Method and apparatus for advertisement placement in a user dialog on a set-top box

摘要

Methods and apparatuses for presenting targeted advertisements to DVR users are described. After a DVR has finished playing a recorded television program, or in response to other specified events, the DVR presents a screen which comprises a “save or delete” menu. In addition to the “save” and “delete” options, the menu additionally comprises one or more other options. Each of these other options may correspond to a separate promotional item. For example, a user's selection of such an option may cause the DVR to display or play an advertisement on the user's television set. Additionally or alternatively, these other options, when selected by a user, may cause the DVR to display a user interface through which the user can actually purchase a product or service. The product or service advertised or offered may be one that was featured or referenced in the television program that the user was just watching.

主权项

1. A method for presenting information through a multimedia device, the method comprising:
receiving, at the multimedia device, user input whose receipt causes the multimedia device to cease playing a content stream; in response to receiving the user input, ceasing playing of the content stream, the playing of the content stream being ceased at a chronological point within the content stream that is earlier than an end of a program within the content stream; determining whether the chronological point is within a specified threshold of the end of the program in the content stream; in response to receiving the user input and determining that the chronological point at which playing of the content stream ceased is within the specified threshold of the end of the program, displaying a menu to a user of the multimedia device, the menu comprising at least a link which, when selected, causes the multimedia device to display one or more interactive items and a user-selectable option which, when selected, causes the multimedia device to delete the program; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.