WO2000073961A2

WO2000073961A2 - Targeted network video download interface

Info

Publication number: WO2000073961A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/014853
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Buch; Ryan Cunningham
Original assignee: Netzero, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-06-01
Filing date: 2000-05-30
Publication date: 2000-12-07
Also published as: AU5048500A; US6463468B1; WO2000073961A8

Abstract

A system provides a user with free Internet network access, in which an access control system sends video advertising files to a user who gains access to the Internet through a network connection that includes a viewer program that operates independently of the user's browser and e-mail programs. The viewer receives ads from the access control system and manages an ad pool that collects multiple video advertising files. Video advertising files are downloaded when the user is not actively using the bandwidth of the Internet connection to download Internet content of the user's choosing. The viewer program periodically opens a viewer window, which opens on top of any other open windows, and in which a video ad from the ad pool is displayed. When one or more video ads are finished, the viewer window is hidden or made an inactive window for a quiet interval.

Description

TARGETED NETWORK VIDEO DOWNLOAD INTERFACE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to network access schemes and, more particularly,

to an interface for targeted network video download.

2. Description of the Related Art

The early beginnings of the network commonly referred to as "the Internet"

involved scientists, researchers, and technology experts exchanging information over a

secure computer network. Now, the Internet is fast becoming popular with the general

populace not just for information exchange, but also for entertainment and recreation.

Users can access thousands of files stored in computers that comprise Internet sites that

contain text, graphics, video, and audio content by using graphical user interface (GUI)

computer browser programs that navigate the collection of such sites commonly called the

"world wide web".

For the typical home user, access to the Internet is gained by connecting their

computer to an Internet service provider (ISP) through a telephone line, although other

connection services are gaining popularity. In most cases where a home user has an ISP,

the user pays a fee to the ISP in exchange for access to the Internet through the ISP. The

connection from the user computer to the ISP can be virtually any type of network access,

such as typical analog telephone line access through a local exchange carrier or telephone

company. Other connection services include cable modem services and Digital

Subscriber Line (DSL) services. For typical telephone connections, a modem is connected between the user

computer and the telephone line, to provide an interface between the digital data used by

the computer and the analog signal transmitted over the telephone line. The user uses a

dial-up connection utility program to connect the user computer to the ISP system via the

modem. At the ISP, a modem converts the transmitted analog signal back to computer

data. An ISP will usually have several telephone numbers available in a user's local

calling area for a dial-up connection. Such a connection system can provide data

exchange rates of 36K bytes per second upload (computer user to ISP) and up to 56K

bytes per second download (ISP to computer user). The connection from the ISP to the

Internet "back bone" is typically over relatively expensive, high-speed digital lines such

as fiber optic cable over Tl or T3 connections that can provide data exchange rates of 1 M

bytes per second or greater.

Recently, Internet service companies have begun to provide Internet content to

users based on the broadcast television model of content delivery. That is, Internet

content is delivered to users for no charge, in exchange for the content being delivered

with banner display advertising materials, which are observed by the users. The

companies who provide the advertising materials pay fees to the Internet content

providers, the ISPs, for the advertising exposure in the hope that it will keep their

products and services uppermost in user's minds and will influence purchasing decisions.

The fees paid by advertisers are typically a function of click-through rate, which is the

rate of ad viewers (users) who visit the advertiser's web site from the banner ad.

The Internet advertising typically consists of images that take up a portion of a

user's browser window on the computer display screen, so-called "banner" advertising.

The banner advertising leaves most of the browser window free for viewing, and typically places the banner across a top area of the window. A typical Internet access-for-

advertising arrangement uses a dial-up connection that continuously downloads a banner

ad from the ISP while the user is connected. That is, as soon as the user's browser or

viewer program is ready for a new banner ad, a new banner ad is downloaded from an ad

server. The download may or may not interfere with the user's Internet activity.

Because the banner advertising occupies a relatively small area of the user's

display window, the advertising does not preempt viewing of Internet content. Thus,

banner advertising does not intrude on the user's Internet experience, but because it is

static, it unfortunately can rather easily be ignored by the user. This is unlike the model

of broadcast television, which generally ensures that no other display interruption will

occur during the viewing of advertising content. Moreover, banner advertising does

nothing to catch the attention of the user, and this reduces the likelihood that a user will

take the time to view the banner advertising, and reduces its effectiveness.

Video images, comprising data files that provide full-motion video displays, can

be viewed over the Internet. Video files are desirable for providing a moving image

display with audio, which will more likely attract and hold a viewer's interest. Video

files, however, are relatively large and can take an inordinate amount of time to

download. Banner ads may require 5K to 25K bytes of data, but a video file of 30

seconds duration may require 1.3 M bytes of data, even with data compression

techniques. As noted above, banner ads are sufficiently small that they may be

downloaded without notice by a user while the user is viewing Internet content. In

contrast, video files are so large that a user's Internet viewing almost certainly would be

interrupted while the large file was being downloaded. Hence, video files are not conducive to the access-for-advertising, broadcast television model of providing Internet

access.

Compounding the greater amount of time necessary to download video files is the

problem of variety and staleness. Viewers can quickly become familiar with Internet

video advertising images, just as with television commercials in the broadcast context.

Experience is showing that the Internet user has a short attention span. Therefore, it is

important to provide the Internet user with a variety of advertising that is constantly

refreshed. If video advertising is to be useful for the Internet, then it is important to

provide a variety of video files, notwithstanding the fact that such files take longer to

download. With these conflicting ideals, it can be seen that video advertising is not

currently practical in the access-for-advertising model of Internet access, because they

take a greater amount of time to download than banner advertising, and they must be

refreshed frequently to avoid becoming stale.

In addition, most Internet advertising is indiscriminately directed. That is, banner

ads are sent to users without regard to the demographic profile of individual users.

