A system for integrating video programming with the vast information resources of the Internet. A computer-based system receives a video program with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs). The URLs, the effective addresses of locations or Web sites on the Internet, are interpreted by the system and direct the system to the Web site locations to retrieve related Web pages. Upon receipt of the Web pages by the system, the Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display. The video program signal can be displayed on a video window on a conventional personal computer screen. The actual retrieved Web pages are time stamped to also be displayed, on another portion of the display screen, when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window. As an alternative, the computer-based system receives the URLs directly through an Internet connection, at times specified by TV broadcasters in advance. The system interprets the URLs and retrieves the appropriate Web pages. The Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display in conjunction with a television program being broadcast to the user at that time. This alternative system allows the URLs to be entered for live transmission to the user.

Enhanced video programming system and method for incorporating and displaying retrieved integrated Internet information segments

Generally, decisions are based on information. To be useful, information must be reliable. Basically, the concept of a Z-number relates to the issue of reliability of information. A Z-number, Z, has two components, Z=(A,B). The first component, A, is a restriction (constraint) on the values which a real-valued uncertain variable, X, is allowed to take. The second component, B, is a measure of reliability (certainty) of the first component. Typically, A and B are described in a natural language, for example: (about 45 minutes, very sure). Z-number has many applications, especially in the realms of economics, decision analysis, risk assessment, prediction, anticipation, rule-based characterization of imprecise functions and relations, and biomedicine. Different methods, applications, and systems are discussed. Other Fuzzy concepts are also discussed.

Methods and Systems for Applications for Z-numbers

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a device with a touch screen display is disclosed. In the method, a movement of an object on or near the touch screen display is detected. In response to detecting the movement, an electronic document displayed on the touch screen display is translated in a first direction. If an edge of the electronic document is reached while translating the electronic document in the first direction while the object is still detected on or near the touch screen display, an area beyond the edge of the document is displayed. After the object is no longer detected on or near the touch screen display, the document is translated in a second direction until the area beyond the edge of the document is no longer displayed.

List scrolling and document translation, scaling, and rotation on a touch-screen display

A system, may include, at least one of audio, image, and a video comprising a plurality of frames. A usage preferences description, describing preferences of a user with respect to the use of at least one of the audio, image, and video, where the description normally includes multiple preferences. In one aspect, a protection attribute with respect to at least one of the preferences indicates whether one of the preferences is considered public or private. Other aspects of the user preferences description include other attributes, alone or in combination.

Audiovisual information management system

A method comprising providing a plurality of links to a plurality of end-user devices communicatively coupled to a network system, a particular link of the plurality of links supporting control-plane communications between the network system and a particular end-user device of the plurality of end-user devices over one or more wireless access networks; receiving a message from a server communicatively coupled to the network system, the message comprising payload for delivery to the particular end-user device; generating an encrypted message comprising the payload and an identifier identifying a particular device agent of a plurality of device agents on the particular end-user device, the identifier configured to assist in delivering at least a portion of the payload to the particular device agent on the particular end-user device; and sending the encrypted message to the particular end-user device over the particular link.

Automated Device Provisioning and Activation

A technique for optimizing the delivery of a multiplicity of advertisements and other programming (402) is providing by trading off full-motion video (404) for other forms of high quality still images, text, graphics and audio (406). By creating a group of synchronized digital programming components (408), for example, still-frame video, audio, graphics, text, animation, and media objects, which combined (416) utilize less bandwidth than a standard digital programming segment of full-motion video with CD quality audio, a greater number of differentiable programming content options can be made available in the digital transmission stream (418). Because of the greatly expanded amount of differentiable content that can be created using the bandwidth tradeoff techniques, greater precision in targeting particular content, such as advertisements, to particular users is possible. The invention also contemplates the system requirements, both hardware and software, for a digital programming transmission center and for user's receiver, necessary to implement the bandwidth tradeoff methodology.

Technique for optimizing the delivery of advertisements and otherprogramming segments by making bandwidth tradeoffs

A targeted advertising system uses a machine learning tool to select an asset for a current user of a user equipment device, for example, to select an ad for delivery to a current user of a digital set top box in a cable network. The machine learning tool first operates in a learning mode to receive user inputs and develop evidence that can characterize multiple users of the user equipment device audience. In a working mode, the machine learning tool processes current user inputs to match a current user to one of the identified users of that user equipment device audience. Fuzzy logic may be used to improve development of the user characterizations, as well as matching of the current user to those developed characterizations. In this manner, targeting of assets can be implemented not only based on characteristics of a household but based on a current user within that household.

Fuzzy logic based viewer identification for targeted asset delivery system

Assets of broadcast network content are targeted to network users of interest based on location information regarding user equipment devices. Asset providers can specify location targeting criteria via a graphical user interface (4400) displaying mapping information (4406). This location targeting criteria can then be compared to location information regarding user equipment devices so that assets are delivered to appropriate devices. The comparison of the location targeting criteria to the device location information can be performed at the user equipment devices or at another location. In the latter case, the assets can be addressed to appropriate user equipment devices or appropriate user equipment devices can be directed to select the asset, which is broadcast via the network. In this manner, assets can be targeted to individual network users on a basis independent of network topology.

Targeting content based on location

The present invention provides targeted asset system implementations in contexts where there is limited or no ability to use a real-time return channel for communications from user equipment devices (e.g., STB) to the network. In one arrangement, a household classifier is generated and delivered to user equipment devices. The household classifiers are generated based on third party data and/or network usage information associated with the household. The system and method allow for generating highly accurate household classifications that may be forwarded to individual households where the user equipment device may implant the classifiers to select appropriate assets for delivery to the household.

Asset targeting system for limited resource environments

A system and method is provided for use in connection with auctioning delivery spots (e.g., ad spots) or commercial impressions in a broadcast network. The system provides (1702) information regarding asset delivery spots and receives (1704) bids from asset providers. A winning bidder is determined (1706), and a corresponding asset is delivered (1708) via the network.

Patrick M. Sheehan

Papers

Technique for optimizing the delivery of advertisements and otherprogramming segments by making bandwidth tradeoffs

Fuzzy logic based viewer identification for targeted asset delivery system

Targeting content based on location

Asset targeting system for limited resource environments

System and method for auctioning avails