BACKGROUND

Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and device with mined

advertisement locations.

Introduction

Set Top Boxes have become quite user friendly with powerful operating systems, hard disks, connectivity etc. In addition, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers are common in mobile and vehicles. There are other navigation systems with similar capabilities, as detailed herein. The GPS is a space-based global navigation satellite system that is supposed to provides substantially reliable location and time information in most weather conditions, most of the time and generally anywhere on or near the Earth, when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.

GPS system is used in everyday life. It is used in a vehicle to keep track of the location; in this case it acts as a guide and helps the user to reach the destination with ease even if a user does not know the route. It can be used to indicate locations for hotels, shops, ATMs and other landmarks in a route. Some provide a program to allow GPS receivers to indicate when a particular location is near by.

Whenever an advertisement is shown on TV during a movie or TV show, the contact information about advertisers, vendors and stores like address and contact number is shown. However, once advertisement is over, the user often forgets the advertisement, contact information and location, such as store where product is available, discount information, location of the store, etc. For example, in the event a user is new or unfamiliar with a region and not familiar with store locations in the area, the effectiveness of targeted advertising is minimized and defeated.

There is a need for having the ability to bring personal advertising or a favorite ads list and associated information with a user over geographic areas via a wireless communication. Thus, there is a need to allow designated advertisements to follow the user wherever a user travels.

There is a need to provide a wireless communication device to program its navigation system, such as a GPS system, to modify a user's route map in such a way that the user is alerted about his or her interested product as he or she passes through a store and/or alert a user when in proximity to a favorite store location, for example.

Set Top Boxes and Digital televisions (DTV) will be used interchangeably. This disclosure uses Set Top Box (STB) however the same is applicable for DTV as well. Current STBs can communicate with an MSO headend, and MSO headends can communicate with other devices connected to the internet, such as mobile phones. Based on this capability, there is a need to provide enhanced STB, GPS systems and wireless communication devices that allow each to communicate or make a user's life easier.

Many cell phone users enjoy smart devices in the hope of being more productive and efficient. Retrieving information wirelessly from a trusted source has become common place. Disadvantageously, often while viewing content, unwanted and irrelevant advertising is embedded or streamed over such content

There is a need for having the ability to bring personal advertising or favorite ads with a user over geographic areas via a wireless communication device.

There is further a need for having the ability to bring personal advertising or favorite ads with a user over geographic areas via a wireless communication, which also provides navigation information, so a user can plan a route, be directed to an advertisers location or be alerted that he or she is in proximity to a favorite advertisers location.

There is yet further a need to provide a personalized experience for intelligent presentation of enhanced route planning in connection with navigation.

There is yet a further need to provide a user friendly and intuitive operation in bringing personalized advertising or favorite ads with a user over geographic areas, that can use many components already found in many wireless communication devices.

Thus, a method and device that addresses these issues and problems would be considered an improvement in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a communication system according to one embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a wireless communication device according to one embodiment.

Fig. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of a method with select advertiser locations according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4 is an exemplary block diagram of a method with select advertiser locations according to one embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of a method with select advertiser locations according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a system 100 according to one embodiment. The system 100 can include a network 110, a terminal 120, and a base station 130. The terminal 120 may be a wireless communication device, such as a wireless telephone, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a personal computer, a wireless pad, a selective call receiver, or any other device that is capable of sending and receiving communication signals on a network including a wireless network. The network 110 may include any type of network that is capable of sending and receiving signals, such as wireless signals. For example, the network 110 may include a wireless telecommunications network, a cellular telephone network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), a Third Generation (3G) network, a Fourth Generation (4G) network, a satellite communications network, and other like communications systems. More generally, network 110 may include a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN) and/or a Personal Area Network (PAN). Furthermore, the network 110 may include more than one network and may include a plurality of different types of networks. Thus, the network 110 may include a plurality of data networks, a plurality of telecommunications networks, a combination of data and

telecommunications networks and other like communication systems capable of sending and receiving communication signals. In operation, the terminal 120 can communicate with the network 110 and with other devices on the network 110 by sending and receiving wireless signals via the base station 130, which may also comprise local area, and/or personal area access points. The terminal 120 is shown being in communication with a global positioning system (GPS) 140 satellite, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) or the like, for position sensing and determination.

