U.S. patent application number 16/125730 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-03 for method for advertisers to sponsor broadcasts without commercials.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert M. Zeidman. Invention is credited to Robert M. Zeidman.
Application Number | 20190007749 16/125730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44816836 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190007749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zeidman; Robert M. |
January 3, 2019 |
METHOD FOR ADVERTISERS TO SPONSOR BROADCASTS WITHOUT
COMMERCIALS
Abstract
A system and method that allows content to be broadcast without
commercial interruption, yet lets the company or companies that
sponsor the broadcast to offer advertisements and discounts and
various special offers to the viewers at a later time. The amount
of time a viewer spends watching a particular broadcast is recorded
along with information about the sponsoring companies or
organizations for the broadcast. The viewer later accesses a
central database, which sends back to the viewer advertisements,
coupons, discounts, contests, and other enticements to purchase
products, based on the amount of time the viewer spent watching
broadcasts or segments of broadcasts that were sponsored by the
advertiser.
Inventors: |
Zeidman; Robert M.;
(Cupertino, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zeidman; Robert M. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44816836 |
Appl. No.: |
16/125730 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13632574 |
Oct 1, 2012 |
10116999 |
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16125730 |
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|
09767819 |
Jan 22, 2001 |
8316390 |
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13632574 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1454 20130101;
H04L 41/22 20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; G09G 2340/0407 20130101;
G09G 2340/045 20130101; G06F 3/1423 20130101; G06Q 30/0207
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/81 20060101
H04N021/81; G06Q 30/02 20060101 G06Q030/02; H04L 12/24 20060101
H04L012/24; G06F 3/14 20060101 G06F003/14 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a broadcast
corresponding to a user identifier using a video receiver of a
viewer system, the broadcast including embedded information and
content; identifying embedded information in the broadcast using a
decoder of the viewer system; extracting the content from the
broadcast and splitting the extracted content from the embedded
information using the decoder, the embedded information being one
or more data packets inserted into the broadcast with a frame of
content; sending the extracted content to a display device of the
viewer system using the decoder; storing the embedded information
in a data storage device of the viewer system using the decoder;
incrementing a viewing counter using the decoder to record viewing
information corresponding to an amount of time the content is
viewed; transmitting the user identifier and the viewing
information to a server using a transmitter of the viewer system;
and receiving an enticement based on the user identifier and the
viewing information using the viewer system, the enticement
corresponding to a sponsor of the content.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user
identifier is a serial number.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the viewer
system is of a type from the group consisting of: an
Internet-enabled television and a computer.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
enticement is received from the server.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
enticement is received from a second server.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a period of
time elapses before the transmitter of the viewer system transmits
the user identifier and the viewing information to the server.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a period of
time elapses before the viewer system receives the enticement.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the decoder
sends the extracted content to the display device of the viewer
system without commercial interruption.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the viewing
information includes an amount of time the content is sent to the
display device of the viewer system.
10. A viewer system comprising: a display device; a data storage
device; a video receiver for receiving a broadcast corresponding to
a user identifier, the broadcast including embedded information and
content; a decoder for identifying embedded information in the
broadcast, the decoder for extracting the content from the
broadcast and for splitting the extracted content from the embedded
information, the embedded information being one or more data
packets inserted into the broadcast with a frame of content, the
decoder for sending the extracted content to the display device,
the decoder for storing the embedded information in the data
storage device, the decoder for incrementing a viewing counter for
recording viewing information corresponding to an amount of time
the content is viewed; and a network connection for transmitting
the user identifier and the viewing information to a server, the
network connection for receiving an enticement based on the user
identifier and the viewing information, the enticement
corresponding to a sponsor of the content.
11. The viewer system of claim 10, wherein the user identifier is a
serial number.
12. The viewer system of claim 10, wherein the viewer system is of
a type from the group consisting of: an Internet-enabled television
and a computer.
13. The viewer system of claim 10, wherein the enticement is
received from the server.
