Rockstar Consortium US LP et al v. Google Inc

Filing 282

SUR-REPLY to Reply to Response to Motion re 220 MOTION to Amend/Correct Invalidity Contentions filed by NetStar Technologies LLC, Rockstar Consortium US LP. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Meng Xi, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E)(Xi, Meng)

Exhibit C

US008335712B1

(12) United States Patent

(10) Patent N0.:

Crucian et al.

US 8,335,712 B1

(45) Date of Patent:

(54)

MINIMIZING AD PRODUCTION COSTS FOR
PRINT ADVERTISERS

(75)

Inventors: Nicolae Crucian, New York, NY (U S);
Isaac Taylor, Mountain View, CA (US)

Dec. 18, 2012

AdForce, Inc. S-l/A SEC Filing, May 6, 1999.
AdKnowledge Campaign Manager: Reviewer’s Guide,
AdKnowledge, Aug. 1998.
AdKnowledge Market Match Planner: Reviewer’s Guide,
AdKnowledge, May 1998.
Ad-Star.com website archive from www.archive.org, Apr. 12, I997

(73) Assignee: Google Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)

and Feb. 1, 1997.

(*)

20, Dec, 1993,
Baseview Products, Inc., ClassManagerPro Administration Manual
v. 1.0.5, Feb. I, 1997.

Baseview Products, Inc., AdManagerPro Administration Manual v.

Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
Patent 15 extended 01' adjusted under 35
U.S.C. l54(b) by 176 days.

Business Wire, “Global Network, Inc. Enters Into Agreement in

(21) APP1~ NOJ 12/621,943

Principle With Major Advertising Agency,” Oct. 4, 1999.

_

(22)

Information Access Technologies, Inc., AaddZZ brochure, “The Best

Flled:

NOV- 191 2009

Way to Buy and Sell Web Advertising Space,” © 1997.
_

_

Information Access Technologies, Inc., AaddZZ.com website archive

Related U-s- Apphcatlon Data

(60)

from www.archive.org, archived on Jan. 30, 1998.

Provisional application NO_ 61/167,100, ?led On Apr'

Robbin Zeff and Brad Aronson, Advertising on the Internet, John

6 2009'

Wiley & Sons, 1997.

’

Robbin Zeff and Brad Aronson, Advertising on the Internet, 2nd Ed.,

(51)

Int- Cl-

John Wiley & Sons, 1999.

(52)

U.S.Cl. .................................................... .. 705/141

(58)

Field of Classi?cation Search ......... ..

G06Q 30/00

(2012.01)

*

705/l4.l

See application ?le for complete search history.
(56)

References Cited

.

.

cltedby exammer

Primary Examiner * Daniel Lastra

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Fish & Richardson RC.

(57)
ABSTRACT
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer pro

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,666,493 A

9/1997 WOJ-Cik et a1‘

grams encoded on computer storage media, for minimizing

6,026,368 A
6,167,382 A
6,401,075 B1

2/2000 Brown et a1.
12/2000 Sparks et a1~
6/2002 Mason et 31'

ad production costs for print advertisers. In one aspect, a
method includes receiving parameters associated with one or
more publications; receiving input de?ning one or more ads;

6,985,882 Bl

l/2006

Del Sesto

.

.

.

.

Zoos/0306815 Al * 12/2008 Dykes et a1‘ ““““““““““ “ 705/14

grouplng the one or more publications based on'the recelved

2009/0012905 A1 *

parameters to form a Plurahty Of groups, Wherem a quamlty

1/2009 Mawani et al. .

.. 705/80

of groups in the plurality of groups is based on the received
input; determining an optimal ad space siZe for each of the

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
W0

W0 97/21183

6/1997

plurality of groups; and generating the one or more ads,

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

wherein each ad is de?ned by the optimal ad space size of one
or more of the plurality of groups.

AdForce, Inc., User Guide: A Complete Guide to AdForce, Version

2.6, 1998.

18 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets

HELLO, WELCOME TO THE AD
SKZE CALCULATOR WIZARD.

,

Ptease input creative sizes for every ad piacemem tnctuded in the ad
campaign:
,

Puoiicatton

‘

Optmn an

Widm

Piease input the Iotat number of unique ads twat you woutri we. to
inciude in tttts ad campaign:

Hezght

‘Ptease note: A smatter number of unique ads in the campaégn
Y

‘

results in a increased deviation percentage for seat‘. act as compared

Addttionat pubticattons

t1) the booked ad size.
x07

l
*NOTE: Values could be input

"

H

E

‘ NEXT ~> ll

automattcatiy by seiecting a Print
Ads account campaign.

