USOO84076.09B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Turner
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,407,609 B2
`Mar. 26, 2013
`
`(54) SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR PROVIDING
`ANDTRACKING THE PROVISION OF AUDIO
`AND VISUAL PRESENTATIONS VIA A
`COMPUTER NETWORK
`
`(75) Inventor: Tod C. Turner, Kenmore, WA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: LINQware Inc., Kenmore, WA (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 559 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/545,131
`
`(22) Filed:
`(65)
`
`Aug. 21, 2009
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 201O/OOSOO96A1
`
`Feb. 25, 2010
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/090,672, filed on Aug
`21, 2008
`sy as
`s
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G6F 3/
`(2006.01)
`G06F 15/16
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......... 715/760; 715/716; 715/733; 709/231
`
`56
`(56)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 715/716,
`715/719, 733, 764, 765, 760; 709/203, 204,
`709/217, 231
`See application file for complete search history.
`Ref
`Cited
`eeees e
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,606,102 B1* 8/2003 Odom ........................... 71.5/745
`2002/0198781 A1* 12/2002 Cobley ............................ TO5/14
`2006/0224693 A1* 10, 2006 Gaidemak et al. ............ 709/217
`2011/0082754 A1* 4/2011 Shuster ...................... TO5/1468
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — Xiomar L. Bautista
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Cozen O'Connor
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A method for tracking digital media presentations: providing
`a corresponding web page for each digital media presentation
`to be delivered; providing identifier data to the user's com
`puter; providing a timer applet to the user's computer, and,
`storing data indicative of received identifier data; wherein
`each provided webpage causes corresponding digital media
`presentation data to be streamed from a second computer
`system distinct from a first computer system directly to the
`user's computer independent of the first computer system;
`and stored data is indicative of an amount of time the digital
`media presentation data is streamed from the second com
`puter system to the users computer.
`3 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
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`Category 1
`Category 4
`Category 7
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`SELECA CATEGORY
`Category 2
`Category 5
`Category 8
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`Category 3
`Category 6
`Category 9
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`x New Shows
`Page of Y
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`- BROWSE SEARCH
`
`Ranking
`Ranking 2
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`GALLCAUDIO OVIDEO
`
`i
`
`Date: XXIYY:27A
`Series:
`escription:
`
`ite:
`Date: XXYYY
`Series:
`Description:
`Title
`Date: XXYYZZZ
`Series:
`Description.
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`21 O
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`220
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 26, 2013
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`Sheet 1 of 10
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`US 8,407,609 B2
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`Sheet 2 of 10
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`US 8,407,609 B2
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`Fig. 2
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`A^ 2OO
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`205 -
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`w
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`--
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`warm
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`245
`marr
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`BROWSE SEARCH
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`SEECA CATEGORY
`Category 1
`Category 2
`Category 4
`Category 5
`8
`Category 7
`Category 8
`215 N
`scaled-
`x New Shows
`225 N Page 1 of y | 123.I.Y
`230
`-
`Title.
`Date: XXIYYZZ
`Series:
`28 PPn- :
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`title:
`Date: XXYYizzzz
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`Description:
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`- 210
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`220
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`240
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`Category 3
`Category 6
`Category 9
`...?
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`Ranking 1
`Ranking 2
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`Sheet 3 of 10
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`US 8,407,609 B2
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`Enter Text
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`SEARCH
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`MT 2OO
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`BrowsE SEARCH
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`Series:
`Description:
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`ite:
`Date: XXYYZZZZ
`escription:
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`Sling-Uniloc-609
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`Mar. 26, 2013
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`Sheet 4 of 10
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`Fig. 4
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`4.05
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`PROVE
`LOGON INFO
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`415
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`REO UEST TO
`UPLOAD
`CONTENT
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`425
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`435
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`PROVEDE
`DENFER
`AND FILE
`NFO
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`TRANSMT
`CONTEN
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`41 O
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`LOGUSER
`ON
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`42O
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`REQUEST
`DENT FER
`AND FE
`NFO
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`430
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`OK UPLOAD
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`RECEIVE
`CONTENT
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`450
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`STORE AND
`CASSFY
`CONTENT
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`PROVE
`OGON INFO
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`REGIS O
`CONTEN
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`PROVIDE
`DENT FEER
`AND FILE
`NFO
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`51O.
