Webtv Networks, Inc.

Alan Cohn

Stephen G Perlman

Timo A Bruck

Samuel Thomas Scott, Iii

Dean J Blackketter

John L Adelus

Bruce A Leak

Wei Huang

Eric M Tucker

A system and method for distributing and presenting data such as advertisements from a host server to a browsing device through a communications network. The method involves preloading data from the host server to the browsing device though the communications network, storing the data in the browsing device, detecting a second period of idle time in browsing device operation, and presenting the data through the browsing device upon detection of the second period of idle time.

Distributing data over a communications network for display

A system for targeting information on a computer network. The system involves categorizing a plurality of address pointers according to the content designated by the address pointer. The system further involves reading the address pointer which designates the content received by the user and determining which category or categories, if any, the address pointer is within. Information packets, such as advertisements, are targeted to selected categories. Once the category of an address pointer has been determined, an information packet targeted to that category is selected and transmitted to the user.

System for targeting information to specific users on a computer network

System and method for distributing data over a communications network

A system and method for distributing and presenting data such as video advertisements from a host server to a browsing device through a communications network. The method involves detecting an extended period of nonuse of the browsing device, establishing contact between the browsing device and the host server, preloading data from the host server to the browsing device, storing the data in the browsing device, detecting a start-up operation of the browsing device, and presenting the data through the browsing device.

System and method for distributing data over a communications network for display during start-up

A method and system for suppressing or otherwise controlling the display of unrequested content while transitioning between first content and second content available over a communications system, such as the Internet, is disclosed. The system includes a browser device in communication with a host server and adapted to establish communication with a plurality of publishers to receive and display electronically published content, responsive to user inputs. The host server includes software with a controller and an override. Upon display of first content from a publisher and selection of second content, the controller is adapted to selectively display a default transition having intermediate content to the user prior to displaying the second content. The override is in communication with the controller and is adapted to direct the display of a defined transition to the user upon actuation, and thereby suppress the display of the default transition if the default transition is different from the defined transition.

System and method for controlling delivery of content over a communications network

A system and method for distributing and presenting preferenced data from a host server to a browsing device through a communications network. The method involves identifying a user preference, providing at least one data feed containing information related to the user preference, selecting preferenced data from the data feed corresponding to the user preference, preloading the preferenced data from the host server to the browsing device, and presenting the preferenced data through the browsing device.

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New York, NY, United States of America

Alan Cohn