Apparatus and method for generating and providing targeted advertising content

Abstract

A method and apparatus are described. The method and apparatus include providing (810) a first advertisement as part of media content delivered to a user device, the first advertisement being selected for viewing by a user of the user device based on an advertisement profile for the user and determining (820) if a request to change the first advertisement is made by the user during the viewing of the first advertisement. The method and apparatus further include determining (830) a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made, identifying (840) a second advertisement based on the advertisement profile for the user, the second advertisement having a time span that is not greater than the time remaining, and providing (850) the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement for viewing by the user during the time remaining.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AND PROVIDING TARGETED ADVERTISING CONTENTTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to mechanisms for generating and providing targeted advertising content as part of a media content communication system and more specifically to generating and providing targeted advertising content in a user controllable manner based on a user profile.BACKGROUND

[0002] Any background information described herein is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to the present embodiments that are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light.

[0003] The technology of Targeted Advertisement (TAD) has been in vogue for decades now. It has permeated almost all mediums of end user involvement like personal computer (PC) use, internet activity, and use of media devices, such as set-top boxes, televisions, radios. For example, cable operators and multiple service operators (MSOs), collectively referred to as service operators, have employed TAD as part of their broadcast and / or streaming media content. The TAD technology aims to study an end-user's viewing patterns and profile him / her based on understanding preferences or choices for content, such as movies, tv-shows, ads, documentaries, and the like. This profile enables a TAD module in the media device or service operator equipment to generate targeted advertisement content to decide the type of advertisement content should be shown to this user to get maximum viewership and additionally turn the advertisement content into a product or services sale. For example, an end user watching a large number of sports channels on a media device (e.g., television) is identified with a sports profile. The TAD module in the media device generates a customer or user TAD profile which is used by the content delivery to provide more advertisement content or commercials related to sport equipment or sporting events as part of their media content viewing experience.

[0004] The traditional method of TAD profiling used by service operators has limitations and issues. Regardless of the way the method is performed, profiling the customer or user generally happens entirely by studying his usage and viewing patterns of media content, referred to as a user’s viewing habits and patterns, with the media content generally limited to the content that is delivered to the media device used by the customer. As a result, the customer or user TAD profile is limited and possibly inaccurate because it is not able to identify other user characteristics associated with the customer or user in the customer premises or residence. For example, a userthat rarely watches television, and primarily watches fitness content when watching, would be classified tentatively as having a user profile associated with fitness. As a result, when the user is watching television, any targeted advertising content is likely to be fitness related. However, the user TAD profile may be considered inconclusive due to the limited amount of television that is watched. Further, the user TAD profile cannot be verified because the TAD profiling method is not capable of identifying additional use. In one case, the user may actually use various fitness equipment for several hours a day at the user’s home.

[0005] Further, the profiling method cannot shift or adjust a user’s profile for users whose primary interests may not all be connected to their viewing habits and patterns. For example, viewing habits may not reveal a user’s primary interest in electronics, but the presence of several types of cameras, music systems and other electronic gadgets would classify the user as a technophile or a user spending many hours a day in gaming activities that are completely independent of the type of content viewed on television does not reveal the user as a gaming enthusiast. Due to these issues, relying on viewership data alone may not reliably provide an accurate profile of the user for use with TAD.

[0006] Additionally, in many cases advertising content that is provided to a user as part of TAD profiling is not always intended to make the user watch the advertising content in full. Instead, viewing less than the entire advertisement content, in some cases as little as several seconds of the initial content, is enough to catch the user’s attention. The initial content is used to pique the user’s interest, so the user seeks more information on the product or service. However, in some situations, such as when the user’s TAD profile may not be accurate, the user may not wish to continue viewing the targeted advertising content. Regardless of whether the targeted advertising content piqued the user’s interest as intended or not, the user may have no choice but to continue to watch the advertising content in full. Some service providers and streaming services provide a choice for the user to skip some of the advertising content in full, but this option is not always available. Further, no mechanism appears to be available to offer replacement advertising content to the user. Therefore, there is a need for an improved mechanism for generating and providing targeted advertising content to users.SUMMARY

[0007] These and other drawbacks and disadvantages presented as part of providing TAD content to a customer or user through a media device are addressed by the principles of the present disclosure. However, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present principles may offer advantages in other types of devices and systems as well.

[0008] According to an embodiment, a method is described. The method includes providing a first advertisement as part of media content delivered to a user device, the first advertisement being selected for viewing by a user on a media content device based on an advertisement profile for the user, determining if arequest to change the first advertisement is made by the user during the viewing of the first advertisement, determining a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made, identifying a second advertisement based on the advertisement profile for the user, the second advertisement having a time span that is not greater than the time remaining, and providing the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement for viewing by the user during the time remaining.

[0009] According to an embodiment, an apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a network interface, the network interface receiving a first advertisement as part of media content delivered to a user device, the first advertisement being selected for viewing by a user on a media content device based on an advertisement profile for the user and a display interface, the display interface providing the media content and the first advertisement for viewing on a display device. The apparatus also includes a processor coupled to the network interface and display interface, the processor configured to determine if a request to change the first advertisement is made by the user during the viewing of the first advertisement, determine a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made, and identify a second advertisement based on the advertisement profile for the user, the second advertisement having a time span that is not greater than the time remaining. The display interface further provides the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement for viewing by the user during the time remaining.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary multiple service operator (MSO) network to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication device to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary home network to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for managing and providing targeted advertisement content in a communication device to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0015] FIG. 5 is an exemplary signal flow diagram for performing advertising content insertion in a media stream to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of another exemplary process for managing and providing targeted advertisement content in a communication device to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0017] FIG. 7 is another exemplary signal flow diagram for performing advertising content insertion in a media stream to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a further exemplary process for managing and providing targeted advertisement content in a communication device to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable; and

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary user interface display used as part of generating and providing targeted advertising content for a user to which the principles of the present disclosure are applicable.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present description illustrates the principles of the present disclosure. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are included within its scope. Further, while the embodiments described below are directed towards a specific type of media device, the principles of the present disclosure may be applicable to other devices, including other network communication devices, that are used to provide TAD content to a customer or user.

[0021] It should be understood that the elements shown in the figures may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software or combinations thereof. Preferably, these elements are implemented in a combination of hardware and software on one or more appropriately programmed general-purpose devices, which may include a processor, memory and input / output interfaces. Herein, the phrase “coupled” is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly connected with one or more intermediate components. Such intermediate components may include both hardware and software based components.

[0022] All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for educational purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions.

[0023] Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).

[0010] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagrams presented herein represent conceptual views of illustrative system components and / or circuitry embodying the principles of the disclosure. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computerreadable media and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

[0011] The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor”, “module” or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, a System on a Chip (SoC), digital signal processor (“DSP”) hardware, read only memory (“ROM”) for storing software, random access memory (“RAM”), and nonvolatile storage.

[0012] Other hardware, conventional and / or custom, may also be included. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the implementer as more specifically understood from the context.

[0013] In the embodiments hereof, any element expressed or described, directly or indirectly, as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example, a) a combination of circuit elements that performs that function or b) software in any form, including, therefore, firmware, microcode or the like, combined with appropriate circuitry for executing that software to perform the function. The disclosure as defined by such claims resides in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in the manner which the claims call for. It is thus regarded that any means that can provide those functionalities are equivalent to those shown herein.

[0014] The present embodiments address problems and drawbacks associated with generating and providing targeted advertising content as part of delivering media content over a service provider’s network to users. TAD technology has traditionally utilized user profiles generated using information associated with a user’s media content viewing habits and, in some cases, associated activities (e.g., streaming, gaming, etc.) that may utilize the same media device. In other words, what the user views determines the kind of TAD profile that will be generated. However, generating TAD profiles based only on viewing habits and patterns may not completely or even correctly represent a user’s interests leading to TAD profiles that are not necessarily accurate. As a result, targeted advertising content may be generated and provided to the user that does not serve its purpose of piquing the user’s interest and creating revenue opportunities for the advertiser. Further, whether the user’s interest in the targeted advertising content is piqued or not, the user may wish to view different targeted advertising content in place of the provided content. The user may be forced to watch the advertisement contentin its entirety even though the user has no interest in watching it and is not able to request different advertisement content.

[0015] Additionally, the drawbacks mentioned above are created as a result of the traditional advertisement viewing methodology that further apply to targeted advertisements. Advertising content often provides the financial backing for the regular media content being viewed by the user and the companies associated with the advertisement may expect the advertising content to be displayed for viewing. In some instances, the user may only choose to view a portion of the advertisement, either because he has already taken a strong interest to pursue more information external to his current viewing or has no interest in the content as a result of an inaccurate used TAD profile. The user may wish to view another targeted advertisement as a replacement for the one currently provided and being viewed but is not provided with an option to do so. Further, companies would prefer that some amount of advertising content is viewed during any scheduled or allotted advertising time windows in the media content. Instead, the user may have to continue watching the remainder or, in some cases, be permitted to skip the advertisement, but this approach minimizes or eliminates the ability to present the user with additional and / or alternative advertising content within the scheduled or allotted advertising window as would be beneficial to those companies associated with the additional and / or alternative adverting content.

[0016] The present embodiments overcome these drawbacks by introducing mechanisms and processes to improve the generation and providing of targeted advertising to users. The embodiments include mechanisms that expand the kind of information that is used as part of generating user profiles. More specifically, these mechanisms include generating user profiles using information associated not only with viewing habits and activities associated with media content viewing but also information associated with more general activities of the user with their home. In some cases, the information may be provided through one or more home devices connected to a home network as part of the internet of things (loT).

[0017] For example, an loT enabled refrigerator with an in-built camera in a customer residence may provide information on the brands of items the user keeps or has inside. The information can be used as part of the user profile to select advertising content related to cold-drinks, deserts, ice-creams, etc. that is targeted for the user. In another example, the user’s favorite cuisines, choice of pizza, or choice of popcorn, can similarly be identified from information retrieved from an loT enabled microwave. This information may be used to generate part of a food profile for the user that can be used for selecting targeted food advertising content. In yet another example, IOT enabled fitness equipment in a customer residence, like treadmills, cycles, weight machines etc., can provide information associated with the number of calories burnt in a day, number of hours of work-out etc. in order to create or adjust a fitness portion of a user profile that may have been established based on a user’s viewing habits. As a result, the user profile can be multi-layered and complex, matching multiple interest groupsand providing greater accuracy and more flexibility for the delivering advertising content as part of TAD technology.

[0018] Further, the embodiments include mechanisms to allow a user switch or “shuffle” to a different advertisement during the viewing of a current advertisement as part of providing targeted advertisement to the user on a communication device or media device. The switch may be initiated by a user through a user interface on the communication device used to view the media content that includes the current advertisement. The switch allows the user to stop viewing the current advertisement, either because he is not interested, or he has seen enough of the content to be interested in seeking more information at a later time, and view a different advertisement for the remainder of the time duration for the current advertisement. I n some examples, the current advertisement may not be a targeted advertisement. Alternatively, the current advertisement may be a targeted advertisement that has been inserted in place of an advertisement that was not a targeted advertisement. The user may switch to a different advertisement that is a targeted advertisement based on the user’s profile. The user may further switch or shuffle the advertising content multiple times within the same time duration for the current advertisement.

[0019] The present embodiments are intended to provide greater accuracy in profiling the user’s interests. The present embodiments can further enhance the user’s advertising content viewing experience by allowing the user more control over what he wants to watch. The improved accuracy of the user profile, along with the enhanced advertising content viewing experience for the user, can translate directly to more sales for the advertiser and / or company associated with the advertisement and more advertising revenue for the cable operator, MSO, and or service provider.

[0020] Turning to Fig. 1 , an exemplary MSO network 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure is described. Headend 120 is coupled, as part of MSO network 100, to customer premises 160a-c and 170a-c over a wired communication link through splitters 130a-b, nodes 140a-b, and multiplexers 150a-b. Headend 120 is also coupled to an external network 110 that is used to communicate media and data content between MSO network 100 and other devices and / or other networks coupled to external network 100 using a private communication link, such as a satellite link, or through a public communication link, such as the internet. Collectively, the other devices or networks may be referred to as the cloud. The media content may include audio content, video content, and / or data associated with the audio content and video content. The communication link between the MSO network 100 and the other devices or networks through the external network 110 may be bi-directional. As shown, the headend 120 is coupled through external network 110 to advertising content server 190 located in the cloud, as described above.

[0021] Headend 120 is a facility used to receive various signals, such as over the air (OTA) broadcast signals, satellite signals, and the like, as well as signals from external network 110, and processes the signals for deliveryto customer premises 160a-c and 170a-c. Headend 120 also processes data communication signals transmitted and received to and from other networks through the cloud. Headend 120 contains equipment such as receivers, modulators, transmitter compression equipment, signal multiplexers, and conditional access elements. Headend 120 also includes processors and storage elements configured as servers that provide system and network services, such as advertising or TAD services used for providing targeted advertising content to one or more customer premises 160a-c and 170a-c in MSO network 100.

[0022] Each of customer premises 160a-160c and 170a-170c includes customer premises equipment (CPE) or hardware (not shown) that communicates media and data content between customer premises 160a-170c and 170a-170c and head-end 120 through the splitters 130a-130b, nodes 140a-140b and multiplexers 150a- 150b in MSO network 100. The media and data content may be communicated based on inputs or controls from a customer or user. The CPE or hardware may include one or more communication devices operated by the user to send and receive media content through MSO network 100. These communication devices may include, but are not limited to, a set-top box, a gateway, a modem, a laptop, a tablet, a cell phone, and the like. Additionally, one or more of these communication devices may be supplied and controlled or managed by the MSO operating MSO network 100. An exemplary communication device will be described in further detail below.

[0023] Advertising content server 190 provides advertising content, including targeted advertisements to the head-end 120 for distribution to other elements in MSO system 100, such the devices and / or CPE included in customer premises 160a-160c and 170a-170c. Advertising content server 190 may be operated by, or alternatively controlled by, one or more content providers. Examples of content providers may include, but are not limited to, broadcast content providers, such as the national broadcasting company (NBC), home box office (HBO) and the like, as well as streaming content providers, such as Amazon Prime, YouTube, and the like. Advertising content server 190 includes a network interface for communicating with head-end 120 and / or the CPE through external network 110. Advertising content server 190 also includes one or more processors configured to process information associated with advertisement profiles for users that are created by the CPE. The one or more processors are further configured to identify advertising content based on the profiles for the users and provide the advertising content as needed during the delivery of media content to the CPE. Advertising content server 190 further includes storage resources in the form of both short term storage, such as electronic memory, and long term storage in the form of magnetic or optical disk memory. For example, advertising content server 190 may include the ability to maintain a set of targeted advertisements provided by one or more of content studios, broadcasters, and streaming service providers.

[0024] As part of the operation of MSO network 100, the devices and / or CPE in one or more of customer premises 160a-160c and 170a-170c include software that is capable of profiling one or more users of the devices. These users may also be referred to as customers of the MSO that managed the MSO network 100.The software may continuously update the profile for the users by identifying and recording content viewing habits and patterns of the users. The software may further receive notifications and updates from other network devices over a local area network, such as a wi-fi network, in one or more of the customer premises 160a-160c and 170a- 170c. One or more of the other network devices may be associated with loT and may include, but are not limited to, exercise equipment, refrigerators, cooking appliances, cleaning appliances, security devices, safety devices, gaming equipment, and other home electronic equipment. The software communicates with, and collects, data from the network devices and aggregates the data with the user’s viewing habits and patterns based on predetermined criteria. The aggregated data is used to generate a profile for the user that includes information from the user’s viewing habits and patterns as well as usage and other information associated with the network devices (e.g., IOT devices). The profile may be provided to head-end 120 and / or advertising content server 190 for use in identifying and selecting targeted advertisements for users based on the user profiles generated by the software.

[0025] As part of the delivery of targeted advertising content in MSO network 100 to customer premises 160a- 160c and 170a-170c from the head-end 120 through the WAN, metadata information included in the media content being provided to the equipment (e.g., communication or media devices) at one or more of customer premises 160a-160c and 170a-170c is processed by the equipment to indicate, in advance, the precise time when the next piece of advertising content is to be displayed to the user, referred to as the start of the advertisement window. Software in the equipment communicates with the head-end 120 and / or the advertising content server 190 to retrieve and provide a piece of targeted advertising content that matches with a user profile for the user using that equipment. The piece of targeted advertising content is stored in the equipment for display at the start of the advertising window.

[0026] As a further part of the delivery of targeted advertising content in MSO network 100, the equipment (e.g., communication or media devices) in one or more of customer premises 160a-160c and 170a-170c includes software that is capable of switching the currently displayed advertising content with a different piece of advertising content during the viewing of the currently displayed advertising content. In other words, the user, while viewing a first piece of advertising content, may switch the advertising content being displayed with a different piece of advertising content. The user may switch the content through a user interface, such as pushing a button on a remote control, selecting an entry on the screen, a voice command, or similar user input. The different piece of advertising content also matches the user profile as described above and will have a length similar to the time remaining for displaying the first piece of advertising content. In order to accomplish the switch, different advertising content having different time durations may be requested from the head-end 120 or the advertising content server 190 prior to, or during, the display of the first piece of advertising content. In some embodiments, the different advertising content may be stored in the equipment. Information associated withequipment operating as part of a network, such as MSO network 100, and capable of managing and providing targeted advertising content based on user profiles will be described in further detail below.

[0027] Turning to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an exemplary communication device 200 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Communication device 200 may operate as part of a home network or local network (LAN) that is connected to a wide area network (WAN), such as MSO network 100 described in FIG. 1 . The WAN may provide consumer content, such as audio, video, and or data content to communication device 200 for further distribution over a local area network (LAN) in a customer’s premises (e.g., customer premises 160a-160c and 170a- 170c). The WAN may operate as one or more of a terrestrial, cable, satellite, or cellular communication network. The LAN may operate as a wired or wireless network and may be connected to other home devices. The home devices may include, but are not limited to, a handheld radio, a set-top box, a streaming device, a router, a cellular or wireless telephone, a cellular or wireless outdoor unit, a television, a home computer, a tablet, a media content player and the like. The home devices may also work with other appliance type devices as part of the internet of things (IOT). These home devices may include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, stoves, lighting devices, heating and cooling devices, washers, dryers, home exercise equipment, and the like. The LAN may utilize one or more protocols including, but not limited to Ethernet, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.11, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and the like. It is worth noting that several components and interconnections necessary for complete operation of communication device 200 are not shown in the interest of conciseness, as the components not shown are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0028] In communication device 200, a wide area network (WAN) is coupled to WAN transceiver 270 either through antenna 272 or through a direct network interface connection. WAN transceiver 270 is coupled to signal processor 215. Signal processor 215 is coupled to memory 290. Signal processor 215 is further coupled to audio / video interface 220, wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver 240, WLAN transceiver 250, and Ethernet interface 260. WLAN transceiver 240 is coupled to antenna 242. WLAN transceiver 250 is coupled to antenna 252 and antenna 254. A user interface 280 is coupled to controller 210.

[0029] WAN transceiver 270 includes circuitry to perform network RF signal modulation and transmission functions on a signal provided to the WAN through antenna 272 or direct network connection from communication device 200 as well as RF signal tuning and demodulation functions on a signal received from the WAN through antenna 272 or direct network connection at communication device 200. The RF modulation and demodulation functions are the same as those commonly used in communication systems, such as cable, satellite, digital subscriber line, or over the air terrestrial systems. These functions may include, but are not limited to, amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, analog / digital converters, demodulators, decoders, modulators, encoders, and the like. It is worth noting that in some embodiments, the WAN transceiver 270 may iobe referred to as a tuner even though WAN transceiver 270 may also include modulation and transmission circuitry and functionality. Signal processor 215 receives the demodulated network communication signals from WAN transceiver 270 and any provides any data or content from other elements in communication device (e.g., WLAN transceiver 240, 250), formatted for network delivery over the WAN, to WAN transceiver 270. WAN transceiver 270 may also include circuitry for signal conditioning, filtering, and / or signal conversion (e.g., optical to electrical signal conversion). Antenna 272 may be any type of antenna suitable for transmitting and / or receiving signals in the frequency range or ranges used by the WAN. The type of antenna may include, but is not limited to, a dipole antenna, a high gain patch antenna, a parabolic dish antenna, and the like. In some embodiments, antenna 272 may be located outside the mechanical structure of communication device 200 rather than within, as shown.

[0030] Audio / video interface 220 allows connection to an audio / video reproduction or display device, such as a television display device described above or other media device, such as a set top box, that is coupled to an A / V display device. Audio / video interface 220 may include additional signal processing circuitry including, but not limited to, digital to analog converters, signal filters, digital and / or analog signal format converters, modulators, demodulators, and the like. Audio / video interface 220 also includes one or more physical connectors to connect to the audio / video reproduction device using one or more of several different types of audio / video connecting cables. The one or more physical connectors may include, but are not limited to, RCA or phone type connectors, HDMI connectors, digital visual interface (DVI) connectors, Sony / Philips digital interface (S / PDIF) connectors, Toshiba Link (Toslink) connectors, and F-type coaxial connectors.

[0031] Ethernet interface 260 allows connection to external devices (e.g., computer 250 described in FIG. 1) that are compliant with the IEEE 802.3 or similar communication protocol. Ethernet interface 260 includes a type RJ-45 physical interface connector or other standard interface connector to allow connection to an external local computer, gaming device, and / or other Ethernet connected device.

[0032] WLAN transceiver 240, along with antenna 242, and WLAN transceiver 250, along with antennas 252 and 254, provide a wireless communication interface to other devices in a home network or LAN. WLAN transceiver 240 and WLAN transceiver 250 may include various electronic circuits for performing the receiving and demodulation functions on signals received from other devices through antenna 242 and antennas 252 and 254, respectively. WLAN transceiver 240 and WLAN transceiver 250 may also include various electronic circuits for performing the modulation and transmitting functions on signals transmitted to other devices through antenna 242 and antennas 252 and 254, respectively. The various functions may be similar to those described above for WAN transceiver 270. Antennas 242, 252, and 254 may be any type of antenna suitable for transmitting and / or receiving signals in the frequency range or ranges used by the LAN. In some embodiments, one or more ofantennas 242, 252, and 254 may be located outside the mechanical structure of communication device 200 rather than within, as shown.

[0033] Signal processor 215 receives signals containing digital content and / or data from WAN transceiver 270 and processes the digital media content (e.g., audio / video content) and / or data to provide as signals for use through audio / video interface 220, Ethernet interface 260, WLAN transceiver 240, and / or WLAN transceiver 250. Signal processor 215 further receives signals containing digital media content and / or data from Ethernet interface 160, WLAN transceiver 240, and / or WLAN transceiver 250 and processes the digital media content and / or data to provide signals for use through audio / video interface 220, Ethernet interface 260, and / or WAN transceiver 270. The processing in signal processor 215 may include, but is not limited to, data format conversion, data repackaging, error correction, data delivery management, arithmetic or logical function processing, and the like. Signal processor 215 may also include processing to perform digital rights management authentication for content as well as content access control. Signal processor 215 may be embodied as part of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or as a programmable signal processing device that is reconfigurable with downloadable instructions or software code stored in memory 290. Signal processor 215 may alternatively be a specifically programmed data signal processor with internal control code for processing signals and data in communication device 200.

[0034] User interface 280 may include a user input or entry mechanism, such as a set of buttons, a keyboard, or a microphone. User interface 280 may also include circuitry for converting user input signals into a data communication format to provide to controller 210. User interface 280 may further include some form of user notification mechanism to show device functionality or status, such as indicator lights, a speaker, or a display. User interface 280 may also include circuitry for converting data received from controller 210 to signals that may be used with the user notification mechanism.

[0035] Controller 210 receives signals and data from user input interface 180. The controller 210 processes the user input signals and data and may generate control instructions to adjust operation of communication device 200 based on these inputs. Controller 210 may also generate signals and data and provide the signals and data to user interface 280. Controller 210 may also manage communication network configuration and security authentication and / or access control for one or both of the WAN through WAN transceiver 270 and the LAN through LAN transceivers 240 and 250. Controller 210 also monitors status and operations of the various components in communication device 200.

[0036] Controller 210 also includes program instructions that configure controller 210 to run a TAD module or application. The TAD module may operate as part of a broadcast video processing module included as part of signal processor 215 in communication device 200. Additionally, or alternatively, the TAD module may operate as part of a web browser application, an over the top (OTT) streaming application, or similar video or mediacontent processing application. The TAD module may interface with an advertising content server that may reside at a facility operated by the cable operator or MSO, such as head-end 120 described in FIG. 1 . The TAD module may additionally or alternatively interface with a targeted advertising content management device operated by a content provider, such as advertising content server 190.

[0037] The instructions used to configure controller 210 to run the TAD module may include instructions for profiling the user of communication device 200 using information obtained from the user’s media content viewing patterns, habits, and associated activities. For example, the TAD module in controller 210 may monitor information that includes, but is not limited to, the amount of time spent streaming media content using over the top (OTT) services from apps available through the cable operator or MSO, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, the amount of time spent viewing broadcast or over the air (OTA) content provided from the cable operator or MSO, and the amount of spent using gaming applications that are played over the internet service provided by the cable operator or MSO. Further, the instructions may include instructions for profiling the user of communication device 200 using information gathered from network and internet connected devices at the user’s home or premise. For example, the TAD module may request and / or obtain information from various network or internet connected devices, such as described above. The TAD module uses the information from the user’s viewing habits that may be processed and aggregated with the information obtained from the network or internet connected devices to generate a more complete or accurate user profile. The TAD module may provide the user profile to the advertising content server (e.g., head-end 120 and / or advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1) for use in identifying targeted advertising content for the user.