[0002] Fig. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a wireless communication device 200 configured with an energy storage device or module 205, such as in the terminal 120, or in a wireless communication device, for example. The wireless communication device 200 can include a housing 210, a controller 220 coupled to the housing 210, audio input and output circuitry 230 coupled to the housing 210, a display 240 coupled to the housing 210, a transceiver 250 coupled to the housing 210, a user interface 260 coupled to the housing 210, a memory 270 coupled to the housing 210, an antenna 280 coupled to the housing 210 and the transceiver 250, and a removable subscriber module 285 coupled to the controller 220.

As shown in Fig. 2, the wireless communication device 200 further includes an intelligent advertizing module 290 configured to: receive identified desirable advertisement associated with advertising content, the advertising content includes a designated location of an advertising entity, wherein the identified desirable advertisement includes being mined as of interest and being included as a candidate location to visit; and provide the designated location of the identified desirable advertisement. The advertizing module 290 can also include a location module 292, as detailed below.

In one embodiment, the advertizing module 290 includes the location module

292 capable of being in communication with GPS, GNSS, cellular tower, and the like, and being coupled to the controller 220. As should be understood, other location modules can be utilized, such as network location methods or inertial navigation.

In more detail, the module 290 can reside within the controller 220, can reside within the memory 270, can be an autonomous module, can be software, can be hardware, or can be in any other format useful for a module on a wireless

communication device 200.

The display 240 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a touch screen display, a plasma display, or any other means for displaying information. The transceiver 250 may include a transmitter and/or a receiver. The audio input and output circuitry 230 can include a microphone, a speaker, a transducer, or any other audio input and output circuitry. The user interface 260 can include a keypad, buttons, a touch pad, a joystick, an additional display, or any other device useful for providing an interface between a user and an electronic device. The memory 270 may include a random access memory, a read only memory, an optical memory or any other memory that can be coupled to a wireless communication device.

In more detail, the wireless communication device 200 shown in Fig. 2, can include: a housing 210; a controller 220 coupled to the housing 210, the controller 220 configured to control the operations of the wireless communication device, and to provide ancillary computing operations which may be unrelated to wireless communications such as audio or video processing, application processing, etc.

Advantageously, the intelligent advertizing module 290 can automatically and dynamically manage, for example, user settings for specific desired user interface experiences, as detailed herein. It is configured to help present intelligent, timely, relevant and useful advertizing content in connection with navigation and/ or route planning, as provided herein. A block diagram of a wireless communication method 300 is shown in Fig. 3. In its simplest form, the method 300 can include: receiving 310 identified desirable advertisement associated with advertising content, the advertising content includes a designated location of an advertising entity, wherein the identified desirable

advertisement includes being mined or selected as of interest and being included as a favorite location to visit; and providing 320 the designated location of the identified desirable advertisement, to a communication device, for example. Advantageously, the method 300 allows a user to mine or select identified desirable advertisement with a designated location as a favorite and carry it with him or her "on the go", in a wireless communication device. The user can utilize a wireless communication device to gain directions to patronize a desired business establishment and the device can provide an alert when in proximity to a designated location. Further, the method provides for a more intelligent travel experience, and the identified desirable advertising can include store vouchers, coupons and discount information, and inventory information.

In a preferred embodiment, the identified desirable advertisement can be chosen by a user viewing a transport stream of non- advertising content, such as a movie, and advertising content, such as a commercial, and a user can identify and select the advertising content (commercial) as of interest and include it in a favorite ads list, as a candidate location to visit. Advantageously, the favorite ads list can be stored in a wireless communication device, such as in a cell phone, for use on the go or while in the field. In one embodiment, a user can share a favorite ad with designated location information with a friend, and share and the identified desirable advertising can include store vouchers, coupons, discount information and inventory information.

The navigation information and the designated location can include information to display at least one of a plurality of designated locations as way points, a map, a route, and a list of designated locations in proximity to a route or map.

Beneficially, the method can include displaying the above and/or navigation directions and advertising content concurrently on a display of a wireless

communication device, to provide timely, useful and logical information for a user in the field.

