U.S. patent application number 11/838375 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for system and method of marketing using a multi-media communication system.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T Corp.. Invention is credited to Barbara Buda, Mehmet Reha Civanlar, Thomas M. Isaacson, Joern Ostermann.
Application Number | 20080040227 11/838375 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39051999 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080040227 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ostermann; Joern ; et
al. |
February 14, 2008 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MARKETING USING A MULTI-MEDIA COMMUNICATION
SYSTEM
Abstract
A system method of advertising using a multi-media application
system is disclosed. The multi-media application relates to the
delivery of multi-media messages using animated entities that
audibly deliver messages created by a sender using text-to-speech
technologies. The method provides targeted advertising based on
information learned about both the sender of a multi-media message
and the recipient of the multi-media message. The information may
relate to an analysis of a text message created by the sender,
emoticons chosen by the sender and inserted into the text of the
message, the choice by the sender of an animated entity, or other
parameters such as background music chosen for which template is
chosen by the sender. Advertising messages may be delivered before
the recipient receives the multi-media message, during the
reception by the recipient of the multi-media message or following
the reception of the multi-media message. A decision regarding
whether to include an advertising message may be based on a text
analysis or an analysis of the emoticons or other tags inserted
into the text by the sender. Further, animated entities such as
professionally designed face models, templates, additional
emoticons, animation or sound effects may also be purchased by the
sender for a limited number of multi-media messages, for limited
amount of time or longer for use in creating multi-media messages.
The system comprises a server to handle the reception and
processing of sender multi-media messages and client software for
both creating multi-media messages and receiving multi-media
messages.
Inventors: |
Ostermann; Joern;
(Morganville, NJ) ; Civanlar; Mehmet Reha;
(Middletown, NJ) ; Buda; Barbara; (Morristown,
NJ) ; Isaacson; Thomas M.; (Huntingtown, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AT&T CORP.
ROOM 2A207
ONE AT&T WAY
BEDMINSTER
NJ
07921
US
|
Assignee: |
AT&T Corp.
New York
NY
10013-2412
|
Family ID: |
39051999 |
Appl. No.: |
11/838375 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09999525 |
Nov 2, 2001 |
|
|
|
11838375 |
Aug 14, 2007 |
|
|
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60245521 |
Nov 3, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.67 ;
705/14.73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0269 20130101;
G06Q 30/0271 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0277
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/014 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A method of presenting an advertising message associated with a
multi-media message, the multi-media message being prepared by a
sender and delivered by an animated entity, the method using a
plurality of stored advertising messages from which to choose an
advertising message to display, the method comprising: gathering
information regarding a sender's previous multi-media messages, if
any; choosing an advertising message from the plurality of stored
advertising messages based on the gathered information; and
displaying the chosen advertising message.
2. The method of presenting an advertising message associated with
a multi-media message of claim 1, wherein gathering information
regarding the sender's previous multi-media messages further
comprises determining to whom previous multi-media messages were
sent.
3. The method of presenting an advertising message associated with
a multi-media message of claim 1, wherein the advertising message
is delivered prior to the reception of the multi-media message by
the recipient.
4. The method of presenting an advertising message associated with
a multi-media message of claim 1, wherein the advertising message
is delivered following the reception of the multi-media message by
the recipient.
5. A method of presenting an advertising message associated with a
multi-media message, the multi-media message being prepared by a
sender using text and delivered audibly by an animated entity, the
method using a plurality of stored advertising messages from which
to choose an advertising message to display, the method comprising:
performing a text analysis of the text written by the sender;
choosing an advertising message from the plurality of stored
advertising messages according to the text analysis; and displaying
the chosen advertising message.
6. The method of presenting an advertising message of claim 5,
further comprising: analyzing emoticons inserted into the text
written by the sender; and choosing the advertising message
according to the text analysis and the emoticons analysis.
7. The method of presenting an advertising message of claim 6,
further comprising: analyzing the animated entity chosen by the
sender for delivering the multi-media message; and choosing the
advertising message according to the text analysis, the emoticons
analysis and the analysis of the chosen animated entity.
8. A method of presenting an advertising message associated with a
multi-media message, the multi-media message being prepared by a
sender using text and sender-inserted emoticons in the text, and
delivered audibly by an animated entity, the method using a
plurality of stored advertising messages from which to choose an
advertising message to display, the method comprising: performing
an emoticon analysis of the emoticons inserted by the sender;
choosing an advertising message from the plurality of stored
advertising messages according to the emoticon analysis; and
displaying the chosen advertising message.
9. The method of presenting an advertising message of claim 8,
wherein performing the emoticon analysis further comprises
providing a score of each available emoticon and determining a
value associated with all the emoticons in the sender text, wherein
the chosen advertising message is based on the value.
10. A method of presenting at least one advertising message
associated with a multi-media message, the multi-media message
being prepared by a sender using text and sender-inserted icons
into the text, and the multi-media message being delivered audibly
by an animated entity, the method using a plurality of stored
advertising messages from which to choose at least one advertising
message to display, the method comprising: performing an icon
analysis of the icons inserted by the sender; choosing at least one
advertising message from the plurality of stored advertising
messages according to the icon analysis, wherein different
advertising messages are chosen for a single multi-media message
according to locations of icons within the sender text; and
displaying each of the chosen at least one advertising message to
the recipient of the multi-media message at a time associated with
individual icons within the message text.
11. The method of presenting at least one advertising message of
claim 10, wherein choosing at least one advertising message from
the plurality of stored advertising messages further comprises
using text analysis of the sender text.
12. A method of determining whether to advertise to a recipient in
a multi-media message, the multi-media message being prepared by a
sender using text and sender-inserted icons into the text, and
delivered audibly by an animated entity, the method using a
plurality of stored advertising messages from which to choose an
advertising message to display to the recipient, the method
comprising: performing an icon analysis of the icons inserted by
the sender; determining based on the icon analysis whether to
advertise in the multi-media message; and if in the determining
step the decision is to advertise, displaying the chosen
advertising message to the recipient of the multi-media
message.
