The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 16, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 18, 1999
Stuart Ozer, San Francisco, CA (US);
Timothy F. Park, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Daniel J. Zigmond, Carnation, WA (US);
Michael A. Killianey, San Mateo, CA (US);
Webtv Networks, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for tracking viewing behavior of advertisements on home entertainment systems. A processing device associated with the home entertainment system determines that an advertisement is being displayed. For example, the processing device can recognize an identifying marker embedded in the television signal that carries the advertisement. Alternatively, an electronic program guide supplemented with information identifying advertisements can be used to determine that a channel tuned and displayed at the home entertainment system carries a particular advertisement. The processing device generates viewing behavior information that identifies the advertisement and stores the information locally. The information is periodically transmitted to a central clearinghouse for storage and distribution to advertisers or other interested parties. The clearinghouse receives viewing behavior information from a plurality of home entertainment systems, which represents and describes the advertisements being viewed, the origin of the advertisements, and the way in which the advertisements are viewed.