In another embodiment, a wireless communication device 200 is disclosed. It can include: a housing 210 including a display; a controller 220 coupled to the housing, the controller 220 configured to control the operations of a wireless communication device; and an intelligent advertizing module 290 configured to: receive identified desirable advertisement associated with advertising content, the advertising content includes a designated location of an advertising entity, wherein the identified desirable advertisement includes being mined as of interest and being included as a candidate location to visit; and provide the designated location of the identified desirable advertisement.

Advantageously, the wireless communication device 200 is configured to help present intelligent, timely, relevant and useful advertizing content in connection with travel.

In a preferred embodiment, the wireless communication device 200 can include a location module including at least one of a GPS receiver and global navigation satellite system receiver. The location module 292 can include a GPS receiver or a global navigation satellite system receiver. As should be understood, other location modules can be utilized, such as network location methods, or inertial navigation.

In one embodiment, a user can preview a route or map and previewing a favorite ads list in proximity to the route or map, prior to or while traveling along a route. This feature can help a user in planning time effective shopping, commuting and travel.

In one embodiment, the identified desirable advertisement is mined or selected, based on a user, server or profile information. This feature can provide relevant and consequential information to a user, when in the field. In one case, profile information can be provided to determine advertizing content of interest to a user, the profile information including at least one of a service tier, attributes and historical information of a user. This feature can help to provide more relevant content to a user

In more detail, profile information can be gotten from a web site, club, social network and the like, to weigh and determine advertising content of interest to a user. This feature can help to provide better directed advertising content to a user.

In a preferred use case, a display in a wireless communication device, can be used to display at least one of a plurality of designated locations as way points, a map, a route, and a list of designated locations in proximity to a route or map. Beneficially, a user can: (i) assess the distance and time it will take to go to a designated location; (ii) can obtain a route to a designated location; and (Hi) set an alert when in proximity to a designated location. Providing directions and displaying a way point, would be helpful to a user.

The method can include being customizable by network personnel, a service provider, or a user, to provide current accurate advertising content and a unique user experience.

Advantageously, previewing a simulated route and previewing a listing of advertizing content including business estabHshments, prior to or whHe traveHng along a route, can help a user in planning time effective trips and cost efficient and effective shopping during commutes and trips.

In Fig. 4, a block diagram 400 of an embodiment is shown. A service provider 402 is shown providing or transporting a transport stream 404, to a server 405, of non- advertising content 406 and advertizing content 408. The advertising content 408 includes other meta data 410, such as a designated location of an advertising entity, contact information and the Hke. In addition, the other meta data can include a discount coupon, voucher information, availabHity information, sales information and the Hke. A user can identify, by selecting a key on a remote control 412, a desired advertisement associated with the advertising content 408. Information relating to the identified desired advertisement is stored 414 in a cHent device 416, such as a set top box. The stored information 414 can be provided to at least one of a server 405 via line 417 and a wireless communication device 420 through a USB connection 418 via Hne 419. The designated location of the identified desired advertisement from Hne 417 can be provided by communication Hne 424, to a wireless communication device 426.

In a preferred embodiment, a wireless communication device 426 can display at least one of a plurality of designated locations, a map, a route, a favorite ads list with designated locations in proximity to a map or route, and designated locations displayed as way points, while traveling with a wireless communication device or prior to traveHng, for example.

In a preferred embodiment, a wireless communication device can be set with an alert to alert a user when in proximity to a designated location. As an example, it could be set at 5 kilometers, in a vehicular use case, 2 kilometers for biking and 1 kilometer for hiking. Referring to Fig. 5, a wireless communication method 500 is shown. The method 500 can include: transporting 510 a transport stream of non- advertising content and advertizing content, the advertising content includes a designated location of an advertising entity; identifying 520 a desired advertisement associated with the advertising content; and providing 530 the designated location of the identified desired

advertisement, to a communication device. Advantageously, a user could make a favorite ads list while watching television and would have access to the favorite ads list with designated locations, on the go in the field.

In one embodiment, the method includes storing information relating to the identified desired advertisement in a client device, such as a set top box; and providing the stored information to at least one of a server and a mobile communication device. This can be done in a wired or wireless manner, for example, as detailed in connection with Fig. 4.

In one case, profile information can be utilized to determine advertizing content of interest to a user, the profile information including at least one of a service tier, attributes and historical information of a user. This feature can provide more relevant advertising content.