14. The viewer system of claim 10, wherein the enticement is
received from a second server.
15. The viewer system of claim 10, wherein a period of time elapses
before the user identifier and the viewing information is
transmitted to the server.
16. The viewer system of claim 10, wherein a period of time elapses
before the enticement is received.
17. The viewer system of claim 10, wherein the content is sent to
the display device of the viewer system without commercial
interruption.
18. The viewer system of claim 10, wherein the viewing information
includes an amount of time the content is sent to the display
device of the viewer system.
19. A computer-implemented method comprising: combining content
with embedded information in a broadcast using a multiplexer, the
multiplexer inserting the embedded information into the broadcast
at pre-defined intervals throughout the broadcast; transmitting the
broadcast using a transmitter to a viewer system corresponding to a
user identifier, the broadcast including the embedded information
and the content; receiving from the viewer system via a network
connection, the user identifier and viewing information, the
viewing information corresponding to an amount of time the content
is viewed at the viewer system; retrieving user information
associated with the user identifier using a data processor;
searching a database using the data processor for an enticement
based on the user information and the viewing information, the
enticement corresponding to a sponsor of the content; and
transmitting the enticement to the viewer system via the network
connection.
20. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the user
identifier is a serial number.
21. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the viewer
system is of a type from the group consisting of: an
Internet-enabled television and a computer.
22. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, further comprising
storing user information and enticement information in the
database.
23. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, further comprising
causing the content of the broadcast to be presented on a display
device of the viewer system.
24. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the
broadcast is transmitted without commercial interruption.
25. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein
transmitting the enticement occurs at a later time relative to
transmitting the broadcast.
26. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein searching
the database for the enticement is further based on the amount of
time the content was viewed at the viewer system.
27. A system comprising: a multiplexer for combining content with
embedded information in a broadcast, the multiplexer for inserting
the embedded information into the broadcast at pre-defined
intervals throughout the broadcast; a transmitter for transmitting
the broadcast to a viewer system corresponding to a user
identifier, the broadcast including the embedded information and
the content; a network connection for receiving, from the viewer
system, the user identifier and viewing information, the viewing
information corresponding to an amount of time the content is
viewed at the viewer system; a data processor for retrieving user
information associated with the user identifier, and for searching
a database for an enticement based on the user information and the
viewing information, the enticement corresponding to a sponsor of
the content; and the network connection for transmitting the
enticement to the viewer system.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein the user identifier is a serial
number.
29. The system of claim 27, wherein the viewer system is of a type
from the group consisting of: an Internet-enabled television and a
computer.
30. The system of claim 27, wherein the database stores user
information and enticement information.
31. The system of claim 27, wherein the multiplexer configures the
content of the broadcast to be presented on a display device of the
viewer system.
32. The system of claim 27, wherein the transmitter transmits the
broadcast without commercial interruption.
33. The system of claim 27, wherein the network connection
transmits the enticement at a later time relative to transmitting
the broadcast.
34. The system of claim 27, wherein the data processor searches the
database for the enticement based on the amount of time the content
was viewed at the viewer system.
Description
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation patent application of co-pending
patent application Ser. No. 13/632,574, filed Oct. 1, 2012; which
is a continuation patent application of patent application Ser. No.
09/767,819; filed Jan. 22, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,316,390 by the
same applicant. This present patent application draws priority from
the referenced patent applications. The entire disclosure of the
referenced patent applications is considered part of the disclosure
of the present application and is hereby incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Television shows on network stations are broadcast to
viewers throughout the world at very little cost to the viewer. The
production and transmission costs of these broadcasts are typically
supported by corporations that interrupt the broadcasts at regular
intervals with advertisement, called commercials. As production
costs increase, network television shows have less and less content
while the viewing time is taken up by commercials. These
commercials break up the shows, making the viewing experience less
enjoyable and informative. These interruptions have not allowed
television viewing to reach its potential and have created much
competition from pay-per-view stations, video and DVD rental
stores, and movie theaters. If it were not for these commercial
interruptions, television viewing would be much greater. If
television viewing could be increased while still allowing
corporations to sponsor content, network broadcasters would be much
happier and would be able to compete better against other forms of
entertainment and education. If corporations could still attract
customers by sponsoring shows, they would have no objection to
eliminating commercials, especially if it resulted in more
television viewers and more customers.
