Apparatus and method for replacing a broadcasted advertisement based on both heuristic information and attempts in altering the playback of the advertisement

摘要

According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises a data storage unit and a data processing unit. The data storage unit is adapted to store a plurality of advertisements. Coupled to the data storage unit, the data processing unit is adapted to detect an operation that alters playback of an advertisement being part of downloaded digital content, and in response to detecting the operation, to select one of the stored advertisements. The selection is based on heuristic information that is maintained for each of the plurality of stored advertisements.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a computer memory that is not a transitory signal and that includes instructions executable by at least one processor to: receive advertisements from a broadcast source; receive first control information for a first advertisement indicating that fast forwarding through the first advertisement is permitted at all rates of fast forward, skipping the first advertisement is permitted, muting first advertisement volume is permitted, and pausing the first advertisement is permitted; receive second control information for a second advertisement indicating that fast forwarding through the second advertisement is permitted at some but not all rates of fast forward, skipping the second advertisement is not permitted, muting second advertisement volume is not permitted, and pausing the second advertisement is not permitted; receive third control information for a third advertisement indicating that fast forwarding through the third advertisement is permitted at all rates of fast forward, skipping the third advertisement is permitted, muting third advertisement volume is not permitted, and pausing the third advertisement is permitted; control playback of the first, second, and third advertisements according to the first, second, and third control information.