In more detail, a user can display at least one of a plurality of designated locations, a map, a route, a list of designated locations in proximity to a map or route, and the designated locations displayed as way points, for more informed travel or when planning to travel.

Referring to Fig. 3, a wireless communication method 300 is shown, comprising: receiving 310 identified desirable advertisement associated with advertising content, the advertising content includes a designated location of an advertising entity; and providing 320 the designated location of the identified desirable advertisement. Advantageously, the method provides information, for example, in a server where a user could get intelligent travel and desirable advertisement information, for an improved shopping and commuting experience. Also, from a service provider standpoint, the provider can be paid a fee for directing users past an advertiser's designated locations, in the hope of addition customer traffic, and directed advertising, such as coupons, can be presented prior to passing a particular business location, as an incentive to patronize a particular business location in proximity to a route. In one case, profile information can be provided to determine advertizing content of interest to a user, the profile information including at least one of a service tier, attributes and historical information of a user. This feature can help to provide more relevant content to a user. As should be understood, the mined information can be gotten from a server, a friend or else where, as previously stated.

In more detail, profile information can be gotten from a web site, server, club, social network and the like, to weigh and determine advertizing content of interest to a user. This feature can help to provide better directed advertizing content to a user.

In a preferred use case, the identified desirable advertisement includes being mined by a user viewing a transport stream of non- advertising content and advertising content, and the user identifying advertising content as of interest and including it in a list of candidate locations to visit. Advantageously, users find this feature relevant and especially useful when traveling or planning to travel. The designated location information can include information to display at least one of a plurality of designated locations as way points, a map, a route, a list of designated locations in proximity to a route or map and the like, as previously detailed. Referring to Fig. 4, the client device 416 can include: a housing 430 configured to be coupled to a display; a controller 432 coupled to the housing, the controller 432 configured to control the operations of the client device; and an intelligent advertizing module 434 configured to: receive identified desirable advertisement associated with advertising content, the advertising content includes a designated location of an advertising entity, wherein the identified desirable advertisement includes being identified as a favorite advertisement including a candidate location to visit; and provide the designated location of the identified desirable advertisement to a communication device. In a preferred embodiment, the client device 416 can be a set top box, direct TV box, or the like, operable with a remote control 412 or user interface, capable of selecting desired commands and selecting identified desirable advertisement upon actuation of a certain key or command, for example.

In a preferred embodiment, the identified desirable advertisement associated with advertising content is communicated to a wireless communication device or to a server via an MSO headend, and the identified desirable advertising can include store vouchers, coupons and discount and inventory information. As should be understood, a cable headend (MSO) is an important component of a cable television delivery system and it allows full utilization of digital technology. A cable headend is a central component for receiving, combining and routing program signals to viewer homes. In more detail, the headend is a master distribution center of a Cable Television system by which incoming television signals from video sources (e.g., DBS satellites, local studios, video players) are received, selected, amplified, and re- modulated onto TV channels for transmission down a Cable Television system.

Generally, incoming signals for headend systems include satellite receivers, off-air receivers and other types of transmission links. The signals are received or selected and processed using channel decoders. Headends commonly use integrated receiver devices that combine multiple receiver, decoding and decryption functions into one assembly. After the headend receives, separates and converts incoming signals into new formats, the signals are selected and encoded so they can be retransmitted (or stored) in a Cable Television network. These signals are modulated, amplified and combined so they can be sent on a Cable Television distribution system. As understood, a headend can include integrated receiver decoders, off air receivers, encoders, transcoders, rate shapers, channel modulators, channel processors and channel signal combiners.

The device and methods herein are preferably implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controllers, flowcharts, and modules may also be implemented on a general purpose or special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device, or the like. In general, any device on which resides a finite state machine capable of implementing the flowcharts shown in the figures may be used to implement the processor functions of this disclosure.

While this disclosure has been described with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or substituted in the other embodiments. Also, all of the elements of each figure are not necessary for operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments would be enabled to make and use the teachings of the disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0003] In this document, relational terms such as "first," "second," and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "a," "an," or the like does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Also, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. The terms

"including," "having," and the like, as used herein, are defined as "comprising."