Video-on-demand and targeted advertising

摘要

A method and apparatus for aggregating the data for a plurality of individualized programs into a single channel, and allocating the channel bandwidth as-needed for provision of short video programs on an “on demand” basis, so that the total bandwidth required to provide the individualized channels and associated video clips is substantially reduced. Also provided is a real-time, single-user-targeted individualized advertising associated with the viewer selection that personalizes the user's iTV experience. The advertisements are targeted in real-time based on an immediate interest revealed by the user in a search request for content. Short duration videos are provided so as not to over-tax the individualized “on demand” channel's limited bandwidth.

主权项

1. A method for conveying individualized content, the method comprising:
transmitting, in a repetitive manner, a plurality of modules of content to a plurality of client devices, at least one of the modules having a corresponding module identifier; receiving, from a client device of the plurality of client devices, search criteria; identifying, using at least one processor of a machine, at least one qualifying module identifier corresponding to the search criteria; transmitting the at least one qualifying module identifier to the client device for use by the client device to retrieve at least one module corresponding to the at least one qualifying module identifier from the plurality of modules being transmitted in the repetitive manner for presentation to a user of the client device; receiving, from the client device after the transmitting of the at least one qualifying module identifier, a module selection; inserting data identified with the module selection into a first communication channel of a plurality of communication channels accessible by the client device, the inserted data to appear repetitively in the first communication channel; and transmitting, to the client device, an identifier for the first communication channel for use by the client device to access the first communication channel to receive the inserted data.