[0003] Other means of broadcasting content are now becoming
available on the Internet. Methods are being studied and tested for
sponsoring these broadcasts. A method that allows companies to
sponsor broadcasts while avoiding commercial interruptions is ideal
for the broadcaster and for the viewer. As long as a sponsoring
corporation is still able to turn viewers into customers, the
corporation will be amenable to the new method, especially if it
results in more customers than a standard broadcast that is
interrupted by commercials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention allows content to be broadcast without
commercial interruption, yet lets the company or companies that
sponsor the broadcast to offer advertisements and discounts and
various special offers to the viewers at a later time of their own
choosing. In this application, the terms "broadcast" encompasses
all forms of transmitting media content over a WAN to an end user,
including radio wave broadcasts such as network television and
network radio broadcasts, cable broadcasts such as cable
television, and streaming media broadcasts such as video and audio
over an Internet connection that may be via telephone lines,
television cables, radio waves, etc.
[0005] The invention provides a method and apparatus for recording
the amount of time spent watching a particular broadcast. The
invention also provides a method and apparatus for recording the
sponsoring companies or organizations for each broadcast. The
invention provides a method and apparatus for the viewer to access
a central database at any time, which provides advertisements,
coupons, discounts, contests, and other enticements to purchase
products, based on the amount of time the viewer spent watching
broadcasts that were sponsored by the advertiser.
[0006] In one embodiment, the user watches an Internet connected
television. At various regular intervals, such as the vertical
blanking interval of the television signal, HTTP protocol
communications from a Web server are sent to the television, which
places a cookie or updates an existing cookie on the television
hard drive. This cookie contains information including the time of
day, the television channel, the name of the television show, and
each sponsor of the show. At a later time, of the viewer's
choosing, the viewer can use the Internet connected television to
connect to a website. This website can belong to the television
network or a particular sponsor or a central clearing house for
coupons. When connecting to the website, using the standard HTTP
protocol, the website examines the cookie and retrieves the
information in it. Each sponsor can then offer advertisements,
coupons, discounts, and other enticements to purchase goods based
on the amount of time the viewer spent watching a sponsored
broadcast.
[0007] In a second embodiment, the user watches an Internet
connected television. At various regular intervals, such as the
vertical blanking interval of the television signal, data is sent
to a centralized database for the network or the sponsor or a
clearinghouse for coupons. The data contain information including
the time of day, the television channel, the name of the television
show, and each sponsor of the show. The data also contain a user
identifier such as a name, user ID, or television serial number. At
a later time, of the viewer's choosing, the viewer can use the
Internet connected television to connect to a website that has
access to the central database. This website can belong to the
television network or a particular sponsor or a central clearing
house for coupons. When connecting to the website, using the
standard HTTP protocol, the user identifier is sent to the website
which then examines the central database and retrieves the
information in it for this particular user. Each sponsor can then
offer advertisements, coupons, discounts, and other enticements to
purchase goods based on the amount of time the viewer spent
watching a sponsored broadcast.
[0008] In a third embodiment, the user watches a streaming media
broadcast from a Web server using a computer with an Internet
connection. At various regular intervals during the broadcast, HTTP
protocol communications from a Web server are sent to the computer,
which places a cookie or updates and existing cookie on the
computer hard drive. This cookie contains information including the
time of day, the website that is the course of the broadcast, the
name of the broadcast content, and each sponsor of the broadcast.