[0038] In some embodiments, the TAD module operating in controller 210 may continuously profile the user, based on new information about the user’s viewing habits and / or new information from the network or internet connected device. In some embodiments, the TAD module may use the user profile, referred to as an advertisement profile, for the user to decide which targeted advertising content to provide to the user, rather than relying on selections made by the advertising content server (e.g., advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1). The decisions may be made by the TAD module as part of controller 210 at a time in advance of the time when the advertising content is to be provided for display to the user. For example, meta-data information within the content may indicate in advance the precise time when the next advertising content needed for display. The TAD module may communicate with the advertising content server (e.g., head-end 120 and / or advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1) to provide one or more pieces of targeted advertising content that matches the user profile prior to the display time. This process may be referred to as “pre-fetching” advertising content.

[0039] It is worth noting that more than one user of communication device 200 may be profiled using the instructions for the TAD module in controller 210. In these cases, separate profiles will require some type of identification for each of the users. For example, each user may have a separate identification mechanism, sucha login or access mechanism, for using communication device 200 or applications and services running on communication device 200. Further, one or more of the network and internet connected devices described above may also utilize separate identification mechanisms. As a result, viewing habits and patterns along with information from the network or internet connected device may be monitored and received for each user in the home in order to generate a separate advertisement profile for each user.

[0040] The instructions used to configure controller 210 to run the TAD module further include instructions for allowing the user to switch the advertising content while a current advertisement is still being displayed. The user may switch the advertising content using one or more user interface control elements available in communication device 200, such as user interface 280. The user may switch advertising content at any time during display of the current advertising content and further may switch advertising content more than once. In some embodiments, the new advertising content may have a time duration equal to or less than the remaining time duration of the current advertising content.

[0041] In some embodiments, a further adjustment to the time duration is added to account for the amount of time it may take to request the new targeted advertising content from the advertising content server (e.g., advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1) and provide the new targeted advertising content back to the communication device 200 for display, referred to as the turnaround time. For example, the current advertising content may be displayed during an advertising window placed within the media content having a duration of 30 seconds. After 10 seconds of viewing the current advertising content, the user initiates a switch of advertising content as described above. The TAD module may include instructions to send a request to the advertising content server to retrieve one or more targeted advertisements having a time duration of 18 seconds or less, based on a 2 second turnaround time. While the current advertising content is still being displayed, the instructions from TAD module request a new targeted advertisement having a time duration of 18 seconds from the advertising content server. The advertising content server provides the new targeted advertisement to the communication device 200 within the 2 second turnaround time, and the communication device 200 provides the new targeted advertisement for display through audio / video interface 220 in place of the current advertising content for the remainder of the 30 second advertising window.

[0042] In some embodiments, the TAD module may include instructions to pre-fetch a set of targeted advertisements, having different time durations, from the advertising content server (e.g., advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1) and store the set of targeted advertisements in memory 290 or in a separate dedicated memory (not shown) in communication device 200. As a result, little or no time will elapse between the time the user requests an advertisement switch, and the new targeted advertising content is displayed to the user.

[0043] Controller 210 may be embodied as a programmable microprocessor that is reconfigurable with downloadable instructions or software code stored in memory 290. Controller 210 may alternatively be aspecifically programmed processing device with internal control code for managing and controlling operation in communication device 200. It is worth noting that, in some embodiments, controller 210 and signal processor 215 may be combined into a single processing unit. In these embodiments, the single processing unit may be referred to as a processor or a central processing unit (CPU).

[0044] Memory 290 supports the content and data processing as well as IP functions in signal processor 215 and also serves as storage for applications, programs, control code and media content and data information for controller 210 and signal processor 215. For example, system memory 290 may store the instructions associated with the TAD module as well as information associated with the user's viewing habits as well as the information obtained from the network or internet connected devices in the user’s premise. In some embodiments, system memory may store targeted advertising content provided by an advertising content server (e.g., advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1) and displayed to the user. System memory 290 may include one or more of the following short term storage memory elements including, but not limited to, RAM and flash memory. System memory 290 may further include one or more of the following longer term or permanent storage memory elements including, but not limited to, ROM and electronically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). System memory 290 may also encompass one or more integrated memory elements including, but not limited to, magnetic media hard disk drives and optical media disk drives.

[0045] In operation, media content is provided to communication device 200 from the WAN through WAN transceiver 270. The media content is processed in signal processor 215 and provided to audio / video interface 220 for display to the user. At some point, a first advertisement is received as part of the delivery of media content. The first advertisement is a targeted advertisement selected (e.g., by the advertising content server described above) for viewing by the user of communication device 200 based on a user or advertisement profile for the user generated by the TAD module described above. In some embodiments, the first advertisement is provided during an advertisement time slot in the media content. The advertisement time slot may be at a dedicated time point in the media content and / or may be at a predetermined time based on an elapsed time from the start of providing the media content to communication device 200. In some embodiments, the first advertisement may have a time span that is equal to the time span of the advertisement time slot. In other embodiments, the first advertisement may have a time span that is less than the time span of the advertisement time slot, allowing for one or more subsequent advertisements to be provided after the first advertisement during the advertisement time slot.

[0046] During the viewing of the first advertisement, the user makes a request through user interface 280 to change the first advertisement. The request is provided to controller 210 and signal processor 215. The signal processor 215 determines a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made. The controller 210 identifies a second advertisement in memory 280that has a time span that is less than or equal to the length of time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement as determined by signal processor 215. The second advertisement is also a targeted advertisement selected (e.g., by the advertising content server described above) for viewing by the user of communication device 200 based on the advertisement profile for the user generated by the TAD module described above. The identified second advertisement is selected and provided to audio / video interface 220 for display to the user during the time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement.

[0047] It is worth noting that the user may switch advertising content again during the display of the second advertisement using the same mechanism described above with a new time duration for the third and subsequent advertisements.

[0048] It is further worth noting that it is possible that an advertisement with a time span that is less than or equal to the length of time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement that is also targeted to the user based on the user’s profile is not available and / or does not exist. A new advertisement that is targeted and having a time duration of less than 18 seconds may be provided by the advertising content server (e.g., advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1) or from memory 280 instead. In some embodiments, the first advertisement may continue to be displayed until the remaining time for the advertisement window equals the time duration of the second advertisement at which time the second advertisement is displayed. In some embodiments, the second advertisement is displayed immediately as requested by the user and when the display of the second advertisement is complete, a picture may be displayed for the time remaining to the end of the advertising window. The picture may be a still image or thumbnail captured from the video content of the second advertisement.

[0049] It is worth noting that the first advertisement and the second advertisement may include advertising content for different companies selling similar or otherwise associated products that meet the criteria of the advertisement profile. For example, the first advertisement may be for a brand of milk and the second advertisement may be for a brand of cheese. Further, the first advertisement and the second advertisement may include advertising content for different products entirely, even if provided by the same company, that both meet the criteria of the advertisement profile. For example, the first advertisement may be for a new television program and the second advertisement may be for a new piece of exercise equipment.

[0050] Turning to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an exemplary home network 300 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Home network 300 may operate in a customer residence, such as one or more of customer premises 160a-160c and 170a 170c. Further home network 300 may operate as one of several home networks in a customer residence that co-exist and may or may not operate together in a co-operative manner. Home network 300 may operate through wired and / or wireless network connection medium utilizing one or more protocols including, but not limited to, IEEE standard 802.11 , Wi-Fi, IEEE standard 802.3 (e.g., Ethernet), Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, Zigbee, and the like. It is worth noting that several components and interconnections necessary for complete operation of home network 300 are not shown in the interest of conciseness, as the components not shown are well known to those skilled in the art. Further, one or more components included in the home network may operate in a manner similar to a component described above in either FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. As such, except as indicated below, the operation of these components is considered to be the same or similar and will not be repeated again in the interest of conciseness.

[0051] In home network 300, a home network device 310 is connected to an external network 305 via a wired WAN interface. Home network device 310 is further connected to a television device 330 via an audio / video interface as well as gaming console 350 via wired Ethernet interface. Home network device 310 is also connected to a tablet device 340a, a refrigerator 340b, and a treadmill 340c via a wireless LAN interface.

[0052] Home network device 310 operates and functions similar to communication device 200 in FIG. 2. Home network device 310 provides a network interface to WAN 305 in order to transmit and receive media content and data with other devices on a service operator or service provider system, such as head-end 120 in MSO network 100 in FIG. 1. Home network device 310 further provides one or more network interfaces (e.g., wired Ethernet or wireless interfaces) to a LAN at the customer’s home or premises allowing transfer of media content and / or data to and from other devices connected to the LAN.