(ten catcutate unique ads)

US. Patent

Dec. 18, 2012

Sheet 2 of7

US 8,335,712 B1

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US 8,335,712 B1

US 8,335,712 B1
1

2

MINIMIZING AD PRODUCTION COSTS FOR
PRINT ADVERTISERS

The ad calculator, in one or more implementations, can

include a graphical user interface that enables input of param
eters associated With one or more publications, including

acceptable ad space siZes. The ad calculator also can be

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION

implemented to receive input de?ning a maximum number of
advertisements to be created for an ad campaign, a maximum

deviation percentage betWeen any advertisement and the

This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provi
sional Application Ser. No. 61/167,100, entitled “Minimizing

booked ad space siZe of a publication, or both. The ad calcu

Ad Production Costs for Print Advertisers”, ?led on Apr. 6,
2009, the entire contents of Which are incorporated herein by
reference.

one or more unique advertisements to approximately ?t ad
space siZe dimensions associated With the one or more pub

lator also canbe implemented to calculate optimal ad siZes for
lications.
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method receives
parameters associated With one or more publications. Input

TECHNICAL FIELD

de?ning one or more ads is received. The one or more publi

The following disclosure relates to computer-implemented
systems and techniques for minimiZing ad production costs
for print advertisers.
BACKGROUND

cations are grouped based on the received parameters to form

20

optimal ad space siZe of one or more of the plurality of groups.

Advertisers can submit advertising copy (or “ad copy”) to

This and other aspects can include one or more of the

a publisher for inclusion in a printed publication, such as a
neWspaper or a magaZine. Typically, the ad copy can be

provided in the form of a proof, Which presents the advertise
ment using the format in Which the advertisement should be

25

The publisher can then manually process the proof to incor
30

35

Typically, an advertiser can interact With the publisher to

determine the format of the printed publication and the adver
tisement siZes available. For example, the siZe of an adver
tisement can be expressed using a number of parameters,
including the height and the Width of one or more columns.
The available advertising space can change betWeen editions
and also betWeen sections of a single edition. If the ad copy
supplied by the advertiser fails to satisfy one or more thresh
old criteria, the ad copy may not be included in the desired

printed publication.

Input de?ning a maximum deviation percentage can be
received. The maximum deviation percentage can be the larg
est permissible difference betWeen the parameters associated
With the one or more publications and the one or more gen

as the edition in Which the ad copy is to appear, the page on
Which the ad copy is to run, and the siZe of the advertisement.
An advertiser also must determine What advertising space is

available for a particular edition of a printed publication.

folloWing features. At least one of the generated ads can be
presented in a user interface. At least one of the generated ads
can be compared to a largest ad space siZe of a corresponding
group. The parameters associated With the one or more pub
lications can de?ne an ad space siZe of each publication. The
ad space siZe can include an advertisement height and a Width.

run. The proof can be in hard copy form or electronic form.

porate it into the printed publication.
An advertiser typically also speci?es the placement of the
ad copy in the printed publication, including parameters such

a plurality of groups. A quantity of groups in the plurality of
groups is based on the received input. An optimal ad space
siZe for each of the plurality of groups is determined. The one
or more ads are generated, Wherein each ad is de?ned by the

erated ads.An ad space siZe ratio can be determined, based on
the received parameters, for each of the one or more publica
tions. A common denominator can be determined for each of
the ad space siZe ratios. Numerator values can be determined,
based on the determination of the common denominator, for
each of the ad space siZe ratios. The received parameters can

be arranged numerically based on the numerator values.
40

Groups of similar numerically arranged received parameters
can be formed based on the received input.

The techniques described in this speci?cation can be
implemented to realiZe one or more of the folloWing potential

advantages. For example, the techniques can be implemented
45

to reduce the amount of Work necessary to create an ad cam

Once made, an offer to purchase advertising space in a

paign. In addition, the techniques can be implemented to

printed publication is evaluated by the publisher to determine
Whether the ad copy Will be accepted. Historically, advertisers
negotiated terms directly With the publisher, such as through

minimiZe ad production costs by assisting designers make

a sales representative. For example, a publisher could provide

50

standard rates and terms for a particular publication. If an

number of publications in the ad campaign.
The techniques also can be implemented such that through

advertiser accepted those terms, the ad copy Would be placed

in the printed publication.
SUMMARY

cost-ef?cient decisions regarding the number of advertise
ments needed in an ad campaign. Moreover, the techniques
also can be implemented to quantitatively understand the
impact of using a lesser number of advertisements than the

55

a user interface WiZard, a designer can calculate the siZes of
one or more unique advertisements to be included in an ad

campaign. In addition, the techniques can be implemented to

This speci?cation describes technologies relating to mini
miZing ad production costs for print advertisers. Ad produc

graphically depict the unique advertisements in one or more
user interfaces. The techniques also can be implemented to

tion costs can be related to the number of advertisements that

need to be created in an ad campaign. The present inventors
recogniZed the need to develop an ad calculator to assist a

60

designer make decisions regarding the optimal number, and

determine the percentage deviation betWeen the unique
advertisements and the ad space siZes of publications
included in the ad campaign. Moreover, the techniques can be
implemented such that through the user interface WiZard a

optimal siZes, of advertisements needed in an ad campaign.

designer can decrease the percentage deviation by increasing

The ad calculator can be implemented as a standalone client
application or as an online, e. g., Web-based, calculation tool
that presents a user interface for calculating an optimum

the number of unique advertisements to be created. Further
more, the techniques can be implemented to demonstrate the

number of unique advertisements for an ad campaign.

65

spatial arrangement of an unique advertisement positioned in
an optimiZed ad space of a particular publication.

US 8,335,712 B1
4

3

In some implementations, the parameters 105 can be input

Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the

accompanying drawings and the description below. Other

into the graphical user interface automatically. For example,

aspects can be implemented in systems and computer pro
gram products, encoded on a computer-readable medium,
operable to cause data processing apparatus to perform such

the parameters 105 of the one or more publications can be

become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the

input automatically from a PrintAds® account maintained by
Google Inc. of MountainView, Calif. The publications can be
printed publications, such as newspapers or magazines. Alter
natively, the publications can be electronic publications with

claims.

a displayable area, such as web pages or electronic displays.

operations. Other features, aspects, and advantages will

In electronic publications, ad size canbe expressed in a unit of
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

measure, such as a number of pixels. In some implementa

FIGS. 1a-1e show exemplary steps of an ad calculator
wizard.
FIG. 2 shows a ?owchart of an example process for mini

tions, ad size can be automatically converted from inches to
pixels, and vice versa.
The parameters 105 of additional publications can be input
into the graphical user interface by selecting an additional

mizing ad production costs for print advertisers.

publications icon 106. Upon entering the parameters 105
associated with the one or more publications in the ad cam

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example comput
ing device and system that can be used to implement the
systems and methods described therein.

paign, the next button 107 can be selected to proceed to the
next step of the ad calculator wizard 100. The ad calculator
wizard 100 also can be implemented to assist advertisers,

Like reference symbols indicate like elements throughout

the speci?cation and drawings.

20

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1b shows an example second step of an ad calculator
wizard 100. In the second step of the ad calculator wizard 100,

An ad calculator can be implemented to assist a user, e.g.,

designer, make decisions regarding the number of advertise

25

tisements. The acceptable ad space sizes, i.e., the sizes of
30

implemented as an ad calculator wizard provided by a soft
ware application installed on a computer system. The ad
calculator wizard can be displayed in a graphical user inter
face.
FIG. 1a shows an example ?rst step of an ad calculator
wizard 100. A graphical user interface can be presented,
which can include one or more prompts to specify parameters
1 05 associated with one or more publications. The parameters

number of advertisements 110 to be created for an ad cam
35

advertisement to be created for the ad campaign can be imple
mented as a unique advertisement with a unique ad size.
In some implementations, a designer can decide to create a
40

fewer number of unique advertisements than the number of
publications included in the ad campaign. Due to the varying
ad space dimensions of the publications, when a unique
advertisement is not exclusively tailored to each publication,
the advertisement may not perfectly ?t the dimensions of each

45

publication. Thus, creating a fewer number of unique adver
tisements than the number of publications in the ad campaign

can be de?ned by the width of one or more columns and the

can result in advertisements that require manipulation in
order to perfectly ?t the ad space sizes of the different publi
cations. Advertisements con?gured to be smaller than the ad

height of an advertisement, with the dimensions expressed in
a unit of measure, such as inches or centimeters. The width of
one or more columns can be expressed as the column width.

A designer, can input the parameters 105 associated with

50

the one or more publications into the one or more prompts in

the graphical user interface. In some implementations, the
graphical user interface prompts can include one or more data

entry ?elds, radio buttons, checkboxes, sliders, or other such
graphical user interface widgets for inputting the parameters

55

105. Alternatively, the parameters 105 can be input using one
or more drop-down menus with pre-populated options. For
example, a designer can select a pre-populated option from
the drop-down menu corresponding to a particular column

width and a particular advertisement height. An input device,
e.g., a mouse, operatively coupled to a computer system in
which the graphical user interface is installed can be used to
select a pre-populated option from the drop-down menu.
Additionally, a keyboard, a touchscreen, or both, can be used
to select a pre-populated option from the drop-down menu
corresponding to a particular column width and a particular

advertisement height.

paign can be input automatically from a Print Ads® account

maintained by Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif. Each

1 05 can include the name of the one or more publications, and

the acceptable ad space sizes for those publications. Ad size

be input through one or more prompts in the graphical user
interface. The number of advertisements 110 speci?ed can
express the maximum number of advertisements to be created
for the ad campaign. The number of advertisements 110 can

be input into the graphical user interface by a designer. Alter
natively, the number of advertisements 110 can be input into
the graphical user interface automatically. For example, the

tion to another. The ad calculator can be implemented as an

online, e.g., web-based, ad calculator wizard for assisting a
designer make decisions regarding an optimum number, and
optimum sizes, of unique advertisements needed for a print
advertising campaign. Alternatively, the ad calculator can be

a number of advertisements 110 to be created for an ad cam

paign canbe speci?ed. The number of advertisements 110 can

ments needed to ful?ll an ad campaign. The ad campaign can
include one or more publications con?gured to accept adver
advertisements that can be accepted for inclusion in the one or
more publications, can vary substantially from one publica

media buyers and publishers make decisions regarding the
optimum number, and the optimum sizes, of unique adver
tisements needed for a print advertising campaign.

60

65

space size of a publication can be ?oated in the center of the
ad space. As an alternative to ?oating, a unique advertisement
can be proportionately increased in size, so long as the image
resolution is not compromised, to perfectly ?t an ad space.

Conversely, a unique advertisement can be proportionately
reduced, or scaled, in size to perfectly ?t an ad space. The
back button 111 can be selected to return to the ?rst step of the
ad calculator wizard 100, e. g., to alter the parameters 105
associated with the one or more publications. Similarly, the
next button 112 can be selected to proceed to the next step of
the ad calculator wizard 100.
FIG. 10 shows an example alternative second step of an ad
calculator wizard 100. In an alternative second step of the ad
calculator wizard 100, a maximum deviation percentage 120
can be speci?ed. One or more maximum deviation percent
ages 120 can be input through one or more prompts in the

graphical user interface. The maximum deviation percentage
120 can be con?gured to be the maximum difference between

US 8,335,712 B1
5

6

a unique advertisement and any dimension of the stated, or

unique advertisement previeW 140 can be implemented to

booked, publication ad space size. The deviation percentage

compare an optimized unique advertisement With one or
more ad space dimensions in a publication. In some imple
mentations, the compared ad space dimensions can be con

betWeen unique advertisements and acceptable publication
ad sizes can be measured With respect to one of several

dimensions, including height, Width and diagonally.

?gured to represent the largest ad space size for a particular

By specifying the maximum deviation percentage 120, the

grouping of one or more similarly sized publications. In some

ad calculator Wizard 100 can determine the number of unique
advertisements that need to be created such that the maximum
permissible difference value for the ad space size dimensions

other implementations, the unique advertisement previeW
140 can be con?gured to include the textual and graphical
images of the ad copy submitted for inclusion in the ad cam

paign.

is not exceeded. For example, the designer can specify that
10% is the maximum deviation percentage betWeen any
unique advertisement as compared to any booked ad height.
In this example, a unique advertisement can be enlarged,

A unique advertisement can be altered by changing one or
more dimensions of the advertisement in the unique adver
tisement previeW 140. In some implementations, a maximum
deviation percentage indicator can be included in the graphi
cal user interface to indicate the change in deviation percent

scaled doWn, stretched, or shrunk, vertically, horizontally,
diagonally, or by any combination of such, so long as the

height of the unique advertisement remains Within 10% of the
booked ad space height for the publication. Based on the

age due to altering the one or more unique advertisements in

the unique advertisement previeW 140. One or more unique
ad labels 143 can be selected to present the associated unique
advertisement previeW 140 in the graphical user interface.

maximum deviation percentage 120, the ad calculator can

determine the number, and sizes, of unique advertisements
needed to ful?ll the ad campaign.

20

The back button 141 can be selected to return to the third step

of the ad calculator Wizard 100. Alternatively, the ?nish but

The percentage deviation from one or more booked ad

space size dimensions can be related to the number of adver

ton 142 can be selected to store the optimally calculated

tisements created for the ad campaign. An increase in the
number of unique advertisements created for the ad campaign

unique advertisements. The unique advertisements can be

can result in a decrease of the deviation percentage. The
deviation percentage can result in a decrease because a

25

based, storage database maintained by Google Inc. of Moun
tain View, Calif.

greater number of unique advertisements Will more closely ?t

FIG. 2 shoWs a ?owchart of an example process 200 for

the ad space size dimensions of the one or more publications.
The back button 121 can be selected to return to the ?rst step

of the ad calculator Wizard to, e.g., alter the parameters 105

30

Parameters associated With one or more publications can

be received (205). The parameters can be received through
35

manually, automatically, or by a combination of both. The one
or more publications can include printed publications, such as

face. The ad dimensions 130 can include one or more dimen
40

of the ad calculator Wizard 100.
In some implementations, based on the input speci?ed in
the second, or alternative second, step of the ad calculator
Wizard 100, a maximum deviation percentage indicator 134
can be presented in the graphical user interface. The maxi
mum deviation percentage indicator 134 can be implemented

magazines or neWspapers. Alternatively, the one or more

publications can include electronic publications With display

advertisement indicator 133 can be implemented to indicate

the optimum number of unique advertisements that need to be
created. The unique ad indicator 133 canbe linked to the input
specifying the number of advertisements 110 in the ?rst step

one or more prompts in a graphical user interface. The param
eters associated With the one or more publications can include

publication names, and the ad sizes accepted for inclusion in
the respective publications. The parameters can be received

ad dimensions 130 of the one or more unique advertisements

to be created for the ad campaign can be presented. The ad
dimensions 130 can be presented in the graphical user inter

sions, including a Width and a height of each unique adver
tisement to be created for the ad campaign. An unique

minimizing ad production costs for print advertisers. The
process 200 can, for example, be implemented in the ad
calculator Wizard 100 depicted in FIGS. 1a-1e.

associated With the one or more publications. Similarly, the
next button 122 can be selected to proceed to the next step of
the ad calculator Wizard 100.
FIG. 1d shoWs an example third step of an ad calculator

Wizard 100. In the third step of the ad calculator Wizard 100,

stored in a storage device, a results database, or both. The
results database can be implemented as an online, e.g., Web

able areas, such as a Web page or electronic display.
Input de?ning one or more ads can be received (210). The
45

input de?ning the one or more ads can be received through
one or more prompts in a graphical user interface. The input

can be received manually, automatically, or by a combination
of both. The input de?ning the one or more ads can specify the
maximum number of advertisements to be created for an ad

campaign. In some implementations, input de?ning a maxi
50 mum deviation percentage for the one or more ads as com

pared to the parameters associated With the one or more

With respect to one or more ad space size dimensions. The
back button 131 can be selected to return to the second, or

publications also can be received.

alternative second, steps of the ad calculator Wizard 100 to,

received parameters to form a number of groups (215). The

e.g., alter the maximum number of advertisements 110 to be
created, or the maximum deviation percentage 120, respec
tively. Similarly, the next button 132 can be selected to pro
ceed to the next step of the ad calculator Wizard 100.
FIG. 1e shoWs an example fourth step of an ad calculator
Wizard 100. In the fourth step of the ad calculator Wizard 100,

The one or more publications can be grouped based on the
55

groups can be formed based on the input de?ning the one or

more ads. The groups can be formed by determining the

height-to-Width ratio, based on the received parameters, for
each ad space size con?gured to accept an advertisement in
the ad campaign. The height can be con?gured to be the
60

one or more unique advertisement previeWs 140 can be pre
sented in the graphical user interface. The one or more unique

numerator and the Width can be con?gured to be the denomi
nator, and vice versa. An ad calculator can determine a com

one or more unique advertisements based on the inputs speci

mon denominator for each of the height-to-Width ratios.
Based on the determination of the common denominator, i.e.,
the multiplication or division factor used to generate the com
mon denominator, numerator values for each of the height
to-Width ratios can be determined. The received parameters,

?ed in the previous steps of the ad calculator Wizard 100. The

i.e., ad space sizes, can then be arranged numerically, i.e.,

advertisement previeWs 140 can be presented in a print pre
vieW implementation as one or more graphical images. The

graphical images can depict the calculated optimal sizes of

65

US 8,335,712 B1
7

8

from smallest to largest, or vice versa, based on the numerator

values can be grouped together. An ad calculator can form a
number of groups based on the input de?ning the one or more

viding portions of the necessary operations, e.g., as a server
bank, a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system.
The memory 304 stores information Within the computing
device 300. The memory 304 can be a computer-readable

ads. For example, When the maximum number of ads to be
created is speci?ed as three, the ad calculator can form three

medium. The memory 304 can be a volatile memory unit or
units. The memory 304 can be a non-volatile memory unit or

groups of publications, each group having similar ad space

values. Ad space siZes having similarly de?ned numerator

An optimal ad space siZe of each of the one or more groups

units.
The storage device 306 is capable of providing mass stor
age for the computing device 300. The storage device 306 can
be a computer-readable medium. The storage device 306 also
can be a ?oppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk

can be determined (220). The optimal ad space siZe of each of

device, or a tape device, a ?ash memory or other similar solid

the one or more groups can be determined by an ad calculator.

state memory device, or an array of devices, including devices
in a storage area netWork or other con?gurations. A computer
program product can be tangibly embodied in an information

siZes. In some implementations, the grouping can be based on

obtaining the minimum percentage deviation betWeen publi
cation ad space siZes Within the group.

The ad calculator can be implemented as an online calcula
tion tool or as a software application having a graphic user
interface. The optimal ad space siZe can be calculated as the
smallest common ad space siZe in a group. For example, the

carrier. The computer program product can contain instruc
tions that, When executed, perform one or more methods,

optimal ad space siZe of the folloWing group having publica

such as those described above. The information carrier can be
a computer- or machine-readable medium, such as the

tion ad spaces siZes of: 3" Width><4" height; 4" Width><5"

height; 3.5" Width><4.5" height, is 3"><4".

20

One or more ads can be generated, Wherein each ad is

de?ned by the optimal ad space siZe of one of the number of
groups (225). Each of the generated ads can be de?ned by the
smallest common ad space siZe for a respective group. When,
for example, ?ve ads are speci?ed to be created, ?ve groups of
publications having similar ad space siZes can be formed, and
the optimal ad space siZe for each group can be determined.
The generated ads can be implemented to approximately ?t
the optimal ad space siZe determined for each of the groups,
respectively. The one or more generated ads can be presented
in a print previeW format in a graphic user interface. The one

intensive operations for the computing device 300, While the
loW speed controller 3 12 can manage loWer bandWidth-inten
25

304, display 316 (e.g., through a graphics processor or accel
erator), and to high-speed expansion ports 310, Which can

accept various expansion cards (not shoWn). The loW-speed
30

314, Which can include various communication ports (e.g.,
USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wireless Ethernet) can be coupled
35

to one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard, a
pointing device, a scanner, or a netWorking device such as a

sWitch or router, e.g., through a netWork adapter.
The computing device 300 can be implemented in a num
ber of different forms, as shoWn in the ?gure. For example, it

group. In some implementations, the one or more ads can be

manipulated, i.e., enlarged, shrunk, squeezed or stretched.
The manipulated ads can be con?gured to retain a particular

aspect ratio, or alternatively, to disregard a particular aspect
40

can be implemented as a standard server 320, or multiple
times in a group of such servers. It can also be implemented as

part of a rack server system 324. In addition, it can be imple
mented in a personal computer such as a laptop computer 322.

Various implementations of the subject matter described
herein may be realiZed in digital electronic circuitry, inte

systems and methods described therein. Computing device
300 is intended to represent various forms of digital comput

ers, such as laptops, desktops, Workstations, personal digital

controller 312 can be coupled to storage device 306 and

loW-speed expansion port 314. The loW-speed expansion port

natively, the one or more generated ads can be compared to

ratio.
FIG. 3 shoWs a schematic diagram of an example comput
ing device and system that can be used to implement the

sive operations. Such allocation of duties is exemplary only.
The high-speed controller 308 can be coupled to memory

or more generated ads also can be compared to the largest ad
space siZe of a publication in its corresponding group. Alter

the determined optimal ad space siZe of the corresponding

memory 304, the storage device 306, memory on processor
302, or a propagated signal.
The high speed controller 308 can manage bandWidth

45

assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other

appropriate computers. The components shoWn here, their

grated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application spe
ci?c integrated circuits), computer hardWare, ?rmWare, soft

304, 306, 308, 310, and 312, are interconnected using various

Ware, and/or combinations thereof. These various
implementations may include implementation in one or more
computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable
on a programmable system including at least one program
mable processor, Which may be special or general purpose,
coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit
data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input
device, and at least one output device.
These computer programs (also knoWn as programs, soft
Ware, softWare applications or code) include machine instruc
tions for a programmable processor, and may be implemented

buses, and can be mounted on a common motherboard or in
other manners as appropriate. The processor 302 can process

ming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As

connections and relationships, and their functions, are meant
to be exemplary only, and are not meant to limit implemen
tations of the inventions described and/ or claimed in this
document.
Computing device 300 includes a processor 302, memory
304, a storage device 306, a high-speed interface 308 con

50

necting to memory 304 and high-speed expansion ports 310,
and a loW speed interface 312 connecting to loW speed bus
314 and storage device 306. Each of the components 302,

instructions for execution Within the computing device 300,

55

in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented program

including instructions stored in the memory 304 or on the

used herein, the term “information carrier” comprises a
“machine-readable medium” that includes any computer pro

storage device 306 to display graphical information for a GUI
on an external input/output device, such as display 316

gram product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs,
optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices

60

coupled to high speed interface 308. Multiple processors
and/ or multiple buses can be used, as appropriate, along With

multiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple com
puting devices 300 can be connected, With each device pro

65

(PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a
programmable processor, including a machine-readable
medium that receives machine instructions as a machine
readable signal, as Well as a propagated machine-readable

US 8,335,712 B1
10
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting at

signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any
signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a

least one of the generated ads in a user interface.

programmable processor.

3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the presenting further

comprises:

To provide for interaction With a user, the subject matter
described herein may be implemented on a computer having
a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD

(liquid crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to

comparing the at least one of the generated ads to a largest
ad space siZe of a corresponding group.
4. The method of claim 1, Wherein the parameters associ

the user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e. g., a mouse

ated With the one or more publications de?nes an ad space

or a trackball) by Which the user may provide input to the
computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for

siZe of each publication.
5. The method of claim 4, Wherein the ad space siZe of each
publication includes an advertisement height and a Width.
6. The method of claim 1, Wherein grouping the one or
more publications based on the received parameters further

interaction With a user as Well; for example, feedback pro
vided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g.,

visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and

comprises:

input from the user can be received in any form, including

acoustic, speech, or tactile input.
The subject matter described herein can be implemented in
a computing system that includes a back-end component

determining an ad space siZe ratio, based on the received
parameters, for each of the one or more publications;
determining a common denominator for each of the ad

(e. g., as a data server), or that includes a middleWare compo
nent (e.g., an application server), or that includes a front-end
component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user

determining numerator values, based on the determination
of the common denominator, for each of the ad space

15

space siZe ratios;
20

siZe ratios;

interface or a Web broWser through Which a user may interact

With an implementation of the subject matter described
herein), or any combination of such back-end, middleWare, or
front-end components. The components of the system can be
interconnected by any form or medium of digital data com

arranging the received parameters numerically, based on
the numerator values; and
forming groups, based on the received input, of similar
25

munication (e.g., a communication netWork). Examples of

numerically arranged received parameters.
7. A computer program product, encoded on a computer

communication netWorks include a local area netWork

readable medium, operable to cause data processing appara

(“LAN”), a Wide area netWork (“WAN”), and the lntemet.
The computing system can include clients and servers. A
client and server are generally remote from each other and

tus to perform operations comprising:

typically interact through a communication netWork. The
relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer
programs running on the respective computers and having a
client-server relationship to each other.
Although a feW variations have been described in detail
above, other modi?cations are possible. For example, the

receiving parameters associated With one or more publica
30

parameters associated With the one or more publications
35

logic ?oW depicted in the accompanying ?gures and
described herein do not require the particular order shoWn, or
sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other embodi
ments may be Within the scope of the folloWing claims.
A number of implementations have been disclosed herein.
Nevertheless, it Will be understood that various modi?cations
can be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the
claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be
performed in a different order and still achieve desirable
results. Accordingly, other implementations are Within the
scope of the folloWing claims.