At a later time, of the viewer's choosing, the viewer can use the
computer to connect to a website. This website can belong to the
television network or a particular sponsor or a central clearing
house for coupons. When connecting to the website, using the
standard HTTP protocol, the website examines the cookie and
retrieves the information in it. Each sponsor can then offer
advertisements, coupons, discounts, and other enticements to
purchase goods based on the amount of time the viewer spent
watching a sponsored broadcast.
[0009] In a fourth embodiment, the user watches a streaming media
broadcast from a Web server using a computer with an Internet
connection. At various regular intervals during the broadcast, data
is sent to a centralized database for the network or the sponsor or
a clearinghouse for coupons. The data contain information including
the time of day, the website that is the course of the broadcast,
the name of the broadcast content, and each sponsor of the show.
The data also contain a user identifier such as a name, user ID, or
computer serial number. At a later time, of the viewer's choosing,
the viewer can use the computer to connect to a web site that has
access to the central database. This website can belong to the
television network or a particular sponsor or a central clearing
house for coupons. When connecting to the website, using the
standard HTTP protocol, the user identifier is sent to the website
which then examines the central database and retrieves the
information in it for this particular user. Each sponsor can then
offer advertisements, coupons, discounts, and other enticements to
purchase goods based on the amount of time the viewer spent
watching a sponsored broadcast.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows an Internet-enabled television 106, a network
TV broadcast transmitter 101, a database server 103, and the
Internet 102, in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a computer 203, a streaming media server 200, a
database server 103, and the Internet 102, in accordance with the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a mechanism for combining broadcast information
with broadcast content during a broadcast transmission.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a general format and a specific format for
encoding embedded information in a stream of data.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a mechanism for separating broadcast
information and broadcast content from a broadcast
transmission.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a format for storing the embedded information
on the client storage device 506 in a database.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows an algorithm within the decoder 502 that strips
out embedded information and creates the database records 600, 601,
602
[0017] FIG. 8 shows an algorithm within the database server 103
that gives incentives back to the viewer.
[0018] FIG. 9 shows data that is contained in blocks in the
database on the database server 103.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
FIG. 1 shows one configuration where an Internet-enabled television
106 with a hard disk 107 receives broadcasts 104 from a network
television station via transmitter 101. The Internet-enabled TV 106
is also connected for two-way communication to a database server
103 via the Internet 102. In this embodiment, the computer is
connected to the Internet via telephone lines 105 using a modem. In
this embodiment, the database server is connected to the Internet
via a T-1 connection 100.
[0020] The television 106 receives one-way transmissions 104 from
the network broadcast transmitter 101. Embedded in the transmission
are HTTP protocol messages containing information about the show
being broadcast, the sponsors of the show, and the current time.
Other information can also be embedded and sent to the television
106 for other purposes. The embedded information is stored on the
hard disk 107 in the form of a cookie. At a later time, the
television 106 connects to the database server 103 which is part of
a website on the Internet 102. The database server 103 queries the
cookie on the television 106 in order to determine which shows were
watched, during which times, and which advertisers sponsored those
shows or those segments of shows. Based on which advertiser
sponsored the show or show segments and the amount of time spent
watching the show or show segments, the database server searches
its database for coupons, advertisements, discounts, and other
enticements to buy products or services from the advertiser, and
delivers these enticements via the Internet 102 to the television
106.
[0021] In another embodiment, the television 106 receives one-way
transmissions 104 from the network broadcast transmitter 101.
Embedded in the transmission are HTTP protocol messages containing
information about the show being broadcast, the sponsors of the
show, and the current time. Other information can also be embedded
and sent to the television 106 for other purposes. The embedded
information is stored on the hard disk 107. During the broadcast or
at a later time, the television 106 connects to the database server
103 which is part of a website on the Internet 102. The television
106 sends the information on the hard disk 107 to the database
server 103 via the Internet 102. The database server 103 stores the
information in its database. At a later time, based on which
advertiser sponsored the show or show segments and the amount of
time spent watching the show or show segments, the database server
searches the database for coupons, advertisements, discounts, and
other enticements to buy products or services from the advertiser,
and delivers these enticements via the Internet 102 to the
television 106.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows another configuration where a computer 203
receives streaming media broadcasts from a streaming media server
200 via the Internet 102. The computer 203 is also connected for
two-way communication to a database server 103 via the Internet
102. In this embodiment, the computer is connected to the Internet
via telephone lines 202 using a modem. In this embodiment, the
database server is connected to the Internet via a T-1 connection
100. In this embodiment, the streaming media server is connected to
the Internet via a T-1 connection 201.