13. The method of determining whether to advertise to a recipient
in a multi-media message of claim 12, wherein the step of
determining based on the icon analysis whether to advertise in
multi-media message further comprises determining whether icons in
the sender text had a negative or positive connotation.
14. The method of determining whether to advertise to a recipient
in a multi-media message of claim 12, further comprising:
performing a text analysis of the sender text; and choosing an
advertising message based on the text analysis.
15. A method of presenting at least one advertising message to a
recipient in a multi-media message, the multi-media message being
prepared by a sender using text, sender-inserted icons into the
text, and the multi-media message being delivered audibly by an
animated entity, the method using a plurality of stored advertising
messages from which to choose at least one advertising message to
display, the method comprising: gathering information associated
with the recipient; choosing at least one advertising message from
the plurality of stored advertising messages according to the
information gathered associated with the recipient; and displaying
each of the chosen at least one advertising messages to the
recipient.
16. The method of presenting at least one advertising message in a
multi-media message of claim 15, wherein choosing at least one
advertising message from the plurality of stored advertising
messages further comprises choosing the at least one advertising
message further according to the animated entity chosen by the
sender.
17. The method of presenting at least one advertising message in a
multi-media message of claim 16, wherein choosing at least one
advertising message from the plurality of stored advertising
messages further comprises choosing the at least one advertising
message further according to the text written by the sender.
18. A method of advertising in a multi-media message, the
multi-media message being created by a sender for a recipient, the
multi-media message being delivered by an animated entity, the
method comprising: receiving the multi-media message from the
sender; and while streaming the multi-media message to the
recipient, and before a streaming client has a buffer filled to a
predetermined level, delivering an advertisement to the
recipient.
19. The method of advertising of claim 18, wherein the
advertisement delivered to the recipient is delivered by the
animated entity.
20. A method of advertising associated with a multi-media message,
the multi-media message being created by a sender for a recipient,
the multi-media message being delivered by an animated entity, the
method comprising: receiving the multi-media message from the
sender; delivering the multi-media message to the recipient; and
after the recipient has received the multi-media message,
delivering an advertisement to the recipient.
21. The method of advertising of claim 20, wherein the animated
entity delivers the advertisement to the recipient.
22. A method of enabling a sender to create a multi-media message
associated with an event, the method comprising: presenting the
sender with an option to select a multi-media message creation
template, the creation template having animated entities and other
features associated with the event; upon the sender selecting the
option to use the creation template: receiving the sender selection
of other features; receiving the sender message; and delivering the
multi-media message to a recipient.
23. The method of enabling a sender to create a multi-media message
associated with an event of claim 22, wherein the particular event
it a movie.
24. The method of enabling a sender to create a multi-media message
associated with an event of claim 22, wherein the particular event
it a sporting event.
25. The method of enabling a sender to create a multi-media message
associated with an event of claim 22, wherein the other features
associated with the event include music.
26. The method of enabling a sender to create a multi-media message
associated with an event of claim 25, wherein the other features
associated with the event include background images.
27. The method of enabling a sender to create a multi-media message
associated with an event of claim 25, wherein the other features
associated with the event include background video clips.
28. A method of enabling a sender to create a multi-media message
associated with an event, the method comprising: presenting the
sender with an option to select a multi-media message creation
template; upon the sender selecting the multi-media message
creation template, presenting a group of selectable animated
entities associated with the event and a group of selectable audio
and video features associated with the event, the message creation
template including a group of emoticons associated with the
animated entities; receiving the sender selection of at least one
animated entity, if any, and the sender selection of emoticons
within a sender message, if any; receiving the sender selection of
audio and video features, if any; and delivering the multi-media
message to a recipient.
29. A method of enabling a sender to create a multi-media message
associated with an event, the method comprising: presenting the
sender with a multi-media message creation template, the message
template including a group of selectable animated entities each
associated with the event, the message creation template further
comprising selectable audio and video effects each associated with
the event, the message creation template including a group of
emoticons associated with the selectable animated entities;
receiving the sender selection of at least one animated entity, if
any, and the sender selection of emoticons within a sender message,
if any; receiving the sender selection of audio and video features,
if any; and delivering the multi-media message to a recipient.
30. A method of presenting bulk advertisements using multi-media
messages, the method comprising: creating text and animation for an
advertisement for a plurality of recipients; inserting a name for
each recipient into the advertisement to create a plurality of
personalized advertisements associated with the plurality of
recipients; and transmitting each personalized advertisement to its
associated recipient.
Description
PRIORITY APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a division of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/999,525, filed Nov. 2, 2001, which claims
priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/245,521 filed Nov. 3,
2000, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their
entirety.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] The present application is related to the following U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/003,094, filed Nov. 2, 2001, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,203,648; Ser. No. 11/259,883, filed Oct. 27, 2005;
Ser. No. 11/679,905, filed Feb. 28, 2007; Ser. No. 10/003,091,
filed Nov. 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,082; Ser. No.
11/212,267, filed Aug. 27, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,203,759; Ser.
No. 11/679,911, filed Feb. 28, 2007; Ser. No. 10/003,350, filed
Nov. 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,452; Ser. No. 11/214,666,
filed Aug. 30, 2005; Ser. No. 10/003,093, filed Nov. 2, 2001, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,035,803; Ser. No. 11/276,556, filed Mar. 6, 2006,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,177,811; Ser. No. 11/615,079, filed Dec. 22,
2006; Ser. No. 10/003,092, filed Nov. 2, 2001; Ser. No. 09/999,526,
filed Nov. 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,963,839; Ser. No.
11/195,934, filed Aug. 3, 2005; and Ser. No. 09/999,505, filed Nov.
2, 2001. These applications are commonly assigned and are hereby
incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to multi-media messages and
more specifically to a system and method of advertising using
multi-media messages where an animated entity audibly delivers
messages created by a sender using text-to-speech technologies.
