access
to the network content is being sponsored.
[0059] To illustrate, FIG. 7 shows GUI 402 after system 100 has
selected a sponsor to sponsor access by the user to the network
content associated with display element 404. As shown, GUI 402
includes a notification 702 displayed therein. Notification 702
indicates to the user that a sponsor named "Bill's Hardware Store"
has been selected as the sponsor for subsidized access to the
network content associated with display element 404. It will be
recognized that notification 702 may include additional or
alternative information as may serve a particular implementation.
For example, notification 702 may indicate what type of subsidized
access is being provided (e.g., that the sponsor is subsidizing all
or part of the access by the user to the network content). In some
examples, the user may select an option 704 provided within
notification 702 in order to cancel the sponsorship and revert back
to unsubsidized access to the network content.
[0060] Once a sponsor has been selected to sponsor the subsidized
access to the network content by the user by way of access device
400, system 100 may provide the user with the subsidized access to
the network content by way of access device 400 in accordance with
a subsidized access arrangement between the subsidized access
provider and the sponsor. This may be performed in any suitable
manner. For example, system 100 may collect payment from the
sponsor to cover the subsidized access in accordance with one or
more terms specified in the subsidized access arrangement between
the subsidized access provider and the sponsor.
[0061] In some examples, system 100 may provide the user with the
subsidized access to the network content by way of access device
400 by presenting advertising content provided by the sponsor
together with the network content by way of access device 400 in
accordance with the subsidized access arrangement between the
subsidized access provider and the sponsor. The advertisement
content maybe presented together with the network content in any
suitable manner. For example, user may be required to view (or
otherwise experience) the advertising content before being able to
access the network content that is being subsidized. In other
examples, advertising content may be displayed within GUI 402
during or after the time that the user accesses the network content
that is being subsidized. For example, a logo associated with the
sponsor may be overlaid on top of the network content while the
network content is being accessed by the user.
[0062] In some examples, the user may be required to answer
questions and/or provide any other type of user feedback related to
the advertising content and/or the network content in order to
receive the subsidized access to the network content. System 100
may receive the user feedback and, in some examples, forward the
user feedback to the sponsor.
[0063] In some examples, system 100 may be unable to identify a
sponsor that is willing to sponsor subsidized access by a user to
network content in accordance with user parameters provided by the
user. For example, the user may provide user parameters that are
not acceptable to any sponsor included in the pool of potential
sponsors. In this case, system 100 may notify the user that no
sponsor is willing to sponsor subsidized access to the network
content. Additionally or alternatively, system 100 may provide the
user with a counter-offer for sponsorship. The user may accept the
counter-offer in order to receive subsidized access to the network
content.
[0064] For example, the user may provide a user parameter that the
user is only willing to experience ten seconds of advertisement
content in exchange for subsidized access to a particular instance
of network content. System 100 may determine that no sponsor
included in the pool of potential sponsors is willing to sponsor
subsidized access for only ten seconds of advertisement content.
However, system 100 may identify a particular sponsor that is
willing to sponsor the subsidized access in exchange for thirty
seconds of advertisement content. Accordingly, system 100 may
provide the user with a counter-offer that indicates that the
particular sponsor is willing to sponsor subsidized access to the
network content if the user is willing to experience thirty seconds
(instead of ten seconds) of advertisement content.
[0065] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary notification 802 that may be
displayed within GUI 402 and that may include the counter-offer
described above. As shown, notification 802 indicates to the user
that system 100 could not identify a sponsor willing to meet the
user parameters originally input by the user. Notification 802
further provides the user with a counter-offer that indicates that
a particular sponsor named "ACME Food Store" is willing to sponsor
subsidized access to the network content if the user is willing to
experience thirty seconds of advertisement content instead of ten
seconds as originally proposed by the user. As shown, notification
802 includes an "accept" option 804 that the user may select in
order to accept the counter-offer and a "decline" option 806 that
the user may select in order to decline the counter-offer.