Typically, access providers can charge higher rates if they can ensure a target viewing

audience with a particular demographic profile.

Alternatively, advertising may be directed to a user based on that user's network

browsing habits. For example, some advertisers may monitor the banner ads to which a

user responds with a "click-through". These user click-throughs may be collected into a

database that can be used to direct future banner ads. Unfortunately, directing advertising

in this manner takes time to accumulate, is not very precise, and only reflects past user

browser history. Thus, a user's present demographic profile is not necessarily reflected in

the database and ineffective or inappropriate advertising may still be directed to the user. From the discussion above, it should be apparent that there is a need for an

Internet access-for-advertising technique that provides Internet content to targeted users

along with video advertising that will more likely hold the interest and attention of

Internet users and also ensures a fresh supply of video files, without interrupting the

Internet experience of the user. The present invention fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a technique for providing free computer user

access to a network, in which an access control system sends video advertising files to a

user who gains network access through a network connection process that includes a file

viewer program operating independently of the user's network application programs. In

the case of Internet access, the network applications may include browser and e-mail

programs. The user receives advertising files from the access control system and the

viewer program collects them into an ad pool stored in the user's computer. Video

advertising files are downloaded when the user is not actively using the bandwidth of the

network connection to download content through the network application programs. The

viewer program periodically opens a viewer window, which opens on top of any other

open user application windows, and in which an ad from the ad pool is displayed. When

one or more video ads are finished, the viewer window is hidden or made an inactive

window for a quiet interval. At the conclusion of the quiet interval, the viewer window is

activated and the next ad in the ad pool is displayed. The viewer program manages the ad

pool such that ad files are not viewed after they have reached a predetermined play limit,

thereby determining that new ad files are needed. New ad files are then received over the

network connection during access, preferably such that each ad is displayed or viewed for

not less than the time it takes the ad to be downloaded. This ensures that the ad pool is

managed so as to maximize the amount of advertising to which the user will be exposed

while minimizing the impact of downloading on the user's network access experience. In

this way, the invention keeps the ad pool fresh within a predetermined ad pool size, and

provides network access to users for no charge or fee, and also ensures a fresh supply of video advertising files that will more likely hold the interest and attention of the computer

user.

In one aspect of the invention, user demographic information is collected from

each user and is utilized to direct video ad files to targeted users according to their

demographic information. In another aspect of the invention, the viewer program

provides fraud detection features to ensure that users do not disable the viewer program.

In this way, advertisers can be confident that their video ads will be viewed by the

intended audience. In another aspect of the invention for Internet access, users are

provided with a link window that permits users to select a web site that corresponds to

one of the video ads in the ad pool. Selecting the web site of a video ad sponsor results in

the user's browser receiving content from the sponsor's web site.

Other features and advantages of the present invention should be apparent from

the following description of the preferred embodiment, which illustrates, by way of

example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a representation of a system that provides Internet access in accordance

with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a representation of a computer of the Figure 1 system.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing steps executed by the

computer processing system of Figure 1 to implement the Internet access technique in

accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a representation of the display viewed by a user at the computer

illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing steps performed by the

system illustrated in Figure 1 in providing Internet access.

Figure 6 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing steps performed by the

system illustrated in Figure 1 in managing the playback of video ads.

Figure 7 is a representation of the viewer window display that is shown during ad

playback.

Figure 8 is a representation of the Recent Ads pop-up menu selected from the

viewer window of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a representation of the Open Link dialogue box display that is shown

during ad playback, selected from the Recent Ads display of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing steps performed by the

system to implement playback management control bar functions.

Figure 11 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing steps performed by the

system in managing the ad download function. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 is a representation of a system 100 that provides Internet access in

accordance with the present invention. A user computer 102 gains access to Internet

content from servers 104 through an access control system 106 that provides video

advertising files. Requests from users 102 for service, receipt of Internet content, and

communication with the access control system 106 all take place over a network 108 that

includes conventional telephone lines and high-speed digital access lines, collectively

referred to as the Internet. The Internet content that can be received includes e-mail, ftp

files, "World Wide Web" content, chat services, and all other content available through

the Internet. Thus, the user 102 is connected via a network connection line 110 that

typically is a conventional analog telephone line. Similarly, the access control system

106 is connected to the Internet via a connection 112 and the Internet content servers 104

are connected via a connection 1 14. The access control and content connections 112, 114

are typically high-speed digital lines.

In the preferred embodiment, the access control system 106 includes a Network

Access Server (NAS) 116, an Access, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server 118,

and an Advertising file (Ad) server 120. The NAS identifies dial-up network connections

initiated by users and assigns Internet protocol (IP) addresses to the user connections,

taking the IP addresses from a pool of available IP addresses established by the service

provider. The AAA server 1 18 communicates with a standard protocol, such as

commonly referred to as Remote Authentication Dial-In Service (RADIUS) or Terminal

Access Controller Access Control System (TACACS), or the "TACACS+" system from

Cisco Systems, Inc. of San Jose, California^ USA. Other means of access authorization

can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the AAA server 118 authorizes each user to have

access to the network 108 and performs various accounting functions to maintain a record

of users who have logged onto the network and at what time, as well as other functions

such as loading specific network profile information. One such network profile

information, for example, is referred to as Virtual Private Dial Network (VPDN)

information. The accounting function includes keeping track of each user's logon time

and logoff time, for every online communications session. The Ad server 120 provides ad

files and communicates with the AAA server 118 to deny a user access if fraud is detected

in connection with that user. Fraud detection is described in greater detail below. In the

preferred embodiment, each of the Network Access Server 116, AAA server 118, and Ad

server 120 comprise a separate, independent server computer. This provides the greatest

reliability, responsiveness, and user accommodation. It should be understood, however,

that the functionality of all three may be provided in a single machine. The functionality

of all three servers 116, 118, 120 will be referred to collectively as the "communications

server".