[0005] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0006] There is a growing popularity for text-to-speech ("TTS")
enabled systems that combine voice with a "talking head" or a
computer-generated face that literally speaks to a person. Such
systems improve user experience with a computer system by
personalizing the exchange of information. Systems for converting
text into speech are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,173,263 B1 to Alistair Conkie, assigned to the assignee of the
present invention, discloses a system and method of performing
concatenative speech synthesis. The contents of this patent are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0007] One example associated with the creation and delivery of
e-mails using a TTS system is LifeFX.TM.'s Facemail.TM.. FIG. 1
illustrates how a sender creates a message using the LifeFX.TM.
system. A window 10 presents fields for inserting the sender's
e-mail address 12 and the recipient's e-mail address 14. Standard
features such as control buttons 16 for previewing and delivering
the message are provided. A standard subject line is also provided
18. The sender chooses from a variety of faces 20 to deliver the
message. The currently chosen face 22 appears in the window 10 as
well. The sender inserts the message text as with a traditional
e-mail in a text area 24 and a box 26 below the text area gives
illustrations of some of the available emoticons, explained further
below.
[0008] This system enables a sender to write an e-mail and choose a
talking head or "face" to deliver the e-mail. The recipient of the
e-mail needs to download special TTS software in order to enable
the "face" to deliver the message. The downloaded software converts
the typewritten e-mail from the e-mail sender into audible words,
and synchronizes the head and mouth movements of the talking head
to match the audibly spoken words. Various algorithms and software
may be used to provide the TTS function as well as the
synchronization of the speech with the talking head. For example,
the article, "Photo-realistic Talking-heads From Image Samples," by
E. Cosatto and H. P. Graf, IEEE Transactions on Multimedia,
September 2000, Vol. 2, Issue 3, pages 152-163, describes a system
for creating a realistic model of a head that can be animated and
lip-synched from phonetic transcripts of text. The contents of this
article are incorporated herein by reference. Such systems, when
combined with TTS synthesizers, generate video animations of
talking heads that resemble people. One drawback of related systems
is that the synthesized voice bears no resemblance to the sender
voice.
[0009] The LifeFX.TM. system presents the user with a plurality of
faces 20 from which to choose. Once a face is chosen, the e-mail
sender composes an e-mail message. Within the e-mail, the sender
inserts features to increase the emotion showed by the
computer-generated face when the e-mail is "read" to the e-mail
recipient. For example, the following will result in the message
being read with a smile at the end: "Hi, how are you today?:-)".
These indicators of emotion are called "emoticons" and may include
such features as: :-((frown); -o (wow); :-x (kiss); and ;-) (wink).
The e-mail sender will type in these symbols which are translated
by the system into the emotions. Therefore, after composing a
message, inserting emoticons, and choosing a face, the sender sends
the message. The recipiant will get an e-mail with a notification
that he or she has received a facemail and that they will need to
download a player to hear the message.
[0010] The LifeFX.TM. system presents its emoticons when delivering
the message in a particular way. For example, when an emoticon such
as a smile is inserted in the sentence "Hi, Jonathon, :-) how are
you today?" the "talking head" 22 speaks the words "Hi, Jonathan"
and then stops talking and begins the smiling operation. After
finishing the smile, the talking head completes the sentence "how
are you today?"
[0011] The LifeFX.TM. system only enables the recipient to hear the
message after downloading the appropriate software. There are
several disadvantages to delivering multi-media messages in this
manner. Such software requires a large amount of disc space and the
recipient may not desire to utilize his or her space with the
necessary software. Further, with viruses prevalent on the
Internet, many people are naturally reluctant to download software
when they are unfamiliar with its source.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a received Facemail.TM. 40. The chosen
talking head 22 delivers the message. Buttons such as "say again"
42, "new" 44, "forward" 26, "reply" 48, "reply all" 50, and "show
text" 52 enable the recipient to control to some degree how the
message is received. Buttons 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 are commonly
used button features for controlling messages. Button 52 allows the
user to read the text of the message. When button 52 is clicked,
the text of the message is shown in a window illustrated in FIG. 3.
A separate window 54 pops up typically over the talking head 22
with the text. When the window is moved or does not cover the
talking head, the sound continues but if the mouth of the talking
head is showing, it is clear that when the text box is up, the
mouth stops moving.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] What is needed in the art is a system and method to enable
targeted advertising using multi-media messages using TTS
technology for delivering messages by an animated entity. The
present invention addresses the need in the art for a system and
method of presenting advertising messages in the context of TTS
multi-media messages.
[0014] The first embodiment of the present invention relates to a
method of advertising in a multi-media message. The multi-media
message is prepared by a sender and delivered by an animated
entity. The method uses a plurality of stored advertising messages
from which to choose an advertising message to display. The method
comprises gathering information regarding the sender's current
and/or previous multi-media messages, if any, and choosing an
advertising message from the plurality of stored advertising
messages based on the gathered information. The chosen advertising
message is displayed to either the sender or the recipient of the
multi-media message. The information may relate to the sender's
previous emoticons used, templates used, a trend of messages
created by the sender, or other information that may be gained
based on the sender's previous use of multi-media messages.
[0015] The information may also relate to recipient data. The
recipient data may be gleaned from the text of the message (the
tone of the message through a text analysis, for example), the name
of the recipient (male or female), or previous messages sent to
that recipient. The system may use the recipient data exclusively
or in connection with the sender data to present
advertisements.
[0016] In another aspect of the first embodiment of the present
invention, other information associated with a current multi-media
message may be used to determine and select advertisements
associated with that multi-media message. For example, a text
analysis may be performed of the text written by the sender in
order to choose an appropriate advertising message from a plurality
of stored advertising messages. As an example, if from the text
analysis it is clear that the message relates to an offer to sell a
computer, an advertisement related to computers may be chosen.
[0017] In yet another aspect of the first embodiment of the present
invention, the information used for choosing an advertising message
may relate to the emoticons or other music or video tags inserted
in the text of the message by the sender. In this regard, the
system analyzes the inserted emoticons or tags to determine, for
example, whether the message is a positive message or a negative
message. From this analysis, the system chooses an advertisement to
match as closely as possible the tone of the message. The decision
on which advertisements to insert into the multi-media message may
depend on one or more of the parameters disclosed herein, as well
as on the language in which the receiver chooses to receive the
message, in order to optimize the targeting of advertisements
within the context of multi-media messages.
[0018] The second embodiment of the present invention relates to a
method of providing features available for purchase by the sender
for use in creating multi-media messages. The method comprises
presenting at least one feature to the sender for sale. The
features presented to the sender may relate to any aspect of the
process of creating a multi-media message using text-to-speech
technology and animated entity for delivering a text message. The
method further comprises receiving an order from the sender to
purchase at least one feature to use in creating multi-media
messages. Once purchased, the method comprises enabling the sender
to use the purchased feature for creating multi-media messages.
[0019] The features available for sale may comprise, for example,
certain animated entities such as a famous character, actor,
professionally created entities and the like. The features may also
relate to accessories to associate with the animated entity such as
sunglasses, hats, earrings, make-up, scarves or cloths. Furthermore
the features may relate to the background effects such as video
templates, emoticons, animation, backgrounds, or sound effects.
[0020] The sender may purchase any of these features for continuous
use, for use in a limited number of multi-media messages, or for a
limited amount of time. Furthermore, additional arrangements are
contemplated such that the distributor of, for example, sunglasses
that may be associative with a soon-to-be released movie may offer
the sender a free pair of sunglasses if the sender uses the
particular sunglasses within a certain number of multi-media
messages before the debut of the movie.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The foregoing advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description of several
embodiments of the invention with reference to the corresponding
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art window for creating a
multi-media message;
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art window viewed by a recipient
of a multi-media message;
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art window in response to a
recipient of a multi-media message clicking on a "show text"
button;
[0025] FIG. 4(a) illustrates the basic architecture of the system
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4(b) illustrates a low-bandwidth version of the system
shown in FIG. 4(a);
[0027] FIG. 5 shows example architecture for delivering the
multi-media message;
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates an example window for creating a
multi-media message;
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a method according to the first
embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 8 shows another method according to the first
embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 9 shows another variation on the first embodiment of
the invention related to the timing of advertisements in a
multi-media message;
[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates an advertisement associated with an
animated entity;
[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates a method according to the second
embodiment of the invention; and
[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates a variation on the second embodiment of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The present invention may be best understood with reference
to the accompanying drawings and description herein. The basic
system design supporting the various embodiments of the invention
is first disclosed. A system comprises a TTS and an animation
server to provide a multi-media message service over the Internet
wherein a sender can create a multi-media message presentation
delivered audibly by an animated entity.
[0036] FIG. 4(a) illustrates a high-bandwidth architecture 60
associated with the embodiments of the invention. The system 60
delivers a hyper-text mark-up language (HTML) page through the
Internet 62 (connected to a web server, not shown but embodied in
the Internet 62) to a client application 64. The HTML page (shown
by way of example in FIG. 6) enables the sender to create a
multi-media message. The client application may be, for example, a
web browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer.RTM.. Other
client applications include e-mail and instant messaging clients.
The sender creates the multi-media message using the HTML page.
[0037] The web server receives the composed multi-media message,
which includes several components that are additional to a regular
e-mail or instant message. For example, a multi-media message
includes a designation of an animated entity for audibly delivering
the message and emoticons that add emotional elements to the
animated entity during the delivery of the message. The HTML page
delivered to the client terminal enables the sender to manipulate
various buttons and inputs to create the multi-media message.
[0038] Once the sender finishes creating the multi-media message
and sends the message, the Internet 62 transmits the message text
with emoticons and other chosen parameters to a text-to-speech
(TTS) server 66 that communicates with an animation or face server
68 to compute and synchronize the multi-media message. The
transmission of the text-to-speech data may be accomplished using
such methods as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,250 B1 to
Kenneth Jong, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
The contents of this patent are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0039] The animation server 68 receives phonemes associated with
the sender message and interpreted by the TTS server 66, including
the text of the subject line and other text such as the name of the
sender, as well as other defined parameters or data. The animation
server 68 processes the received phonemes, message text, emoticons
and any other provided parameters such as background images or
audio and creates an animated message that matches the audio and
the emoticons. An exemplary method for producing the animated
entity is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,995,119 to Cosatto et al.
("Cosatto et al."). The Cosatto et al. patent is assigned to the
assignee of the present invention and its contents are incorporated
herein by reference. Cosatto et al. disclose a system and method of
generating animated characters that can "speak" or "talk" received
text messages. Another reference for information on generating
animated sequences of animated entities is found in U.S. Pat. No.
6,122,177 to Cosatto et al. ("Cosatto et al. II"). The contents of
Cosatto et al. II are incorporated herein by reference as well.
[0040] The system 60 encodes the audio and video portions of the
multi-media message for streaming through a streaming audio/video
server 70. In a high-bandwidth version of the present invention, as
shown in FIG. 4(a), the server 70 streams the multi-media message
to the streaming client 72 over the Internet 62. One of ordinary
skill in the art will understand and be cognizant of a variety of
TTS servers and TTS technologies that may be optimally used for
converting the text to speech. The particular implementation of TTS
technologies is not relevant to the present invention. One of
ordinary skill in the art will understand and be cognizant of a
variety of animation servers and animation technologies that may be
optimally used for converting phonemes and emoticons into talking
entities, preferably faces. The particular implementation of
animation technologies is not relevant to the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 4(b) illustrates a low-bandwidth system 61 of the
present invention. In this variation, the animation server 68
produces animation parameters that are synchronized with the audio
produced from the TTS server 66. The audio and animation parameters
are encoded and transmitted by the streaming server 74 over a lower
bandwidth connection over the Internet 62. The streaming client 76
in this aspect of the invention differs from the streaming client
72 of FIG. 4(a) in that client 76 includes rendering software for
rendering the animation on the client device using the streamed
animation parameters provided from the streaming server 74.
