|00000000
`
`as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2004/0010417 Al
`
` Peled (43) Pub. Date: Jan. 15, 2004
`
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`SUPPORTING ELECTRONIC CONTENT
`DISTRIBUTION
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Ariel Peled, Even-Yehuda (IL)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Anthony Castorina
`G EEhrlich (1995) Ltd
`Suite 207
`
`2001 Jefferson Davis Highway
`Arlington, VA 22202 (US)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Tint, (0.7 ccccssssssnsssssssnsssesnesnesansnatineoe GO6F 17/60
`(51)
`
`..... 705/1; 707/10; 707/3
`(52) U.S.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Network interactive distribution auxiliary apparatus for
`association with content distribution over a network from
`
`content sources in accordance with user requests to content
`distribution sites, said content being held in content holding
`sites, said apparatus comprising: a database for holding data
`(21) Appl. No.:—10/398,514
`of placement of content around said content holding sites, a
`request receiver for receiving requests for said placement
`data from said content distribution sites, and a content
`distribution co-ordinator, associated with said database for
`sending said placement data to said distribution sites to
`enable saiddistribution sites to supply said content via said
`content holding sites.
`
`(22)
`
`PCTFiled:
`
`Oct. 16, 2001
`
`PCTALNOS6
`a) PCT No-
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Oct1673000'
`
`(US) sscscssanceansncans
`
`hist 60240093
`
`10
`
`
`
`Content Providers
`
`
`Information
`
`
`Analysis Packaging Collection
`
`16 12
`
`Sales
`Enforcement
`Policy
`
`Se
`
`Retailers ISPs
`
`Request
`14
`
`Consumers
`
`
`EX1003
`Roku V. Media Chain
`U.S. Patent No. 9,715,581
`
`EX1003
`Roku V. Media Chain
`U.S. Patent No. 9,715,581
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 15,2004 Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`Rt1
`
`ISP4
`
`ISP2
`
`| F
`
`ig. 1
`
`Content Providers
`
`10
`
`
`
`I Information
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Sales
`Enforcement
`Policy
`
`16
`
`Analysis Packaging Collection
`
`12
`
`14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 15,2004 Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`Content Location
`Data
`
`3
`
`2
`
`3
`
`Content
`Holder
`
`Distribution
`Site
`
`Content
`Holder
`
`
`
`
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`
`
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`
`
`Request
`|
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`j
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`|
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`
`1
`
`To Consumer
`
`To Consumer
`
`Fig. 3
`
`Content
`Location
`Data
`
`+
`
`Content Location
`Database
`
`
`
`
`
`Request
`
`
`
`For Content
`Request
`
`Location
`Receive
`From
`Distributor
`
`Distribution
`Coordinator
`
`Fig. 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 15,2004 Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`Database
`
`
`Distribution
`Coordinator
`
`Content Location-
`
`——_—_>
`
`Instr To
`Content
`Holder
`
`Request
`Relayed
`By Distributor
`
`Request
`Receive
`
`Fig. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 15,2004 Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 2004/0010417 Al
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 15,2004 Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`
`
`Obtain Results
`Data
`
`Anaiyse Resuits
`Data
`
`
`
`Refusals In
`Individual
`
`General
`Refusal
`
`
`
`
`Prepare Statistical
`Find Reason
`Report
`
`For Refusal
`
`
` Offer Alternative
`
`
`Instruct Distribution
`Sites To Provide
`
`Alternative
`
`
`Provide Statistical
`
`Report To Respective
`Content Provider
`
`Fig. 7
`
`

`

`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING
`ELECTRONIC CONTENTDISTRIBUTION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention relates to a method and
`[0001] The present
`apparatus for supporting the distribution of products, ser-
`vices and especially electronic content over a network, and
`more particularly but not exclusively to electronic informa-
`tion analysis in the field of online purchase/usage informa-
`tion analysis in general.