In a system where a user 102 will connect to the Internet through a dial-up

connection over an analog telephone line, the user will launch a dial-up connection

program that causes the user computer to contact the AAA server 118. The AAA server

receives identification information from the user and authenticates that user for

permission to receive Internet access. If desired, the AAA server may access accounting

and compliance records to check for detected usage fraud and the like. If permission is

indicated, then the AAA server provides an approval signal to the NAS server 116, which

permits the user to have access to the Internet. Thus, the Access Control System 106

functions as an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP may revoke a user's access by removing the user's account information from the AAA server because of previously

detected fraud.

In accordance with the invention, a user 102 receives ads from the

communications server 106. A viewer program installed at the user maintains a user ad

pool in which video advertising files are collected. Each video advertising file contains

sufficient data to provide a video "program" that typically has a run time of between thirty

seconds and 2.5 minutes. It should be understood that faster connections and download

technologies could be used to increase the program length without affecting the user's

access.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the Internet content servers 104

comprise multiple file servers at which web site files are stored. Those skilled in the art

also will appreciate that the user computer 102, access control system 106 computers, and

Internet content servers 104 can all have a similar computer construction. Figure 2 is a

block diagram of an exemplary computer 200 such as might comprise any of the

computers 102, 104, 106. Each computer 200 operates under control of a central

processor unit (CPU) 202, such as a "Pentium" microprocessor and associated integrated

circuit chips, available from Intel Corporation. A user can input commands and data from

a keyboard 204 and can view inputs and computer output at a display 206. The display is

typically a video monitor or flat panel display. The CPU 202 operates under control of

programming steps that are stored, temporarily, in memory 208 of the computer. Each

computer communicates with the Internet 108 through a network interface 210 that

enables communication over a connection 212 between the network 108 and the computer

200. The computer also can receive computer instructions, or data, from a storage media

reader 214. The storage media reader 214 receives storage media 216 from which it can read stored information. That is, the storage media can contain program steps that are

executed by the CPU to perform a method for providing Internet access as described

above. The storage media thereby comprises a program product that embodies a storage

media that is received by the storage media reader.

To provide user access in accordance with the invention, a viewer program is

installed at the user computer 102 to make it act as a client with respect to the

communications server 106. The viewer client program manages the ad files and may

comprise a viewer client with the required functionality, or may comprise a targeted

viewer client that is capable of greater functionality.

In one aspect of the invention, a viewer client program at the user 102 manages

the ad pool such that the oldest ad is discarded when a new ad is received, and such that

the expected or average time to download an ad file is approximately equal to the total

time an ad is displayed from the ad pool. For example, if each ad in the ad pool has a 30-

second playing time, and if the average download time for an ad file is expected to be

fifteen minutes, then each 30-second ad should be played thirty times before the ad is

cycled out of the ad pool. In this way, any single ad should have fifteen minutes of total

display time before deletion. Thus, the ads are shown from the ad pool so that download

time is averaged to be approximately equal to the total display time.

As described further below, a "quiet interval" during which no ads are shown can

be used to automatically reduce the number of times an ad would otherwise be shown.

More particularly, given the 15-minute download time and the corresponding 15-minute

display time described above, it may be desirable to provide a portion of the display time

as a "quiet interval" during which the user will see no ads, but during which ads will

continue to be downloaded. A ratio of 1 :5 may be used, so that 2.5 minutes of ad display will be followed by 12.5 minutes of no display. When a new ad is downloaded, the oldest

ad will still be deleted. Thus, in the example above, an ad in a system with a 12.5 minute

quite interval will be shown five times (during the 2.5 minute display interval) rather than

thirty times.

In the viewer client of the preferred embodiment, an initial ad pool of ad files is

downloaded or otherwise installed with the viewer program at the user computer before

the user can utilize the Internet access system and viewer program. Thereafter, an

expected Internet connection speed is assumed such that ad files can be continuously

downloaded during the user's Internet access, and an ad file should complete downloading

approximately when the oldest ad file in the ad file pool will have been played the

appropriate number of times. For example, using a 28.8K band modem, a 30-second

video clip using conventional technology can generally be downloaded in no more than

fifteen minutes of a user's Internet access time.

More particularly, the expected average ad file download time sets the number of

plays for each ad before it should be cycled out of the ad pool. For example, if the

Internet connection speed (baud rate) of the user's network connection 110 is such that an

ad of typical size requires fifteen minutes to download, then the number of plays for each

thirty-second ad before cycling out (in accordance with the example given above) should

be thirty. Such a connection speed may be provided, for example, by a 28.8K baud

modem. Accordingly, the ad pool will be initially stocked so that, after a sufficient total

time of Internet access by the user to provide for fifteen minutes download of a new ad

file, the oldest thirty-second ad in the ad pool should have been played thirty times.

Setting the system design of the client viewer program in this way minimizes the amount

of operational sophistication needed by the viewer program for proper management of the ad pool, so that no tracking of individual ad files is necessary. If the speed of the Internet

connection is faster than 28.8K, or if the bandwidth otherwise improves, ads of greater

size may be downloaded to preserve the fifteen minute average download time.