Furthermore, the client includes a TTS synthesizer that synthesizes
the audio. In this manner, the systems disclosed in FIGS. 4(a) and
4(b) provide both a high-bandwidth and a low-bandwidth option for
all users.
[0042] A further variation of the invention applies when the client
device includes the animation or rendering software. In this case,
the client device 72, 76 can receive a multi-media message e-mail,
with the message declared as a specific multipurpose Internet mail
extension (MIME) type, and render the animation locally without
requiring access to a central server or streaming server 70, 74. In
one aspect of the invention, the rendering software includes a TTS
synthesizer with the usable voices. In this case, the recipient
device 72, 76 receives the text (very little data) and the face
model (several kb), unless it is already stored in a cache at the
receiver device 72, 76. If the receiver device 72, 76 is requested
to synthesize a voice different from the ones available at its TTS
synthesizer, the server 74 downloads the new voice.
[0043] High quality voices typically require several megabytes of
disk space. Therefore, if the voice is stored on a streaming server
74, in order to avoid the delay of the huge download, the server 74
uses a TTS synthesizer to create the audio. Then, the server 74
streams the audio and related markup information such as phonemes,
stress, word-boundaries, bookmarks with emoticons, and related
timestamps to the recipient. The recipient device 76 locally
renders the face model using the face model and the markup
information and synchronously plays the audio streamed from the
server.
[0044] When the recipient receives an e-mail message associated
with the multi-media message, the message is received on a client
device 71 such as that shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates a
different view of system 60. The client device may be any one of a
desktop, laptop computer, a wireless device such as a cell phone,
3Com's Palmpilot.RTM. or personal data assistant and the like. The
particular arrangement of the client device 71 is unimportant to
the present invention. The multi-media message may be delivered
over the Internet, via a wireless communication system such as a
cellular communication system or via a satellite communication
system.
[0045] The multi-media message delivery mechanism is also not
limited to an e-mail system. For example, other popular forms of
communication include instant messaging, bulletin boards, I Seek
You (ICQ) and other messaging services. Instant messaging and the
like differ from regular e-mail in that its primary focus is
immediate end-user delivery. In this sense, the sender and
recipient essentially become interchangeable because the messages
are communicated back and forth in real time. Presence information
for a user with an open session to a well-known multi-user system
enables friends and colleagues to instantly communicate messages
back and forth. Those of skill in the art know various
architectures for simple instant messaging and presence
awareness/notification. Since the particular embodiment of the
instant message, bulletin board, or I Seek You (ICQ) or other
messaging service is not relevant to the general principles of the
present invention, no further details are provided here. Those of
skill in the art will understand and be able to apply the
principles disclosed herein to the particular communication
application. Although the best mode and preferred embodiment of the
invention relates to the e-mail context, the multi-media messages
may be created and delivered via any messaging context.
[0046] For instant messaging, client sessions are established using
a multicast group (more than 2 participants) or unicast (2
participants). As part of the session description, each participant
specifies the animated entity representing him. Each participant
loads the animated entity of the other participants. When a
participant sends a message as described for the e-mail
application, this message is sent to a central server that animates
the entity for the other participants to view or streams
appropriate parameters (audio/animation parameters or audio/video
or text/animation parameters or just text) to the participants that
their client software uses to render the animated entity.
[0047] Further as shown in FIG. 5, when a client device 71 receives
a request from the recipient to view a multi-media message, the
client device 71 sends a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) message
to the web server 63. As a response, the web server sends a message
with an appropriate MIME type pointing to the server 70 at which
point the server 70 streams the multi-media message to the client
terminal for viewing and listening. This operation is well known to
those of skill in the art.
[0048] In an alternate aspect of the invention, the client device
71 stores previously downloaded specific rendering software for
delivering multi-media messages. As discussed above, LifeFX.TM.
requires the recipient to download its client software before the
recipient may view the message. Therefore, some of the
functionality of the present invention is applied in the context of
the client terminal 71 containing the necessary software for
delivering the multi-media message. In this case, the animation
server 68 and TTS server 66 create and synchronize the multi-media
message for delivery. The multi-media message is then transmitted,
preferably via e-mail, to the recipient. When the recipient opens
the e-mail, an animated entity shown in the message delivery window
delivers the message. The local client software runs to locally
deliver the message using the animated entity.
[0049] Many web-based applications require client devices to
download software on their machines, such as with the LifeFX.TM.
system. As mentioned above, problems exist with this requirement
since customers in general are reluctant and rightfully suspicious
about downloading software over the Internet because of the
well-known security problems such as virus contamination, trojan
horses, zombies, etc. New software installations often cause
problems with the existing software or hardware on the client
device. Further, many users do not have the expertise to run the
installation process if it gets even slightly complicated e.g.,
asking about system properties, directories, etc. Further,
downloading and installing software takes time. These negative
considerations may prevent hesitant users from downloading the
software and using the service.
[0050] Some Java-based applications are proposed as a solution for
the above-mentioned problems but these are more restrictive due to
security precautions and can't be used to implement all
applications and there is no unified Java implementation.
Therefore, users need to configure their browsers to allow
Java-based program execution. As with the problems discussed above,
a time-consuming download of the Java executable for each use by
users who do not know if they really need or like to use the new
application may prevent users from bothering with the Java-based
software.
[0051] Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention includes
using streaming video to demonstrate the use of a new software
application. Enabling the user to preview the use of a new software
application solves the above-mentioned these problems for many
applications. Currently, almost all client machines have a
streaming video client such as Microsoft's Mediaplayer.RTM. or Real
Player.RTM.. If not, such applications can be downloaded and
configured with confidence. Note that the user needs to do this
only once. These streaming video receivers can be used to receive
and playback video on the client's machine.
[0052] According to this aspect of the present invention, shown by
way of example in FIG. 5, a user may wish to preview a multi-media
message before downloading rendering software on the client device
71. If such is the case, the user enters into a dialogue with the
streaming server 70 and requests a preview or demonstration of the
capabilities of the application if the rendering software were
downloaded. The streaming server 70 transmits to the client device
71 a multi-media message showing dynamic screen shots of the
application as if it is running on the user's machine. As an
example, if the new application would have the capability to show a
three-dimensional view of a room based on vector graphics, the
streaming video displays the three-dimensional output of the
application on the user's monitor as video. Most existing players
allow the users to control the video playback by clicking on
buttons or the like on an HTML page. This provides an interactive
feeling for the user if needed without loading any new or
suspicious software.
[0053] Therefore, an aspect of the present invention enables the
user, before downloading rendering software for presenting
multi-media messages using an animated entity, to request a preview
of the multi-media message streamed to the client as a video and
presented on a player such as the Microsoft Mediaplayer.RTM. or
Real Player.RTM. downloaded from a web server 63. If the user so
desires, he or she can then download the rendering software for
enjoying the reception of multi-media messages.
[0054] FIG. 6 shows an example of a template for the sender to use
to create a multi-media message. A message-creation window 80
includes basic e-mail-related features such as fields for inserting
a sender name 82 and sender e-mail address 84. A subject line 86
and recipient address field 88 are also provided. The sender enters
the text of the message within a standard text field 92. Various
animated entities 94 are available from which the sender may choose
(90) for delivering the message. Typically the animated entities
are faces as shown in FIG. 6, but they may be any entity such as an
animal, car, tree, robot, or anything that may be animated.
[0055] The sender may also insert emoticons 103 into the text of
the message. The system includes predefined emoticons 96, such as
":-)" for a smile, "::-)" for a head nod, "*w*" for an eye wink,
and so forth. The predefined emoticons are represented either as
icons or as text, such as ";-)". As shown in FIG. 6, the window 80
includes a sample group of emoticon icons 96. The sender inserts an
emoticon into a text message at the location of the cursor 102 by
clicking on one of the emoticon icons 100. The sender may also type
in the desired emoticon as text. Emoticon icons 96 save the sender
from needing to type three keys, such as ":" and "-" and ")" for a
smile. The icons 96 may be either a picture of, say, a winking eye
or a icon representation of the characters ";-)" 100, or other
information indicating to the sender that clicking on that emoticon
icon will insert the associated emotion 103 into the text at the
location of the cursor 102.
[0056] Once the sender composes the text of the message, chooses an
animated entity 94, and inserts the desired emoticons 103, he or
she generates the multi-media message by clicking on the generate
message button 98. The animation server 68 creates an animated
video of the selected animated entity 94 for audibly delivering the
message. The TTS server 66 converts the text to speech as mentioned
above. Emoticons 103 in the message are translated into their
corresponding facial expressions such as smiles and nods. The
position of an emoticon 103 in the text determines when the facial
expression is executed during delivery of the message.
[0057] Execution of a particular expression preferably occurs
before the specific location of the emoticon in the text. This is
in contrast to the LifeFX.TM. system, discussed above, in which the
execution of the smile emoticon in the text "Hello, Jonathan :-)
how are you?" starts and ends between the words "Jonathan" and
"how". In the present invention, the expression of the emoticon
begins a predefined number of words or a predefined time before the
emoticon's location in the text. Furthermore, the end of the
expressions of an emoticon may be a predefined number of words
after the location of the emoticon in the text or a predetermined
amount of time after the location of the emoticon.
[0058] For example, according to an aspect of the present
invention, the smile in the sentence "Hello, Jonathan :-) how are
you?" will begin after the word "Hello" and continue through the
word "how" or even through the entire sentence. The animated entity
in this case will be smiling while delivering most of the
message--which is more natural for the recipient than having the
animated entity pause while executing an expression.
[0059] Furthermore, the starting and stopping points for executing
expressions will vary depending on the expression. For example, a
wink typically takes a very short amount of time to perform whereas
a smile may last longer. Therefore, the starting and stopping
points for a wink may be defined in terms of 0.1 seconds before its
location in the text to 0.5 seconds after the location of the wink
emoticon in the text. In contrast, the smile emoticon's starting,
stopping, and duration parameters may be defined in terms of the
words surrounding the emoticons.
[0060] The first embodiment of the invention relates to a method of
presenting an advertising message associated with a multi-media
message. The advertising message may be delivered to either the
sender or the recipient. The multi-media message is created by the
sender and delivered to the recipient by an animated entity. The
general principle of the method relates to gathering as much
information about the sender and recipient from the selection of
elements and the text associated with the multi-media message. The
information is used for targeted advertising.
[0061] FIG. 7 shows an example flow-graph of the first embodiment
of the invention. The method comprises gathering information
regarding the sender's previous multi-media messages, if any (120).
The information may relate to options chosen such as sound or
background images as disclosed in a related patent application
incorporated herein. The previous multi-media message information
may also include a text analysis of previous multi-media messages.
Next, with the information from previous multi-media messages, the
method comprises choosing an advertising message from the plurality
of stored advertising messages based on the gathered information
(122). The advertisement is displayed to either the recipient or
the sender of the multi-media message (124).
[0062] As an example of this method, an analysis of previous
messages between the sender and the recipient may reveal an ongoing
discussion regarding building a home addition or an ongoing
discussion regarding purchasing a vehicle. With this data, an
appropriate advertisement is selected that is targeted to the need
of the recipient or the sender. The information gathered may also
relate to information regarding recipients of the sender's previous
multi-media messages.
[0063] The advertisement in the multi-media message to the
recipient may be delivered prior to, throughout, or following the
reception of the multi-media message.
[0064] In another aspect of the first embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 8, based on a text analysis of the current message,
the method selects advertisements from a plurality of stored
advertising messages to display to either the sender or the
recipient. The method comprises performing a text analysis of the
text written by the sender (130). Based on the text analysis, the
system determines whether to advertise (132). In this regard, the
text of the message may indicate that advertising is not
appropriate or desirable according to the subject matter or tone of
the message. If the system determines that it is appropriate to
advertise, then the method comprises choosing an advertising
message from the plurality of stored advertising messages according
to the text analysis (134). The chosen advertising message is
displayed to the sender or recipient of the multi-media message
(138). If the system determines not to advertise, then the method
comprises not advertising to the recipient (136).