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`LOGUSER
`ON
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`52O
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`RECUEST
`DENFER
`ANDFILE
`NFO
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`530
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`OK NK
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`STORE AND
`CASSY
`LINK
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`PROVIDE
`LOGON INFO
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`815
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`REQUEST TO
`CREATE
`CONTENT
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`PROVIDE
`NFO
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`CREATON
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`SORE AND
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`CREATION
`SESSION
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`CAL
`AUDIENCE
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`CAL SER
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`STORE
`CONTENT
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`US 8,407,609 B2
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`Fig. 8
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`OG USER
`ON
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`REGUEST
`DENFER
`AND FEED
`NFO
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`OK FEED
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`810
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`82O
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`ACCESS AND
`STORE FEED
`CONTENT
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`ACCESS AND
`STORE NEW
`FEE)
`CONTENT
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`PROVIDE
`LOGON INFO
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`815
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`RECUEST TO
`LINK FEED
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`PROVIDE
`DENT FER
`AND FEED
`NFO
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`Title:
`Date: XXfyYZZZZ
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`Description:
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 8,407,609 B2
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`LOAD PAGE
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`US 8,407,609 B2
`
`1.
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR PROVIDING
`ANDTRACKING THE PROVISION OF AUDIO
`AND VISUAL PRESENTATIONS VIA A
`COMPUTER NETWORK
`
`2
`others. Examples of conventional search engines include
`those made available via www.yahoo.com, www.google.com
`and www.search.com, all by way of non-limiting example
`only.
`Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method of
`using the Internet as a global network to unite people with
`common interests. Such a system and method may be used as
`productivity tools for business, and to educate and entertain
`COSU.S.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`A method for tracking digital media presentations deliv
`ered from a first computer system to a user's computer via a
`network including: providing a corresponding web page to
`the user's computer for each digital media presentation to be
`delivered using the first computer system; providing a iden
`tifier data to the user's computer using the first computer
`system; providing an applet to the users computer for each
`digital media presentation to be delivered using the first com
`puter system, wherein the applet is operative by the user's
`computer as a timer, receiving at least a portion of the iden
`tifier data from the user's computer responsively to the timer
`applet each time a predetermined temporal period elapses
`using the first computer system; and, storing data indicative of
`the received at least portion of the identifier data using the first
`computer system; wherein each provided webpage causes
`corresponding digital media presentation data to be streamed
`from a second computer system distinct from the first com
`puter system directly to the users computer independent of
`the first computer system; and wherein the stored data is
`indicative of an amount of time the digital media presentation
`data is streamed from the second computer system to the
`user's computer.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`5
`
`This application claims priority of U.S. Patent Application
`Ser. No. 61/090,673 entitled: CONTENT, TRAFFIC AND
`ADVERTISING ENGINE, SYSTEMAND METHOD; Ser.
`10
`No. 61/090,680 entitled: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`AGGREGATING AND PROVIDING AUDIO AND
`VISUAL PRESENTATIONS VIA A COMPUTER NET
`WORK; Ser. No. 61/090,678 entitled: CONTENT TRAFFIC
`AND ADVERTISING ENGINE, SYSTEM AND
`15
`METHOD; Ser. No. 61/090,688 entitled: SYSTEM AND
`METHOD OF VALIDATING CONTENT TRAFFIC AND
`ADVERTISING IN A COMPUTING APPLICATION AND
`ENGINE: Ser. No. 61/090,681 entitled: DYNAMIC READ
`THROUGH DATA COLLECTION AND AD DELIVERY
`SYSTEMAND METHOD OF SAME: Ser. No. 61/090,684
`entitled: SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR TRAFFIC IN A
`CONTENT AND ADVERTISING ENGINE; and Ser. No.
`61/090,672 entitled: System and Method for Providing and
`Tracking the Provision of Audio and Visual Presentations via
`a Computer Network, all having common inventor Tod C.
`Turner; and each of which is incorporated herein by reference
`as if set forth in its respective entirety herein.
`
`25
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`30
`
`The present invention relates generally to the provision of
`information, and more particularly to the provision of infor
`mational, entertainment, educational, business and other
`audio and/or audio/visual presentations via a computer net
`work.
`
`35
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated
`by consideration of the following detailed description of the
`preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in con
`40 junction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
`The Internet is a global network connecting millions of
`numerals refer to like parts:
`computers and linking users in more than 100 countries into
`FIG.1 illustrates a block diagram of a system of networked
`exchanges of data, news and opinions. Unlike online services,
`computers;
`which are centrally controlled, the Internet is decentralized.
`FIG. 2 illustrates an electronic document according to an
`Each Internet enabled computer is independent, such that its
`embodiment of the present invention;
`user can choose which Internet services to use and which
`45
`FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic document according to an
`local services to make available to the global Internet com
`embodiment of the present invention;
`munity.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a process according to
`There are many types of content available via the Internet,
`an embodiment of the present invention;
`including textual content, graphical content, audio content
`FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a process according to
`and video content. The amount of content available via the
`an embodiment of the present invention;
`Internet is virtually unlimited. Accordingly, it can prove dif
`FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a process according to
`ficult for a user of an Internet enabled computer to identify
`an embodiment of the present invention;
`and locate content of a particular type and relating to a par
`FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a system of networked
`ticular subject.
`computers in conjunction with telecommunications devices
`A popular Solution to finding desired content is to use a
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`publicly available search engine. A search engine searches
`FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a process according to
`documents for specified keywords and returns a list of docu
`an embodiment of the present invention;
`ments where the keywords were found. Typically, a search
`FIG. 9 illustrates an electronic document according to an
`engine utilizes a webcrawler to provide documents. An
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`indexer then typically reads the webcrawler provided docu
`FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of a process according to
`60
`ments and creates an index based on the words contained in
`an embodiment of the present invention.
`each document. Each search engine typically uses its own
`methodology to create indices such that, ideally, only mean
`ingful results are returned for each query. This is not always
`true though due to the complex nature and nuances of human
`language and efforts by document authors or providers to fool
`or trick the indexer into ranking its documents above those of
`
`50
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`55
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`65
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`It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of
`embodiments of the present invention have been simplified to
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`3
`illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding
`of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of
`clarity, many other elements found in typical website and
`audio/visual content delivery systems and methods. Those of
`ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other elements
`and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing
`the present invention. However, because such elements and
`steps are well known in the art, and because they do not
`facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a
`discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein.
`For non-limiting purposes of explanation only, "com
`puter as referred to herein, refers to a general purpose com
`puting device that includes a processor. “Processor as used
`herein, refers generally to a device including a Central Pro
`cessing Unit (CPU), such as a microprocessor. A CPU gen
`erally includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which per
`forms arithmetic and logical operations, and a control unit,
`which extracts instructions (e.g., code) from memory and
`decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when neces
`sary. “Memory, as used herein, refers to one or more devices
`capable of storing data, Such as in the form of chips, or other
`medium like magnetic or optical discs. Memory may take the
`form of one or more random-access memory (RAM), read
`only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory
`(PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory
`(EPROM), or electrically erasable programmable read-only
`memory (EEPROM) chips, by way of further non-limiting
`example only. Memory may be internal or external to an
`integrated unit including the processor. Memory may be
`internal or external to the computer Such memory may store
`a computer program, e.g., code or a sequence of instructions
`being operable by the processor. Such a computer may
`include one or more data inputs. Such a computer may
`include one or more data outputs. The code stored in memory
`may cause the processor, when executed by the processor, to
`set an output to a value responsively to a sensed input.
`One type of computer executable code typically stored in
`memory so as to be executable by an Internet enabled com
`puter is a browser application. For non-limiting purposes of
`40
`explanation only, “browser application' or “browser,” as used
`herein, generally refers to computer executable code used to
`locate and display web pages. Commercially available brows
`ers are Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator,
`Apple Safari, Google Chrome and Firefox, which all support
`text, graphics and multimedia information, including Sound
`and video (sometimes through browser plug-in applications).
`“Plug-in, as used herein, generally refers to computer
`executable code that adds a specific feature or service to a
`larger system, in the case of a browser plug-in, the browser
`application.
`The terms “computer.” “computer device and/or “com
`puter system' as used herein may generally take the form of
`single computing devices or collections of computing devices
`having a common operator or under common control.
`According to certain embodiments of the present inven
`tion, content may be aggregated for presentation to users.
`According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
`audio content may be aggregated for presentation to users.
`According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
`Video content may be aggregated for presentation to users.
`According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
`audio and video content may be aggregated for presentation
`tO uSerS.
`Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of
`a system of networked computers 10. The illustrated system
`10 includes a plurality of user computers 20, a plurality of
`
`30
`
`4
`network server computers 30 and a network 40 interconnect
`ing computers 20, 30 together.
`Illustrated system 10 includes personal computing devices
`22 and a personal digital assistant computer/web-enabled cell
`phone computer 24 by way of non-limiting example only.
`Communication links 26 communicatively couple devices 20
`with network 40. Links 26 may take the form of wired and/or
`wireless communications links, including fiber optic, POTS,
`DSL, cable and/or multiple access or GSM based wireless
`telephony or data communications systems, for example.
`Network 40 may include portions of proprietary and service
`provider networks, as well as the Internet, for example. Illus
`trated system 10 includes a database server 32, a content or
`web server 34 and a file server 36, all by way of non-limiting
`example only. Communication links 26 communicatively
`couple devices 30 with network 40 as well. “Server', as used
`herein, generally refers to a computing device communica
`tively coupled to a network and that manages network
`resources. A server may refer to a discrete computing device,
`or may refer to an application that is managing resources
`rather than the entire computing device.
`Referring now also to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a web page
`200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`Web page 200 may be provided to computers 20 by comput
`ers 30 via network 40. Illustrated web page 200 aggregates
`audio and/or video content for presentation to users of com
`puters 20.
`Referring still to FIG. 2, the particularly illustrated web
`page 200 includes a category selector 205, a ranking selector
`210, a new content indicator 215, a content type indicator 220,
`a page selector 225, particular content graphics 230, particu
`lar content type indicators 235 and particular content infor
`mation 240 organized under a browser tab 245. Web page 200
`may take other forms and/or present different content as is
`conventionally achieved in the pertinent arts.
`Particular content graphics 230, particular content type
`indicators 235 and particular content information 240 are
`organized to indicate individual presentations. In the illus
`trated embodiment, presentations 265, 270, 275, are respec
`tively shown. A user may select Such a presentation for dis
`play by selecting an individual presentation for streaming or
`downloading, such as by clicking on an indicator 235, 240 or
`245. For non-limiting purposes of explanation, “streaming.”
`as used herein, generally refers to a technique for transferring
`data Such that it can be processed as a Substantially steady or
`continuous stream and a user's browser or plug-in can start
`presenting the data before the entire file has been transmitted.
`For non-limiting purposes of explanation, “downloading, as
`used herein, generally refers to a technique for transmitting
`data (e.g., an entire data file) between computers, such as
`between file server 36 (FIG. 1) and a computing device 22
`(FIG. 1). In certain embodiments of the present invention, a
`commercially available content (e.g., audio and/or video pod
`cast) delivery application, Such as the Flash product available
`from Adobe Systems Inc., may be used to provide selected
`presentations to users’ computers 20 (FIG. 1).
`Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, a user of a device 20 may
`request page 200 from content server 34 using a browser
`application in a conventional manner. Server 34 may provide
`page 200 to the requesting computer 20 in a conventional
`manner, optionally using database server 32 to populate page
`200, for example.
`In certain embodiments of the present invention, when a
`user selects a category in selector 205, content server 34 may
`request database server 32 identify which presentations
`should be used to populate page 200 according to the selected
`category. Server 34 may then provide such a populated page
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`200 to the requesting user computer 20. Examples of catego
`ries that may be included and selected using selector 205
`include art, autos and vehicles, bloggers and people, celebrity
`gossip, comedy, education, gadgets, health, how to and DIY.
`legal, music, news, and pets and animals, for example. By
`selecting one of these categories, a user may receive pages
`200 populated with content according to the selected cat
`egory.
`In certain embodiments of the present invention, when a
`user selects a ranking in indicator 210, content server 34 may
`request database server 32 identify which presentations
`should be used to populate page 200 according to the selected
`ranking. Server 34 may then provide Such a populated page
`200 to the requesting user computer 20. Examples of rankings
`that may be included and selected using indicator 210 include
`most recent presentations and most popular presentations, for
`example. By selecting one of these rankings, a user may
`receive pages 200 populated with content according to the
`selected ranking.
`In certain embodiments of the present invention, a user
`may select a populated presentation (e.g., 265, 270 or 275,
`FIG. 2). In response thereto, server 34 may request file server
`36 either stream or download the selected presentation to the
`requesting user's computer 20. Such as via a web page 200 in
`a conventional manner.
`Referring now to FIG.3, there is shown a view of web page
`200 when tab 250 is selected. In the illustrated embodiment of
`FIG. 3, web page 200 includes a text box 255 and search
`button 260 under tab 250. In certain embodiments of the
`present invention, when tab 250 is selected, text box 255 and
`search button260 may be presented on the user's computer 20
`by server 34. A user may enter a search term into window 255
`in a conventional manner. A user may then activate search
`button 260 in a conventional manner. Responsively thereto,
`content server 34 may request database server 32 identify
`which presentations should be used to populate page 200
`according to the entered search term(s). Server 34 may then
`provide Such a populated page 200 to the requesting user
`computer 20.
`As will be appreciated by those possessing an ordinary
`skill in the pertinent arts, there are a number of ways to
`aggregate and provide content using web page 200.
`In certain embodiments of the present invention, users may
`be permitted to directly upload and enter information regard
`ing content, e.g., to file server 36 (FIG. 1). In certain embodi
`ments of the present invention, users may be permitted to link
`presentations housed elsewhere in memory So as to be acces
`sible to a computer 20 (FIG. 1) via network 40 (FIG. 1)—es
`sentially registering them with database server 32 (FIG. 1). In
`certain embodiments of the present invention, presentations
`may be created using computers 20, 30. And, in certain
`embodiments of the present invention, presentations housed
`elsewhere in memory so as to be accessible to a computer 20
`(FIG. 1) via network 40 (FIG. 1) may be automatically linked
`to—essentially registering them with database server 32
`(FIG. 1).
`Referring now also to FIG.4, there is shown a flow diagram
`of a process 400 according to an embodiment of the present
`invention. Process 400 is suitable for permitting users to
`directly upload and enter information regarding content. Pro
`cess 400 commences with a user providing log on information
`using a computer 20 at block 405, which is provided to
`computers 30 via network 40, in certain embodiments to
`server 34. Computers 30 log the user on at block 410, and
`communicates this status to the user via network 40, in certain
`embodiments by serving a page 200 (FIGS. 2, 3) to the logged
`on user's computer 20.
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`At block 415, the logged on user requests to upload con
`tent, e.g., by interacting in a conventional manner with web
`page 200. This request is provided to computers 30 via net
`work 40. At block 420, computers 30 request information
`regarding the content to be uploaded. In certain embodi
`ments, the requested information may include a content title,
`date, series information and description, akin to that to be
`displayed in a corresponding indicator 240 (FIGS. 2, 3). The
`request may further include a file identifier and location of the
`content indicative file to ultimately be uploaded. This request
`may be communicated to the user's computer 20 via network
`40.
`At block 425, the user provides at least a portion of the
`requested information, which is communicated to computers
`30 via network 40. Some or all of the information provided
`may be screened or filtered or verified in conventional man
`ners at block 430. In certain embodiments of the present
`invention, information provided at block 425 may be received
`and screened or filtered or verified at block 430 using web
`server 34. All or a portion of that information may then be
`stored using database server 32, for later use in populating
`web pages 200, for example.
`At block 430, computers 30 indicate the received informa
`tion is suitable for use and confirms the content may be
`uploaded. This indication is provided to the user's computer
`20 via network 40. At block 435, the user's computer trans
`mits the content to computers 30 via network 40, e.g., per
`forms a file upload in a conventional manner. The content is
`received by computers 30 at block 440. In certain embodi
`ments of the present invention, content transmitted and
`received at blocks 435, 440 may take the form of media file
`suitable for use as a podcast, for example. Such a file may be
`received by server 34 for example, and provided to server 36
`for storage 450 and later retrieval for downloading and/or
`streaming pursuant to a user's interaction with webpage 200
`(FIGS. 2, 3), for example. In such a case, server 32 may
`associate the stored content indicative information provided
`at block 425 with the file stored at block 450.
`Referring now also to FIG.5, there is shown a flow diagram
`of a process 500 according to an embodiment of the present
`invention, Process 500 is suitable for permitting users to link
`presentations housed elsewhere in memory So as to be acces
`sible to a computer 20 via network 40.
`Process 500 commences with a user providing logon infor
`mation using a computer 20 at block 505, which is provided
`to computers 30 via network 40, in certain embodiments to
`server 34. Computers 30 log the user on at block 510, and
`communicate this status to the user via network 40, in certain
`embodiments by serving a page 200 (FIGS. 2, 3) to the logged
`on user's computer 20.
`At block515, the logged on user requests to link or register
`content, e.g., by interacting in a conventional manner with
`web page 200. This request is provided to computers 30 via
`network 40. At block 520, computers 30 request information
`regarding the content to be linked. In certain embodiments,
`the requested information may include a content title, date,
`series information and description, akin to that displayed in a
`corresponding indicator 240 (FIGS. 2, 3). The request may
`further include a file identifier and location of the content
`indicative file to be linked. This request may be communi
`cated to the user's computer 20 via network 40.
`At block 525, the user provides at least a portion of the
`requested information, which is communicated to computers
`30 via network 40. Some or all of the information provided
`may be screened or filtered or verified in conventional man
`ners at block 530. In certain embodiments of the present
`invention, information provided at block.525 may be received
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`and screened or filtered or verified at block 530 using web
`server 34. In certain embodiments of the present invention,
`the file location data (e.g., an Internet address at which the file
`is available) may be checked to see if a valid media file is
`located thereat. All or a portion of that information may then
`be stored using database server 32, for later use in populating
`web pages 200, for example.
`At block 530, computers 30 indicate the received informa
`tion is suitable for use and confirms the content may be linked.
`At block 550 the received information may be stored using
`server 32 for later retrieval and use. Server 32 may also
`associate the linked content indicative information provided
`at block 525 with the file address Stored at block 550.
`Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide
`the ability to track the number of visitors to the platform of the
`present invention, and additionally the number of visitors per
`content via the platform of the present invention. Further, the
`number of pages viewed by each visitor may additionally be
`tracked. Such as in a tabular format, and Such information may
`be continuously updated for as long as a user remains on a
`given page, that is, for as long as a user continues to watch a
`particular show. For example, it may be determined when a
`user begins and ends listening to and/or watching a presenta
`tion, e.g., a podcast, for example. Where a selected presenta
`tion is streamed from computers 30, Such an inquiry may be
`relatively simple, by confirming the content streaming is pro
`gressing as expected, for example. Where content is housed
`elsewhere and linked to by computers 30, such a direct
`30
`inquiry may not be readily available though. Tracking may be
`performed, for example, via entry into one or more tables of
`database server 32 of timed data. At each expiration of a timer,
`Such as every 15 seconds, a table entry may be made corre
`sponding to the user, the page the user is on, and, to the extent
`the user is on the same page as was the user upon the last
`expiration of the timer, the user's total time, to the current
`time, spent on that same page. The user may be identified by,
`for example, any of a number of known methodologies, such
`as the information the user used to login, the user's IP address,
`the user's response to an identifying query, or the like.
`Thus, certain embodiments of the present invention pro
`vide a capability to know that a viewer began viewing a
`particular show at a certain time, and when a user began
`viewing a different page, or show, thereby providing knowl
`edge of how long a particular viewer spent on a particular
`page. Such knowledge is not conventionally available, and
`the provision of such knowledge by certain embodiments of
`the present invention allows for an increasing scale of pay
`ments for advertising displayed on a given page correspon
`dent to how long a viewer or viewers remain, or typically
`remain, on that particular page or like pages. Thus, a tabular
`tracking of the present invention allows for the knowledge of
`how long a viewer spends on a page, what the viewer was
`viewing or listening to on the given page, the ads shown while
`the viewer was viewing or listening, how long the ads were
`shown, and what ads were shownto the view correspondent to
`that viewer's identification and/or login.
`Referring now also to FIG. 6, there is shown a flow diagram
`of a process 600 according to an embodiment of the present
`invention. Process 600 is suitable for permitting users to
`create presentations, such as by hosting an audio show that
`may be recorded to create a podcast, using computers 20, 30.
`Process 600 commences with a user providing logon infor
`mation using a computer 20 at block 605, which is provided
`to computers 30 via network 40, in certain embodiments to
`server 34. Computers 30 log the user on at block 610, and
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`communicate this status to the user via network 40, in certain
`embodiments by serving a page 200 (FIGS. 2, 3) to the logged
`on user's computer 20.
`At block 615, the logged on user requests to create content
`or host a show, e.g., by interacting in a conventional manner
`with web page 200. This request is provided to computers 30
`via network 40. At block 620, computers 30 request informa
`tion regarding the content to be created. In certain embodi
`ments, the requested information may include a content title,
`date, series information and description, akin to that dis
`played in a corresponding indicator 240 (FIGS. 2, 3). The
`request may further include a phone number at which the user
`may be reached. This request may be communicated to the
`user's computer 20 via network 40.
`At block 625, the user provides at least a portion of the
`requested information, which is communicated to computer