[0066] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary method 900 of facilitating
subsidized access to network content based on user-provided
parameters. While FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary operations according
to one embodiment, other embodiments may omit, add to, reorder,
and/or modify any of the operations shown in FIG. 9. One or more of
the operations shown in FIG. 9 may be performed by system 100
and/or any implementation thereof.
[0067] In operation 902, a subsidized access management system
detects a request provided by a user of an access device for the
user to receive subsidized access to network content by way of the
access device. As described above, the network content is
associated with a content provider and maintained by a content
provider system. Operation 902 may be performed in any of the ways
described herein.
[0068] In operation 904, the subsidized access management system
identifies a plurality of user parameters provided by the user and
that define a plurality of conditions associated with the
subsidized access to the network content and that the user is
willing to experience in order to receive the subsidized access to
the network content. Operation 904 may be performed in any of the
ways described herein.
[0069] In operation 906, the subsidized access management system
selects a sponsor from a pool of potential sponsors that is willing
to sponsor the subsidized access to the network content in
accordance with the plurality of user parameters. Operation 906 may
be performed in any of the ways described herein.
[0070] In operation 908, the subsidized access management system
provides the user with the subsidized access to the network content
by way of the access device in accordance with a subsidized access
arrangement between the subsidized access provider and the sponsor.
Operation 908 may be performed in any of the ways described
herein.
[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary method 1000 of facilitating
subsidized access to network content. While FIG. 10 illustrates
exemplary operations according to one embodiment, other embodiments
may omit, add to, reorder, and/or modify any of the operations
shown in FIG. 10. One or more of the operations in FIG. 10 may be
performed by system 100 and/or any implementation thereof.
[0072] In operation 1002, a subsidized access management system
associated with a subsidized access provider detects a request
provided by a user of an access device for the user to receive
subsidized access to network content by way of the access device.
As described above, the network content may be provided by a
content provider and maintained by a content provider server.
Operation 1002 may be performed in any of the ways described
herein.
[0073] In operation 1004, the subsidized access management system
identifies, in response to the request, a plurality of sponsors
from a pool of potential sponsors and that are willing to sponsor
the subsidized access to the network content by the user by way of
the access device. Operation 1004 may be performed in any of the
ways described herein.
[0074] In operation 1006, the subsidized access management system
selects a sponsor included in the plurality of sponsors and that is
a best match for the subsidized access. Operation 1006 may be
performed in any of the ways described herein.
[0075] In operation 1008, the subsidized access management system
provides, in response to the selecting of the sponsor, the user
with the subsidized access to the network content by way of the
access device in accordance with a subsidized access arrangement
between the subsidized access provider and the sponsor. Operation
1008 may be performed in any of the ways described herein.
[0076] In certain embodiments, one or more of the systems,
components, and/or processes described herein may be implemented
and/or performed by one or more appropriately configured computing
devices. To this end, one or more of the systems and/or components
described above may include or be implemented by any computer
hardware and/or computer-implemented instructions (e.g., software)
embodied on at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium
configured to perform one or more of the processes described
herein. In particular, system components may be implemented on one
physical computing device or may be implemented on more than one
physical computing device. Accordingly, system components may
include any number of computing devices, and may employ any of a
number of computer operating systems.
[0077] In certain embodiments, one or more of the processes
described herein may be implemented at least in part as
instructions embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium
and executable by one or more computing devices. In general, a
processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, from a
non-transitory computer-readable medium, (e.g., a memory, etc.),
and executes those instructions, thereby performing one or more
processes, including one or more of the processes described herein.
Such instructions may be stored and/or transmitted using any of a
variety of known computer-readable media.
[0078] A computer-readable medium (also referred to as a
processor-readable medium) includes any non-transitory medium that
participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be
read by a computer (e.g., by a processor of a computer). Such a
medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to,
non-volatile media, and/or volatile media. Non-volatile media may
include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other
persistent memory. Volatile media may include, for example, dynamic
random access memory ("DRAM"), which typically constitutes a main
memory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for
example, a disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic
medium, a compact disc read-only memory ("CD-ROM"), a digital video
disc ("DVD"), any other optical medium, random access memory
("RAM"), programmable read-only memory ("PROM"), electrically
erasable programmable read-only memory ("EPROM"), FLASH-EEPROM, any
other memory chip or cartridge, or any other tangible medium from
which a computer can read.