Video advertising files are downloaded when the system detects that the user is

not actively using the bandwidth of the user's Internet connection 110 to download

Internet content. During the time a user is connected to the Internet via the access control

system 106, the viewer program is continuously running, and periodically opens a viewer

window that is placed on top of any other active window and in which an ad from the ad

pool is displayed. When the video ad is finished displaying, the viewer window is closed

for a quiet interval. At the conclusion of the quiet interval, the viewer window is opened

and the next ad in the ad pool is displayed. The viewer program cycles through existing

ads in the ad pool until a new ad is received from the communications server.

computer processing system 100 of Figure 1 to implement the Internet access technique in

accordance with the present invention. In the first step, represented by the Figure 3 flow

diagram box numbered 302, the user launches an Internet access program constructed in

accordance with the invention that causes launch of the dial-up connection program,

which will dial a prescribed telephone access number for the ISP. In the next step, after

establishing communication, the system starts the viewer program. A browser program is

preferably started as well, to display a predetermined web page such as the home page of

the Internet access provider. The operating system of the user's computer will launch the

appropriate Internet browser application, and the dial-up connection program for the no-

charge ISP will start the viewer application program. This processing is represented by

the flow diagram box numbered 304. Next, after the browser and viewer have been launched, the system performs ad file download tasks and ad pool management, as

described further below. This processing is represented by the Figure 3 flow diagram box

numbered 306.

Figure 4 is a representation of the display window 402 viewed by a user at the

computer illustrated in Figure 2, showing a browser application window 404 with a

viewer window 406 in the lower right corner of the display window. The browser

window contains display artifacts that should be familiar to those skilled in the art,

including a menu bar 408 with title, window sizing icons 412, and a tray 414 of the

display window that includes an icon 416 for the viewer program. The "START" icon

418 provides access to a variety of operating system commands and will be familiar to

those skilled in the art. Although the display 402 shows a configuration typical for an

operating system such as "Windows 98" by Microsoft Corporation, it should be

understood that the viewer program also can be interfaced with other computer operating

systems, such as the "Macintosh" operating system by Apple Computer Corporation and

the various UNIX variants that are available.

system 100 illustrated in Figure 1 in providing Internet access to a user without charge,

after the user first launches the dial-up connection program and establishes

communication with the access control system and, in particular, the Ad server, as

indicated in box 302 of Figure 3. Those skilled in the art will understand that a user may,

at any time, halt operation of the free access program by losing a line connection or

terminating the connection with the user's operating system. The first step indicated in

Figure 5 following establishment of communications is to perform fraud control. This is

of critical importance because advertising sponsors, who are being asked to pay the operating costs of the access server, will only be willing to pay costs if they have

reasonable assurances that users are, in fact, viewing the video ads. The fraud control

step 502 provides this assurance.

In particular, the fraud control step 502 involves sending a "Pulse" message to the

Ad server. The fraud Pulse message is sent at regular intervals and contains a user

identification number (user ID) and a date and time indication. If the Ad server does not

receive a Pulse message from a user when such a message is expected, then the Ad server

will terminate the communications session with the user. This can be done, for example,

by the Ad Server sending a termination message to the viewer program to terminate, or to

the NAS to deactivate the user's IP address. Other means of terminating access upon

command by the Ad server are also suitable. A predetermined interval of, for example,

five minutes should be sufficient to ensure that users are not attempting to bypass ad

viewing. Thus, if the Ad server does not receive a Pulse message once every five

minutes, communication will be terminated. The fraud interval may be set as desired.

Fraud control can be implemented using an encryption method for network

authentication rather than the Pulse message and disconnection technique described

above. Such a fraud control system might be implemented with a custom authentication

server and custom authentication protocols. In addition, a number of standard,

commercially available authentication servers can be used with an encryption technique

that keeps an access name and password hidden from the user. In this way, a user would

not be permitted to complete the log-on process without using the supplied fraud control

program to make the network connection. This would ensure that the supplied fraud

control program runs on the user machine as a requirement of permitting Internet access,

and is preferred where maximum fraud security is desired. In the next step of operation, represented by the Figure 5 decision box numbered

504, the dial-up connection program results in a viewer icon located in the display tray

(see Figure 4), and the viewer program thereafter checks to determine if the user has

clicked on the display tray icon. If the user has clicked on the icon, an affirmative

outcome at the decision box 504, then a pop-up menu is displayed, as indicated at box

506. The pop-up menu permits the user to view parameters and actions. For example, the

pop-up menu may show items including "Disconnect", "Settings", and "Help". The user

may select any one of these three alternatives. It should be noted that a "Dial-Up

Networking" icon may be automatically placed in the display tray by the computer

operating system. Those skilled in the art will understand that the Internet connection

also can be terminated by the user through the Dial-Up Networking icon.

User selection of "Disconnect" is indicated as an affirmative outcome at the Figure

5 decision box numbered 508. If the user selects "Disconnect" from the pop-up menu,

then at box 510 the dial-up program is halted and the user is disconnected from the

Internet, ending the session. If "Disconnect" is not selected, a negative outcome at the

decision box 508, then at box 512 the system performs the display action associated with

the action. For example, the resulting actions if "Help" is selected include display of the

"help" menu. Those skilled in the art will be able to determine the set of topics that

would be helpful to users and should therefore be included in the help menu. If the user

selects "Settings" from the pop-up menu, then a dialog box will be shown that will

contain program operating parameters. The user may want to change the display time

options. For example, the user may select between seeing ads for 30 seconds every three

minutes, and seeing 2.5 minutes straight viewing time of ads every 15 minutes. If the user clicks on a display icon (box 506) and then performs a display action

(box 512), or if the user does not click on the display tray icon (a negative outcome at the

decision box numbered 504), then the next operation step is the same, as indicated at the

box numbered 514: update the ad pool and database. Such update actions involve the

viewer program removing the oldest ad in the ad pool if a new ad has been successfully

downloaded. Any local databases are updated with ad file information from the Ad

server, such as the new ad name, ad ID, product, sponsor company, ad file name, path,

and size. In the preferred embodiment, the local database is kept secure from access by

the user. After the ad pool update action, the system next checks for file tampering at the

flow diagram box numbered 516.

