Method and apparatus for distributing promotional materials

摘要

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a memory coupled to a processor. The processor can be operable to receive a request for promotional information responsive to a media processor detecting a promotional tag in a media program stream and transmit to the media processor promotional information associated with a promotion responsive to a determination that a promotional offer is available. The processor can also be operable to receive from the media processor a request for redeemable material associated with the promotion and store the redeemable material in a portion of a database associated with a user of the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
detecting, by a set top box, a coupon tag in a television program stream; transmitting, by the set top box to a remote server, a request for coupon information, wherein the transmitting of the request selectively causes the remote server to select a first coupon responsive to determining from a scheduled presentation date of the television program stream and an approximate time when the request was received by the remote server that the television program stream is consistent with the scheduled presentation date, and wherein the transmitting of the request selectively causes the remote server to select a second coupon responsive to determining from the scheduled presentation date of the television program stream and the approximate time when the request was received by the remote server that the television program stream is being presented from a recording thereof, wherein one of the first or second coupon is selected by the remote server based in part on coupon consumption behavior associated with a user of the set top box; receiving, by the set top box, the coupon information associated with a selected one of the first and second coupons without receiving the first and second coupons responsive to a determination that a coupon offer was available when the request was transmitted; presenting, by the set top box, the coupon information; and transmitting, by the set top box to the remote server, a coupon request initiated by a remote controller of the set top box, wherein the coupon request is transmitted responsive to the remote controller initiating the coupon request within a predetermined time, and wherein the transmitting of the coupon request causes the remote server to store the selected one of the first and second coupons at a remote database associated with the user of the set top box.