[0065] Additional steps may include analyzing emoticons and/or
other tags inserted into the text written by the sender. An example
of this aspect of the invention is provided in FIG. 9. In general,
emoticons or audio tags, video clip tags, or image tags may be
inserted into the text of the message for a desired effect.
Preferably, any of these inserted tags may be termed an "icon."
Thus, an icon inserted into the text may be any feature or effect
available to the sender in the creation of the multi-media-message.
In the context of the present invention, each of these icons
provides information useful for choosing an appropriate
advertisement.
[0066] In addition to emoticon information, if other information is
available for analysis, the method comprises choosing the
advertising message according to the text analysis and any
additional analysis. Since the sender is creating a multi-media
message that may comprise manipulation of a variety of parameters,
including the choice of the animated entity, there is much
information to draw upon when targeting advertisements. The present
invention envisions using any and all of this information for
increased efficiency in advertising.
[0067] The system may use different advertising methods when
analyzing the sender text and emoticons or other data for
information for determining advertising. For example, performing
the emoticon analysis may further comprise providing a score for
each available emoticon and determining a value associated with all
the emoticons in the sender text, wherein the chosen advertising
message is based on the value. A database stores a plurality of
advertisements and associated values such that a match may be made
for each text message created by the sender.
[0068] Recipient information may be gathered as well. For example,
the name in the text message, e-mail address, tone or text of the
message, etc., may be useful in determining and crafting
advertisements for the recipient. This information may be used
exclusive of or in connection with the known sender information.
Therefore, a personally tailored advertisement or offering may be
presented to the recipient.
[0069] FIG. 9 illustrates this aspect of the method. The method
comprises performing an analysis of the emoticons or icons inserted
by the sender. The tags may refer to any feature or effect desired
by the sender such as sound, images, or video clips (140). Next,
the system determines whether to advertise based on the analysis
(142). This aspect of the invention is important because
advertising may be ineffective or damaging if presented with a
message that has a highly negative connotation. For example, it may
be more appropriate for no advertisement to accompany a message
about a death in the family. In the analysis of the emoticons and
tags inserted into the text, positive or negative connotations may
be determined based on, for example, if frown emoticons or smile
emoticons are used. If the system determines that advertising is
appropriate, then the method comprises displaying an advertisement
or product offering to the recipient (144). The selection of the
advertisement or offering is preferably targeted based on the
analysis and any known information about the sender and/or
recipient. If the system determines not to advertise, then the
method comprises not advertising to either the sender or recipient
(146).
[0070] The above-described aspect of the first embodiment of the
invention enables the advertiser to change advertisements
throughout a message based on different tags or text analysis of
the message. For example, a text message may have a sad portion and
a happy portion. During the sad portion, text analysis, background
music tags and emoticons may clearly indicate sadness or a somber
mood. An advertisement may be displayed (if at all) to the
recipient during this time that is appropriate for such an
atmosphere. However, the sender may then change moods and the
latter part of a message may be very cheerful and talk about, for
example, an exciting beach vacation just taken. Background video
clips and music and smiling emoticons all reflect this mood. In
this case, different advertisements related to this mood may be
included.
[0071] The effect of the text analysis may be, for example, if the
sender describes a trip to a Hawaii beach and describes a surfing
experience with the associated emoticons, music and images, the
server can gather all of the information and determine that another
trip is contemplated next summer to the same place. Advertisements
therefore associated with airfare, hotel accommodations, car rental
specials, dining, or the like can be provided to the sender or
recipient. If either the sender or the recipient is planning
another trip, the likelihood that they may explore a link to a
desired product or service increases.
[0072] Other variations on how advertisements are chosen are also
contemplated, such as gathering information about a recipient. For
example, colors associated with or the subject matter of the
advertisement or product/service offering may be varied depending
on whether the recipient is male or female. The text of the message
may indicate further information about the recipient such as
vacation plans or trips just taken. Recipient-based information,
including any other analysis or information, such as text analysis
or which animated entity is chosen by the sender, combine to
provide an accurate and effective means of choosing a
recipient-focused advertisement or product/service offering. The
advertisement may be tailored to the recipient through using the
recipient's name, gleaned either from the recipient e-mail address
or text in the message.
[0073] Another aspect of the first embodiment of the invention
relates to the timing of delivery of the message. Preferably, a
server receives the multi-media message created by the sender for
the recipient. A period of time exists while the multi-media
message is being delivered to the recipient. The recipient device,
whether via computer or handheld wireless device, may have buffer
memory that must be filled to a certain level before a streaming
multi-media message can begin to be displayed. Preferably, while
streaming the multi-media message to the recipient, and before a
streaming client has a buffer filled to a predetermined level, the
chosen advertisement is delivered to the recipient. There may be
other periods of time as well during the preparation and streaming
process of the multi-media message in which advertisements may be
displayed. The format of the delivery of these advertisements to
the recipient is also variable. For example, the system may use a
standard banner ad format or the system may use the animated entity
chosen for delivering the sender's multi-media message. In yet
another variation of this aspect of the invention, the
advertisement may be delivered to the recipient after the recipient
has received the multi-media message.
[0074] Advertisements may be shown in the background of an animated
entity as part of a background image or as a small icon or logo
next to the animated entity. The advertising icon may also be
linked to the animated entity such that the icon's movement or
intensity may be variable throughout the presentation of the
multi-media message. FIG. 10 illustrates this feature of the
invention. The multi-media message window 150 includes the animated
entity 152 that is delivering the message. An advertisement 154 is
included in any location in the window 150. The interaction between
the advertisement 154 and the multi-media message may be, for
example, such that the advertisement 154 moves with the movement of
the animated entity 152, or that the advertisement increases in
size and intensity, either by color or brightness or some other
feature, depending on the portion of the text being delivered and
the associated emoticons. For example, if a large smile emoticon is
inserted in the text of the message, then the advertisement may
become more intense during that period of time such that the
recipient's attention is drawn to the advertisement during a
positive portion of the multi-media message. The advertising icon
preferably includes a link such that when the recipient clicks on
the link, the advertiser's web-page opens for the recipient to
browse and shop.