[0053] In an operation, home network device 310 may be configured in a manner similar to communication device 200 in FIG. 2 to monitor the media content that is provided to television device 330 from the service or content provider system (e.g., MSO network 100 in FIG. 1) in order to characterize the viewing habits and patterns of the customer using television device 330. Additionally, home network device 310 may be configured to request and receive data associated with a browsing history or favorite search queries from tablet device 340a. Also, home network device 310 may be configured to request and receive a list of identified products found inside refrigerator 340b at different points in time from refrigerator 340b as well as a usage history, such as miles logged or time spent, over a period of time from treadmill 340c. Further, home network device 310 may request and receive a list of games played as well as time spent for each game from gaming console 350. All of the information provided from the devices over the LAN may be processed along with the viewing habits and patterns of the customer to generate an advertising profile for the customer. The advertising profile may be provided through WAN 305 to one or both of a service provider facility (e.g., head-end 120) and a content provider facility (e.g., advertising content server 190) and used to identify and select advertising content that can be provided to the customer as part of media content delivery. As described above, the user or advertisement profile may be updated in a continuous and / or periodic manner by continuing to monitor the media content viewed by the customer as well as continuing to request and receive information from the devices on the LAN.

[0054] Turning to FIG. 4, a flow chart of an exemplary process 400 for managing and providing targeted advertisement content in a communication device according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Process 400 is primarily described with respect to a communication device, such as communication device 200 described in FIG. 2. In particular, some or all of the steps of process 400 may be performed by a software application or module included in a controller (e.g., controller 210), such as the TAD module described above. Further, some or all of the steps of process 400 may be performed by one or more elements described as part of home network 300 in FIG. 3. Additionally, some or all of the steps of process 400 may be used with a communication network, such as MSO network 100 described in FIG. 1. Although process 400 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the operations discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosure provided herein, will also appreciate that one or more of the steps of process 400 may be omitted, rearranged, combined, and / or adapted in various ways.

[0055] At step 410, the content viewing patterns, and other activities associated with the use of a communication device (e.g., communication device 200) by a user are monitored and determined by a processor (e.g., signal processor 215 and / or controller 210), while the user is viewing media content. The media content may be provided from a service provider network (e.g., MSO network 100 in FIG, 1). The content viewing patterns, and other activities may include durations and types of shows watched, activities, such as gaming and social media, performed over the internet, and the like. At step 420, additional information about the user is obtained from one or more home network and / or internet connected devices. These devices may include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, washers, dryers, gaming devices, home stereos, personal stereos, treadmills, cycles, weight machines, and the like. The information may be obtained through monitoring activities on the various devices performed by the processor in the communication device. The information may also be obtained as part of a series of requests made by the communication device to the various devices through a network interface (e.g., Ethernet interface 260 and LAN transceivers 240 and 250). For example, the information may include types and brands of food items obtained from the refrigerator, stove, and microwave, types and amount of cleaning clothing and laundry obtained from the washer and dryer, type and amounts of time playing games obtained from the gaming device, types and amounts of time listening to music from home and / or personal stereo, and amounts of time exercising obtained from the treadmill, cycle, and weight machine.

[0056] At step 430, the information associated with content viewing patterns and other activities along with the information from the one or more network and / or internet connected devices is processed and aggregated in a processor (e.g., signal processor 215 and / or controller 210) to generate an advertising profile for the user of the communication device. It is worth noting that the advertising profile for the user may include more than one profile facet or area of focus. For example, the advertising profile for the user may suggest sports advertisingbased on viewing habits and may also suggest advertising for non-dairy food items based on information obtained from the refrigerator. In this manner, a larger variety of advertising content can be targeted to the user as a result of the more complete and accurate advertising profile.

[0057] At step 440, the user profile is provided through a WAN interface (e.g., WAN transceiver 270) to an advertising content server (e.g., advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1) . The user profile is used by the advertising content server to identify and select targeted advertising content for the user of the communication device.

[0058] At step 450 a determination is made by the processor (e.g., signal processor 215 and / or controller 210) as to whether targeted advertisement content is requested and needed while the user is viewing the media content at step 410. In some embodiments, the media content may include a dedicated span of time in the media content for insertion of advertising content, including targeted advertisement. The span of time may be at the beginning, the end, and / or specific time marks within the media content. In other embodiments, the delivery of advertising may be determined on a periodic basis under the control of an application, such as a streaming application, in the processor and used to manage and provide access to the media content. If, at step 450, the determination is made that targeted advertising content is not requested or needed, process 400 returns to step 410 to continue monitoring and determining the content viewing patterns and other user activities as part of the viewing of media content by the user using the communication device.

[0059] If, at step 450, the determination is made that targeted advertising content is requested or needed, then, at step 460, the targeted advertising content that has been selected, at step 440, is provided to the communication device (e.g., communication device 200) for display to the user. In some embodiments, the targeted advertising content may be provided and viewed by the user in place of the regularly scheduled or untargeted advertising content. In some embodiments, the targeted advertisement content may be pre-fetched or provided to the communication device over the WAN through a WAN interface (e.g., WAN transceiver 270) and inserted into the media content being viewed by the user at the processor (e.g., signal processor 215 and / or controller 210). This mechanism may be referred to as client-side advertising insertion (CSAI). In some embodiments, the targeted content may alternatively or additionally be inserted as part of the media content stream at one of a service provider facility (e.g., head-end 110 in FIG. 1) or a content provider facility (e.g., advertising content server 190).

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a signal flow diagram 500 for performing advertising content insertion in a media stream as part of a CSAI framework for generating and providing advertising content to a user according to aspects of the present disclosure. Signal flow diagram 500 describes a process flow for pre-fetching or providing advertising content to a media content device 510 prior to its insertion into the media content in a manner similar to that described earlier, such as in steps 450 and 460 in FIG. 4. The media content device 510 operates and functionsin a manner similar to communication device 200 in FIG. 2 or home network device 310 in FIG. 3. The advertising content is identified and selected in an advertising content server 520 and provided through a WAN as part of a service provider network to the media content device 510. The advertising content server 520 and the service provider network operate in a manner similar to that described for advertising content server 190 and MSO network 100 in FIG. 1. It is worth noting that several components and interconnections, as well as other operations necessary for complete operation of process diagram 500 are not shown in the interest of conciseness, as the components not shown are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0061] A media content stream is provided from a facility in the service provider network (e.g., head-end 110 in FIG. 1) and received through the WAN by the media content device 510. The media content device 510. The media content device 510 processes the media content stream to produce a digital audio / video signal 530. that can be provided to an audio / video reproduction or display device (e.g., television 330 in FIG. 3). In some cases, the digital audio / video signal 530 may be in a compressed and / or encoded digital format and require decompression and / or decoding prior to reproduction or display. The digital audio / video signal 530 includes a series of frames N-2, N-1 , and N. An arrow indicates the direction of passing time, with frame N-2 being provided for reproduction or display before frame N and so on. After frame N, audio / video signal 530 includes an advertising insertion slot 540 followed by frames M and M+1. The advertising insertion slot 540 identifies the location within the frames of the digital audio / video signal 530 where advertising content is to be displayed instead of the digital audio / video signal 530. The position of the advertising insertion slot 540 may be generated using time stamps or other types of frame position identifiers associated with the series of audio / video frames. The duration of time or time span of the advertising insertion slot 540 may be determined by the service provider or the content provider and may be based on advertising revenue generation expectations or requirements for the media content stream. Further, multiple advertising insertion slots 540 may be included in a consecutive and / or periodic manner with the frames of the digital audio / video signal 530 to indicate multiple instances of advertising content, such as multiple advertisements, are to be displayed. In some embodiments, a different digital audio / video stream representing generic or untargeted advertising content may be included in the advertising insertion slot 540 as part of the received media content stream.

[0062] In operation, the media content device 510 receives the media content stream and processes the media content stream to produce the frames of digital audio and video signals for viewing by the user. The processing of the media content stream inherently introduces some delay prior to providing the digital audio / video signal 530 for reproduction or display to the user. The delay allows for the identification of the location of one or more advertising insertion slots 540 within the frames of the digital audio / video signal 530. In some embodiments, some additional delay may be introduced in order to allow for the identification.

[0063] As part of a targeted advertising operation in media content device 510, the media content device 510 may request or pre-fetch one or more targeted advertisements from advertising content server 520 based on the profile of a user provided by the media content device 510 and determined in a manner similar to that described above. The targeted advertisements are stored in a part of the memory or a data storage element in media content device 510. The media content device 510 may also provide additional information associated with the targeted advertising operation, such as a time duration that has been allotted for the advertising content based on the advertising insertion slot 540. In some embodiments, the targeted advertisements may be requested or pre-fetched prior to any processing of the media content stream. Alternatively, or additionally, the targeted advertisements may be requested during the processing of the media content stream.

[0064] When an advertising slot 540 is identified during the processing of the media content stream in media content device 510, one or more targeted advertisements are selected from the memory or storage element in media content device 510, processed by a processor (e.g., signal processor 310 in FIG. 3), and inserted into the advertising content slot 540 as frames of digital audio and / or video in digital audio / video signal 530. As shown in FIG. 5, the frames associated with the inserted targeted advertisement(s) are provided for display to the user after providing frame N and prior to providing frame M of the digital audio / video signal 530. In some embodiments, the targeted advertisement(s) may be inserted in place of some or all of any pre-loaded advertising content that was included as part of the media content stream.

[0065] It is worth noting that it is possible that a single targeted advertisement or, alternatively, a combination of two or more targeted advertisements having a time duration that is equal to the time span of the advertising insertion slot 540 is not available and / or does not exist. In some embodiments, the current advertising content included as part of the media content stream may continue to be displayed during all or part of the advertising insertion slot 540. In some embodiments, a single targeted advertisement or a combination of two or more advertisements that have a time span that is less than the time span of the advertising insertion slot 540 may be retrieved, processed, and provided for display as described above. In these embodiments, when the display of the targeted advertisement(s) is complete, a picture may be displayed for the time remaining to the end of the advertising insertion slot 540. The picture may be a still image or thumbnail captured from the video content of one of the targeted advertisements.

[0066] Turning to FIG. 6, a flow chart of another exemplary process 600 for managing and providing targeted advertisement content in a communication device according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Process 600 is primarily described with respect to a communication device, such as communication device 200 described in FIG. 2 or media content device 510 described in FIG. 5. In particular, some or all of the steps of process 600 may be performed by a software application or module included in a controller (e.g., controller 210), such as the TAD module described above. Further, some or all of the steps of process 600 may be performedby one or more elements described as part of home network 300 in FIG. 3. Additionally, some or all of the steps of process 600 may be used with a communication network, such as MSO network 100 described in FIG. 1. Although process 600 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the operations discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosure provided herein, will also appreciate that one or more of the steps of process 600 may be omitted, rearranged, combined, and / or adapted in various ways.

[0067] At step 610, the start time and stop time for an advertising window or advertising insertion slot (e.g., advertising insertion slot 510 in FIG. 5), for display of the next advertising content within the media content signal is determined. The start and stop time may be identified in terms of a frame count, elapsed time timestamps in the media content signal, elapsed time of viewing, or real time in a manner similar to that described above. The determination of the start time and stop time may be carried out in a processor (e.g., processor 215 in FIG. 2) that is also processing the media content signal. At step 620, one or more pieces of advertising content are retrieved based on an advertising profile for the user. The advertising profile for the user may be created or generated in a manner similar to that described above, such as for steps 410-430 in FIG. 4. Further, the advertising content may be retrieved in a manner similar to that described above, such as for steps 440 and 450 in FIG. 4. The retrieved advertising content may be stored until needed in a memory (e.g., memory 290).

[0068] At step 630, the one or more pieces of advertising content are processed and displayed beginning at the advertising window start time. The processing may be carried out in a processor (e.g., processor 215 in FIG. 2) and displayed on a display device through a display interface (e.g., audio / video interface 220). For example, a first piece of advertising content may be processed and displayed starting at the advertising window start time. A second piece of advertising content may be processed and displayed at the conclusion of the first piece of advertising content. The sequential processing and display of advertising content may continue until the advertising window end time is reached. In some embodiments, the new advertising content may be received from a local memory in the communication device (e.g., memory 290). In some embodiments, the advertising content may be provided from a local memory in the communication device (e.g., memory 290). In some embodiments, the advertising content may be requested through a network interface (e.g., network interface (e.g., WAN transceiver 270) to an advertising content server (e.g., advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1). The advertising content server may provide the requested advertising content to the communication device through the network interface.

[0069] At step 640, a determination is made as to whether the user has requested a change to the advertising content. The determination may be made using a processor (e.g., controller 210 in FIG. 2) The change to the advertising content may be made using a user interface (e.g., user interface 280) in a manner similar to that described above. If, at step 640, the determination is made that a request to change advertising content has notbeen made, process 600 returns to step 630 to continue processing and displaying the one or more pieces of advertising content.

[0070] If, at step 640, the determination is made that a request to change the advertising content has been made, then, at step 650, the time duration before the advertising window end time for displayed advertising content is determined. The time duration may be determined using a processor (e.g., signal processor 215 in FIG. 2). At step 660, a new piece of advertisement content matching advertising profile for the user and with a time duration equal to or less than the remaining time duration determined at step 650 is requested and / or retrieved. The request and retrieval may be carried out using a processor (e.g., controller 220). In some embodiments, the new advertising content may be received from a local memory in the communication device (e.g., memory 290).

[0071] In some embodiments, the request for new advertising content may be provided through a network interface (e.g., network interface (e.g., WAN transceiver 270) to an advertising content server (e.g., advertising content server 190 in FIG. 1). The advertising content server may provide the requested new advertising content to the communication device through the network interface. In some embodiments, the advertising content server may identify and provide a set of targeted advertisements having different time durations to the communication device for storage in a local memory (e.g., memory 290 in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, if the time duration of the new piece of advertising content is less than the remaining time duration, the current advertising content may continue to be displayed before displaying the new piece of advertising content or a picture advertisement may be displayed in a manner similar to that described above to fill any additional time until the advertising window end time is reached.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows another signal flow diagram 700 for performing advertising content insertion in a media stream as part of a CSAI framework for generating and providing advertising content to a user according to aspects of the present disclosure. Signal flow diagram 700 describes a process flow for pre-fetching or providing advertising content to a media content device 710 prior to its insertion into the media content in a manner similar to that described earlier, such as for process 600 in FIG. 6. The media content device 510 operates and functions in a manner similar to communication device 200 in FIG. 2 or home network device 310 in FIG. 3. The advertising content is identified and selected in an advertising content server 520 and provided through a WAN as part of a service provider network to the media content device 510. The advertising content server 520 and the service provider network operate in a manner similar to that described for advertising content server 190 and MSO network 100 in FIG. 1. It is worth noting that several components and interconnections, as well as other operations necessary for complete operation of process diagram 500 are not shown in the interest of conciseness, as the components not shown are well known to those skilled in the art. Further, except as otherwise described below, the configuration, functions, and operations of media content device 710, advertisingcontent server 720, digital audio / video stream 730, and advertising insertion slot 740 are similar to media content device 710, advertising content server 720, digital audio / video stream 730, and advertising insertion slot 740 described above and will not be further described here.

[0073] As an example of a targeted advertising operation in the media content device 710, the media content device 710 may request or pre-fetch a set of targeted advertisements from advertising content server 720 prior to the start of advertising insertion slot 740. The advertising insertion slot 740 has a time duration 740, so targeted advertisements having a time duration equal to or less than the time duration 740 may be requested or prefetched. The targeted advertisements are provided and stored in local memory in media content device 710 as described above. At the start of the advertising insertion slot 740, after frame N of digital audio / video signal 730, the start of the first advertisement having a time duration equal to or less than time duration 740 is displayed to the user from media content device 710.

[0074] After viewing the first advertisement for a time period identified by element 741 , the user provides an input to media content device 710 to switch ads in a manner as described above. As a result of the input from the user, the media content device 710 identifies and selects a second advertisement having a time duration equal to the remaining time for the advertising insertion slot (i.e., the time duration of advertising time slot 740 minus the time period element 741 ). The second advertisement is provided for display for the time remaining for the advertising insertion slot.

[0075] After viewing the second advertisement for a time period identified by element 742, the user again provides an input to media content device 710 to switch ads in a manner as described above. As a result of the input from the user, the media content device 710 identifies and selects a third advertisement having a time duration equal to the remaining time for the advertising insertion slot (i.e., the time duration of advertising time slot 740 minus the time period elements 741 and 742). An advertisement having a time duration equal to the remaining time for the advertising insertion slot is not available. Instead, the media content device 710 identifies and selects a third advertisement having a time duration that is less than the remaining time for the advertising insertion slot. The third advertisement is provided for display for its duration of time within the time remaining for the advertising insertion slot.