To detect tampering, the system checks for a match between ad file information in

the secure local database and actual ad file information. The local database is maintained

by receiving ad file information along with a new ad file. The received ad file

information includes, for example, file name, path, file size, creation date, and the like.

For example, each ad in the ad pool will have a file size specified by received ad file

information in the secure database. The operating system of the user computer can

determine the actual block size of the file. Other file parameters may be checked for

changes. If there is a discrepancy, a mismatch-indicating message is sent to the Ad server

with the user ID and the date and time of detected discrepancy. The Ad server records the

fact that the viewer sent a mismatch message, an indication that possible fraud has

occurred. The viewer program then displays a fraud message on the viewer's computer.

Preferably, the fraud message indicates that fraud has been detected and that such fraud

comprises a violation of the usage agreement. The message can request that the user

contact the ISP, or some other corrective or remedial action may be suggested. The dial- up connection program is then terminated and user access is halted. Thus, the fraud

detection ensures that the file entries in the local database match the entries expected by

the authorization server. This ensures that the user has not tampered with the files.

If no fraud is detected, the user continues to be provided with Internet access. The

next processing step, at the flow diagram box numbered 518, is to perform ad viewer

actions. The ad viewer actions comprise the automatic processing by the viewer program

to periodically display video ads from the ad pool. The ad viewer actions are described

further below in conjunction with Figure 6. Next, during ad showing, the viewer program

detects when the display cursor is placed over the viewer window. When the cursor is

over the viewer window, the viewer program causes the viewer control bar to be

displayed and any user control bar actions to be performed, as indicated by the flow

diagram box numbered 520. The viewer program performs the control bar functions and

thereby provides a means for the user to manage the window in which the ads are viewed.

The control bar function processing is described further below in conjunction with

Figures 7, 8, and 9.

At the completion of each video ad, a "play completion" message is sent to the Ad

server. This ensures that the server has the most current information available on ad

viewing. One or more ad viewings comprise an ad showing interval, depending on the

implementation. When the ad showing interval is completed, the viewer program hides

the viewer window and enforces a quiet interval during which no ads are shown. This

processing is represented by the flow diagram box numbered 522. The viewer program

then enforces the quiet interval, and processing control returns to the fraud control

operation represented by the Figure 5 flow diagram box numbered 502. Further details of the viewer program operation during ad showing are illustrated

in the Figure 6 flow diagram. As indicated by the Figure 6 flow diagram box numbered

602, the viewer program first shows ads from the ad pool stored in the user's computer.

The viewer program keeps track of the order in which the ads should be shown, such as

by keeping an ad information table of the local database in the computer memory, to cycle

through the ads in the ad pool in proper viewing sequence. As noted above, the ads are

shown in order of download, from oldest to newest, and each time a new ad is

downloaded, the viewer program deletes the oldest ad from the ad pool. Also as noted

above, a "play completion" message is sent after completion of each ad showing. The

play completion message includes the user ID, ad name or ID, and the date and time of

completion. If the Ad server is not available to receive and acknowledge the play

completion message, then the play completion message is temporarily stored in the

viewer program message queue. This is part of the processing in box 602.

In the next viewer program operating step, represented by the decision box

numbered 604, the program checks to determine if the ad showing interval has completed.

As noted above, the viewer program opens or launches the viewer window at regular

intervals, showing ads for a predetermined time interval and then hiding the viewer

window or making it inactive. The viewer window runs on top of any other open window

and provides a picture-in-picture viewing format. For example, in the preferred

embodiment, the viewer program shows 2.5 minutes of ads in the viewer window, cycling

through ad pool files that each provide a 30-second video presentation. Thus, five

consecutive ads will be shown during an ad showing interval. After the 2.5 minute ad

showing interval, the viewer program implements a 12.5 minute quiet interval during

which the viewer window is hidden or made inactive. Other intervals may be selected, depending on programming needs. Alternatively, each ad showing may comprise an ad

showing interval, so that a 15-minute period still will include a total of 2.5 minutes of ad

viewing. That is, a 30-second viewing interval will be followed by a 2.5 minute quiet

interval.

If the ad showing interval is not completed, a negative outcome at the decision

box 604, then the viewer program detects and responds to any user display actions and

cursor movement, as represented by the flow diagram box numbered 606. If the ad

showing interval is complete, a positive outcome at the decision box numbered 604, then

the viewer window is hidden or made inactive for the duration of the quiet interval.

System processing then continues.

As noted above for the Figure 5 box numbered 520, the viewer program detects

when a user moves the cursor over the viewer window, and as described above for the

Figure 6 box numbered 606, the viewer program responds to such viewer display actions.

Those skilled in the art will be familiar with how the viewer program can be programmed

to obtain such information from the computer operating system. Moving the cursor over

the viewing window display area and clicking on the ad being shown causes the viewer

program to direct the user's browser to the web site associated with the ad (according to a

URL stored in the local database) and sends an "ad click" message to the Ad server with

user information such as user ID, ad ID, and date and time of click. If the Ad server is not

available to receive and acknowledge the ad click message, then the ad click message is

temporarily stored in a message queue of the viewer program for later sending. Other

messages may also be stored in the message queue, except that only one "Pulse" message

described above, which confirms a user connection, should be permitted in the queue, to

prevent the Ad server from being flooded if it becomes offline for an extended time. Moving the cursor over any portion of the viewer window causes the viewer program to

display the viewer control bar, which then permits the user to modify the ad window

viewing experience.

Figure 7 illustrates details of the viewer window 406 (Figure 4) and control bar.