[0023] The computer 203 receives transmissions from the streaming
media server 200 via the Internet 102. Embedded in the transmission
are messages containing information about the show being broadcast,
the sponsors of the show, and the current time. Other information
can also be embedded and sent to the computer 203 for other
purposes. The embedded information is stored on the computer's hard
disk in the form of a cookie. At a later time, the computer 203
connects to the database server 103 which is part of a website on
the Internet 102. The database server 103 queries the cookie on the
computer 203 in order to determine which shows were watched, during
which times, and which advertisers sponsored those shows or those
segments of shows. Based on which advertiser sponsored the show or
show segments and the amount of time spent watching the show or
show segments, the database server searches its database for
coupons, advertisements, discounts, and other enticements to buy
products or services from the advertiser, and delivers these
enticements via the Internet 102 to the computer 203.
[0024] In another embodiment, the computer 203 receives
transmissions from the streaming media server 200 via the Internet
102. Embedded in the transmission are messages containing
information about the show being broadcast, the sponsors of the
show, and the current time. Other information can also be embedded
and sent to the computer 203 for other purposes. The embedded
information is stored on the computer's hard disk. During the
broadcast or at a later time, the computer 203 connects to the
database server 103 which is part of a website on the Internet 102.
The computer 203 transmits the information on its hard disk to the
database server 103 via the Internet 102. The database server 103
stores the information in the database. At a later time, based on
which advertiser sponsored the show or show segments and the amount
of time spent watching the show or show segments, the database
server searches its database for coupons, advertisements,
discounts, and other enticements to buy products or services from
the advertiser, and delivers these enticements via the Internet 102
to the computer 203.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which content with imbedded
information is created from normal broadcast content. The method
shown can be implemented in hardware or software or combinations of
hardware and software. Sponsor information 302 is translated into a
format such as HTTP protocol using HTTP translator 303. It is then
combined with the programming content 301, such as a television
show or streaming video, through multiplexer 305. The multiplexer
inserts the sponsor information at regular periods, or frames,
throughout the broadcast by using timer 304. A frame may be a
single television picture scan, or it may be a single frame of
streaming video data or it may be an arbitrary amount of data. The
sponsor information can be inserted into the data stream at a time
or in such a way that it does not destroy data, such as during the
vertical blanking time of a television frame scan. The data is then
put into the transmitter 306, which is then transmitted as analog
or digital data 300.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a general format and a
specific format for the embedded sponsor information as a stream of
data. A packet is inserted before a frame of content data, which
includes the head 400, content name 401, the current date 402, the
current time 403, the sponsor name 404, and other data 405 as
required. The head can be a start-of-slice (SOS) flag or an
end-of-slice (EOS) flag, which signal the start or end of a time
slice respectively. An example of specific information is shown
where the head is start-of-slice 406, content name is "Star Trek"
407, the date is "Jan. 1, 2000" 408, the time is "9:07 PM" 409, the
sponsor is "Proctor and Gamble" 410, and a special offer 411 is
included for the viewer at this time.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the sponsor information
is separated from the broadcast content using hardware or software
or a combination of hardware and software. The software portion of
the implementation may be a stand-alone media player software or a
plug-in to a Web browser. The broadcast stream 300, which may be a
television picture or a streaming video is received by a receiver
501 that converts the signal to one that is usable by the decoder
502 that splits the information into programming content 503 and
sponsor information 504. The programming content 503 is sent to a
display device 505 such as a computer monitor or television screen.
The sponsor information 504 is recorded on a storage device 506
such as a hard disk.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the format for storing the
embedded information on the client storage device 506 in a
database. For each television show or video clip there is an entry
block 600 containing several records. The first record contains the
name of the content. There are sections for each time slice of the
content broadcast. These time slices may, for example, be 15-minute
intervals so that there are 4 slices in a one-hour broadcast.
Sponsors may then sponsor 1 to 4 slices of a one-hour broadcast.
Associated with each time slice in the database are 3 records. One
record contains the name of the time slice. Another record contains
the number of minutes during that time slice that the viewer was
actually watching the broadcast. Another record contains a link to
a sponsor block in the database for the sponsor of that time slice.
There may be multiple records for links to multiple sponsors of a
broadcast time slice.
[0029] A sponsor block, such as 601 or 602, contains multiple
records. One record contains the name of the sponsor. Another
record contains information about the sponsor. Other records
contain links to content that is sponsored by the sponsor. Having
both content blocks and sponsor blocks in the database, with links
to each other, allows the database to easily be searched for all
content sponsored by a specific sponsor, or all sponsors of
particular content.
[0030] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the algorithm within the
decoder 502 that strips out embedded information and creates the
database records 600, 601, 602. This algorithm may be implemented
in software or hardware or a combination of software and hardware.
Execution starts at block 700 where a frame of broadcast content is
received. The content information is separated out and sent to the
display device by executing block 701. Execution of block 702
searches for embedded sponsor information in the broadcast. If
there is no embedded sponsor information, execution is transferred
to block 707. This may be due to the fact that the viewer has
switched between a commercial-free broadcast to some other content
such as a normal commercial broadcast. If there is embedded sponsor
information, block 703 is executed, extracting that information.
Block 704 is then executed where viewing counters are incremented.
These viewing counters keep track of how much time the viewer has
spent viewing the content. In block 705, the embedded information
is examined for an end-of-slice marker that signals the end of a
time slice. If this marker is found, execution is transferred to
block 707. Otherwise, execution is transferred to block 706 where
the embedded information is examined for a start-of-slice marker
that signals the start of a time slice. If this marker is found,
execution is transferred to block 708. Otherwise execution is
transferred back to block 700 and the process is repeated.
[0031] Block 707 is executed when a time slice has ended or the
viewer has switched to another type of broadcast. When this block
is executed, the viewing counters are recorded in the database on
the client machine. Execution is then transferred to block 708.
[0032] Block 708 is executed at the start of a new time slice. This
block resets the viewing counters and transfers execution to block
700, starting the entire process over.
[0033] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the algorithm within the
database server 103 that gives incentives back to the viewer.
Execution starts in block 800 when a request for an incentive is
received from the viewer. Execution continues to block 801 where,
through a handshaking protocol, the information in the client
database stored in storage device 506 on the viewer's computer 203
or Internet connected TV 106 is used to query the database of
database server 103. Execution continues to block 802 where the
database server searches its database for matches with the sponsors
reported by the viewer. Execution continues to block 803 where
links to sponsor Web pages are retrieved from the database server
based on the information from the viewer. Execution continues to
block 804 where an entire HTML page is created which contains links
to all incentives to which the viewer is entitled, based on the
amount of time he spent viewing specific content. Execution
continues to block 805 where this Web page is then sent back to the
viewer. At this time, the viewer can click on links to obtain
coupons, discounts, special offers, etc.
[0034] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the data that is contained in
blocks in the database on the database server 103. For each
sponsor, there is a block of records 900 that contains multiple
records. One record contains the sponsor name. For each incentive,
there are two records. One of these records contains the criteria
for the viewer to receive the incentive such as a specific amount
of time watching a particular broadcast. The other record contains
a link to the particular incentive. Each incentive has a block of
records such as 901 and 902. The block includes a record of the
incentive name, and a number of other records that contain
information about advertisements, coupons, discounts, etc. that
should be offered to the viewer who has met the incentive
criteria.
* * * * *