System and method for contextual advertising and merchandizing based on user configurable preferences

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method for contextual advertising and merchandising based on user configurable preferences is disclosed. The system in an example embodiment includes an advertising (ad) preferences service to obtain user preference information related to advertising, enable user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising, and modify the presentation of advertising to the user based upon the user configured preference information.

1 . A method comprising:
 obtaining user preference information related to advertising;   enabling user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising; and   modifying the presentation of advertising to the user based upon the user configured preference information.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  including providing a display object in association with an advertisement to enable user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the display object is displayed outside of the advertisement. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the display object is displayed overlaid on the advertisement. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein enabling user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising includes user configuration of an opt-out of advertising parameter. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein enabling user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising includes user configuration of a user advertising segment parameter. 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 obtaining user preference information related to advertising, the user preference information having been configured by a user; and   selecting an advertisement for delivery to the user, the selection being based on the user configured user preference information.   
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the user configured user preference information includes an opt-out of advertising parameter. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the user configured user preference information includes a user advertising segment parameter. 
     
     
         10 . An article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable storage medium having machine executable instructions embedded thereon, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to:
 obtain user preference information related to advertising;   enable user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising; and   modify the presentation of advertising to the user based upon the user configured preference information.   
     
     
         11 . The article of manufacture as claimed in  claim 10  being operable to provide a display object in association with an advertisement to enable user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising. 
     
     
         12 . The article of manufacture as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the display object is displayed outside of the advertisement. 
     
     
         13 . The article of manufacture as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the display object is displayed overlaid on the advertisement. 
     
     
         14 . The article of manufacture as claimed in  claim 10  being operable to enable user configuration of an opt-out of advertising parameter. 
     
     
         15 . The article of manufacture as claimed in  claim 10  being operable to enable user configuration of a user advertising segment parameter. 
     
     
         16 . An article of manufacture comprising a machine-readable storage medium having machine executable instructions embedded thereon, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to:
 obtain user preference information related to advertising, the user preference information having been configured by a user; and   select an advertisement for delivery to the user, the selection being based on the user configured user preference information.   
     
     
         17 . The article of manufacture as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the user configured user preference information includes an opt-out of advertising parameter. 
     
     
         18 . The article of manufacture as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the user configured user preference information includes a user advertising segment parameter. 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 a processor;   a memory coupled to the processor to store information related to user advertising;   an advertising (ad) preferences service to obtain user preference information related to advertising, enable user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising, and modify the presentation of advertising to the user based upon the user configured preference information.   
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 19  being operable to provide a display object in association with an advertisement to enable user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising. 
     
     
         21 . The system as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the display object is displayed outside of the advertisement. 
     
     
         22 . The system as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the display object is displayed overlaid on the advertisement. 
     
     
         23 . The system as claimed in  claim 19  being operable to enable user configuration of an opt-out of advertising parameter. 
     
     
         24 . The system as claimed in  claim 19  being operable to enable user configuration of a user advertising segment parameter. 
     
     
         25 . A system comprising:
 a processor;   a memory coupled to the processor to store information related to user advertising;   an advertising (ad) preferences service to obtain user preference information related to advertising, the user preference information having been configured by a user; and select an advertisement for delivery to the user, the selection being based on the user configured user preference information.   
     
     
         26 . The system as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the user configured user preference information includes an opt-out of advertising parameter. 
     
     
         27 . The system as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the user configured user preference information includes a user advertising segment parameter.