[0076] The third advertisement is viewed by the user in its entirety as indicated by element 743. After viewing of the third advertisement in its entirety, a video fill segment, such as a still image associated with the third advertisement, is provided for display having a time duration 744 equal to the remaining time for the advertising insertion slot (i.e., the time duration of advertising time slot 740 minus the time period elements 741 , 742, and 743). When the conclusion of the time period of the advertising insertion slot 740 is reached, the digital audio / signal is provided by media content device 710 for display to the user starting with frame M.

[0077] T urning to FIG. 8, a flow chart of a further exemplary process 800 for managing OS middleware updates in a communication device according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Process 800 is primarily described with respect to a communication device, such as communication device 200 described in FIG. 2 or media content device 510 described in FIG. 5. In particular, some or all of the steps of process 800 may be performed by a software application or module included in a controller (e.g., controller 210), such as the TAD module described above. Further, some or all of the steps of process 800 may be performed by one or more elements described as part of home network 300 in FIG. 3. Additionally, some or all of the steps of process 800 may be used with a communication network, such as MSO network 100 described in FIG. 1. Although process 800 depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the operations discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosure provided herein, will also appreciate that one or more of the steps of process 800 may be omitted, rearranged, combined, and / or adapted in various ways.

[0078] At step 810, a first advertisement is provided as part of media content delivered to a user device (e.g., communication device 200 in FIG. 2). The first advertisement is provided for viewing by a user on user based on an advertisement profile for the user. The media content may include, but is not limited to, broadcast media content, streaming media content, recorded media content, and the like. The first advertisement, along with the media content, is provided for viewing through a display interface (e.g., audio / video interface 220). In some embodiments, the advertisement profile for the user may be generated based on information provided by one or more apparatuses or pieces of equipment in the home of the user. These apparatuses include, but are not limited to, a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave, a gaming console, a treadmill, and a stationary bicycle. Typically, this equipment is not considered CPE as it may not be connected directly to a WAN or service provider network (e.g., MSO network 100 in FIG. 1). Instead, these apparatuses are connected to the user device through a home network or LAN as described in FIG. 3. The information may include, but is not limited to, food and beverage items consumed by the user, gaming habits of the user, and exercise activities performed by the user.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first advertisement may be provided during an advertisement time slot in the media content in a manner similar to that described above. Further, in some embodiments, the first advertisement has a time span that is equal to a time span of the advertisement time slot. Alternatively, the first advertisement has a time span that is less than the time span of the advertisement time slot. In these cases, one or more additional advertisements may be provided at the conclusion of the first advertisement in order to fill the remaining time span of the advertisement time slot. The time span of the advertisement time slot as well as the time span of the first advertisement may be determined by a processor (e.g., signal processor 215 in FIG. 2).

[0080] At step 820, a determination is made as to whether a request to change the first advertisement has been made by the user. In some embodiments, the request to change the first advertisement may be made through a user interface (e.g., user interface 280 in FIG. 2). The determination may be made by a processor (e.g., controller 210). If, at step 820 a determination is made that a request to change the first advertisement has not been made, then process 800 returns to step 810, to continue providing the first advertisement for viewing.

[0081] If, at step 820, a determination is made that a request to change the first advertisement has been made, then, at step 830, the time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement is determined. The time remaining may be determined by a processor (e.g., signal processor 215 in FIG. 2). At step 840, a second advertisement, having a time span that is less than or equal to the time remaining for the first advertisement determined, at step 840, is identified and selected. The second advertisement may be identified and selected by a processor (e.g., controller 210).

[0082] At step 850, the second advertisement, identified and selected at step 840, is provided for viewing by the user, in place of the first advertisement that the user was viewing. The process of replacing the first advertisement with the second advertisement may be performed by a processor (e.g., processor 215 in FIG. 2). The second advertisement is provided in the same manner as the first advertisement, through a display interface (e.g., audio / video interface 220).

[0083] In some embodiments, the first advertisement and the second advertisement may be delivered to the user device from a database that includes a set of advertisements having different time spans based on the advertisement profile for the user. Further, the first advertisement and second advertisement may be delivered to the user device before providing the media content and may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 290 in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the first advertisement and second advertisement may be delivered during the time the media content is being delivered and / or provided for viewing.

[0084] In some embodiments, the second advertisement may have a time span that is less than the time remaining for the first advertisement. In such a case, the first advertisement may continue to be provided for viewing until the time remaining for viewing is equal to the time span for the second advertisement. Alternatively, the second advertisement may replace the first advertisement as described in step 850. A still image associated with the second advertisement may be provided for the time duration equal to a difference between the time remaining for the first advertisement and the time span of the second advertisement.

[0085] It is worth noting that a portion of process 800 may be repeated if the user requests to change the second advertisement. In this case, steps 830, 840, and 850 may be repeated for the time span of the advertisement time slot in a manner similar to that described in FIG. 7. Further, one or more of the steps of process 800 may be combined with one or more steps of one or both of process 600 and process 400 to form a new or different process. For example, steps 410 to 440 from process 400 may be combined with steps 610 and620 from process 600 along with all of the steps of process 800 to form a process for providing targeted advertising that is based on viewing habits as well as information from other activities of the user that also includes the ability to change request a change to the advertising content by the user. Other examples may also be possible.

[0086] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary user interface display 900 used as part of generating and providing targeted advertising content for a user according to aspects of the present disclosure. User interface display 900 may be included as part of a communication device, such as communication device 200 described in FIG. 2 or media content device 500 described in FIG. 5. More specifically, user interface display 900 may be generated using software instructions included in the communication device. In some embodiments, the communication device includes an interface, such as audio / video interface 220 described in FIG. 2, that provides user interface display 900 as part of an audio / video signal to an external display device. In some embodiments, a display device may be integral in the communication device and used to display the audio / video signal including the user interface display 900. Further, the user interface display 900 is used to control one or more aspects of displaying targeted advertising content as part of one or more of the processes described above. For example, user interface display 900 may be used as part of determining whether a user is requesting to switch advertisements as described above in FIG. 6. Additionally, user interface display 900 may be used as part of an interface between the communication device and one or more components of MSO network 100 described in FIG. 1 , such as head-end 110 and advertising content server 190.

[0087] User interface display 900 includes a video content display element 910. The video display content element 910 is displaying a signal stream of advertising content selected in a manner similar to that described above. For example, the advertising content may be selected from a set of targeted advertisements in a database included in the advertising content server 190 described in FIG. 1 and displayed during all or a portion of the time period identified for advertising content insertion (e.g., advertising insertion slot 740 in FIG. 7).

[0088] User interface display 900 also includes a navigation bar 920. The navigation bar 920 includes a set of user selectable entries associated with navigation functions, such as pause / play and fast forward, that may be selected and operated by the user. The navigation bar 920 further includes one or more status indicators for audio volume, elapsed / total time of the media stream, and closed caption display. The navigation bar 920 also includes one or more of the navigation functions, display mode functions, and / or menu functions that may be selected by the user. All of the status indicators as well as all of the functions may be carried out and managed using instructions included in a controller or processor (e.g., controller 210 in FIG. 2).

[0089] User interface display 900 additionally includes an advertisement information window 930. The advertisement information window 930 includes additional information associated with the advertising content being displayed, such as the name or logo for the company associated with the advertising content in the video 1content display element 910 and the URL for a website associated with the link for additional information. The advertisement information window 930 also includes a user selectable access button 935 labeled “sign up”. If the user selects access button 935, the communication device (e.g., communication device 200 in FIG. 2) accesses the network through a head-end (e.g., head-end 110) to retrieve and display information or media content from the website for the company associated with the advertising content. The media content may be displayed as all of the video content display element 910 (i.e., in place of the advertising content) or, alternatively, displayed in a portion of the video content display element 910 (i.e., in a window) along with the advertising content. It is worth noting that the advertisement window 930 may include other types of information, such as bar codes or quick response (QR) codes for more information, links, and / or sales and coupons associated with the advertising content displayed in video content display element 910.

[0090] User interface display 900 further includes a selection button 940 labeled “Skip Ads” along with a selection button 950 labeled “Change Ad” . Button 940, when selected, executes instructions in the communication device (e.g., communication device 200 in FIG. 2) to skip the remaining portion of time for the advertising content in the advertisement time slot or advertising insertion slot, including the remaining time of the current advertisement and any other subsequent advertisements, and resume display of the regular media content. In some embodiments, button 940 may skip only the current advertisement but continue to provide and display any remaining advertisements in the advertisement time slot. Button 950, when selected, executes instructions in the communication device to change, or switch, the current advertising content to different advertising content in a manner similar to that described above. For example, button 950, when selected, may execute instructions that implement one or more of the steps described as part of process 500 in FIG. 5.