The window control bar 702 is a vertical bar that includes a sizing icon 704 that permits a

user to modify, within predetermined limits, the size of the window 406. The viewer

program does not permit moving the viewer window completely off the user's desktop

display area, and does not permit reducing the size of the window display beyond a

minimum size. This ensures advertising sponsors of a minimum display area for their

ads. The control bar 702 also includes a "Recent Ads" button 706 that opens a pop-up

menu that lists the ten most recent ad sponsor names, as described further below, for

accessing ad web sites. The viewer window of Figure 7 also includes a volume control

708 that adjusts playback sound level. Finally, the viewer window has a mute button 710,

for viewing ads without sound. A blank area 712 of the control bar provides a Move Bar

that permits the user to move the viewer window 406 within the desktop area in usual

windowing fashion by clicking and dragging.

Figure 8 shows an exemplary Recent Ads pop-up menu 802 that results from user

selection of the Recent Ads button 706 (Figure 7) and contains information about recently

viewed ads from the ad pool stored on the computer. Preferably, the menu 802 shows the

title or description of the ten most recently viewed ads of ad sponsors. Each entry in the

pop-up menu corresponds to an ad in the ad pool. If the user clicks on any of the listed

web sites, then the viewer program directs the user's browser to the corresponding web

site. Other suitable formats of the "Recent Ads" menu will occur to those skilled in the

art. The "Recent Ads" pop-up menu of Figure 8 includes a "More" entry that when

selected, causes an "Open Link" dialogue box to be opened. This dialogue box is shown

in Figure 9. The dialogue box lists the ad names, ad sponsor, and ad sponsor web site

link. The link comprises a Universal Resource Locator (URL) address that directs the

user browser to the corresponding web site. If an advertiser does not have a URL for a

web site, then the Figure 9 dialogue box inserts the web site of the ISP or some other

designated web site. Thus, with the control bar and Open Link dialogue box, the user has

management control of the Internet viewer window.

Figure 10 is a flow diagram that illustrates the processing steps performed to

permit the playback management control bar functions available to the user during ad

showing. In the first processing step, represented by the Figure 10 decision box

numbered 1002, the viewer program detects when the user clicks on the Recent Ads

control bar button 706 (see Figure 7). If a button click is detected, an affirmative outcome

at box 1002, then the viewer program responds appropriately by showing the Recent Ads

menu described above. This processing is represented by the flow diagram box numbered

1004. In accordance with the invention, the user does not lose control of the browser

when an ad is being shown. Therefore, if the user clicks on the Recent Ads button and the

browser is directed to a sponsor's web site, the viewer window continues to show ads and

continues to be active. Therefore, after the user clicks on the Recent Ads button and the

viewer program performs its response at box 1004, or if there was no user click (a

negative outcome at the decision box 1002), the viewer program operation continues.

Next, as indicated by the decision box numbered 1006, the viewer program

determines if the user clicks on the resize button 704 (Figure 7). If the user does, an

affirmative outcome at the decision box 1006, then the viewer program permits resizing, within predetermined limits. The resizing operation is indicated by the flow diagram box

numbered 1008. After window resizing, or in the event of no user display click (a

negative outcome at the decision box 1006), the viewer program operation continues.

Finally, the viewer program determines if the user clicks on the control bar

"Move" area 712 (Figure 7). If yes, an affirmative outcome at the decision box 1010, then

the viewer program permits the user to move the viewer window within the desktop

display area, but will not permit the viewer to hide the viewer window. This operation is

represented by the flow diagram box numbered 1012. After moving is complete at box

1012, or if there was no click (a negative outcome at the decision box 1010), the viewer

program continues normal operation, including the display and download of ads.

As noted above in conjunction with the description of Figure 3, the system

performs ad file download tasks (box 306). Figure 11 is a flow diagram that illustrates

the processing steps performed by the system in managing the ad download function.

In the first download processing step, represented by the Figure 1 1 flow diagram

box numbered 1102, the current user state is stored in the local database. This

information comprises status information, including the current ad file that is

downloading in a background operation, where ad playback is on the play list, and the

current ad file block that is being received. The state information is maintained by the

viewer program so it can continue a download operation in progress even after the

program has been shut down and restarted. The initial information is received from the

Ad server when a new ad is requested. The viewer program then keeps track of where the

download operation is, using the database to store the information. Thus, the Ad server

need not store information relating to, or otherwise control operations for, the download

process. Next, the viewer program determines the ad block size to request from the Ad

server, as indicated by the flow diagram box numbered 1104. The viewer program makes

this determination based on the data rate available from the dial-up connection and,

optionally, system resources such as processor speed, available memory, download

latency, and modem speed. At the decision box numbered 1106, the viewer program next

determines if the user is actively using the Internet connection (modem line) for external

communication. The connection will only be indicated as currently in-use if, for example,

the user is in the middle of downloading a web page or receiving a file from the Internet,

or sending or receiving electronic mail. If the connection is being used, an affirmative

outcome at the decision box numbered 1106, then the viewer program waits for a

predetermined check interval (box 1108) and then checks again (box 1106).

When the Internet connection is not being used by the user, a negative outcome at

the decision box numbered 1106, the viewer program sends a request to the Ad server for

the file name from which download will commence (or continue), the offset from the file

start where the block should be downloaded, and the determined ad block size. The user's

viewer program then receives the requested data and stores the block to a local file. These

file request and saving steps will be familiar to those skilled in the art, without further

explanation.

After each ad block has been downloaded, the viewer program checks to

determine if the entire ad has been received. This step is indicated by the Figure 11

decision box numbered 1112. If the download is not complete, a negative outcome at the

box 1112, then processing goes back to the flow diagram box numbered 1106, where

availability of the connection is determined. If all blocks in the next ad have been

received, an affirmative outcome at the decision box 1112, then the viewer program updates the secure local database, provides the completed ad information to the Ad server,

and obtains information for download of the next ad, as indicated by the flow diagram

box numbered 1114. The viewer program next updates the current state information in

the secure local database, as indicated by the flow diagram box numbered 1116. The

viewer program continues with other normal processing.

