US6604239B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for virtual television program rating
Assignee: Eyescene Inc
•
Filing: 1999-06-25
•
Granted: 2003-08-05
•
Expires: 2019-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and a system for combining at least two sources of television program rating information, including at least one source obtained through user input into an electronic interface, to provide a more accurate and focused rating for a particular television program. The source of rating information which is obtained through an electronic interface is preferably obtained through the active interaction of the user with a Web browser, for example through an applet or a Web page, or a combination thereof. The advantage of such active interaction is that the user wants to provide the rating information, thereby requiring more involvement by the user than merely passively viewing a television program. Such a system and method is also useful for rating advertisements, for which passive rating methods may not be as effective. Furthermore, more precise demographic information can be obtained through such an interaction with the Web browser, since the user can be requested to enter such precise information. Advertisers are interested in such demographic information, such that the system and method of the present invention may provide useful indicators of the interest of various groups of users in specific television programs. Television networks which schedule television programs are also interested in demographic information in order to be able to select television programs and to promote these television programs more effectively. Thus, the system and method of the present invention is useful for providing more accurate and specific rating information for television programs and advertisements, as well as for promoting these television programs and advertisements.
Inventors
- 👤 Offer Kohen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/03; G06Q40/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for rating a television program as a virtual stock by a user, the system comprising: (a) a user log module for storing an amount of the virtual stock owned by the user and for storing an amount of a virtual currency for purchasing the virtual stock; (b) a user interface for displaying said amount of the virtual stock and said amount of said virtual currency to the user; (c) a television program stock value module for storing a price of the virtual stock, said price of the virtual stock determining the rating; (d) an independent rating information module for providing independent rating information about the television program; and (e) a central engine connected to said independent rating module, said television program stock value module and said user interface, for receiving an order from the user for the virtual stock, for determining said amount of the virtual stock and said amount of said virtual currency in said user log, and for combining said independent rating information and a number of orders for the virtual stock to determine said price of the virtual stock.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A system for rating a television program as a virtual stock by a user, the system comprising: (a) a user log module for storing an amount of the virtual stock owned by the user and for storing an amount of a virtual currency for purchasing the virtual stock; (b) a user interface for displaying said amount of the virtual stock and said amount of said virtual currency to the user; (c) a television program stock value module for storing a price of the virtual stock, said price of the virtual stock determining the rating; (d) an independent rating information module for providing independent rating information about the television program; and (e) a central engine connected to said independent rating module, said television program stock value module and said user interface, for receiving an order from the user for the virtual stock, for determining said amount of the virtual stock and said amount of said virtual currency in said user log, and for combining said independent rating information and a number of orders for the virtual stock to determine said price of the virtual stock.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said independent rating information is obtained from a regular television program rating provider.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein said central engine further comprises: a statistical formula module for combining said independent rating information and said number of orders for the virtual stock according to a weighting function.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said user interface is a Web browser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein said Web browser displays a GUI (graphical user interface) selected from the group consisting of a Web page and an applet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 5 , further comprising: (f) a Web TV device for operating said user interface, said Web TV device being connected to said central engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 6 , further comprising: (g) a television channel for displaying at least one television program on said Web TV device, said television channel being connected to said central engine, such that said central engine measures a period of time for displaying said at least one television program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 4 , further comprising: (f) a help module for providing assistance to the user through said Web browser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein said assistance is provided through an animated character displayed on said Web browser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: (f) a promotional information module connected to said central engine for displaying promotional information to the user through said user interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said promotional information includes at least one interactive activity for interaction with the user through said user interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the user receives a prize for performing said at least one interactive activity, said prize being stored in said user log.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 12 , further comprising: (g) a merchandise store module for providing merchandise for purchase by the user according to a merchandise price, such that the user receives a reduction in said merchandise price according to said prize.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein said at least one interactive activity is a game.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said promotional information module further comprises a television program promotional module for providing promotional information about the television program.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said promotional information module further comprises a user promotional module for providing promotional information about the system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: (f) a merchandise store module for providing merchandise for purchase by the user according to a merchandise price, such that the user receives a reduction in said merchandise price according to at least a portion of said amount of said virtual currency.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for rating a television program as a virtual stock by a user, the virtual stock having a value, the value corresponding to a rating for the television program, the method comprising the steps of: (a) registering the user; (b) receiving a predetermined amount of virtual currency by the user; (c) logging in by the user; (d) viewing an amount of virtual currency and an amount of virtual stocks owned by the user; (e) placing an order for at least one virtual stock; (f) adjusting said amount of said virtual currency and said amount of virtual stocks according to said order; (g) receiving independent rating information for the television program; and (h) calculating the value of the virtual stock from said independent rating information and a number of orders for the virtual stock.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for rating a television program as a virtual stock by a user, the virtual stock having a value, the value corresponding to a rating for the television program, the method comprising the steps of: (a) registering the user; (b) receiving a predetermined amount of virtual currency by the user; (c) logging in by the user; (d) viewing an amount of virtual currency and an amount of virtual stocks owned by the user; (e) placing an order for at least one virtual stock; (f) adjusting said amount of said virtual currency and said amount of virtual stocks according to said order; (g) receiving independent rating information for the television program; and (h) calculating the value of the virtual stock from said independent rating information and a number of orders for the virtual stock.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the user is required to purchase a minimum number of virtual stocks.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein step (a) further comprises the step of: (i) entering a user name and a user password.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein step (a) further comprises the steps of: (ii) entering an e-mail (electronic mail) address for the user; and (iii) entering personal information about the user selected from the group consisting of age and gender of the user, occupation of the user and salary range of the user.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein step (d) further comprises the step of requesting help by the user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein step (e) further comprises the step of viewing a value of at least one virtual stock.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein step (e) includes the step of buying the virtual stock.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein step (e) further includes the step of requesting that the step of buying the virtual stock is performed only if said value of the virtual stock is at or below a predetermined amount.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein step (e) includes the step of selling the virtual stock.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein step (e) further includes the step of requesting that the step of seling the virtual stock is performed only if said value of the virtual stock is at or above a predetermined amount.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein step (e) further comprises the step of subtracting a transaction fee from said amount of virtual currency for each order.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein step (e) is executed immediately.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein step (e) is executed after the television program corresponding to the virtual stock has been shown.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the step of combining these sources of rating information is performed according to a statistical formula for determining relative weight of said independent rating information and said number of orders for the virtual stock.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 18 , further comprising the steps of: (i) interacting with a promotional activity by the user; and (j) receiving a prize for performing step (I).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-08-04 | 2007-02-03 | 2007-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-04 | 2011-02-03 | 2011-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-04 | 2015-02-03 | 2015-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |