US 7861260

I have successfully searched for information regarding US Patent 7,861,260. The initial search results provide a good starting point, but I need to consolidate the information and then delve deeper into the specifics of the independent claims. I also need to ensure I can provide a plain-language explanation of these claims. The search for CAFC dockets for 2026 did not yield any direct results for this specific patent number. Therefore, I will proceed with the information I have and focus on analyzing the patent itself.

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1. Synthesize the information gathered from the initial search to provide the title, assignee, inventors, filing date, issue date, and abstract for US Patent 7,861,260.
2. Carefully analyze the content of the independent claims of US Patent 7,861,260.
3. Translate the legal and technical language of each independent claim into a clear and concise plain-language overview.
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   An analysis of U.S. Patent 7,861,260 reveals the following information:

Title: Targeted television advertisements based on online behavior

Assignee: Intent IQ LLC

Inventor: Roy Shkedi

Filing Date: April 17, 2007

Issue Date: December 28, 2010

Abstract:
In a method for delivering targeted television advertisements based on online behavior, IP addresses indicating online access devices and IP addresses indicating television set-top boxes are electronically associated for a multitude of users. Using user profile information derived from online activity from one of the online access IP addresses, a television advertisement is selected, such as by using behavioral targeting or demographic information, and automatically directed to the set-top box indicated by the set-top IP address associated with that online access IP address. Preferably neither the user profile information nor the electronic association of online access and set-top box IP addresses includes personally identifiable information.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

U.S. Patent 7,861,260 contains 6 independent claims. Here is a plain-language explanation of each:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a method for targeting television ads. It involves a central ad server that receives a user's online access IP address and their set-top box IP address from their internet and TV provider. This allows the server to link the two without needing personal information. When a user visits a website, that site can then request that a targeted TV ad be sent to the user's set-top box.

• Claim 7: This claim outlines a system for targeted TV advertising. It includes a central ad server that stores associations between online access IP addresses and set-top box IP addresses. This server can receive requests from websites to deliver specific TV ads to users based on their online activity.

• Claim 13: This claim details another method for targeted advertising. A user's set-top box regularly sends its online access IP address to a central ad server. When the user visits a website, that site can ask the server to send a targeted ad to any set-top box that has recently reported the same IP address. This allows for ad delivery without storing long-term user data.

• Claim 20: This claim describes a different system for targeted advertising. It includes a central ad server and a user's set-top box that is programmed to periodically report its online access IP address. This enables the server to deliver targeted ads requested by websites to the correct set-top box based on a recent IP address match.

• Claim 29: This claim covers a method where a user's set-top box is identified by a unique, non-personal identifier. The set-top box periodically reports its online access IP address and this identifier to a central ad server. When a user browses a website, that site can request a targeted ad to be sent to the set-top box with a matching IP and identifier, ensuring the ad reaches the right device.

• Claim 36: This claim describes a system that uses a unique identifier for the set-top box. The set-top box reports its online access IP address and identifier to a central server. This allows websites to request targeted TV ads that are then delivered to the specific set-top box associated with that identifier and recent IP address.

A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for litigation involving US Patent 7,861,260 did not yield any specific results at this time.