The viewer program preferably includes an Application Program Interface (API)

that permits its functionality to be available to other programs, as known to those skilled

in the art. In addition, means other than the viewer program may be used in download

control. For example, the well-known "BackWeb" client/server products from BackWeb

Technologies, Inc. of San Jose, California may be used for download control.

As described above, the client viewer program of the preferred embodiment

manages an ad pool stored in the user computer so that the oldest ad is discarded when a

new ad is received. A targeted client of the preferred embodiment provides greater

flexibility in managing the ad pool and targeting ad files to individual users. The targeted

client permits selection of ad files to be provided to individual subscribers of the access

service by collecting demographic information upon initiation of the access service to a

subscriber. That is, both the viewer client and the targeted client send ad files to specific

users, but an ad server that works with the targeted client will send ad files to specific

users based on demographic information received from each particular user.

In the preferred embodiment, a single targeted client installed at a user computer is

associated with a single user who subscribes to the Internet access service, although the

user of an installed targeted client can also be associated with multiple member accounts.

For example, the initial user who establishes a subscriber account at a computer or

machine becomes the "master" account, and additional member accounts may be associated with that master user account. After the user account is established and user

demographic information is collected for the master account, the additional member

accounts may be established from the same computer, and corresponding demographic

information will be collected from each new member. It should be understood that

references to "user" in this discussion will mean either a master user account or an

associated member account, unless otherwise specified. Ad files will be targeted to each

different user. Moreover, the preferred embodiment permits multiple users to share ad

files on the same computer, to conserve network bandwidth and avoid waste of resources

that would be associated with downloading the same ad file multiple times.

The present invention has been described above in terms of a presently preferred

embodiment so that an understanding of the present invention can be conveyed. There

are, however, many configurations for Internet access systems not specifically described

herein but with which the present invention is applicable. For example, use of Internet

bandwidth may be detected by identifying the occurrence of Internet browser events, such

as new links or page download completion. Similarly, ftp-programs and e-mail use can

be watched for and avoided. Also, the viewer window control functions can be varied

from that shown above. A fully configurable window or a window that pops out on the

desktop could be provided, if desired. The present invention should therefore not be seen

as limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but rather, it should be

understood that the present invention has wide applicability with respect to providing

Internet access generally. All modifications, variations, or equivalent arrangements and

implementations that are within the scope of the attached claims should therefore be

considered within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWE CLAIM:

1. A method of providing a user computer with access to files of a network,

the method comprising:

establishing a communication link from the user computer to an access control

system;

launching a browser program for viewing data content of the network files and

launching a viewer program that controls the status of the communication link;

detecting times when the user is not actively sending or receiving data from the

network, and using such times to download ad files from the network to the user

computer, such that the viewer program maintains a pool of ad files at the user computer

for display in the order received, from newest to oldest, and performs ad pool

management tasks;

periodically opening a viewer program window in which a next ad file from the ad

file pool is displayed; and

hiding the viewer program window after a predetermined number of ad files from

the ad file pool have been played and keeping the viewer program window hidden for a

predetermined quiet interval;

wherein the viewer program downloads files such that the time to download an ad

file from the access control system is averaged to be approximately equal to the time to

display the ad file.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a new ad file from the access control system;

storing the new ad file in the user computer; and

deleting the oldest ad file from the ad pool in the user computer.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the viewer program maintains an

ad information table of a local database in the user computer.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of periodically

performing fraud control, wherein the viewer program sends a pulse message to the

access control system at predetermined intervals, and the access control system causes the

communication link to the network to be severed if it fails to receive an expected pulse

message.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein the viewer program maintains an

ad information table that includes ad file information initially received from the access

control system, such that the viewer program compares actual ad file information

determined by the user computer and with corresponding ad file information in the table,

and such that the access server causes the communication link to the network to be

severed if there is a discrepancy.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the fraud control comprises

comparing ad information in the local database with actual ad file information for the

corresponding ad file, and indicating fraud if there is a discrepancy.

7. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the viewer program terminates

the network connection if fraud is indicated.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the access control system

includes an Ad server that provides the ad files to a user, a Network Access Server that

assigns a network address for an authorized user, and an Access, Authorization, and

Accounting server that determines if authorization should be granted to a user.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, further including fraud control,

comprising:

sending a pulse message from the viewer program to the Ad server at

predetermined intervals;

sending a termination message from the Ad server to the viewer program if the Ad

server does not receive a pulse message at an expected time.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of performing

fraud control, comprising:

maintaining an ad information table in the user computer that contains information

on respective ads in the ad pool received from the access control system;

comparing actual ad file information determined by the user computer for ads in

the ad pool with the ad file information for corresponding ads stored in the ad information

table; and indicating fraud if the comparison shows a discrepancy.

11. An access control system that provides a user computer with access to files

of a network to which the user computer is connected, the access control server

comprising:

a central processing unit that can establish communication with the user computer;

program memory that stores programming instructions that are executed such that

the access control system receives requests from the user computer for ad files, wherein

the user requests are generated by a viewer program of the user computer after detecting

times when the user is not actively sending or receiving data from the network, such that

the viewer program maintains a pool of ad files at the user computer for display in the

order received, from newest to oldest, and performs ad pool management tasks, and

wherein the viewer program periodically produces a pulse message at predetermined

intervals to perform fraud control, wherein the access control system causes the

communication link to the network to be severed if it fails to detect an expected pulse

message.

12. An access control system as defined in claim 11, wherein the access

control system includes an Ad server that provides the ad files to a user, a Network

Access Server that assigns a network address for an authorized user, and an Access,

Authorization, and Accounting server that determines if authorization should be granted

to a user.

13. An access control system as defined in claim 12, wherein the Ad server

receives a pulse message from the viewer program at predetermined intervals and sends a

termination message to the viewer program if the Ad server does not receive a pulse

message at an expected time.

14. An access control system as defined in claim 12, wherein the Ad server

sends ad file information to the viewer program along with ad files, for storage in an ad

file database in the user computer.

15. A user computer that receives files from an access control system

connected to a network, the user computer comprising:

a central processing unit that can establish communication with the access control

server;

program memory that stores programming instructions that are executed such that

the user computer establishes a communication link from the user computer to the access

control system and then launches a browser program for viewing data content of the

network files and launches a viewer program that controls the status of the

communication link, detects times when the user is not actively sending or receiving data

from the network, and uses such times to download ad files from the network to the user

for display in the order received, from newest to oldest, and performs ad pool

management tasks, and then periodically opens a viewer program window in which a next

ad file from the ad file pool is displayed and hides the viewer program window after a

predetermined number of ad files have been played, keeping the viewer program window closed for a predetermined quiet interval, wherein the viewer program downloads files

such that the time to download an ad file from the access control system is averaged to be

approximately equal to the time to display an ad file from the ad file pool.

16. A user computer as defined in claim 15, wherein the user computer stores a

new ad file received from the access control system, and deletes the oldest ad file from the

ad pool in the user computer.

17. A user computer as defined in claim 15, wherein the viewer program

maintains an ad information table of a local database in the user computer.

18. A user computer as defined in claim 15, wherein the user computer

periodically performs fraud control, wherein the viewer program produces a pulse

message at predetermined intervals, and the access control system causes the

message.

19. A user computer as defined in claim 15, wherein the access control system

Accounting server that determines if authorization should be granted to a user.

20. A user computer as defined in claim 19, wherein the Ad server receives a

pulse message from the viewer program at predetermined intervals and sends a

message at an expected time.

21. A user computer as defined in claim 19, wherein the Ad server sends ad

file information to the viewer program along with ad files, for storage in an ad file

database in the user computer.

22. A user computer as defined in claim 15, wherein the fraud control

comprises comparing ad information in the local database with actual ad file information

for the corresponding ad file, and indicating fraud if there is a discrepancy.

23. A user computer as defined in claim 15, wherein the viewer program

terminates the network connection if fraud is indicated.

24. A user computer as defined in claim 15, wherein the access control system

Accounting server that determines if authorization should be granted to a user.

25. A user computer as defined in claim 24, further including fraud control in

which the user computer sends a pulse message from to the Ad server at predetermined

intervals, receives a termination message from the Ad server if the Ad server does not receive a pulse message at an expected time and, in response, terminates the network

communication.

26. A user computer as defined in claim 15, wherein the viewer program

performs fraud control by maintaining an ad information table in the user computer that

contains information on respective ads in the ad pool received from the access control

system, comparing actual ad file information determined by the user computer for ads in

table, and indicating fraud if the comparison shows a discrepancy.

27. A program product for use in a computer system that executes program

steps recorded in a computer-readable media to perform a method for providing a user

computer with access to files of a network, the program product comprising:

a recordable media; and

a program of computer-readable instructions executable by the computer system to

perform method steps comprising:

establishing a communication link from the user computer to an access

control system;

launching a browser program for viewing data content of the network files

and launching a viewer program that controls the status of the communication

link;

detecting times when the user is not actively sending or receiving data

from the network, and using such times to download ad files from the network to

the user computer, such that the viewer program maintains a pool of ad files at the user computer for display in the order received, from newest to oldest, and

performs ad pool management tasks;

periodically opening a viewer program window in which a next ad file

from the ad file pool is displayed; and

hiding the viewer program window after a predetermined number of blocks

from the ad files have been played and keeping the viewer program window

hidden for a predetermined quiet interval;

wherein the viewer program downloads files such that the time to download an ad file

from the access control system is averaged to be approximately equal to the time to

display the ad file.

28. A program product as defined in claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a new ad file from the access control system;

storing the new ad file in the user computer; and

deleting the oldest ad file from the ad pool in the user computer.

29. A program product as defined in claim 27, wherein the viewer program

maintains an ad information table of a local database in the user computer.

30. A program product as defined in claim 27, further including the step of

periodically performing fraud control, wherein the viewer program sends a pulse message

to the access control system at predetermined intervals, and the access control system

causes the communication link to the network to be severed if it fails to receive an

expected pulse message.

31. A program product as defined in claim 30, wherein the viewer program

maintains an ad information table that includes ad file information initially received from

the access control system, such that the viewer program compares actual ad file

information determined by the user computer and with corresponding ad file information

in the table, and such that the access server causes the communication link to the network

to be severed if there is a discrepancy.

32. A program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the fraud control

for the corresponding ad file, and indicating fraud if there is a discrepancy.

33. A program product as defined in claim 31, wherein the viewer program

terminates the network connection if fraud is indicated.

34. A program product as defined in claim 27, wherein the access control

system includes an Ad server that provides the ad files to a user, a Network Access Server

that assigns a network address for an authorized user, and an Access, Authorization, and

Accounting server that determines if authorization should be granted to a user.

35. A program product as defined in claim 34, further including fraud control,

comprising:

sending a pulse message from the viewer program to the Ad server at

predetermined intervals; sending a termination message from the Ad server to the viewer program if the Ad

server does not receive a pulse message at an expected time.

36. A program product as defined in claim 27, further including the step of

performing fraud control, comprising:

on respective ads in the ad pool received from the access control system;

comparing actual ad file information determined by the user computer for ads in

table; and

indicating fraud if the comparison shows a discrepancy.