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`(0002] Methods for analyzing market needs are well
`known in the prior art. The scientific field of econometrics
`deals with measuring market behavior according to certain
`phenomena/criteria. Existing patents and applications deal
`with the gathering of approved purchase requests, storing
`them in databases and analyzing personal, organizational
`and market behavior regarding those requests. There are
`methods, commonly referred to as “data mining techniques”,
`that analyze both approved and denied requests in order to
`find patterns of fraudulent behavior and churn hazards and
`which are even able to build marketing rules accordingly.
`
`{0003] One of the problems in content distribution over
`the Internet is bottlenecks. Retailers are not always ideally
`situated or have the capacity to supply content
`to users
`wherever they are located.
`Internet resources are more
`efficiently utilized when the bulk of the content is located
`close to the consumers. Nevertheless, content distribution
`websites do not have the capacity to have large numbers of
`locations around the Internet.
`
`there arises the need to deny
`In certain cases,
`(0004]
`service, for example, when suspicious behavioris indicated,
`or where particular content is not approved fordistribution
`in a particular country or to a given age group. In general,
`however, denial of a service represents lost revenue poten-
`tial, as well as damage to the reputation and market share of
`a given company,in particular when the denial of service is
`widespread and avoidable and where competition (legiti-
`mate or otherwise) is involved.
`
`[0005] Traditionally, systems and methods such as data
`mining have been used to formulate generalized rules based
`on statistical analysis of the data group (e.g. past fraudulent
`experiences correlated to specific data patterns). The rules
`have then been implemented on new data to assess the
`likelihood of that data belonging to a specific subgroup
`(such as fraudulent activity in the above example).
`[0006] However, sometimes there is a need to analyze the
`data for other purposes, such as for general marketing and
`sales information.
`
`In product or service marketing andsales, there is
`{0007]
`sometimes a need to identify and quantify the demand for
`specific content. It may be paid for content such as Movies
`or books, or may be other data such as short films or
`manuscripts or requests for specific services. The demand in
`various areas is difficult to assess, as the costs incurred for
`a comprehensive market study may be prohibitive.
`
`[0008] Specifically, the demand for Entertainment Content
`has traditionally been analyzed after the content has been
`consumed using traditional methods (such as the Nielsen
`
`content ratings). This analysis is limited to usage data (data
`describing how, where, when, by who etc.
`the product/
`service was used) and therefore only good for evaluating
`usage data,
`
`[0009] Currently, there are no methods for evaluating the
`impact that different business rules (rules enforcing restric-
`tions on distribution, age, region,
`time etc) have on the
`demandfor usage, aside from full scale marketing studies. In
`general, marketing studies are expensive and are not very
`reliable for finding out about completely unsuspected mar-
`keting areas,
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] Accordingto a first aspect of the present invention
`there is thus provided network interactive distribution aux-
`iliary apparatus for association with content distribution
`over a network from content sources in accordance with user
`requests to contentdistribution sites, the content being held
`in content holding sites, the apparatus comprising:
`
`a database for holding data of placement of
`(0011]
`content around the content holding sites,
`
`a request receiver for receiving requests for
`[0012]
`content from the content distribution sites, and
`
`a content distribution co-ordinator, associated
`[0013]
`with the database for using the placement data to
`direct
`the data holding sites to provide content to
`respective requesting consumers in accordance with
`the requests.
`
`Preferably, the co-ordinator is operable to provide
`[0014]
`different content items from different data holding sites to
`fulfill a single request.
`
`Preferably, distribution restrictions are associated
`[0015]
`with individual content items.
`
`Preferably, the co-ordinator is operable to provide
`[0016]
`alternatives in the event
`that a request coincides with a
`restriction.
`
`Preferably, the co-ordinator is operable to provide
`[0017]
`information concerning requests that coincide with restric-
`tions.
`
`{0018] The apparatus preferably comprises a payment unit
`for passing payment between content distribution parties
`according to a contribution to a finally packaged content
`product as sent to a consumer.