[0091] It is worth noting that a user may select any or all of the selectable elements described in user interface display 900 using one or more of the various user interface mechanisms as are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, a user may use navigation and selection buttons on a remote control device associated with the television to navigate to button 950, highlighting it, and hit the select button to change the advertising content. In another example, the user may further touch the display screen in the vicinity of the location of button 950 to change the advertising content. In a further example, the user may use a voice command, “change ad”, to indicate selecting button 940 in order to change the advertising content.

[0092] It is to be appreciated that although the embodiments described above focus on physical hardware and elements within a device, the principles of the present disclosure may be easily extended to implementations that involve software based programming instructions that are stored in a computer readable medium, such as a magnetic optical based storage structure, and executed by one or more processors in a device. Further, in some embodiments, one or more of the elements of a process based on the principles of the present disclosure,such as process 400, process 600, or process 800 described above, may be implemented utilizing cloud-based operations and / or storage.

[0093] According to the present disclosure, a method is disclosed that includes providing a first advertisement as part of media content delivered to a user device, the first advertisement being selected for viewing by a user of the user device based on an advertisement profile for the user and determining if a request to change the first advertisement is made by the user during the viewing of the first advertisement. The method further includes determining a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made, identifying a second advertisement based on the advertisement profile for the user, the second advertisement having a time span that is not greater than the time remaining, and providing the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement for viewing by the user during the time remaining.

[0094] According to the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable medium that includes a computer program product recorded thereon and capable of being run by a processor, including program code instruction for implementing a method that includes providing a first advertisement as part of media content delivered to a user device, the first advertisement being selected for viewing by a user on a user device based on an advertisement profile for the user and determining if a request to change the first advertisement is made by the user during the viewing of the first advertisement. The method further includes determining a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made, identifying a second advertisement based on the advertisement profile for the user, the second advertisement having a time span that is not greater than the time remaining, and providing the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement for viewing by the user during the time remaining.

[0095] In some embodiments, the advertisement profile for the user may be generated based on information provided by one or more of a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave, a gaming console, a treadmill, and a stationary bicycle, all connected to the user device through a local network. Further, the information may include one or more of food and beverage items consumed by the user, gaming habits of the user, and exercise activities performed by the user.

[0096] In some embodiments, the second advertisement may have a time span that is less than the time remaining for the first advertisement. The method may further include providing the first advertisement for viewing until the time remaining for viewing is equal to the time span for the second advertisement.

[0097] In some embodiments, the second advertisement may have a time span that is less than the time remaining for the first advertisement. The method may further include providing a still image associated with the second advertisement for a duration of time equal to a difference between a time remaining for the first advertisement and the time span of the second advertisement.

[0098] In some embodiments, the request to change the first advertisement may be made by the user through a user interface on the user device.

[0099] According to the present disclosure, an apparatus is described that includes a network interface, the network interface receiving a first advertisement as part of media content, the first advertisement being selected for viewing by a user based on an advertisement profile for the user and a display interface, the display interface providing the media content and the first advertisement for viewing on a display device. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the network interface and display interface, the processor configured to determine if a request to change the first advertisement is made by the user during the viewing of the first advertisement, determine a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made, and identify a second advertisement based on the advertisement profile for the user, the second advertisement having a time span that is not greater than the time remaining. The display interface provides the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement for viewing on the display device during the time remaining.

[0100] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a local network interface coupled to the processor. The local network interface may receive information from one or more of a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave, a gaming console, a treadmill, and a stationary bicycle, the information used to generate the advertisement profile for the user. For example, the information may include one or more of food and beverage items consumed by the user, gaming habits of the user, and exercise activities performed by the user.

[0101] In some embodiments, the second advertisement may have a time span that is less than the time remaining for the first advertisement. The display interface further may provide the first advertisement for viewing until the time remaining for viewing is equal to the time span for the second advertisement.

[0102] In some embodiments, the second advertisement may have a time span that is less than the time remaining for the first advertisement. The display interface further may provide a still image associated with the second advertisement for a duration of time equal to a difference between a time remaining for the first advertisement and the time span of the second advertisement.

[0103] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a user interface coupled to the processor. The request to change the first advertisement may be made by the user through the user interface.

[0104] In some embodiments, the apparatus may be a media content device, a communication device, and a gateway device.

[0105] In some embodiments, the first advertisement may be provided during an advertisement time slot in the media content. In some embodiments, the first advertisement may have a time span that is equal to a time span of the advertisement time slot. In some embodiments, the first advertisement and the secondadvertisement are received from a database that includes a set of advertisements having different time spans based on the advertisement profile for the user.

[0106] It is to be appreciated that, except where explicitly indicated in the description above, the various features shown and described are interchangeable, that is, a feature shown in one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment.

[0107] Although embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present disclosure have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. Having described preferred embodiments of an apparatus and method for generating and providing targeted advertising content, it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method comprising: providing (810) a first advertisement as part of media content delivered to a user device (330), the first advertisement being selected for viewing by a user of the user device (330) based on an advertisement profile for the user; determining (820) if a request to change the first advertisement is made by the user during the viewing of the first advertisement; determining (830) a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made; identifying (840) a second advertisement based on the advertisement profile for the user, the second advertisement having a time span that is not greater than the time remaining; and providing (850) the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement for viewing by the user during the time remaining.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the advertisement profile for the user is generated based on information provided by at least one of a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave, a gaming console, a treadmill, and a stationary bicycle, all connected to the user device (330) through a local network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the information includes at least one of food and beverage items consumed by the user, gaming habits of the user, and exercise activities performed by the user.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement is provided during an advertisement time slot (740) in the media content.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first advertisement has a time span that is equal to a time span of the advertisement time slot (740).

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first advertisement and the second advertisement are provided to the user device (330) from a database that includes a set of advertisements having different time spans based on the advertisement profile for the user.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second advertisement has a time span that is less than the time remaining for the first advertisement, the method further comprising providing the first advertisement for viewing until the time remaining for viewing is equal to the time span for the second advertisement.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second advertisement has a time span that is less than the time remaining for the first advertisement, the method further comprising providing a still image associated with the second advertisement for a duration of time equal to a difference between a time remaining for the first advertisement and the time span of the second advertisement.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the request to change the first advertisement is made by the user through a user interface on the user device (330).

10. An apparatus comprising: a network interface (270), the network interface receiving a first advertisement as part of media content, the first advertisement being selected for viewing by a user based on an advertisement profile for the user; a display interface (220), the display interface providing (810) the media content and the first advertisement for viewing on a display device; and a processor (215, 210) coupled to the network interface (270) and display interface (220), the processor (215, 210) configured to: determine (820) if a request to change the first advertisement is made by the user during the viewing of the first advertisement; determine (830) a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made; and identify (840) a second advertisement based on the advertisement profile for the user, the second advertisement having a time span that is not greater than the time remaining; wherein the display interface (220) provides (850) the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement for viewing on the display device during the time remaining.11 . The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a local network interface coupled to the processor, the local network interface receiving information from at least one of a refrigerator (340b), a stove, a microwave, a gaming console (350), a treadmill (340c), and a stationary bicycle, the information used to generate the advertisement profile for the user.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the information includes at least one of food and beverage items consumed by the user, gaming habits of the user, and exercise activities performed by the user.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first advertisement is provided during an advertisement time slot (740) in the media content.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first advertisement has a time span that is equal to a time span of the advertisement time slot (740).

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first advertisement and the second advertisement are received from a database that includes a set of advertisements having different time spans based on the advertisement profile for the user.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second advertisement has a time span that is less than the time remaining for the first advertisement, and wherein the display interface (220) further provides the first advertisement for viewing until the time remaining for viewing is equal to the time span for the second advertisement.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second advertisement has a time span that is less than the time remaining for the first advertisement, and wherein the display interface (220) further provides a still image associated with the second advertisement for a duration of time equal to a difference between a time remaining for the first advertisement and the time span of the second advertisement.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a user interface (280) coupled to the processor, (215, 210) wherein the request to change the first advertisement is made by the user through the user interface (280).

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus (200, 310) is one of a media content device, a communication device, and a gateway device.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program product recorded thereon and capable of being run by a processor, including program code instruction for implementing a method comprising:Providing (810) a first advertisement as part of media content delivered to a user device (330), the first advertisement being selected for viewing by a user on a user device (330) based on an advertisement profile for the user; determining (820) if a request to change the first advertisement is made by the user during the viewing of the first advertisement; determining (830) a time remaining to complete the viewing of the first advertisement if a request to change the first advertisement is made; identifying (840) a second advertisement based on the advertisement profile for the user, the second advertisement having a time span that is not greater than the time remaining; and providing (850) the second advertisement in place of the first advertisement for viewing by the user during the time remaining.

Images