40

plurality of groups.
45

parameters associated With the one or more publications

receiving input de?ning a maximum deviation percentage,

de?nes an ad space siZe of each publication.
55

largest permissible difference betWeen the received

11. The computer program product of claim 10, Wherein
the ad space siZe of each publication includes an advertise
ment height and a Width.

parameters associated With the one or more publications

12. The computer program product of claim 7, Wherein

and an ad space siZe of one or more ads;
grouping the one or more publications based on the

grouping the one or more publications based on the received
60

parameters further comprises:
determining an ad space siZe ratio, based on the received
parameters, for each of the one or more publications;
determining a common denominator for each of the ad

determining an optimal ad space siZe for each of the plu
rality of groups; and

plurality of groups.

comparing the at least one of the generated ads to a largest
ad space siZe of a corresponding group.

10. The computer program product of claim 7, Wherein the

tions;

generating one or more ads, Wherein each generated ad is
de?ned by the optimal ad space siZe of one or more of the

8. The computer program product of claim 7, further com
prising presenting at least one of the generated ads in a user
interface.
9. The computer program product of claim 8, Wherein the

presenting further comprises:
50

receiving parameters associated With one or more publica

received parameters to form a plurality of groups,
Wherein a quantity of groups in the plurality of groups is
based on the received input;

determining an optimal ad space siZe for each of the plu
rality of groups; and
generating one or more ads, Wherein each generated ad is
de?ned by the optimal ad space siZe of one or more of the

siZes, the method comprising:

Wherein the maximum deviation percentage comprises a

and an ad space siZe of one or more ads;
grouping the one or more publications based on the

received parameters to form a plurality of groups,
Wherein a quantity of groups in the plurality of groups is
based on the received input;

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method for calculating ad

tions;
receiving input de?ning a maximum deviation percentage,
Wherein the maximum deviation percentage comprises a
largest permissible difference betWeen the received

space siZe ratios;
65

determining numerator values, based on the determination
of the common denominator, for each of the ad space

siZe ratios;

US 8,335,712 B1
11

12
15. The system of claim 14, Wherein the presenting further

arranging the received parameters numerically, based on
the numerator values; and
forming groups, based on the received input, of similar

comprises:
comparing the at least one of the generated ads to a largest
ad space siZe of a corresponding group.
16. The system of claim 13, Wherein the parameters asso

numerically arranged received parameters.
13. A system comprising:
a processor; and

ciated With the one or more publications de?nes an ad space

a computer readable medium storing a computer program

siZe of each publication.

for calculating ad siZes, the computer program compris

17. The system of claim 16, Wherein the ad space siZe of
each publication includes an advertisement height and a
Width.
18. The system of claim 13, Wherein grouping the one or
more publications based on the received parameters further

ing instructions to cause the processor to perform opera

tions comprising:
receiving parameters associated With one or more publica

tions;
receiving input de?ning a maximum deviation percentage,

comprises:

Wherein the maximum deviation percentage comprises a

largest permissible difference betWeen the received
parameters associated With the one or more publications

15

and an ad space siZe of one or more ads;
grouping the one or more publications based on the

received parameters to form a plurality of groups,
Wherein a quantity of groups in the plurality of groups is
based on the received input;

space siZe ratios;
20

determining an optimal ad space siZe for each of the plu
rality of groups; and

plurality of groups.

determining numerator values, based on the determination
of the common denominator, for each of the ad space

siZe ratios;
arranging the received parameters numerically, based on
the numerator values; and
forming groups, based on the received input, of similar

generating one or more ads, Wherein each generated ad is
de?ned by the optimal ad space siZe of one or more of the

14. The system of claim 13, the operations further com
prising presenting at least one of the generated ads in a user
interface.

determining an ad space siZe ratio, based on the received
parameters, for each of the one or more publications;
determining a common denominator for each of the ad

25

numerically arranged received parameters.