[0079] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary computing device 1100 that
may be specifically configured to perform one or more of the
processes described herein. As shown in FIG. 11, computing device
1100 may include a communication interface 1102, a processor 1104,
a storage device 1106, and an input/output ("I/O") module 1108
communicatively connected via a communication infrastructure 1110.
While an exemplary computing device 1100 is shown in FIG. 11, the
components illustrated in FIG. 11 are not intended to be limiting.
Additional or alternative components may be used in other
embodiments. Components of computing device 1100 shown in FIG. 11
will now be described in additional detail.
[0080] Communication interface 1102 may be configured to
communicate with one or more computing devices. Examples of
communication interface 1102 include, without limitation, a wired
network interface (such as a network interface card), a wireless
network interface (such as a wireless network interface card), a
modem, an audio/video connection, and any other suitable
interface.
[0081] Processor 1104 generally represents any type or form of
processing unit capable of processing data or interpreting,
executing, and/or directing execution of one or more of the
instructions, processes, and/or operations described herein.
Processor 1104 may direct execution of operations in accordance
with one or more applications 1112 or other computer-executable
instructions such as may be stored in storage device 1106 or
another computer-readable medium.
[0082] Storage device 1106 may include one or more data storage
media, devices, or configurations and may employ any type, form,
and combination of data storage media and/or device. For example,
storage device 1106 may include, but is not limited to, a hard
drive, network drive, flash drive, magnetic disc, optical disc,
RAM, dynamic RAM, other non-volatile and/or volatile data storage
units, or a combination or sub-combination thereof. Electronic
data, including data described herein, may be temporarily and/or
permanently stored in storage device 1106. For example, data
representative of one or more executable applications 1112
configured to direct processor 1104 to perform any of the
operations described herein may be stored within storage device
1106. In some examples, data may be arranged in one or more
databases residing within storage device 1106.
[0083] I/O module 1108 may be configured to receive user input and
provide user output and may include any hardware, firmware,
software, or combination thereof supportive of input and output
capabilities. For example, I/O module 1108 may include hardware
and/or software for capturing user input, including, but not
limited to, a keyboard or keypad, a touch screen component (e.g.,
touch screen display), a receiver (e.g., an RF or infrared
receiver), and/or one or more input buttons.
[0084] I/O module 1108 may include one or more devices for
presenting output to a user, including, but not limited to, a
graphics engine, a display (e.g., a display screen), one or more
output drivers (e.g., display drivers), one or more audio speakers,
and one or more audio drivers. In certain embodiments, I/O module
1108 is configured to provide graphical data to a display for
presentation to a user. The graphical data may be representative of
one or more graphical user interfaces and/or any other graphical
content as may serve a particular implementation.
[0085] In some examples, any of the facilities described herein may
be implemented by or within one or more components of computing
device 1100. For example, one or more applications 1112 residing
within storage device 1106 may be configured to direct processor
1104 to perform one or more processes or functions associated with
detection facility 102 and management facility 104. Likewise,
storage facility 106 may be implemented by or within storage device
1106.
[0086] To the extent the aforementioned embodiments collect, store,
and/or employ personal information provided by individuals, it
should be understood that such information shall be used in
accordance with all applicable laws concerning protection of
personal information. Additionally, the collection, storage, and
use of such information may be subject to consent of the individual
to such activity, for example, through well known "opt-in" or
"opt-out" processes as may be appropriate for the situation and
type of information. Storage and use of personal information may be
in an appropriately secure manner reflective of the type of
information, for example, through various encryption and
anonymization techniques for particularly sensitive
information.
[0087] In the preceding description, various exemplary embodiments
have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes
may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented,
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in
the claims that follow. For example, certain features of one
embodiment described herein may be combined with or substituted for
features of another embodiment described herein. The description
and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *