METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INCENTIVIZED BENEFITS IN A BROADBAND GATEWAY
Aspects of a method and system for providing incentivized benefits in a broadband gateway are provided. In this regard, credits may be added to a subscriber account associated with a broadband gateway based on input provided by a user of an electronic device in communication with the broadband gateway, and it may be determined whether to provide services and/or content via the broadband gateway based on a number of credits in the subscriber account. The input may comprise, for example, feedback regarding content consumed via the broadband gateway, and responses to surveys, polls, or questionnaires presented via the broadband gateway. The broadband gateway may be operable to handle a plurality of physical layer connections to a corresponding plurality of network access service providers. The broadband gateway may be operable to communicate the user input to a provider associated with the subscriber account via one or more of the physical layer connections.
1 . A method for networking, the method comprising:
in a broadband gateway that enables communication with a plurality of electronic devices, wherein said broadband gateway is operable to handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider:
adding credits to a subscriber account associated with a broadband gateway based on input provided by a user of one of said plurality of electronic devices, wherein said input comprises one or both of:
feedback regarding content consumed via said broadband gateway; and
responses to surveys, polls, or questionnaires presented to said user via the broadband gateway; and
determining whether to provide services and/or content via said broadband gateway based on a number of said credits in said subscriber account.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said broadband gateway is operable to:
handle a plurality of physical layer connections to a corresponding plurality of network access service providers; and
communicate said user input to a provider associated with said subscriber account via one or more of said physical layer connections.
3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said user input is provided via a graphical user interface generated by said broadband gateway.
4 . The method according to claim 3 , comprising prompting said user, via said graphical user interface, for said feedback during or following consumption of said content consumed via said broadband gateway.
5 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein said graphical user interface enables said user to view credit activity of said subscriber account.
6 . The method according to claim 3 , comprising:
displaying, via said graphical user interface, a list of content for earning credits; and
enabling, via said graphical user interface, said user to select from said list.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising decreasing a tier of service provided via said broadband gateway in instances that said number of credits is below a certain number.
8 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising increasing a tier of service provided via said broadband gateway in instances that said number of credits is above a certain number.
9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said surveys, polls, or questionnaires collect information that is specific to a geographic location in which said gateway resides or a demographic group to which said user of said gateway belongs.
10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said surveys, polls, or questionnaires collect demographic information.
11 . A system for networking, the system comprising:
one or more circuits for use in a broadband gateway that enables communication with a plurality of electronic devices, said one or more circuits being operable to:
add credits to a subscriber account associated with a broadband gateway based on input provided by a user of one of said plurality of electronic devices, wherein said input comprises one or both of:
feedback regarding content consumed via said broadband gateway; and
responses to surveys, polls, or questionnaires presented to said user via the broadband gateway; and
determine whether to provide services and/or content via said broadband gateway based on a number of said credits in said subscriber account.
12 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein said one or more circuits and/or one or more processors are operable to:
handle a plurality of physical layer connections to a corresponding plurality of network access service providers; and
communicate said user input to a provider associated with said subscriber account via one or more of said physical layer connections.
13 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein said user input is provided via a graphical user interface generated by said broadband gateway.
14 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein said user is prompted, via said graphical user interface, for said feedback during or following consumption of said content consumed via said broadband gateway.
15 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein said graphical user interface enables said user to view credit activity of said subscriber account.
16 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein said graphical user interface:
displays a list of content for earning credits; and
enables said user to select from said list.
17 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein said one or more circuits and/or one or more processors are operable to decrease a tier of service provided via said broadband gateway in instances that said number of credits is below a certain number.
18 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein said one or more circuits and/or one or more processors are operable to increase a tier of service provided via said broadband gateway in instances that said number of credits is above a certain number.
19 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein said surveys, polls, or questionnaires collect information that is specific to a geographic location in which said gateway resides or a demographic group to which said user of said gateway belongs.
20 . The system according to claim 11 , wherein said surveys, polls, or questionnaires collect demographic information.