`
`[0019] According to a second aspect of the present inven-
`tion there is provided a network interactive distribution
`auxiliary apparatus for association with content distribution
`over a network from content sources in accordance with user
`requests to content distribution sites, the content being held
`in content holding sites, the apparatus comprising:
`
`a database for holding data of placement of
`[0020]
`content around the content holding sites,
`
`a request receiver for receiving requests for
`(0021]
`the placement data from the content distribution
`sites, and
`
`a content distribution co-ordinator, associated
`(0022]
`with the database for sending the placement data to
`
`

`

`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`the distribution sites to enable the distribution sites to
`supply the content via the content holding sites.
`
`[0023] Preferably, the co-ordinator is operable to provide
`the placement data of different content items at different data
`holding sites to fulfill a single request.
`
`Preferably, distribution restrictions are associated
`(0024]
`with content and wherein the co-ordinator is operable to
`provide alternatives in the event
`that a request coincides
`with a restriction.
`
`Preferably, the co-ordinator is operable to provide
`[0025]
`information to a content source concerning requests that
`coincide with restrictions.
`
`(0026] The apparatus preferably comprises a payment unit
`for passing payment between content distribution parties
`according to a contribution to a finally packaged content
`product as sent to a consumer.
`
`[0027] According to a third aspectof the present invention
`there is provided a networkinteractive distribution apparatus
`comprising:
`
`a content distribution site for offering a range
`[0028]
`of content items to consumers and receiving requests
`from consumers for the content, and
`
`a content holding site for holding content at a
`(0029]
`location on a network and sending the content to
`users in response to a request from the distribution
`site, wherein the content distribution site is able to
`access data indicating, for at least some of the range
`of content items, a corresponding holding site hold-
`ing the content.
`
`item is held at a
`Preferably, at least one content
`(0030]
`plurality of the content holding sites, the distribution site
`comprising functionality to select a one of the holding sites
`being most effectively located to provide the data to a given
`requesting consumer.
`
`Preferably, the content holding site comprises func-
`[0031]
`tionality to determine that a given request requires handling
`by using content from a plurality of content holding sites and
`further comprises functionality to send requests to each of
`the plurality of content sites to fulfill the request.
`
`Preferably, at least some of the content items are
`(0032]
`associated with distribution restrictions, the distribution site
`comprising functionality to query a distribution restriction
`and to offer an alternative content item that overcomes the
`distribution restriction.
`
`[0033] According to a fourth aspect of the present inven-
`tion there is provided a method of providing content distri-
`bution over a network from content sources in accordance
`with user requests to content distribution sites, the content
`being held in content holding sites, the method comprising:
`
`holding data of placement of content around
`(0034]
`the content holding sites,
`
`receiving requests for the placement data from
`(0035]
`the content distribution sites, and
`
`sending the placement data to the distribution
`[0036]
`sites to enable the distribution sites to supply the
`content via the content holding sites.
`
`[0037] Accordingto a fifth aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a method of providing content distribution
`over a network from content sources in accordance with user
`requests to content distribution sites, the content being held
`in content holding sites, the method comprising:
`
`holding data of placement of content around
`[0038]
`the content holdingsites,
`
`receiving requests for content from the con-
`[0039]
`tent distribution sites, and
`
`the data
`using the placement data to direct
`[0040]
`holding sites to provide content
`to respective
`requesting consumers
`in
`accordance with the
`requests.
`
`[0041] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a networkinteractivedistribution auxiliary
`apparatus for association with content distribution over a
`network from content sources in accordance with user
`requests, the apparatus comprising:
`
`a request gathering unit for obtaining data of
`[0042]
`user requests over a network for respective content
`items, the data comprising at least details of request
`fulfillment failures, and
`
`a request failure analysis unit associated with
`[0043]
`the request fulfillment unit for using output of the
`request gathering unit to analyze the request fulfill-
`ment failures.
`
`[0044] The apparatus preferably comprises a content
`directing unit associated with the request failure analysis
`unit, for directing and packaging content from at least one
`content source, the request failure unit further being oper-
`able to use the analysis in controlling the content directing
`unit to overcome the failure.
`
`Preferably, the overcoming comprises a repackag-
`[0045]
`ing involving respective requested content.
`[0046] Additionally or alternatively, the repackaging com-
`prises editing of the respective requested content.
`
`(0047] Additionally or alternatively, the repackaging com-
`prises mixing at
`least some of the respective requested
`content with other content.
`
`Preferably, the apparatus is associated with a plu-
`[0048]
`rality of content sources.
`
`Preferably, the repackaging comprising packaging
`[0049]
`with advertising.
`[0050]
`Preferably, the contentis held at distributed loca-
`tions on the network, the requestfailure analysis unit being
`operable to interact with the distributed locations to direct
`repackaged content to the users.
`
`{0051] The apparatus preferably comprises a payment
`receipt unit for receiving payment for the repackaged con-
`tent and a paymentdistribution unit for distributing at least
`some of the payment to respective sources of the repackaged
`content.
`
`repackaging comprises adding
`the
`Preferably,
`[0052]
`the payment distribution unit being
`advertising content,
`operable to direct payment from an advertising source to a
`respective content source.
`
`

`

`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`Preferably, the payment distribution unit is oper-
`[0053]
`able to distribute payment
`from the advertising source
`amongst a plurality of respective content sources.
`[0054]
`Preferably, the request failure analysis unit com-
`prises a report compiler for compiling the analysis into
`reports for respective content sources.
`
`is operable to
`the report compiler
`Preferably,
`[0055]
`exclude from the reports data identifying individual con-
`sumers.
`
`Preferably, the request failure analysis unit is oper-
`[0056]
`able to use data in the analysis regarding at least one of a
`group comprising: geographical factors, temporal market
`data, pricing factors, personal data of a requesting party,
`network infrastructure operability in the vicinity of a
`requesting party, and content provider distribution factors.
`
`Preferably, the personal data of a requesting party
`(0057]
`comprises at least one of legal restrictions on the party, age
`related restrictions on the party, contractual restriction, risk
`based restrictions and content provider restrictions on the
`party.
`
`(0058] According to a seventh aspect of the present inven-
`tion there is provided a network content interactive pack-
`aging apparatus for suiting content to consumers, the appa-
`ratus comprising:
`[0059]
`access to at least one content provider provid-
`ing content for distribution,
`[0060]
`access to at least one distribution node,
`[0061]
`an input for receiving data of user requests for
`content including data about whether the requests
`have been fulfilled,
`
`a processor, associated with the input, for
`[0062]
`analyzing failures to fulfill the requests and to use the
`analysis to repackage the content
`to minimize the
`failures to fulfill, or to obtain pre-repackaged con-
`tent.
`
`Preferably, the processor comprises a repackager
`[0063]
`for repackaging the content, the repackager being associated
`with the access to the at least one distribution node, thereby
`being operable to repackage by instructing the distribution
`node in selection of content for sending to fulfill a user
`request.
`
`Preferably, the repackaging is provided on a per
`[0064]
`content provider basis.
`[0065]
`Preferably, the repackaging is provided on a per
`request basis.
`
`Preferably, the repackaging comprises editing of
`[0066]
`the content.
`
`Preferably, the repackaging comprises addition of
`[0067]
`other content to respective requested content.
`
`Preferably, the repackaging comprises addition of
`[0068]
`advertising material.
`
`Preferably, the processor further comprises a report
`[0069]
`generator for providing reports of the analysis.
`
`Preferably, the per content report generator is oper-
`(0070]
`able to exclude from the reports data identifying individual
`consumers.
`
`[0071] The apparatus preferably comprises a payment
`receipt unit for receiving payment for the repackaged con-
`tent and a paymentdistribution unit for distributing at least
`someof the payment to respective sources of the repackaged
`content.
`
`the repackaging includes advertising
`Preferably,
`[0072]
`the payment distribution unit being operable to
`content,
`direct payment from an advertising source to a respective
`content source.
`
`Preferably, the payment distribution unit is oper-
`[0073]
`able to distribute payment
`from the advertising source
`amongst a plurality of respective content sources.
`
`Preferably, the processoris operable to use, in the
`[0074]
`analysis, data regarding at least one of a group comprising:
`geographical factors, temporal market data, pricing factors,
`personal data of a requesting party, network infrastructure
`operability in the vicinity of a requesting party, and content
`provider distribution factors.
`[0075]
`Preferably, the personal data of a requesting party
`comprisesat least one of legal restrictions on the party, age
`related restrictions on the party, contractual restrictions, risk
`based restrictions, and content provider restrictions on the
`party. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a network content distribution support
`method for supporting the distribution of electronic content,
`products or servicesvia distribution sites over a network, the
`method comprising:
`
`obtaining, via the network, from the distribu-
`[0076]
`tion sites, information of requests for the content,
`products or services,
`including data of non-com-
`pleted requests,
`
`analyzing on line the data of non-completed
`[0077]
`requests to determine why an individual request was
`not completed,
`
`offering to a requesting party an alternative to
`[0078]
`the request which overcomes a reason for non-
`completion determined in the analysis, and
`
`[0079] directing, over the network, packaging and
`routing to the consumer of the alternative.
`
`{0080] The method preferably comprises providing differ-
`ent items of content, product or service from different data
`holding sites to fulfill a single request.
`
`Preferably, distribution restrictions are associated
`[0081]
`with individual items
`
`[0082] The method preferably comprises providing, alter-
`natives in the event that a request coincides with a distri-
`bution restriction.
`
`(0083] The method preferably comprises providing infor-
`mation concerning requests that coincide with restrictions
`[0084] The method preferably comprises passing payment
`between content distribution parties according to a contri-
`bution to a finally packaged content product as sent to a
`consumer.
`
`[0085] The method preferably comprises using the analy-
`sis for any one of a group of uses comprises altering
`distribution channels, modifying a distribution policy, and
`modifying distribution rules.
`
`

`

`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`least one of
`[0086] The method preferably comprises at
`correlating, gathering and weighting the details with addi-
`tional information.
`
`information comprises
`the additional
`Preferably,
`[0087]
`any one of. information about content that was actually sold,
`information about content that was sought, and information
`of content that was distributed in other ways.
`
`{0088] The method preferably comprises using the analy-
`sis to evaluate existing market segmentation criteria The
`method preferably comprises using the analysis to focus
`marketing efforts on potential market segments.
`
`[0089] The method preferably comprises directing the
`analysis to unauthorized content distribution.
`
`[0090] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a network content distribution support
`method for supporting the distribution of electronic content,
`products or servicesvia distribution sites over a network, the
`method comprising:
`
`(0091] obtaining, from the distribution sites, infor-
`mation of requests for the content, products or ser-
`vices, including data of non-completed requests,
`
`statistically analyzing the data of non-com-
`[0092]
`pleted requests taken together to determine why
`requests are not being completed, and
`
`[0093]
`sis.
`
`providing the, results of the statistical analy-
`
`[0094] The method preferably comprises providing differ-
`ent items of content, product or service from different data
`holding sites to fulfill a single request.
`
`Preferably, distribution restrictions are associated
`(0095]
`with individual items
`
`[0096] The method preferably comprises providing alter-
`natives in the event that a request coincides with a distri-
`bution restriction.
`
`[0097] The method preferably comprises providing infor-
`mation concerning requests that coincide with restrictions
`
`[0098] The method preferably comprises passing payment
`between content distribution parties according to a contri-
`bution to a finally packaged content product as sent
`to a
`consumer.
`
`[0099] The method preferably comprises using the analy-
`sis for any one of a group of uses comprises altering
`distribution channels, modifying a distribution policy, and
`modifying distribution rules.
`
`{0100] The method preferably comprises at least one of
`correlating, gathering and weighting the details with addi-
`tional information.
`
`information comprises
`the additional
`Preferably,
`[0101]
`any one of. information about content that was actually sold,
`information about content that was sought, and information
`of content that was distributed in other ways.
`
`{0102] The methodpreferably comprises using the analy-
`sis to evaluate existing market segmentation criteria The
`method preferably comprises using the analysis to focus
`marketing efforts on potential market segments.
`
`[0103] The method preferably comprises directing the
`analysis to unauthorized content distribution.
`
`[0104] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a network content distribution support
`method for supporting the distribution of electronic content,
`productsor services via distribution sites over a network, the
`method comprising:
`
`obtaining, via the network, from the distribu-
`[0105]
`tion sites, information of requests for the content,
`products or services,
`including data of non-com-
`pleted requests,
`
`analyzing on line the data of non-completed
`[0106]
`requests to determine why an individual request was
`not completed,
`
`
`
`offering to a requesting party an alternative to
`(0107]
`the request which overcomes a
`reason for non-
`completion determinedin the analysis,
`
`[0108] directing, over the network, the packaging and
`directing to the consumerof the alternative,
`
`statistically analyzing the data of non-com-
`[0109]
`pleted requests taken together to determine why
`requests are not being completed,
`
`providing, over the network, to content pro-
`[0110]
`viders, results of the statistical analysis.
`
`[0111] The method preferably comprises providing differ-
`ent items of content, product or service from different data
`holding sites to fulfill a single request.
`[0112]
`Preferably, distribution restrictions are associated
`with individual items
`
`{0113] The method preferably comprises providing alter-
`natives in the event that a request coincides with a distri-
`bution restriction.
`
`{0114] The method preferably comprises providing infor-
`mation concerning requests that coincide with restrictions
`[0115] The method preferably comprises passing payment
`between content distribution parties according to a contri-
`bution to a finally packaged content product as sent
`to a
`consumer.
`
`[0116] The method preferably comprises using the analy-
`sis for any one of a group of uses comprises altering
`distribution channels, modifying a distribution policy, and
`modifying distribution rules.
`[0117] The method preferably comprises at least one of
`correlating, gathering and weighting the details with addi-
`tional information.
`
`information comprises
`the additional
`Preferably,
`(O0118]
`any one of. information about content that was actually sold,
`information about content that was sought, and information
`of content that was distributed in other ways.
`[0119] The method preferably comprises using the analy-
`sis to evaluate existing market segmentation criteria The
`method preferably comprises using the analysis to focus
`marketing efforts on potential market segments.
`
`{0120] The method preferably comprises directing the
`analysis to unauthorized content distribution.
`
`

`

`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`[0121] According to an eleventh aspect of the present
`invention there is provided a data carrier operable with a
`general purpose computer to provide a network content
`distribution support method for supporting the distribution
`of electronic content, products or services via distribution
`sites over a network, the method comprising:
`
`[0122] obtaining, via the network, from the distribu-
`tion sites,
`information of requests for the content,
`products or services,
`including data of non-com-
`pleted requests,
`
`analyzing on line the data of non-completed
`[0123]
`requests to determine why an individual request was
`not completed,
`
`offering to a requesting party an alternative to
`[0124]
`the request which overcomes a reason for non-
`completion determined in the analysis,
`
`
`
`{0125] directing, over the network, the packaging and
`directing to the consumer of the alternative,
`0126]
`statistically
`analyzing the data of non-com-
`y
`J
`yaing
`pleted requests taken together to determine why
`requests are not being completed, and
`
`providing, over the network, to content pro-
`(0127]
`viders, results of the statistical analysis.
`
`[0128] According to a twelfth aspect of the present inven-
`tion there is provided an interface within a networked
`distribution arrangement,
`the arrangement comprising a
`plurality of nodes includingat least two ofa content source
`node, a monitoring node, a content distribution node and a
`content holding node, the interface linking at least some of
`the nodes and comprising consumer related details, thereby
`to allow distribution restriction control from each of the
`nodes linked by the interface.
`
`transfer
`[0129] The interface preferably comprises a
`mechanism operable to transfer consumer and content
`related details.
`
`transfer
`(0130) The interface preferably comprises a_
`mechanism operable to transfer specific consumer related
`details
`
`transfer
`[0131] The interface preferably comprises a
`mechanism operableto transfer the specific consumer group
`related details.
`
`transfer
`[0132] The interface preferably comprises a
`mechanism operable to transfer
`the specific consumer
`groups specifications.
`[0133]
`Preferably, the transfer is performed in response to
`a plurality of queries about subsets ofthe details.
`
`Preferably, the queries are performed reactively as
`[0134]
`responses to queries not relating to the details.
`[0135] The interface preferably comprises an identifica-
`tion detection mechanism for detecting details that identify
`a consumer and suppressing the details from data to be
`transferred thereby to ensure that a node receiving the
`transfer is not provided with consumer identifying details.
`
`Preferably, the identification mechanism is oper-
`[0137]
`able to utilise a temporary ID.
`
`[0138]
`tion ID.
`
`Preferably, the temporary ID comprises a transac-
`
`temporary ID comprises a session.
`Preferably,
`[0139]
`Preferably, the information includes consumer specific con-
`tent price.
`
`Preferably, the details comprise consumer related
`[0140]
`restrictions.
`
`Preferably, the details comprise consumer specific
`[0141]
`content restrictions.
`
`Preferably, the details comprise consumer specific
`[0142]
`content usage preferences.
`
`Preferably, the details comprise consumer specific
`[0143]
`available content information.
`
`Preferably, the details comprise consumer specific
`[0144]
`authorized content information.
`
`Preferably, the details comprise consumer service
`[0145]
`information.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a better understanding of the invention and to
`[0146]
`showhow the same may be carried into effect, reference will
`now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompa-
`nying drawings.
`
`[0147] With specific reference now to the drawings in
`detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of
`example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the
`preferred embodiments ofthe present invention only, and are
`presented in the cause of providing whatis believed to be the
`most useful and readily understood description of the prin-
`ciples and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard,
`no attempt is made to showstructural details of the invention
`in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental under-
`standing of the invention,
`the description taken with the
`drawings making apparentto those skilled in the art how the
`several formsofthe invention may be embodiedin practice.
`In the accompanying drawings:
`
`[0148] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram showing
`entities involved in conventional distribution of electronic
`content over a network,
`
`[0149] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram showing
`the entities involved in the distribution of electronic content
`over a network in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invention,
`
`[0150] FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic diagram showing
`content distribution and holding sites for supplying content
`to consumers,
`
`[0151] FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram of a first embodi-
`ment of a server for supporting content distribution accord-
`ing to a first embodiment of the present invention,
`
`[0136] The interface preferably comprises a transaction
`identification mechanism the operable toidentify a transac-
`tion without identifying a requesting consumer.
`
`[0152] FIG.5 is a simplified diagram of a second embodi-
`ment of a server for supporting content distribution accord-
`ing to a second embodimentof the present invention,
`
`

`

`US 2004/0010417 Al
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`FIG.6 is a simplified diagram ofa serveroperative
`[0153]
`in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
`and
`
`[0154] FIG. 7 is a simplified flow chart showing the
`operation of a preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0155] The present embodiments provide an apparatus and
`methodfor real time distribution of online content, including
`the management of preliminary distribution of the content
`around the network at sites that are convenient for passing
`on to consumers whereasthe content distribution sites which
`advertise and sell the material are otherwise distributed. The
`consumer is thus provided with the desired content irrespec-
`tive of the consumer’s location and ofthe location ofthe site
`selling the content. The consumer may additionally be
`provided with material
`from a number of locations in
`fulfillment of a single request. The system further provides
`the ability to study online requests for content or for prod-
`ucts andservices in general, in particular for online requests
`that do not result in a sale, for the purpose of providing
`content providers with information about potential new
`markets that are currently being excluded and also to pro-
`vide consumers with acceptable alternatives. In a preferred
`embodiment, refused or otherwise not completed requests
`are analyzed in real time so that