[0075] The second embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated by way of example in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 relates to a
method of providing sender-selectable animated entities when
creating a multi-media message. Various animated entities are
presented to a sender. Some of these animated entities may be
images of famous people or specially created images. The owners of
such images may design the images to sell or license them for a
sender's general or specific use in creating multi-media message.
Accordingly, the second embodiment of the present invention relates
to the sale of animated entities for multi-media messages and the
sale of other features associated with multi-media messages.
[0076] The method comprises presenting at least one animated entity
to the sender for sale (160), and receiving an order from the
sender to purchase at least one animated entity to use in creating
a multi-media message (162). Once purchased, the method further
comprises enabling the sender to use the purchased at least one
animated entity for creating a multi-media message (164).
[0077] A variation on the second embodiment of the invention
relates to the step of receiving an order from the sender to
purchase at least one animated entity. In this variation, the
method further comprises receiving an order from the sender to
purchase at least one animated entity for use in a limited number
of multi-media messages. Receiving an order from the sender to
purchase at least one animated entity may further comprise
receiving an order from the sender to purchase at least one
animated entity for use within a limited amount of time. In this
regard the sender may desire to use a specific animated entity a
large number of times or only a few times. Different pricing plans
enable the sender to have options to choose from.
[0078] In addition to the animated entity being available for sale,
additional features and accessories may also be for sale. In this
variation of the second embodiment of the invention, the method
comprises providing features for use by a sender in creating a
multi-media message for a recipient, the multi-media message being
delivered audibly by the animated entity. This variation is
illustrated in FIG. 12. The method comprises presenting at least
one feature to the sender for sale (170) and receiving an order
from the sender to purchase at least one feature to use in creating
multi-media messages (172). Once purchased, the method comprises
enabling the sender to use the purchased at least one feature for
creating multi-media messages (174).
[0079] The available features for sale to the sender comprise
multi-media message templates, emoticons, animation, backgrounds,
and sound effects. Other features such as accessories like
sunglasses, ear-rings, hats, earrings, makeup, scarves, clothes or
other facial features may also be available. Single-fee plans, such
as paying $1 per month, may also be offered for unlimited use of
the features of the invention.
[0080] The sender-created multi-media message template may also be
available for use at kiosks at theme parks, sporting events, for a
local community or associated with a particular event such as a
movie. For example, the present invention contemplates associating
a particular template for a particulate baseball team. Kiosks at
the baseball field are available for use by visitors. The animated
entities available for use from the kioske are baseball players
from the teams playing that day or from the home team. A sender can
then use the kioske to prepare and send a multi-media message using
the chosen baseball player for delivery. Such a site may also be
available over the Internet where a baseball teams web site, for
example, provides the option for the sender to enter in his or her
return email and send an email using one of the players as the
entity delivering the message.
[0081] In another aspect of the invention, the available characters
for delivering the multi-media message are those in a movie, such
as Star Wars.RTM.. In this regard, high-quality models can be
created and the use of these models with multi-media message
templates with background music, entities, background video or
background images and emoticons can all reflect a particular theme
associated with a movie. These kinds of templates are then
available for users either on a movie promotion web site or via a
selectable set of templates available through the sender's e-mail
application.
[0082] The multi-media creation template associated with an event
will have tailored parameters such as emoticons specially designed
for each character or animated entity that is selectable.
Therefore, as an example, if Darth Vader.RTM. is a selectable
animated entity to deliver a message, then the emoticons that are
inserted will be tailored to his personality. Thus, the
presentation of the message by Darth Vader.RTM. will be more
realistic to the recipient. Further, background music, videos,
images, etc. will all be tailored for the particular template
event.
[0083] Accordingly, a method according to this aspect of the
invention comprises a method of enabling a sender to create a
multi-media message associated with a particular event, the method
comprising presenting the sender with an option to select a
multi-media message creation template, the creation template having
animated entities and other features associated with the event.
Upon the sender selecting the option to use the creation template,
receiving the sender selection of parameters, receiving the sender
message and delivering the multi-media message to a recipient.
[0084] In this manner, the use of multi-media messages promotes are
particular event such as a movie, or a sporting team or any other
particular event that lends itself to promotion using a group of
famous people.
[0085] Concepts from the present invention may be used for
electronic bulk and targeted marketing. In a variation, the text
and animation of an advertisement message is created. The name of
the recipient is inserted into the message such that a personalized
message is created. The computer server computes the multi-media
advertising message and sends an e-mail or other message to the
recipient as soon as it is ready. In order to increase the
effectiveness of the message, the advertisement may be presented
within a web page related to the message of the advertisement.
[0086] For example, according to this aspect of the invention, the
system creates the body of the advertisement as one video and for
each a recipient a separate video containing just the greeting like
`Hello Mr. Smith. Today, we like to show you our new multi-media
message application`. Then, the server combines the 2 videos into
one for each customer. The transition between the two videos is
masked by showing an intermediate frame that might show a picture
of the product. Combining the videos may be achieved on the server
using any video processing software or on the client computer using
multi-media synchronization languages like SMIL.
[0087] Although the above description may contain specific details,
they should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way.
Other configurations of the described embodiments of the invention
are part of the scope of this invention. For example, the present
invention is described in the context of e-mail multi-media
messages. However, the present invention has application in any
message delivery system. For example, in an instant messaging has
become a very popular type of communication over the Internet for
over a wireless communication link. The present invention has
applicability in other contexts such as instant messaging or any
other context in which messages are delivered. Accordingly, the
appended claims and their legal equivalents should only define the
invention, rather than any specific examples given.
* * * * *